Learning

Did you know that colonies raise winter bees primarily during the months of August and September? It's vital that these winter bees are kept healthy for the colonies to survive the winter. Learn about the four key aspects to winter prep.

In our previous article, we discussed the basic anatomy of workers, drones, and queens along with the roles they play in a honeybee colony. In this article, we’ll discuss the basics of queen rearing, including common techniques and equipment used by beekeepers. In its natural state, a honey bee colony may experience several scenarios that trigger the production of a new …

Honey bees are social insects, living in colonies where specific tasks are completed by different types of honey bees in the hive. In this article, we’ll go over the basic honey bee biology and the differences between queens, drones and worker bees. If you’re considering getting started in beekeeping, you might be tempted to jump right in with your first hive …

Early spring can be a tough time for honey bee colonies. During the colder winter months, bees survive on stored honey and pollen gathered the previous year. In early spring, however, these stores are often depleted before new pollen and nectar are available in the quantities needed for robust colony growth. At this crucial time of the year, supplementary feeding may …

For a new beekeeper, getting through the first winter is a major milestone worth celebrating. As a second-year beekeeper, you may find your equipment needs growing as your colonies mature. If you’re a new beekeeper and successfully kept your first colony through the winter, congratulations! You’ve gained valuable experience by setting up your first hive and learning to use basic beekeeping …

Honey bee diseases start to affect the health of your colonies long before warning signs become apparent to novice beekeepers. This article gives new beekeeping enthusiasts basic knowledge of the two most common diseases that affect honey bee hives in North America and beyond. Unlike pests that invade honey bee colonies like varroa mites and wax moth larvae, the bacteria that …

Honey bee pests are a common problem for hives throughout the world. For new beekeepers, it can be a real challenge to know what to watch for and how to combat pests. This series is intended to give new beekeeping enthusiasts basic knowledge of the most common species that invade hives. Honey Bee Pests and Diseases: Varroa Mites Varroa destructor, Varroa jacobsoni What are …