Beekeeping For Newbees 
One of the things that often gets overlooked by new beekeepers, and even some experienced ones, is the importance of understanding the life cycle of honey bees. I’m talking about how long it takes for a queen, worker, or drone to go from egg to emergence, and what happens in each phase along the way. … Read more
As beekeepers, we often focus on the joys and benefits of our craft like the honey harvests, the pollination perks, and the fascinating behavior of our buzzing companions. However, it’s crucial to acknowledge and understand the potential health risks associated with bee venom exposure, not just for ourselves but also for our families. The Hidden … Read more
As you know, beekeeping is not cheap. If you haven’t already, check out our article on how expensive beekeeping can be. Once you’ve committed to the hobby and started buying equipment, the costs add up quickly, hive boxes, frames, feeders, lids, bottom boards, and more. Now that you’ve made this investment, you need a plan to … Read more
Moving honey bees is one of the more intimidating tasks a beekeeper might face, especially early on. With a little preparation and a solid understanding of bee behavior, relocating hives becomes a smooth, manageable process that will feel routine as you gain experience. Whether you’re picking up a package from the post office, moving a … Read more
If you are new to beekeeping, you have probably already realized that opening a hive can feel like stepping into a different world. Bees are not just buzzing insects flying around aimlessly; they are communicating, coordinating, and reacting to everything you do. If you want to be successful in the bee yard, understanding their behavior … Read more
When people talk about preparing for their first hive inspection, they usually mention reading books, watching videos, or asking questions in a local bee club. All of that helps, but nothing replaces actually putting your hands on your equipment and walking through the steps. That’s where mock hive inspections come in. These are dry runs—inspections without bees—that … Read more
One of the most frustrating things in beekeeping is watching half of your strongest colony leave. You’ve nurtured them all year, made it through winter, and now just as the hive is hitting its stride, they decide to take off. Swarming is a natural part of colony reproduction, but as a beekeeper, it’s something I … Read more
Swarming can rob you of half a colony right at the peak of spring buildup. If you’ve ever opened a hive and found queen cells while the original queen is still inside, you know you’re on borrowed time. One strategy that many beekeepers use to interrupt swarm behavior without actually splitting the colony is the … Read more
It’s easy to panic when you open a hive and don’t see a queen. Maybe the brood looks light, or you’ve got antsy bees, or things just feel off. The first instinct for a lot of beekeepers is to assume the queen is gone and jump straight to requeening. However, making that move too early … Read more
Requeening is one of those tasks in beekeeping that you don’t do often, but when you do, it’s a big deal. It’s not just about replacing a queen, it’s about correcting problems, improving genetics, and setting the colony up for success through the next season. Whether your queen has aged out, gone missing, or just … Read more