What I do

Beekeeping services

Whether you keep bees, want to start, or just found a swarm on your fence, I can help. Local, and hands-on.

Hive management

Ongoing care for your hives: inspections, mite checks, feeding, and seasonal management, so your colonies stay healthy and productive.

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Mentorship & lessons

Hands-on learning for new and aspiring beekeepers. Learn to read a frame, spot the queen, and manage your hive with confidence.

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Live bee removal & swarm relocation

Found a swarm or a colony where you don't want one? I relocate bees humanely and rehome them, no exterminator needed.

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Locally-raised queens & nucs Coming 2027

Starting in 2027, I'll be rearing queens and starter colonies right here on the South Coast from mite-resistant survivor stock, acclimated to our local conditions.

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Hive setup & consultation

Getting started, or troubleshooting a hive that isn't thriving? I'll help you set it up right and point you in the right direction.

About

Hi, I'm Bogdan (MayDay)

Everyone's called me MayDay since I started my IT career, and it turns out it's the perfect name for a beekeeper: when your bees are in trouble, you call a MayDay. I keep my own hives here in Goleta, I'm training through the UC Davis California Master Beekeeper Program, and I spend a lot of time with my hands in the boxes.

What I care about is the hobby beekeeper, the person with a hive or two in the backyard who just wants a hand. The big operations run thousands of hives and don't have time for your two. I'm the opposite: personal, patient, and local.

I started by helping neighbors with their bees and it grew from there. Healthy colonies, honest advice, and saving bees whenever I can instead of calling an exterminator.

I also build ColonyTrack, a beekeeping app, so tracking, timing, and hive health are things I think about every day, not just in season.

See you at the hive,
Bogdan (MayDay)

MayDay's Bees