By: Mary Reed Texas Chief Apiary Inspector Entomologist - Secretary, Apiary Inspectors of America Texas Master Beekeeper Program Manager I remember when I first got into beekeeping. I was overwhelmed with anticipation of getting to watch my bees grow...
I don’t recommend buying queens with clipped wings, nor do I recommend clipping the wings of a queen. The theory is that it will prevent a hive from swarming, since the queen cannot fly away with the swarm. However,...
Have you ever wondered where your bees forage? Me too! Did you know your honey “tells the story”? Turns out a LOT of beekeepers send honey samples to Texas A & M University for pollen testing! Full disclosure – we’ve...
How to Use a Refractometer Having your own refractometer is a necessity when you begin harvesting salable honey. With it, you can be certain you are selling a product that meets the recommended guidelines to prevent fermentation. The most important...
This is largely a question of preference. It doesn’t generally hurt a queen to get her marked, but it does cost extra, since beekeepers have to find a queen, pick her up, and mark her. It is far easier to...
These thieves of the day are more than just pests for sure. It's interesting to learn, that yellowjackets can soon follow a robbing frenzy. Nearing and during winter, nature's food resources are scarcer, and robbing can become a huge problem!...
