If you ask a beekeeper a question, you may get many different answers. We will provide the building blocks for your beekeeping experience. The method of beekeeping that will be used is determined by your geographic location. We will present new product instructions for you to review to increase your knowledge of beekeeping.
Even seasoned beekeepers make a few spring mistakes, and for me, this year is no exception. Let me set the scene: It was a cloudy, misting, 58-degree early spring morning. The warmer temps meant I’d finally swapped out the deer sled for the utility vehicle to make my rounds in the bee yards. The engine started on the first try and …
With each winter comes the want of spring, and this year has been no different.This year’s winter notes come from Gabe Dadant, who is continuing the Dadant Family tradition of raising bees and passing down what he’s learned to the next generation.Hard Winter Lessons for Young Beekeepers My wife and I have two boys. She is an elementary school teacher and they …
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 …