When you picture a beehive, most people first think of the queen bee and the busyness of the worker bees. You might not realize that worker bees are all female, every single one of them. Male honey bees are called drones, but where are they, and what do drone bees do? Many consider drones to…
Hidden in every beehive is a highly organized society of bees with a clear hierarchy and well-defined roles. Though a thriving colony can house over 60,000 bees, every bee plays a vital part in the hive’s survival. Each hive is made up of a fascinating caste of characters, including the queen bee, the versatile female…
For most new beekeepers, the prospect of honey production in your backyard is one of the most exciting aspects. As beginner beekeepers, the terms and parts of a beehive can become quite confusing. However, as you build your apiary, understanding hive configuration is important in managing your bees. One component that is talked about frequently…
When you begin to dig into the world of beekeeping, the terminology can be so confusing! Beekeepers seem to be talking a different language! When it comes to hive boxes, beekeepers use terms like supers, deeps, mediums, and brood boxes. Let’s break down the parts of the hive starting with one of the most important…
Dreaming about beekeeping but unsure of what you need to get started? New beekeepers often find themselves completely overwhelmed in the beekeeping supply store! While the cost of beekeeping can be surprising, let’s discuss the must-have equipment needed to get you started. Together we’ll sort through the options to answer how much does it cost…
A healthy hive typically has between 60,000 and 80,000 honeybees. While a hive has a few hundred drones and thousands of worker bees, the hive will contain a single queen bee. Queen bees are undoubtedly the most important bee in the colony since the survival of the colony is dependent on the production of brood….
As the days grow warmer, honey bee swarm season is approaching! Honey bees reproduce in two ways. The first is normal reproduction through egg-laying and rearing new worker bees. The second way honeybees reproduce is to create new bee colonies. Attracting the swarm scouts, this natural process is a great way for beekeepers to grow…
When it comes to beekeeping tools, a smoker is one of the must-have tools of every beekeeper! This simple tool makes the bees more manageable, protects the bees and also protects the beekeeper. What’s so magical about the effect of smoke on honey bees? Let’s explore why beekeepers use smoke to manage their bees. Historical…
The number one reason that new beekeepers get started with honey bees is access to fresh honey! While beekeepers keep bees for a variety of reasons harvesting honey is an exciting part of the job! A healthy hive can produce 40 to 100 pounds of honey depending on the size of the honey supers used….
While it may be trendy or popular on social media to see an experienced beekeeper manage a swarm of bees without any beekeeping protective clothing. Protective clothing for beekeepers should be at the top of every beekeeper’s supply list. As a new beekeeper, it can be quite intimidating the first time you open a beehive…
