One of the most frequent questions we hear new beekeepers ask is how to tell supersedure cells from swarm cells. While at first it may seem difficult to tell these two types of queen cells apart, with a little help you’ll find you can identify which one is which. What is a Cell? To understand the difference between a supersedure cell and …
Controlling Varroa mites is essential for maintaining healthy and productive bees. If you see signs of this parasite in your colonies, the right suite of tools is needed to successfully limit the consequences of an infestation. The Bee Gym is a great way to make the bee’s natural grooming behaviors more effective at removing these mites. Why are Varroa Mites Dangerous for My …
We get a lot of questions about measurements and sizing for the different bee suits we offer, so we've compiled a sizing chart to help everyone out. If you are in the market for a new suit, pair of trousers, jacket or a hat-veil combo, this will help guide you to the proper fit. View the PDF version - Dadant Sizing Chart
Varroa mites can quickly become a very serious problem for bees and bee keepers. To keep your colony safe from the effects of this parasite, be sure to perform periodic inspections. Using the EasyCheck system from Véto-pharma makes the process simple and provides an accurate assessment of the infestation in a hive. What are Varroa Mites? Varroa mites are external parasites of …
A week after installing your package bees, it’s time to perform your first hive inspection and see if the bees have accepted the queen and started to draw out the foundation. Getting Ready for the First Hive Inspection For this first inspection, we suggest wearing some level of protective clothing. Depending on your experience with beekeeping, you may be comfortable with minimal …
An indispensable part of every beekeeper’s toolkit, a bee smoker allows you to safely calm bees so you can inspect, repair or work with your hive. While many keepers have their own favorite fuel, preparing and filling the smoker so it produces cool and even smoke is an essential first step. The start of the season is upon us, and many …
There are many ways to install packages; if you ask five different beekeepers you’ll get five different answers. In this post, we go over the basic details of installing your package bees. Over time you may develop your own method that works best for you. What is a package of bees? Packages of bees are just that: boxes specially built to ship …
1. Q: What is Apiguard? A: Apiguard is thymol in a slow-release gel used to control varroa mites in honeybee colonies. Apiguard is a product suitable for use in organic farming in the European Union. 2. Q: How do I apply Apiguard? A: See Vita’s instructions on or with the product. If you are using Apiguard in 50g (1.76 ounces) trays: peel back the …