Meadow Sweet Apiaries is able to handle many of your needs as a homeowner, beekeeper or as an educator.

Removals and Relocations

Swarm Removal - Swarms are common in western Pennsylvania beginning May 1 - July 1.  Although this is when they are at their peak, they can sometimes be found  outside of the dates.  Swarm Removal is done in a manner so as not to harm the honey bees and relocating them to one of our outyards to start a new colony.  There is generally no charge for a swarm removal, however a donation to cover time and travel is always GREATLY appreciated!!  Please call us immediately if you see a swarm in your yard!

Colony Removals from Structures and Trees - these are situations that require a site visit in order to accurately assess the situation.  Removals are quite time consuming and require someone with knowledge of honeybee biology, habits and construction of houses.  It is advised that homeowners NOT eliminate honey bee colonies that are established within their walls due to a number of reasons.  A honey bee colony maintains the temperature of the comb and also defends it from pests.  Should you eliminate the honey bees, the comb is now unprotected from heat and pests and can result in honey dripping into your walls and ceilings creating staining  in these areas.  An unprotected comb also can be prone to infestation by a number of pests such as ants, cockroaches, moths, mice and many more.  Please contact us to discuss details and set up an appointment to look at your colony.

Lectures/Presentations

If you would like to have Stephen come to your conference, meeting or beekeeping club to lecture on a beekeeping topic, Please send Stephen an email via the contact page with details of what type of program you are interested in.   

Fees:  All travel costs (airfare, car rentals, lodging, mileage [if applicable] ) plus  $200-$500 per day of lecture.

Topics may include:

• Colony Seasonal Management
• Educational events about honey bees
• Keeping Honey Bees
• Making Increase Colonies
• Queen Rearing Production
• Honey Bee Health and Keeping Bees Alive
• Disease and Pest Management
• Urban Beekeeping
• Swarms
• Swarm Ecology
• Swarm Management
• Many other topics as well!

Beekeeping Consultations

Every now and then, whether you are a new or veteran beekeeper alike, you run into a situation that you may not understand or cant quite figure out what you are looking at.  Our consultation services will allow some one on one time with and experienced Master Beekeeper.  See below for more information and pricing.

Phone calls - Need a quick reassurance that you are doing the right thing?  Have a few questions that can be answered over the phone?  Stephen is available for a 15 minute phone call at no cost to help you along the way.

Site Visits - a phone call doesn't do it?  Stephen can come out to your hives for a visit and assessment and help you with some one on one beekeeping.  Fees begin at $50 an hour.  He can assist you with capturing a swarm, making a split, requeening, identifying diseases and pests or just plain basic beekeeping instruction.

Visits can be arranged by calling Stephen directly or sending him an email here. 

Hive Placement Program

This program is intended to provide a service to homeowner/landowners interested in having colonies of honey bees placed on their properties but do not necessarily have time or incentive to maintain the hives themselves.

In Pennsylvania we have less than half of the beekeepers today than we did 25 years ago!  The honey bee is a key pollinator.  It is responsible for pollinating one-third (1/3) of the food we eat… that’s 80% of the fruits and vegetables that we put on our table!  They are also important in pollinating many of the flowers that we plant in our yards and around our gardens and play a key role in the health of our ecosystem.

Having a couple ofhoney bee colonies in your yard benefits you, your neighbors and the environment – consider helping the honey bee today! They are safe and take up very little space requiring only 3 square feet per hive.

With over 20 years of experience, Master Beekeeper, lecturer and author, Stephen Repasky has put together a maintenance program that allows you to enjoy the benefits of having honey bees while not having to worry about the management of those hives!  Please contact Stephen Here for more information on pricing and details on the Hive Placement Program.