Most beekeeping books explain that swarm cells (queens being raised in preparation for half the bees and the old queen to swarm away) and supersedure cells (queens being raised to replace a failing queen) are easy to spot. Swarm cells...
Do your bees really need pollen supplements? The answer depends on the season, your local forage, and what your colony needs to stay strong.
This is especially common when the weather begins to warm, and you are using a Boardman entrance feeder. Sugar water has a shelf life of 7-10 days so make sure you only give the bees as much as they can...
What is the Varroa Mite (Varroa Destructor)? Simply put, it is an external parasitic mite that attacks and feeds on our Western honey bees, Apis Malifera. The Varroa mite is considered the # 1 cause of death in honey bees...
By: James Elam A healthy beehive is one of the cleanest and most well protected homes in nature. Housekeepers work around the clock to provide both safe and clean living conditions within the hive. Unkempt, non-hygienic colonies tend to be...
This topic is often debated, and a frequently asked question. As usual with debated topics, this issue has pros and cons on both sides. I want to share my opinion based on my experience, then outline the pros and cons...
Not all queen problems are actually queen problems. Learn how to identify the signs of a failing queen and distinguish them from issues caused by mites, disease, nutrition, or the season.
Managing your Land to Support Bees By: Matt Fuller Ph.D. My family has been involved in farming and ranching since “the old days” when ancestors loaded on a boat and made the trip to Indianola, ready to make the inland...
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...
By: Sandy Murray & Cyrus Nasr Moving bees can seem like a daunting task for a beekeeper. As seasoned beekeepers with over 150 hives at Hive Bee Farm we get lots of questions like... How do you move 30-80 thousand...
By: Blake Shook Unfortunately, it's not uncommon to see an active queen and queen cells. But before we talk about what to do about it, let us first break down the different types of queen cells found in a hive....
The following is a broad overview of conditions and causes most commonly found in backyard beekeeper “dead outs.” Some of these conditions are “seasonal” but so many of them could be in any season throughout the year. Condition: Dead bees head...
By: Mary Reed - Past Texas Chief Apiary Inspector Entomologist - Secretary, Apiary Inspectors of America Texas Master Beekeeper Program Manager I grew up in a rural part of Florida with parents who allowed their children to roam the great...
By: Matt Fuller P. D., Owner - Fuller Farms Bee prepared for bad weather In terms of late spring and summer rains, I’d say this year’s precipitation ranks right up there as one of the wettest years I can recall....
By Blake Shook You have most likely heard about California almond pollination. It's the single largest pollination event in the world, and financially, it's what keeps most commercial beekeeping businesses alive. Bees for pollination is also one of the greatest...
Winter is finally here...so now what? After months of activity caring for your bees, it's finally time to take a deep breath and wait for spring. If you are like me, waiting is the hardest part! Every cold rainy night,...
By: Paige Nester Owner, Creek House Honey Farm As fairly new beekeepers, my husband George and I knew that raw honey had amazing healing properties. Realizing the need for local honey, we started Creek House Honey Farm in 2011 with...
Topics Beekeepers Can't Agree On! By: Lynne Jones On September 29th, I asked members of two Beekeeping Facebook groups* to state their preference for Solid or Screened bottom boards and why. There were roughly 33 people that commented with only 28 having...
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.
