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🐝 Taking Care of Your Hive 🐝

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with Beam & Branch Realty TREC #547752

Beekeeping is a busy job. Before the harsh winter hit, we lost one of our hives. My son helps me with the beekeeping and between the two of us, we were unable to get the empty beehive up the hill, cleaned, and put away. We had to leave the empty hive over the winter.

Yesterday, we were able to finally get to the hive, load it onto our wagon, and haul it up the hill. Boy oh boy did we find a mess! Over the winter months, the hive was completely invaded by wax moths. Ugh, what a stinking mess! It was gross.

During the two-hour clean-up, I did a lot of thinking. Bees are actually really good housekeepers. Bees are constantly keeping their home tidy, maintained, and in good, working condition. 

As a homeowner, it is important that we keep our own hives, clean, maintained, and in good, working condition. Like the bees, this takes consistent work. When we make necessary repairs when they occur, our homes are maintained in a much better fashion. When those repairs are left to their own, many times a small issue can become a major one.

KEEPING YOUR HIVE IN TOP CONDITION:

🐝 REPAIRS: When you know something needs to be repaired, don't wait. Get those repairs done quickly. Keep your records. Take pictures.

🐝MAINTENANCE: All of your electrical systems, water systems, gas lines, water heaters, etc. need to be maintained yearly. Keep a file or spreadsheet with your systems, when they need their check-ups, and of course, keep all receipts and records when they are serviced. When you are ready to sell, this will make your life a lot easier.

🐝REPLACE: If something needs to be replaced, don't delay. Older systems or equipment that is hanging by a thread can cause additional problems down the road. Again, maintain your records and paperwork for installations and guides.

🐝  COSMETICS: Give your home a "once-over". If it appears drab, shaggy, and sad, make a list of areas that need to be improved. Painting, power washing, cracked sidewalks replaced, shrubs that need to be cut back or replaced, etc. Don't wait until you have a lot to do! If you take one or two items each year to freshen up, it won't be so overwhelming.

🐝 SPRING CLEAN: There is nothing else like a good, Spring cleaning for inside and outside of your home. Get rid of what you don't need and aren't using. Clean out closets and drawers. Thin out the attic, garage, and storage sheds. Making a habit of doing a big cleanup at least once a year helps you keep the junk in the trunk in check.

Spring is in the air and your hive might be in serious need. Get yourself buzzing about, make your list, and get after it. Keeping your hive maintained, repaired, and cleaned up will help ensure that you are helping your home maintain its value and when you decide to sell, you will be ahead of the game. 🐝🐝🐝

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Comments(13)

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Anna "Banana" Kruchten
Retired Broker/Owner - Phoenix, AZ
602-380-4886

Hi Paula I'm so on board with keeping my hive in great shape!  And today I'm happy to say the contractors are back and putting the final touches on re-doing the kitchen from the flood we had in January.  I am so looking forward to a neat and everything is is it's place kitchen again!

Mar 17, 2025 03:41 PM
Dr. Paula McDonald

Yes, Anna, it does feel great to get everything back in its place. I know you will be glad when that work is done.

Mar 17, 2025 06:04 PM
Kat Palmiotti
eXp Commercial, Referral Divison - Kalispell, MT
Helping your Montana dreams take root

It is so important to be diligent with maintenance. In another month or so, we'll call the chimney guy to clean our wood stove chimneys and our dryer vent. And then it's time for the HVAC maintenance. And the generator. Etc etc!

Mar 17, 2025 03:50 PM
Dr. Paula McDonald

It is a never-ending cycle, Kat for those homeowners who choose to stay up on these things. It makes such a big difference.

Mar 17, 2025 06:05 PM
Liz and Bill Spear
Transaction Alliance 513.520.5305 www.WarrenCountyOhioRealEstate.com - Mason, OH
Transaction Alliance Cincinnati & Dayton suburbs

Wax moths...ugghh...it's an ongoing battle to make sure they don't get in the hives or destroy frames with comb.  We try to freeze old comb for a few days before storage, but sometimes they still find a way back.

As far as our own home, we've got a punch list of things to do before we get ready to sell later this year.  I've got a lot of deferred maintenance on our deck, so a few trips to the big box hardware store will be in order.

Mar 17, 2025 06:50 PM
Dr. Paula McDonald

Yes, those wax moths are nasty. The rubbery larvae were disgusting and like to hang on for dear life.

Mar 18, 2025 07:35 AM
Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

I love this Paula! Many homeowners don't take the time for maintenance like they should or aren't aware of the things that need to be done. It is a never-ending cycle but if you have a list and don't let things slide you'll be so much better off!

Mar 17, 2025 08:46 PM
Dr. Paula McDonald

Exactly, Dorie. Keeping up with the "to-do" list is a good thing.

Mar 18, 2025 07:35 AM
Laura Cerrano
Feng Shui Manhattan Long Island - Locust Valley, NY
Certified Feng Shui Expert, Speaker & Researcher

I think this comes into the category of decluttering in so many words and I think you did a great job!

Mar 17, 2025 09:14 PM
Dr. Paula McDonald

Thank you, Laura. It's funny how the things we do in our normal lives can spur a blog inspiration.

Mar 18, 2025 07:36 AM
Kris Collis, Associate Broker
Smart Way America Realty - East Stroudsburg, PA
Professional Results you Expect 570-801-5525

Paula. The industry of the bee is marvelous to behold. The order in the hive. Everyone paying their part. Much in Nature teaches us about life. Bees have a goal and never stop exercising their plan. By analogy, it's  been said, maintenance for the homeowner never ends.

Mar 17, 2025 09:40 PM
Dr. Paula McDonald

Thank you, Kris.Nature and bees certainly have profound lessons for us if we are willing to see them.

Mar 18, 2025 07:37 AM
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Hello Paula - bee aware, bee diligent and beelieve in your goal.  Nicely connected lesson on the role of proper maintenance where we live.  Things can go amiss far too quickly.   🐝🏡🐝

Mar 18, 2025 04:04 AM
Dr. Paula McDonald

Oh, Beehave, Michael! I was just waiting for someone to pull out the puns. Love it.

Mar 18, 2025 07:37 AM
Brian England
Ambrose Realty Management LLC - Gilbert, AZ
MBA, GRI, REALTOR® Real Estate in East Valley AZ

I have not checked the bee channel in quite a while, but I will have to check on it and see if the latest discoveries were captured on video.

Mar 18, 2025 07:27 AM
Dr. Paula McDonald

Hey Brian. We took a video but the bees were so wild that our video needs a bit of editing. We will work on that.

Mar 18, 2025 07:38 AM
Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Specialist
KD Realty - 408.972.1822 - San Jose, CA
Probate Real Estate Services

 

Hello Dr. Paula McDonald - I live with less is more. I continue to purge things stored in my garage and donate stuff in my home that I do not use, and likely never will. It will take the sting out of my move when that time comes. 

 

Mar 18, 2025 07:48 AM
Dr. Paula McDonald

Hey Kathleen, thinning the stuff is always a good thing. I am into some Spring cleaning big time right now.

Mar 18, 2025 02:29 PM
Lew Corcoran
Better Living Real Estate, LLC - East Bridgewater, MA
Expert guidance. Exceptional results.

Thanks, Dr. Paula McDonald! Your beekeeping analogy for home maintenance is both delightful and practical. I love how you emphasize the importance of staying on top of repairs—it's a great nudge for all of us to keep our “hives” in tip-top shape! 🐝

Mar 18, 2025 10:44 AM
Dr. Paula McDonald

Thank you, Lew. When we do a little at a time, it is always much easier in the long run.

Mar 18, 2025 02:29 PM
Aura Alex
Seattle, WA
Retired Real Estate Pro

Ha..Bee-hold the buzz of spring cleaning—the hive’s annual hustle where we uncover pollen-dusted treasures, buzz about questionable past wardrobe choices, and swarm to oust cobwebbed squatters.

Isn’t there something as sweet as honey about clearing the hive? It’s like giving your home a fresh buzz-cut—suddenly lighter, brighter, and ready to wing it into the season. After all, who needs “junk in the trunk” when you can create a hive of possibilities for dreams still waiting to take flight?

Here’s to sparkling spaces and a zestier, zippier you!

FEATURED in the Old Farts Club.

Mar 18, 2025 02:29 PM
Dr. Paula McDonald

Thank you, Alex. And yes! Zestier and zippier are good words for getting things in tip-top condition.

Mar 18, 2025 02:32 PM
Anita Clark
Coldwell Banker Access Realty ~ 478.960.8055 - Warner Robins, GA
Realtor - Homes for Sale in Warner Robins GA

Love it. Practical repair tips to keep us all on our toes.

Mar 19, 2025 03:30 PM
Kelly McGovern
Realty Concierge International - Bellingham, MA
Working with Kelly is a good move

I love this analogy!  Great blog :) 

Mar 24, 2025 08:21 AM