Silver Springs Honey Company

03/20/2026

Come join us this weekend at the Arlington Home and Garden Show!

03/11/2026

Your Local Hub for All Things Bees! 🐝

​Whether you are a seasoned pro or just starting your first colony, Silver Springs Honey Company is here to serve as your local authority for bees and equipment in Arlington, Stanwood, and the surrounding Stilly Valley.

🐝Need Bees?! We have you covered!
⭐️3lb Packages will be available April 11.
⭐️5 frame nucs will be ready April 25th.
⭐️Queens will be available starting April 11 and be available through the end of summer

🛠️ Need Specific Gear?! We have you covered there too!
​As the newest Mann Lake dealer, we are officially open for business! While we are currently building up our on-site inventory, we are receiving regular shipments to ensure you have exactly what you need for the season.
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If you have upcoming equipment needs (from hive bodies to specialized tools to feed) reach out to us today! We can easily add your items to our next order to save you on shipping and ensure your yard is ready to go.
https://silverspringshoneycompany.com

02/26/2026

Your hives are about to get an upgrade. ✨
​The secret is out: We are the newest Mann Lake dealer! Whether you need woodenware, protective gear, or the latest in hive health, we’ve got you covered.

​Note: Our website is currently being updated with all the new gear. We are placing our FIRST order next week, so now is the time to let us know what you need!
​👇 Drop a comment with your "must-haves" and head to the link in our bio to browse the shop!

02/07/2026

Come down and check out the incredible chainsaw art! We are also setup at the festival with our amazing, local honey!

02/06/2026

Come join us on Saturday! We will have a booth with our delicious honey and some sample beekeeping equipment to checkout!

02/01/2026

Lately, many of you have asked about Norroa, a new technology designed to reduce mite stress without adding chemical strain to the colony. It was recently approved by WSDA for use in Washington. It’s a proactive way to help your bees stay resilient, especially as we look ahead to new challenges like the Tropilaelaps mite. It is essentially birth control for Varroa mites!

​If you’re curious about how it works, this instructional video from the producers of Norroa shows the process of feeding. Let’s learn together how to keep our bees buzzing safely!!
📽https://youtu.be/7EUNLgSMy2A?si=piq1hESlFAAw0qGb

Beekeeping Today Podcast had a great episode with Adam Pachl, North American Technical Manager for Bee Health at GreenLight Biosciences, to discuss Norroa and it's mode of action.
🔊https://www.beekeepingtodaypodcast.com/357-norroa-varroa-management/

​Because we only want what’s best for our PNW bees, I’ll be testing Norroa in some of my own hives this year. I want to see firsthand how it supports a thriving colony. Comment below with your thoughts!

We currently have Norroa in-stock in our shop if you are interested in trying it this year. https://silverspringshoneycompany.com/shop/feeding-medication/norroa-2-pack/

Varroa mites reproduce inside capped brood cells. Norroa stops that cycle by interrupting mite reproduction so new mites are never born.Using Norroa is simpl...

01/22/2026

I saw some chatter the other day that referred to VSH as a honey bee breed. It’s a wonderful spark for conversation, and honestly, a perfect opportunity for us to dig a little deeper into what makes a hive truly resilient in our unique climate.

​Here’s the buzz: VSH is not a breed. Think of it this way:

​Breed = The genetic background (the "who").

​VSH = A selected hygienic behavior (the "skill").

​VSH (Varroa Sensitive Hygiene) is actually a powerful trait that some honey bees possess. It describes a specific, smart behavior where worker bees detect Varroa-infested brood, uncap those cells, and remove the affected brood effectively disrupting the mite’s cycle.
​This "hygienic hero" trait can be found across many breeds, from Italians and Carniolans to our hardy local mixed stocks. Breeders simply select the colonies that show this behavior most strongly to help your hives survive and thrive through the seasons.

​A few friendly reminders for your apiary:
​VSH doesn't mean "mite-free." It's just one of many tools in the toolkit, not a silver bullet.
​Environment and nutrition matter also. In our damp PNW winters, even the smartest bees need the right support to avoid the grief of an empty hive. Don't let pests, hunger, or moisture get the better of your hives.

​We understand how disheartening it is to lose a hive after all your hard work. That’s why we focus on specialized resilience; because you shouldn't have to lose your bees to environmental conditions you can't control.

​I love when these topics spark discussion. It’s how we all become better, more confident beekeepers!

​With all that being said, what is your favorite honey bee breed to work with? 👇
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01/22/2026

We can't wait to see everyone again!

The applications for the 2026 Arlington Farmers Market are now open. We do follow Washington State Farmers Market Association guidelines that products are grown, produced, or created in Washington State.

We encourage you to take a look at the WSMA website for more information at https://wafarmersmarkets.org/wsfma-rootsmemberguidelines/

To apply to be a vendor at the market, please use this form. You will need a UBI, any licenses required for your product as well as Insurance.

Feel free to email with any questions at [email protected]

Young Entrepreneurs applications will be out tomorrow.

https://www.cognitoforms.com/StillyValleyChamberOfCommerce/_2026MarketDatesArlingtonFarmersMarket

We can not wait to open the market on May 9th, each and every Saturday.

01/20/2026

The "Home Stretch" is the most dangerous time for a PNW hive. Most hobbyists lose their bees not in December, but in February and March when stores run dry and the damp sets in.

​At Silver Springs Honey Company, we’ve helped countless local beekeepers navigate these exact conditions. You shouldn’t have to lose a hive just because the weather turned!

​The Silver Springs Pro-Tip: The "No-Chill" Check
Standard advice says to look inside, but in our region, breaking that propolis seal now can be a death sentence. Instead, use the Tilt Method. A resilient hive is a heavy hive.

​If your hive feels light, it’s not a failure; it’s a call to action.

​Take the guesswork out of hive survival:
​Step 1: Perform the Tilt Test this week.
​Step 2: If it’s light, we will need to feed. Follow us for the next step. We will walk through how to add emergency feed.
​Step 3: Join our exclusive community, The Inner Hive, for real-time local weather alerts and tips.

01/13/2026

The Science of a "Warm" Winter🔥🌨❄️
It's a beautiful sight to see those first few bees emerging for a cleansing flight on a sunny afternoon. After a long, damp Pacific Northwest winter, it feels like we’ve finally turned a corner. However, for many beekeepers, the "early spring" window is actually the most critical time for hive survival. It is especially critical with the warmer winter we've had.
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​It may seem counterintuitive, but a milder winter can actually be harder on a honey bee colony than a cold, consistent one.
​Research into honey bee thermoregulation shows that bees do not hibernate; they stay active by vibrating their wing muscles to keep the cluster warm. In a typical cold winter, the bees form a tight, energy-efficient cluster. However, during warmer-than-normal winters, the bees remain more active and the cluster stays loose.
​According to studies on colony metabolic rates, for every few degrees the ambient temperature rises, the colony’s consumption of honey stores increases significantly. Activity like early brood-rearing and frequent cleansing flights requires a massive amount of energy. If the hive hasn't been able to forage for new nectar (which isn't available yet), they can exhaust their winter stores weeks before the first major nectar flow.

​Moving From Anxiety to Advocacy
​We understand the heartbreak of checking a hive only to find that your bees didn't make it, despite surviving the December freezes. We experienced it also in our first few winters. It’s a feeling of frustration and helplessness that no beekeeper should have to face. Our goal is to help you move from being an anxious observer to a confident advocate for your bees.

​Stay tuned for how you can overcome this common malady and get your girls through the rest of the winter strong and ready for the spring!