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Keeping Bees With a Smile  –  SECOND EDITION (2020)

The comprehensive guide to keeping bees for free, naturally, and without any stings or hassle attached! This Second Edition (2020) has lots of updates, new information, insulated hive plans, and twice as many color photographs. You’ll learn how to attract local bee swarms • have bees healthy, happy, and productive without any medicines or gimmickry • build simple hives that mimic how bees live in nature • harvest fabulous honey without stressing the bees • and much more. Exceptionally well illustrated (including dozens of detailed color photographs, diagrams, and plans). You can now reverse the global bee decline right in your backyard or your apiary – and this book shows you how!
Keeping Bees With a Smile by Fedor Lazutin & Dr. Leo Sharashkin (ed.)
ISBN 978-0-86571-9279 (pbk), 400 p., 170+ ill., 2nd Edition, 2020.

Keeping Bees in Horizontal Hives ~ by Georges de Layens

Learn directly from Georges de Layens – inventor of the world’s most popular horizontal hive with deep frames! • Discover time-tested methods boasting over 100 years of successful use. • Horizontal hives: advantages and use. Plus an honest overview of all hive systems. • Keys to success, based on decades of experience of countless beekeepers. • Extra-deep frames: advantages, design, and use. • Detailed practical advice with 250 illustrations. • Amazingly comprehensive: all you need to succeed. • One million horizontal hives in use today! • The best book on horizontal hives ever written – the complete reference we constantly use in all our horizontal hive apiaries.
Keeping Bees in Horizontal Hives: A Complete Guide to Apiculture by de Layens
ISBN 978-0-9842873-6-9 (pbk), 374 p., 250 ill., Deep Snow Press, 2017.

Raising Honeybee Queens  –  Never buy bees again!

Multiply your colonies and overwinter them successfully in any climate. “I was able to triple the size of my apiaries in one season by following this invaluable guidance,” says Dr. Leo Sharashkin. • Detailed, easy to understand practical advice. • Simple techniques clearly explained and illustrated. • Raise your own superior queens. • Multiple methods to choose from, whether you raise one queen or a thousand. • All hive models – vertical and horizontal. • Successful breeding, mating, and queen introduction. • Make bee packages, and produce royal jelly. • Internationally renowned author with over 30 years experience. • Over 150 full-color photos, drawings, and diagrams. • Your beekeeping will never be the same after reading this book.
Raising Honeybee Queens: An Illustrated Guide to Success by Gilles Fert
ISBN 978-0-9842873-8-3 (pbk), 144 p., 150 ill., Deep Snow Press, 2020.

HONEY FROM THE EARTH

Discover the breathtaking diversity of bees and beekeeping traditions around the world. This book takes you to 23 countries – stunning bee photography and the text written by a dozen of world’s leading bee experts. This book took 15 years to produce. You’ll be totally amazed, we promise!
Honey From The Earth: Beekeeping and Honey Hunting on Six Continents
by Eric Tourneret & Sylla de Saint Pierre. 12” x 12” Hardcover, 352 p., 300 photos.

The Beeing: Life Inside a Honeybee Colony

Get an insider’s view of the workings of the bee colony – with totally mesmerizing photography and extensive cutting-edge commentary. The Beeing covers all aspects of bees’ lives: physiology, colony organization, foraging strategies, nest architecture, bee intelligence, reproduction, and much more. Discover the most up-to-date knowledge on the functioning of the colony, insights into beekeeping practices, and the challenges bees face today. Large format (11-3/4” x 12-1/4”).
The Beeing: Life Inside a Honeybee Colony by Eric Tourneret, Sylla de Saint Pierre, and Jurgen Tautz
ISBN 978-0-9842873-9-0, 261 p., 150 ill., Deep Snow Press, 2021.

Beekeeping Seminar • March 22-23, 2025 • Cabool, MO

The comprehensive Natural Beekeeping workshop with Dr. Leo Sharashkin, Editor of Keeping Bees With a Smile. • An amazing program that saves you years of trial and error! • See horizontal hives in action and learn all practical details. •
Discounts on equipment help offset registration costs! Bring family and friends andsave!
REGISTRATION WILL OPEN JANUARY 1, 2025 OR SOONER. Thank you!

FULL PROGRAM & DETAILS >>

LAYENS HIVE WITH 20 FRAMES — INSULATED

The best horizontal hive money can buy. Our highest recommendation based on many years of testing. • Insulated with 1.5” of natural wool — TEN times the insulation value of conventional hives! • Double-wall eco-plywood construction, more durable than solid wood and non-toxic to the bees. • Superior insulation mimicking the inside of a bee tree, bees’ natural environment. • Layens frames (13” long x 16” deep) are ideal for bees’ development and wintering. • Ventilated top covered with aluminum. • Corners reinforced with metal angles. • Entrance gate discs included. • Fully assembled and ready to go! • 20 premium Layens frames included, assembled and wired. • Free divider board included. • Ideal for backyard and stationary apiaries. • Optional 4th upper entrance recommended for hot climates (temp. 90°F or more). • Foundation sold separately. • Decorative panels sold separately. • For complete Layens hive management instructions read his book. • Delivery to 48 US states and Canada.
Our most popular hive model.  In Stock

LAYENS HIVE WITH 25 FRAMES — NEW 2023

Largest-capacity Layens horizontal hive with 25 frames. • Solid pine. • Walls 40% thicker than conventional American hives. • Dipped in paraffin wax (no paint necessary). • Ventilated metal cover. • Strong finger-joint corners. • Heavy-duty hinges & two clasps for closure. • Perforated-metal vents in top and bottom. • Includes 25 Layens frames, assembled and wired. • Frames have straight (not tapered) sides for best ventilation and bee traffic. • Two central slot entrances with metal gates. • Can hold 120+ lb surplus honey. • Big enough for two medium-sized colonies (just add two entrances – see instructions). • Box size: 40” L x 17-9/16” W x 20” H. Weight: 78 lb. • Entrances: 5-5/8” L x 5/16” H. Solid pine, 1-1/16”-thick walls. • Foundation sold separately. • For complete management instructions read Layens book. • Delivery to 48 US states and Canada.

LAYENS HIVE WITH 14 FRAMES — Heavy-duty

Heavy-duty Layens horizontal hive with 14 frames. • Solid-wood construction — strong, dense pine. • Dipped in paraffin wax (no paint necessary). • Heavy-gauge metal cover. • Strong corner joints covered with metal angles. • Heavy-duty hinges & hooks for closure. • Perforated-metal vents in top and bottom. • Includes 14 Layens frames, assembled and wired (tension wire with pliers before use). • Frames have straight (not tapered) end bars and 3/8” less height for best ventilation and bee traffic. • Plastic frame spacers included. • Two slot entrances with metal gates. • European workmanship and quality — made in Spain. • Size: 25-1/2” L x 16-7/8” W x 20” H. Weight: 44 lb • Entrances: 5” L x 5/16” H. Solid pine, 11/16”-thick walls. • Foundation sold separately. • For complete management instructions read Layens book. • Delivery to 48 US states and Canada.

LAYENS HIVE WITH 12 FRAMES — SOLID WOOD

Heavy-duty Layens horizontal hive with 12 frames. • Dipped in paraffin wax (no paint necessary). • Heavy-gauge metal cover. • Strong corner joints covered with metal angles. • Heavy-duty hinges & hooks for closure. • Perforated-metal vents in top and bottom. • Includes 12 Layens frames, assembled and wired (tension wire with pliers before use). • Frames have straight (not tapered) end bars and 3/8” less height for best ventilation and bee traffic. • Plastic frame spacers included. • Two slot entrances with metal gates. • This model is ideal for multiplying your colonies quickly by making artifical swarms (splits). • Made in Spain. • Size: 22-1/4” L x 16-3/4” W x 20” H. Weight: 40.5 lb • Entrances: 5” L x 5/16” H. Solid pine, 11/16”-thick walls. • Foundation sold separately. • For complete management instructions read Layens book. • Delivery to 48 US states and Canada. Buy more and save!

LAYENS SWARM TRAP KIT — Heavy Duty

This complete Layens Swarm Trap Kit / Starter Hive has all you need to start keeping bees in a Layens hive and succeed in attracting honeybee swarms. A veritable bee magnet! Each heavy-duty kit includes:

• Hive Box – solid wood, fully assembled, dipped in paraffin wax. Hinged top and corners covered with steel. Steel entrance gate; top and bottom vents. Wt.: 25 lb.
• Six Layens Frames – assembled and wired (tension wires with pliers); straight end bars.
• Six sheets of premium wax foundation, GMO-free, to prime the frames.
• Propolis (bee resin), 1/2 oz – for scenting the box.
• Swarm lure & slow-release tubes – to scent the box.
• Ratchet Strap & Wire – to attach it to the tree.
• Instructions for success. Made in USA & Europe!

Heavy-duty swarm trap – 6 Layens frames

This deluxe swarm trap has all the features you ever wished for. • Solid-wood construction — strong, dense pine. • Dipped in paraffin wax (no paint necessary). • Heavy-gauge metal cover. • Strong corner joints covered with metal angles. • Heavy-duty hinges & hooks for closure. • Perforated-metal vents in top and bottom. • Includes 6 Layens frames, assembled and wired (tension wire with pliers before use). • Frames have straight (not tapered) end bars and 3/8” less height for best ventilation and bee traffic. • Slot entrance with metal gate. • Size: 16-3/4” L x 13” W x 20” H. Weight: 25.5 lb • Wax foundation and swarm lure sold separately. Made in Europe: remarkable craftsmanship and attention to detail.

LAYENS FOUNDATION – 100% BEESWAX

Layens-size GMO-free foundation from Europe. Sweet-smelling 100% beeswax from a mountain region in Spain where bees forage on wilderness plants away from agricultural crops. This is as pure as we could find it. Deep yellow color — made from brood-comb wax readily accepted by bees. Sheets 12” wide x 14” deep. Ideal for Layens frames, following his own specifications for foundation size. Standard worker cell size (5.4 mm). Amazing foundation, we love it! • In Stock

LAYENS FRAMES, ASSEMBLED & WIRED

Our premium self-spacing Layens frames (12-15/16” x 15-15/16” x 1-1/2” wide; top bar 14-5/16” long). Fully assembled and wired by us in Missouri. Tapered end bar. Quality lumber. Each frame double-checked to conform to our highest quality standards and provide many years of service. Bundles of 14, 20, or 100 frames.

LAYENS FRAMES – UNASSEMBLED

Our premium Layens self-spacing frames, unassembled. Top bar (14-5/16” x 1-1/2” x 3/4”). Two end bars (15-9/16” x 3/8” x 1-1/2” tapering down to 1”). Bottom bar (12-3/16” x 3/4” x 5/8”). Holes for wire predrilled in top and bottom bars. For fast and accurate assembly, we recommend: frame-assembly jig, wiring jig, air compressor with narrow-crown staple gun (1” and 3/8” staples), wire, and glue. Smaller quantities can be built with hammer and pliers.

HALF-FRAMES FOR LAYENS SUPERS, ASSEMBLED & WIRED

Premium HALF-frames for Layens supers. Fully assembled and wired. Tapered side bar. 12-15/16” x 7-13/16”; top bar 14-5/16” long and 1” wide (leaves 1/2” gap between top bars). Top quality. Sold in bundles of 19 or 36 frames. NOTE: use half-frames only if you super your Layens hives (put additional boxes on top). Otherwise use standard full-size Layens frames.

WIRING JIG FOR LAYENS FRAMES

If you build a lot of Layens frames, this jig makes wiring a breeze, saving you time and money. Refined after years of successful use, this is the same model we use to wire tens of thousands of Layens frames, at 40 frames per hour. Precision-built with durable brand-name clamp, ceramic rollers, sturdy hardware, and hardwood stopping blocks. Bracket sized to hold spools of our stainless steel wire. Instructions included. Made in our Missouri shop.

Frame Wire – Stainless Steel

Favorite for wiring frames for your beehives. Stainless steel resists corrosion and does not leach into wax and honey. 35% thicker than conventional tinned wire, and almost twice stronger — won’t break during wiring, easier on your fingers, and better accepted by bees. Wire .55 mm (24+ gauge). Spool 500 g (1.1 lb), 3-7/16” tall, 2-9/16” diam., with 13/16” hole. Stainless steel (304 grade). Approx. 875 ft per roll, enough for 130 Layens frames or 110 deep Langstroth frames.

Lemongrass Swarm Lure Kit

Lemongrass essential oil is a potent swarm lure. It is rich in citral – a natural constituent of bees’ Nasonov pheromone. It was shown to be as effective in attracting swarms as other more expensive lures. Half-fill two tubes per trap, close the lid tightly (smell comes through the walls) and position upright inside the trap above the entrance (e.g., tie tubes to a frame). This kit includes 10 ml of premium quality 100% pure lemongrass essential oil (enough for 25 traps), a pipette, 10 reusable slow-release tubes, and instructions.

Propolis

Propolis is used to scent the swarm trap to make it more attractive to swarms. Propolis is also used to make tinctures for human consumption due to its strong antimicrobial properties. It smells so good! Put the bag in a hot place (e.g., dashboard of a car parked in the sun, or 200°F oven for 5 min) to soften the propolis, then rub the inside walls and bottom of the swarm trap. 1/2 oz is enough to thoroughly scent 4 or 5 swarm traps.

Slow-release tubes for swarm lure

Slow-release tubes with integrated caps for lemongrass oil swarm lure. For best results use two per trap, half-filled with lemongrass lure. Close the lid tightly (smell comes through the walls) and position upright inside the trap by the entrance (e.g., tie tubes to a frame). Reusable and long-lasting. 400 microliters each. Made in USA of high-quality polyethylene.

UNIVERSAL LAYENS EXTRACTOR – WITH MOTOR

A universal Layens extractor, a must-have for anyone seeking the freedom of keeping bees in any hive model of your choice. • Top-quality European manufacture. • Variable-speed reversible motor. • Stainless steel throughout, intelligently engineered. • Durable metal gears. • Transparent plexiglass cover — see honey fly out of the comb. • Tangential design for quick and complete extraction. • Well-balanced and stable. • Made in Italy by the leading producer of universal Layens extractors. • Honey gate valve included. • Legs included. • The most versatile extractor ever. 110V. Amazing value, made to last. Delivery to 48 US states and Canada.

• Three-Frame Model (diameter 20-5/8”) takes: 3 Layens frames / 3 Deep Langstroth frames / 6 Medium or Shallow frames / 3 Jumbo Dadant frames.
• Four-Frame Model (diameter 25-3/16”) takes: 4 Layens frames / 4 Deep Langstroth frames / 8 Medium or Shallow frames / 4 Jumbo Dadant frames.

UNIVERSAL LAYENS EXTRACTOR – MANUAL

Manual Layens extractor. • Top-quality European manufacture. • Easy handcrank operation (only 5 min. per load). • Stainless steel throughout. • Durable metal gears. • Transparent plexiglass cover — see honey fly out of the comb. • Tangential design for quick and complete extraction. • Safety handle design. • Well-balanced and stable. • Made in Italy. • Honey gate valve included. • Legs included. • Amazing versatility & built to last. • Delivery to 48 US states & Canada.

• Three-Frame Model (diameter 20-5/8”) takes: 3 Layens frames / 3 Deep Langstroth frames / 6 Medium or Shallow frames / 3 Jumbo Dadant frames.
• Four-Frame Model (diameter 25-3/16”) takes: 4 Layens frames / 4 Deep Langstroth frames / 8 Medium or Shallow frames / 4 Jumbo Dadant frames.

HONEY PRESS – STAINLESS STEEL – ITALY-MADE

Pressing honeycomb captures all its aroma and flavor and produces the most nutritious honey with maximum pollen count. This also separates wax with minimum honey loss. Just load comb, turn the handle, and watch honey pour out. The handle conveniently swings back for reloading. Can also press wax cappings, cider, grapes, berries, and fruit. 2.3-gal basket (8” dia. x 11” tall). The press: 16-1/2” W x 24” H, 26 lb. Ships double-boxed for safe delivery. Super-thick durable stainless steel. Customer comment: “WOW!!! Built like a tank. This will last a lifetime.” Made in Italy. Ships to 48 mainland US states & Canada.

ENTRANCE GATE DISC – STAINLESS STEEL

This hugely convenient entrance gate offers five settings: open, closed, ventilation, mouse guard, and queen excluder. Our own model developed by Dr. Leo after 10 years of testing. Made of “forever-lasting” stainless steel, and will not warp in the sun. Measures 4-7/8” diameter; the main hole is 1-3/4” diameter.

Feeder for Layens Hives

We normally do not feed our bees, but sometimes feeders come super-handy, e.g., for feeding swarms. This feeder is specially built for Layens hives — just put between frames (see our Feeding Guide). Ribbed walls give bees a firm foothold and safeguard them from drowning. Holds 7 cups (1.7 qt) of liquid feed. Size: 14-3/8” long x 1-1/2” wide x 9” deep. Made in Spain of food-grade, non-toxic white plastic.

HONEY GATE VALVE – FOR BOTTLING HONEY

Add this versatile valve to a 5-gallon bucket (or tub) to turn it into a honey-bottling tank. Easy to open and close. Food-grade plastic with gaskets to minimize drip. Inside diameter 1-7/16”. Drill a 1-3/4” hole to install.

Raw Wool — Best Hive Insulation

The same great wool we use for making our insulated hives. Raw. Unwashed. Rich in lanolin for moisture resistance. Unfumigated. All-natural — direct from select sheep breeders in the Midwest. This fleece is by far the best insulation for beehives. Insulating a 20-frame Layens hive takes 6 to 7 lb of wool. Making pillows to put on top of the frames for wintering (and behind the division board) takes 1 lb per pillow. Unprocessed — may contain small bits of hay and other impurities.

PILLOW WITH WOOL  –  HEAVY DUTY

Give your bees maximum winter protection by covering the frames with a wool-filled pillow. This is the same design we use in all our Layens hives. The pillow measures about 19” x 16” x 3”. Large flap in the back makes wool inaccessible to the bees, but you can remove the contents if you ever have to. Double-thread duck canvas (100% cotton) offers utmost durability. Sewn by Zaryana in Missouri and filled with 1 pound of local raw sheep wool. Natural color.

Pest Control Trays / HONEY UNCAPPING TRAYS

Use this tray in combination with our uncapping rack for convenient comb uncapping during honey harvest (the rack nicely clips to the tray).
This is also the original Freeman trap trays for pest control. You need one for screen-bottom Layens hive (1-1/2” solid wood walls), or three for a Long Langstroth hive. (Can also be used with conventional vertical hives.) Sturdy and long-lasting, bright white color. 15-1/8” wide x 20-1/4” long x 1” deep. Heavy-duty plastic. Just add vegetable oil and insert under the screen bottom to catch small hive beetles, Varroa mites, wax moths, ants, etc. Made in USA.
Please note: the hives we sell do NOT require these trays.

Propolis Collector – Harvest Your Propolis

The value of propolis (bee resin) is several times greater than honey. This propolis collector makes harvesting your own propolis easy. Install over the brood chamber in the fall (in the Layens hive — after the last active frame) and prop up the hive cover. The bees will stuff this collector with propolis. Freeze, then flex the sheet and propolis comes right out. See our Propolis Collection Guide for details. Size: 19-3/4” x 15-15/16” (standard 10-frame Langstroth; easily cuts to Layens hive dimensions).

LAYENS UNCAPPING RACK – STAINLESS STEEL – Made in Spain

This hugely convenient uncapping rack holds two Layens or Langstroth frames at the convenient angle while you uncap the cells for the honey harvest. Designed by Georges de Layens, as seen in his book. Securely clamps to our trays (sold separately), to catch the cappings. No more mess during uncapping! Stainless steel construction. Made in Europe.

Queen Excluder

Horizontal hives do not normally require a queen excluder as bees keep their brood in one end of the box, and store honey in the other. However, queen excluders are indispensable in queen rearing and other special applications (such as limiting the queen’s laying for mite control or increased honey production). High-quality construction from molded white plastic (no sharp edges, does not damage bees’ wings). Holes 1/8” x 3/4”. Size: 20” x 16-9/16” (standard 10-frame Langstroth; easily cuts to Layens hive dimensions and inserts vertically between frames).

HIVE ART PANELS FOR INSULATED HIVE – NEW!

As seen on Doug & Stacy! Decorate your horizontal hive with these gorgeous art panels created by Dr. Leo’s family. • Exactly the same designs we use in our own apiaries. • Panels fit our Layens Insulated Hive. • Professional outdoor-rated printing on durable aluminum lasts many years. • Included instructions make installation easy (measure and drill entrance holes). • Three designs available: Tiffany-Style Bee, Beekeeping in Ancient Egypt by Lada, and Medieval Russian Horses by Irina. • You will be very pleased, we promise. Size: 35 3/4” x 18 7/8”. In Stock

OZARK WILDERNESS HONEY – from Dr Leo’s Hives

Rich amber color. • Smooth complex flavor with dried-fruit overtones & lemony aftertaste (that’s from sumac). • High pollen count (many combs were packed with beebread). • Serene remote location with high biodiversity, including the fabulous sumacs. • Wild forests and clear streams for many miles around – wildflowers free of pesticides or industrial pollutants. • We never treat bees or hives with chemicals. • Bees never fed sugar. • Kept in a way that mimics how they live in nature, our bees are healthy and thriving. • Raw, unfiltered, never heated. • Straight from the hive. • Attractive, gift-quality amphora-shape glass jars. • All revenue supports our 1000-ac bee sanctuary – thank you! • In Stock

Beebread honey – Superfood

Beebread honey is the most nutritious (and delicious) food from the hive. Bees ferment wildflower pollen to produce a potent natural probiotic that they feed to their young. Honeycombs rich in beebread are aged in the hive for 1 to 3 years, then carefully harvested to produce a thick paste with a fruity taste of dried apricots. Each jar has unique color (from yolk yellow to butterscotch) depending on the pollens in the particular comb; will contain small amounts of wax. Each jar has about 20% beebread by weight (the rest is honey) and some 3 billion pollen grains from 150,000 flowers! (The same amount of pollen from store-bought honey would cost you over $1000.) Nature’s most amazing superfood from our chemical-free hives surrounded by the Ozark wilderness.

WILDERNESS BEESWAX – from Dr Leo’s Hives

Pure 100% wilderness beeswax from our hives. We never use any chemicals and our hives are located deep in the Ozark wilderness where bees forage away from any pesticide-sprayed crops. Deep yellow color and pleasant scent. 100-gram (3.5 oz) hexagonal blocks measure 3-1/2” across and 7/8” thick. When melted, it is about 1/2 cup and goes a long way when making your eco-pure cosmetics.

THE ART OF SOARING — Dr. Leo’s favorite book

If you think you can’t sell your honey for $100/lb, you should read this book, brought to you by Dr. Leo. The Art of Soaring shows how you can succeed beyond your wildest imaginaton and transform your reality through laughter. Stop fighting, effortlessly change your life on the spot and resolve any problem — health, relationships, money. Immensely practical, filled with funny techniques to fix any situation and manifest your dreams. We use it all the time, with stunning results. Brilliant and uplifting. You’ll emerge from reading it with a feeling of lightness, renewed joy of life — and a smile. Massive bestseller in several countries, The Art of Soaring is produced by the same team as Keeping Bees With a Smile.
The Art of Soaring by Dolokhov & Gurangov, Dr Leo Sharashkin, Ed.

Donations — Thank you for your support!

Good people have asked for a donation button to support our work. Thank you! All donations and profits from our beekeeping are used to preserve natural habitat for honey bees and all forms of life. With your support, we’ve acquired over 600 acres of Ozark wilderness and saved it from logging and development. Truly a dream come true — thank you for your help!

ADVANCED NATURAL BEEKEEPING — ONLINE

Take your beekeeping to new heights! UNIQUE program with Kirk Webster, the legend of natural beekeeping, and Dr. Leo, editor of Keeping Bees with a Smile. A lifetime of practical wisdom — FIVE HOURS of carefully edited, visually rich presentations. Instant access to streaming video. You won’t find this information anywhere else. Honey by the ton and thriving bees, chemical-free. It works, sky is the limit — discover the endless opportunities of natural beekeeping.

Q&A Webinar Recording with Dr. Leo — ONLINE

View the complete recording of a Questions & Answers Webinar with Dr. Leo Sharashkin. Topics include catching swarms and using swarm traps; hive design and hive management; keeping bees healthy without any medications, and much more. Medium-resolution video (640 x 360 pix) for quick streaming. Wealth of practical knowledge in this 2.5 hr recording. Instant access to streaming video.