Welcome to our site! Here at Lone Drone Apiary we pride ourselves on offering the finest honey harvested from happy bees. We care deeply about our bees and are committed to maintaining the highest quality in every jar. Join us in celebrating the sweet taste of nature!

Our Journey

We are a family-owned honey farm nestled in the coastal beauty of North Carolina. Our commitment to producing natural, unheated, and raw honey from the abundant agriculture of our small town sets us apart. With a focus on quality and sustainability, we invite you to explore the pure essence of our wildflower honey, reflecting the rich biodiversity of our region.

I came up with the name Lone Drone Apiary as way to celebrate the unique charm of my husband, Derrick, and the vital role of drone bees in our hives. Just like Derrick, the drone bees may be outnumbered and surrounded by the ladies on a daily basis, but they play an essential part in the harmony of our home and apiary.

Hello! My name is Mandy, and alongside my husband Derrick and our three daughters, we've transformed our passion for beekeeping into a way of life. It all began with a swarm that visited our yard in 2020, and now our hives are thriving descendants of those original bees. Together, we're dedicated to creating a beautiful environment for our bees, allowing us to enjoy the sweet rewards of honey right here in our small North Carolina town.

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Our Apiary

Sweet, Natural, Pure.

Our beekeeping haven is nestled in a serene country town surrounded by lush agricultural landscapes. Here, our traditional Langstroth and Long Langstroth hives thrive, allowing our bees to forage on an abundance of fresh plants. This natural bounty is what gives our wildflower honey its rich, deep flavors, capturing the essence of our beautiful surroundings in every jar. Read on to learn about our sustainable practices, the care we provide to our hives, and the dedication that drives our business. Join us on this journey as we share the joys and challenges of maintaining a thriving apiary.

Our Hives

We run a combination of traditional langstroth hives (like this photo) and long langstroth hives (at the top of the page). Bees are fascinating creatures that showcase incredible diversity in their nest-building techniques across various hive types. This variety not only enriches our understanding of their behaviors but also enhances our honey collection methods. Each inspection reveals new insights, making the experience both educational engaging. Observing these industrious insects in action adds a unique dimension to beekeeping.

Mite Control

At our apiary, we prioritize the health of our honeybees by effectively managing Varroa Destructor mites, which can carry harmful diseases. We utilize naturally occurring substances like oxalic acid vapor and formic acid for treatment, always removing our honey supers for this process. Regular monitoring of mite counts allows us to maintain the well-being of our bee colonies, ensuring a thriving environment for our pollinators.

Genetics

At our apiary, we prioritize the well-being of our bees by closely monitoring their needs and temperament. We strive to maintain healthy, gentle queens that produce thriving, gentle bees. Our commitment provides a secure environment for our bees, enabling them to flourish and contribute positively to the ecosystem.

Hive Inspections

At our apiary, we conduct regular hive inspections late February through November to ensure our bees are thriving and healthy. We carefully monitor the queen's egg production assess the brood, and note the number of workers and drones present. Additionally, we make sure our bees have sufficient food supplies to sustain them through the winter. There's always something exciting happening in the apiary!

Beeswax

Discover the purity of our minimally filtered Beeswax, crafted to retain essential healing nutrients like pollen. Perfect for making balms, salves, or natural candles, our beeswax is available in convenient bricks ranging from 1oz to 1lb. Experience the benefits of nature in your home—call to order today!

Honey

Discover the pure, delicious taste of our wildflower honey, crafted from the natural blooms around our home in Tyner. Raw and never heated, it contains all the unique flavors of the area while offering benefits for allergies, healing, and boosting your immune system. Order by calling us or find our honey for sale at A Still Life shop in Edenton, NC, and The Hertford Hub in Hertford, NC. Experience the essence of nature in a golden bottle!

Thanks for buzzing by!

Thank you for visiting our apiary webpage! We hope you enjoyed discovering some new facts about bees and had the chance to jot down our number in case you would like to try our delicious honey or beeswax products. Don't hesitate to come back and see us again soon—we look forward to sharing more about the wonderful world of bees with you!