How to Build a Mason Jar Honey Super: Update

The mason jar bee idea from fatbeeman was awesome, and it is one of my most popular videos. Unfortunately my bees just didn’t do well with it.

I am mostly to blame for the lack of honey collected in this manner as I am no where near the skill level of the fatbeeman.

However, I don’t think I am the only blame. The mason jars are small and clear which makes them unnatural for the bees.

and it is hard for the bees to start producing comb inside the jar.

[grammygrammy]

I'd LOVE to have you do a completed video. my hubby and I are in the negotiation steps of starting bees, we're trying to soak up all the knowledge we can before winter. Thanks 👍✌

[briannas]

Looking forward to your update! My husband & I would love to keep a small hive and this method looks MUCH easier and less expensive than traditional methods. It would also be a great learning tool for ours & other friends' children since they can watch the bees!

[danspeers]

You put it on a bit too early. The queen has been laying in the comb, people will not want old brood comb in their honey. Next time wait until you need to put a honey super on and use a queen excluder. Great video and thanks for the long awaited update.

[SHAWNSCMC]

I plan on doing this as well (hopefully this year). I can get mini mason jars from the dollar store which makes more sense to me because I think I could sell them easier than a full mason jar.

[christysteffke]

Definitely not a waste of time! Cool project. Thanks for sharing.

[SouthernBellePrepper]

Really neat idea! Can't wait to see how it turns out.

[PopsShack]

That looks like brood comb in that last jar you showed.

[ozsamurai]

I'm also looking forward to the update.

[hjlosada]

Great, I am glad you posted in progress action. I will try next year, after I see your successful end, Thanks

[unluckyeddy]

How did this turn out?
I didn't see any updates after this.

[anitaanderson-johnson]

Great visual learning tool for education purposes too if one could secure ingress and egress to the entrance of the hive. Have you made the final video?

[stormyskyz]

Hey that looked great I love how you modified the design and created a cover and shaded area for the bees to work so they don't get too hot in the sun. What were the results? Did they fill up the jars? Is it easier to observe them?

[dogblackprincehoney]

I wonder if you continue with your bees on masonjars project?

[angelmist]

Where does one obtain bees to start a hive? Do I have to catch them myself?

[stevesbeez]

Looks like brood in the bottles?? I put mine over the super to prevent that. Hope that helps

[petrabernard]

Thanks for your honesty. I would love to try this (my skill level is also low :) but...)
Do you think I could use plastic jars?

[dfishman]

Looks like in the end It will be a waste of time and of a bee hive. Would be better to put honey super on there and cut comb and put in the jars and have lots of honey left over. Cool video either way. Can't wait to see next up date

[celticwarrior]

isnt this bad in winter for them they would freeze. glass is a cold conductor?

[lisaxmarie]

This is neat! Pinterest led me to your first video which led me to your second video. I know nothing about keeping bees, but the idea excites me since I have a vegetable garden now. Rookie question: once the jar fills up with honey…do the bees no longer enter it? (I’m trying to gauge how you access the jar full of honey without dealing with a jar full of bees.)

[LifesVoyager]

Looks like a great idea How is it now and did you use a QE to stop eggs being laid in the jars?