Beekeeping Articles

My beekeeping journey began when I was a teenager in the early 1970s. School and work soon took me to the big city and away...

This is an Academy Hands-On Lesson. Such lessons feature the individual recollections, ideas, and thoughts of PerfectBee Ambassadors, based on their years of experience as...

The intriguing phenomenon of bearding. Why do they cluster outside their hive? What is the impact on their health and behavior?

A Pest with a HistoryFor thousands of years wax moths have been a pest to honey bees. Today, their impact to the commercial beekeeping industry...

In The Anatomy of Bees, we took a look at the body parts of the honeybee and the impressive efficiency of this marvel of nature....

IntroductionThere are many areas in which commercial beekeepers play an essential role. As one notable example, the largest almond market in the world - California -...

Prepare foster positive relationships with neighbors while beekeeping. Learn tips for managing hives and addressing concerns for a harmonious community.

Of all the world's creatures, the honey bee is one of the most resourceful. The honey bee gathers her raw materials for life from far...

IntroductionIn the first lesson of this two-part topic, we looked at the various forms of honey you might want to harvest, as well as some...

IntroductionHaving seen how to harvest honey from your beehives, there are more treasures awaiting you.Honey gets all the good PR since everyone loves the stuff!...

"Less than 2 feet or more than 2 miles""No, it's less than 3 feet or more than 3 miles"It's a common discussion among beekeepers. But what...

Of all the challenges faced by bees - and beekeepers - the topic of "overwintering" is one of the most commonly discussed. Even without our help,...

In our previous lesson, we looked at why queen rearing can be a fascinating, fun, and worthwhile opportunity for the beekeeper. We now look at...

Many beekeepers enjoy and expand their hobby by buying more bees and maybe carrying out the occasional split. But if that is the limit of...

Free bees!Who doesn't like the sound of that? If you are a beekeeper - or are soon to be one - you will know that...

We have looked at the different ways in which frames in your beehive will be used for brood. There are some very specific patterns a...

What does it mean for you colony?

Bees have it tough and have to contend with a wide range of potential challenges. But they do it so well and a successful colony...

Beekeeping brings so much joy to so many, but also has its challenges. We have looked in detail at the various threats to bees. Losses...

In the previous lesson, we looked at the life of the Varroa mite and how their behaviors and reproductive patterns have the potential to decimate...

There are many diseases that can threaten honey bees, including American and European Foulbrood. The frequency and severity of these diseases vary considerably, as do...

The world of nature can be downright gruesome. Imagine a creature that crawls into the incredibly tiny breathing tubes of an adult bee, restricting the...

In the world of beekeeping, there are few problems as catastrophic to bees as American Foulbrood (AFB). It is the most severe, problematic, and challenging...

Small, Pesky, and Rather CleverThe Small Hive Beetle, commonly referred to as SHB, is recognized by many beekeepers as a serious threat. It was introduced...

Not All It SeemsAs a new beekeeper, you may one day walk to your hive and see furious activity around the entrance of the hive....

With the beehive up and running and your bees starting to establish their home, the role of the beekeeper changes. From the decision-maker and the architect...

It's tough to say whether the new beekeeper of today has it any easier than the "newbie" of old. It's true that today we have...

Why Keep Records? A colony is a complex organism of tens of thousands of bees. The sophisticated behaviors occurring within the beehive are not always...

With your first bees safely installed in their new home, it's time for the beekeeper to be patient. This is an exciting moment for the...

Oh, the simple life of a beekeeper. That peaceful, relaxing closeness to nature, enjoying bees and all their benefits. What could be more simple, calming...

IntroductionFor many years, the ready availability of packages of bees meant that they were the most common and recommended way to start as a beekeeper....

IntroductionOf all the memories you will create as a beekeeper, few will be as exciting and fulfilling as when you install your first bees in...

Learn how and when to effectively use feeders with your beehive. Support your bees' health and productivity.

We've Heard it All"It's terrible how you are so dismissive of the Flow Hive. It is a great option for beekeepers"."The fact that you give...

Discover the pros and cons of foundationless beekeeping, a natural approach that can promote healthier bees and encourages their instinctive building behaviors.

In looking at the Langstroth beehive, we see a solution that has served the beekeeper well for hundreds of years. The design delivers many benefits...

IntroductionAsk a Langstroth owner about their beehive and you will get a knowing smile of satisfaction of their choice. Ask a Warre owner and you will...

The Most Popular of BeehivesThere is little doubt that when most people think of a beehive, they think of a Langstroth, knowingly or otherwise. They...

Whereas many of our previous lessons have been focused on factual, scientific and objective topics, we now turn to one of the more philosophical decisions...

6 Weeks...or 5 Months?What creature has a very short life span in the warm months yet can live several times longer in the challenging cold...

Discover the fascinating world of propolis, the lesser-known bee product. Learn its benefits, uses, and why it's essential for hive health in our latest article.

Explore how bees forage and their vital role in pollination and the ecosystem. Learn about their behaviors and the complex way they manage their world.

Small Package, Big DealWe've looked at the drone and the queen. Now let's look at the astonishing, amazing, almost unbelievable worker bee!When we are in...

The Central FigureHave you ever wondered what role the queen really plays within the hive? She certainly plays a vital role, but what exactly is...

Why Drones Are NecessaryHave you ever put much thought into the male honey bee? We hear so much about the queen and worker bees, but...

What is a “Race” of bees?A race of bees is akin to a breed of dogs. They have names like Italians, Russian, Cordovan, or Buckfast....

Bees communicate primarily through pheromones. Their communication system is highly sophisticated.

When we look at a single honeybee, we see a small, seemingly simple creature. But behind that modest frame is an incredible story. From the...

Clones with No Sons and Males with No FatherLet's get straight to the point - bee genetics are downright weird!Most of us have heard of...