Peeking Bees Apiary

Sunday Inspection Shenanigans: A little visitor seeking shelter… or an uninvited guest?

During a hive inspection, I found a snail shell inside one of my hives. The snail was long gone, but its shell was still there, surrounded by wax and propolis.

My theory? With all the cold rain lately, the little snail probably thought the hive would make a nice, warm shelter.

Unfortunately for the snail, it seems the bees had other plans.

The bees are very protective of their home and their territory. They use propolis to seal gaps, cover unwanted objects, and keep their hive tidy and secure.

So maybe the snail came looking for shelter…

The bees basically said: “You can stay… but we're going to renovate around you.”

Nature is full of the funniest little stories. You never know what you'll discover when you open a hive!

12 hours on the road… and finally back home!

And of course, the first thing I had to do was check on the bees (and say hello to the dogs).

I missed them so much… apparently, they missed me too.

Got 2 stings during the inspection. Welcome home, I guess! 😅

Nothing says “I’m back!” quite like getting stung by your own bees.

Happy 25th Anniversary, DMMMSU-NARDI!

Theme: “BEEYOND EXCELLENCE: Sustaining Partnerships, Empowering Strengthening Power”

Twenty-five years ago, I was still an elementary school student and I had little to no knowledge about bees or beekeeping.

Today, I’m incredibly happy and proud to witness the 25th anniversary of DMMMSU-NARDI and the amazing journey you have built over the years.

From workshops and trainings to research and partnerships, DMMMSU-NARDI has not only continued to grow and thrive, but has also touched the lives of countless beekeepers and aspiring beekeepers. The knowledge, skills, and opportunities you have shared have helped strengthen the beekeeping community and inspire more people to understand and appreciate these amazing little pollinators.

I am truly grateful to have witnessed this milestone land even luckier to have gone home with a hive tool from the raffle! 😂

I would also like to congratulate and express my pride in my mentor, Sir Lee from the PIA's Bee Farm , for delivering such a wonderful and inspiring speech. It was an honor to see you represent the beekeeping community on such a meaningful occasion.

May DMMMSU-NARDI continue to grow, strengthen its partnerships, empower more beekeepers, and create even greater opportunities for the next generation.

Happy 25th Anniversary, DMMMSU-NARDI!

Here’s to 25 years of excellence and to many more years of being BEEYOND!

Wet, Cold, Rainy and Somehow Still Fun: A Beekeeping Adventure in Benguet

I seriously underestimated how cold Benguet can get. 😅

I wore shorts because I thought we were only making a quick stopover. Big mistake. By morning, I was already shivering and regretting every decision that led me there. 😂 I eventually put on my pants, which helped a little.

But then—surprise! We had to go somewhere else in Benguet. I honestly don't know exactly where because I fell asleep during the trip. 😂😅

When we arrived, we had to go down a slippery slope and walk farther until we reached an area that was flooded with ice-cold water.

And, of course...

I slipped. 😅

Because apparently, a proper Benguet beekeeping experience must include cold rain, muddy slopes, freezing water, and at least one embarrassing fall.

Despite all that, it was a wonderful experience. I got to inspect colonies with fellow beekeepers, learn from them, and even bring home some new colonies.

Although, honestly, this isn't the easiest time to acquire bees. The weather is challenging and forage is limited, so colonies need extra care and attention. Thankfully, despite inspecting colonies in less-than-ideal conditions, I managed to escape without a single sting. 🐝😂

Beekeeping is fun when you think about the honey, the bees, and all the amazing things they do for the environment.

But the more involved you become, the more you realize that beekeeping isn't just about harvesting honey. It's also about helping colonies survive difficult seasons, managing their health, and making sure they are strong enough to thrive when better weather and forage return.

So I have an even greater appreciation for fellow beekeepers and farmers who continue working despite the rain, cold, mud, and cranky bees.

Sometimes, farming means getting wet.

Sometimes, it means getting muddy.

Sometimes, it means falling into freezing water. 😂

But we keep going because we care about what we're doing.

And honestly... I'd probably do it all again.

Just next time, I'm wearing pants from the beginning. 😂

Thank you so much for your continuous support, especially during this Habagat season. I truly hope that you and your families are safe. ❤️

I also want to sincerely apologize for the delays and confusion with some of this week’s honey orders.

I know many of you have been patiently waiting for your orders, and I completely understand the anticipation of receiving your honey on time. The weather has already caused some delivery delays, and unfortunately, there were also a few issues during the processing and handover of some orders.

Some parcels were mixed up, while a few orders that were specifically arranged for a different courier may have been booked or handled differently than intended. I’m currently coordinating and checking each affected order with the logistics company to make sure everything is properly tracked and delivered.

I’m really sorry that this means some of you may have to wait a little longer. I know your time and patience are valuable, and I take responsibility for making sure these issues are sorted out as quickly as possible.

I’ll continue monitoring the shipments closely. If you notice anything unusual with your tracking information or if there is any issue with your order, please feel free to message me so I can check it for you.

Thank you again for your patience, understanding, and continued support of our little apiary.

Please keep safe, especially with the weather. Take care always!

P.s. This is genuinely me trying not to cry over this whole situation. 😭 I’m really sorry, everyone.

Oh no! There are bubbles on my honey!
Is it spoiled?
Can I still eat it?

Don’t panic! If your honey suddenly has little bubbles after being transported, it’s most likely just air bubbles caused by the honey being shaken or moved around during delivery.

Honey is thick, so the tiny air bubbles can get trapped inside and slowly rise to the top.

* Bubbles don’t automatically mean your honey is spoiled!

Just let the bottle rest for a while and the bubbles will usually settle down naturally.

However, if the honey has a sour or alcoholic smell, tastes fermented, or is unusually fizzy, that’s different and may indicate fermentation.

So if your honey just got a little shaken during transport: no need to panic!

Your honey is probably just saying, “Wheee! That was a bumpy ride!” 😂

Bubble wrapping stage na.

Beautiful jar of honey.