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
Lighting a bee smoker seems simple—until you’re standing in your bee yard with a handful of smoldering burlap and a hive full of increasingly annoyed honey bees. If you’ve ever struggled to keep your smoker going long enough to finish an inspection, you’re not alone. In this post, I’ll walk you through how I light … Read more