Mason Jar Beekeeping Step-by-Step Guide | Homesteading Skills

March 26, 2017 By Joanna Medalla 27 Comments

Mason jar beekeeping is ideal for small spaces. If you’re a homesteader interested in making a bee hive, follow these easy, ingenious steps.

DIY Mason Jar Beekeeping Tutorial

Growing a beehive may not seem a suitable idea for suburban homesteaders due to space limitations. However, with a little bit of research and planning, even a common suburban backyard can be a perfect place for beehives. You’ll just need a few supplies to get started: some wood, the bees and, you guessed it, mason jars! Check out what the steps are so you can get started on mason jar beekeeping the easy way.

Materials Needed for your DIY Mason Jar Beekeeping:

2″ x 12″ x 6′ piece of wood (cut 2 pieces for the sides to 22″)
2″ x 12″ x 6′ piece of wood (cut 2 pieces for the front and back to 18″)
1″ x 1″ x 6′ piece of wood (cut 2 pieces for the top frame left and right sides to 22″)
1″ x 1″ x 6′ piece of wood (cut 2 pieces for the top frame front and back to 18″)
Piece of thick plywood (cut to 16″ X 20″)
Bottom beehive kit (for the bees to enter and exit)
12 Big mouth quart sized mason jars (for honeycomb)
1 Box of wood screws (size 1″ screws)
1 Can of wood stain (use a dark wood stain of your choice)
And, lastly, your bees.

Step 1: Cut a piece of thick plywood to 16″ x 20″

Step 2: Measure and center for 12 holes

: image via Honey Bee Suite

Drill 12 holes measuring approximately 3 1/2″. Use a hole saw for best results.

Step 3: Screw everything together

From a 2″ x 12″ x 6′ board, cut two 22″ pieces. And from a 2″ x 12″ x 6” board, cut two 18″ pieces. Screw everything together. You may also stain the wood a your color of choice.

Build your own #bee #hive for great tasting #honey http://t.co/qEgW5AIS6n pic.twitter.com/p9wgdPDrnv

— Homesteading (@HomesteadingUSA) May 27, 2015

Step 4: Arrange the mason jars

Arrange 12 wide-mouth mason jars, and make sure they all fit properly over the holes. You may need to add some shims to support the jars so it won’t sag with the weight of the honey.

Step 5 : Let the bees fill the jar with honey!

Put starter strips or empty combs inside the jars. Let the bees do their job filling the jar with honey. Once filled, you can pop the jar lids back to cover them.

Here are a few things to remember when beekeeping in mason jars:

The jars will get hot easily because there is no ventilation through them. It is best to keep them away from the sunlight or put a screen over them.
Don’t allow your bees into the area surrounding the jars. Otherwise, they will build a mess for you to clean up, and they may decide it’s easier to construct comb between the jars rather than in the jars.
Always sanitize the mason jars before using them to keep your bees.

Need more beekeeping tips? Here are some basic tips for beginners from Dr. Tarrin P Lupo:

Are you going to give mason jar beekeeping a try? Let me know below in the comments!

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Linda

It would be helpful to tell us what a “bottom beekeeping kit” is and how and where to obtain bees and empty honeycomb. Will they make their own inside the jars without putting any empty ones inside? How big a comb needs to be put in the jar? How long does it take to fill with honey? How do you get the bees out in order to seal the jars? Do you then replace the jar and do it all over again? Do the bees work in the winter? This sounds interesting, but do you have to have beekeeping equipment to handle the hive to avoid stings?
Chantae

Where do you get the comb from to put into the jars!!!
- Trish Short Lewis
  
  The bees themselves make the comb.
Brian

You have to fill the jars with liquid honey before capping.
JoAnne R.

Quick question…are you sure it’s safe to stain the wood? I know you are not supposed to use stain or treated lumber for birdhouses because they are toxic to the birds. I am wondering if that is a possibility with the stain for the bees? What do you think?
Kristin

Won’t the bees find their way into the mason jars…? How would u go about with removing them? Or is this set up not meant for harvesting honey?
Ben Kazyaka

It looks pretty neat and I think I will try it in 2015
RoseMary Baty-Willcox

Don’t bees make their own combs?
suzanne

bees and hives are required to be inspected in nearly every state because bees affect almost every crop imaginable. pests and disease are running rampant in bee populations. this is not a good idea. stiff fine and penalties apply.
gizem922

These pics are amazing. i will share them on my blog here:http://filmhastasi.wordpress.com/
Cat

how does the honey stay inside the jars upside down? And, how do the bees know to go there. Do I have order bees and strips? Sorry, I’m confused….
Adam

I just have one question! I was wondering when in the season should I cap the mason jars? Also by capping the mason jars am I harming the bees by taking away their comb? If so is there a way to avoid doing so?
Awesome project though, definitely attempting this soon!
Mickey

What makes the bees stay in there or go in the jars at all?
Sassy mssharon

How much did the materials for this cost? How do you get the bees to go into the bee hive? And lastly How do you change the jars out, to get the honey?
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Ruth Hendrickson

How do you get the bees to leave the jars when you want to lid them?
- Allison Engle
  
  Same as harvesting honey from a Langstroth hive. That said, I wouldn’t suggest anyone other than a serious beekeeper try this.
  - Ruth Hendrickson
    
    Thanks, So for a novice who just wants a hive or 2, what kind of hive is best to start out with??
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Asep Rahmat Septian

firepits ideas
Kelli AndTony Etienne

I am planning on beekeeping this spring! I’m not sure if I will be doing this method or another but I am still learning.