Beekeepers Blog

It's  H-E-R-E!! Experienced beekeepers are well aware of the risk of a stray swarm and have the hives to overcome the loss when it occurs. However, sideliner and hobby beekeepers might not be so accepting. Managing the space in a hive...

By: Ed Erwin The Hypopharyngeal glands could easily be considered “The Royal Glands of the Honey Bee”! These royal glands secrete a substance known as Royal Jelly and are distinguishable by the high levels of nutrients. Royal jelly is a...

By James & Chari Elam The topic of “how to treat” for Varroa mites has been one that has dominated bee clubs, beekeeping seminars and online blogs for many years. With so many options and opinions, one would likely be...

A honey-bound hive occurs when bees fill the brood nest with honey or syrup, leaving the queen with no room to lay eggs. Recognizing the signs early and providing additional space can restore brood production and keep the colony healthy and productive.

By: Charlie Agar 1-D-1 Open Space law offers incentives for landowners and opportunity for beekeepers Ben Franklin famously said that nothing is more certain in life than “death and taxes,” but a 2012 Texas law gives landowners a potential reprieve (from...

As cooler weather approaches, one key decision can make or break your bees’ winter survival—how you configure the brood nest. From single deeps to double deeps, each setup has its pros, cons, and management needs. Learn which winter configuration best fits your bees and your beekeeping style.

Can you actually prepare ahead of time for spring splits? You bet you can! Things to do NOW: Have your equipment on hand–  Consider that each split will require either a Nuc box or an 8 or 10 frame hive box plus,...

By: Dodie Stillman, Master Beekeeper Austin Area Beekeepers Association, President      Texas Beekeepers Association, Board of Directors Wolf Moon, Snow Moon; did you know that the full moon in March is referred to as the Worm Moon? I love the full...

This year is stacking up to be a very unusual year when it comes to honey production. As the rains continue in North, Central and South Texas, honey production has all but stagnated for the most part. For Small Scale...

Also read: What does a good vs bad brood pattern look like?  A poor brood pattern can be caused by many things. Below I’ve outlined the common causes, and how to fix them: A failing queen- As queens age, they...

How can you tell if honey is pure? Most people who buy honey direct from a beekeeper, do so because they want pure, raw, local honey. Thanks to beekeepers, consumers are becoming more aware that honey is one of the...

It may be cold outside, keeping us from spending time with our bees—but one thing is certain: you still have chores to do! Paint boxes – Winter is the perfect time to give your existing hives a fresh coat of...

Topics Beekeepers Can't Agree On! I usually decide on my question for beekeepers at least a couple of weeks before I post it on Facebook, and my planned question for this article was no exception. March 1st, I opened the Texas...

Beekeepers mix sugar syrup by weight, volume, or guesstimate—but which method really works best? There’s more to consider than you might think, and a few surprising insights could change the way you feed your bees.

By Blake Shook It is not uncommon to come out of the winter months with an extra box of honey on a hive. I see this most commonly if: The hive had more than two boxes full or almost full...