Beekeepers Blog

There are a variety of ways to tell if your hive has lost its queen, and at some point, each hive will eventually lose its queen. At times, they requeen themselves and we never know it, (which isn’t ideal) and...

Bees not filling honey supers when expected can be frustrating, but the cause is often fairly easy to diagnose. Identifying what’s holding them back is usually the first step toward getting the hive back on track.

First, make sure you are able to spot eggs and larva. See “Tips for spotting eggs & larva”. If you are confident there are no eggs, larva, or capped brood, then you almost certainly have a queenless hive. The most...

Also read: Swarm cells vs supersedure cells A queen cell is simply a cell in which a queen is actively being raised. A queen cup, or emergency queen cup as they are often called, is an empty queen cup that...

First, does your hive have eggs or larvae but no capped brood?If so, the hive most likely has a newly installed or recently reared queen who is just beginning to lay. If your hive has no eggs or larvae but...

What should you look for during your very first hive inspection? 🐝 Blake breaks it all down in this quick guide—whether you're starting with a full hive, a nuc, or a package. Learn exactly what to check for to ensure your bees are healthy, your queen is thriving, and your hive is off to a strong start!

First, verify they are actually queenless. Depending on what part of the country you are from, queens either completely stop laying in the fall or at least dramatically reduce laying. If you are in an area that typically remains above...

Queenless or Seasonal Slow Down?
In late fall, queens often stop laying—but if one hive lags behind others or shows weak brood, it may be failing or queenless. Strong hives can be saved, but weak ones need attention to prevent loosing them over winter.