The Bee Supply Monthly

How to Combine Colonies for Better Winter Survival
Combining hives is a strategic method for improving the chances of survival for weaker colonies during winter. The process is relatively simple and involves merging a weak hive with a stronger one or combining two weak hives to form a single, stronger hive.
Read now
What a Hive Ready for Winter Should Look Like
Am I ready for Winter? Better yet - are my bees ready? You won't believe the brood in this hive! Blake takes you on a tour through a hive that is ready for winter!
Read now
Winterizing Your Hives
Winter is coming … maybe. You never quite know until it hits! But over the next month, we should begin to see some cooling just about everywhere. Here are a few common winter preparation practices when it comes to the exteriors of our hives.

Read now
Late Fall and Early Winter Feeding
When and how much you should feed pollen patties primarily depends on the time of year and the strength of the hive. A general rule of thumb is that, if you don’t see at least half a deep frame’s worth of stored pollen in the hive, it’s ideal to feed pollen substitutes until the bees begin bringing in and storing more pollen. Nurse bees depend on ample pollen availability to feed both themselves and developing larvae.
Read now
WATCH: Should I Feed Syrup or Stan's Soft Sugar Bricks?
When should you stop feeding liquid syrup? When is a Stan's Soft Sugar Brick better? When will bees stop eating in the winter? Blake tackles all of these questions and more, and helps you understand when a liquid vs a solid food is preferable!
Read now
Will My Bees Develop Natural Resistance if I Don’t Treat or Manage Varroa Mites?
Unfortunately, not controlling Varroa will spread Varroa to your other hives and often all the hives within a few miles of your own bees. There are always some beekeepers who say they’ve never treated for mites and their hives do fine. However, that is certainly not the norm.

Read now

How to Combine Colonies for Better Winter Survival

What a Hive Ready for Winter Should Look Like

Winterizing Your Hives

Late Fall and Early Winter Feeding

WATCH: Should I Feed Syrup or Stan's Soft Sugar Bricks?

Will My Bees Develop Natural Resistance if I Don’t Treat or Manage Varroa Mites?