This contains a variety of cross-industry general technical guidelines and basic knowledge.
Discover why wooden hives were the traditional choice for beekeepers, offering natural breathability, sustainability, and alignment with bee instincts.
Explore the evolution of beehives, from fixed-comb skeps to modern Langstroth hives using wood, plastic, and polystyrene for sustainable beekeeping.
Learn the core duties of a beekeeper: managing hive structure, regulating the environment, and monitoring colony health for a thriving apiary.
Learn how to manage hive ventilation seasonally to prevent moisture buildup in winter and overheating in summer for a healthy, productive bee colony.
Discover the three beehive maintenance levels: low, regular, and intensive. Learn which approach aligns with your commercial beekeeping goals.
Discover how hive tidiness prevents pests, controls disease, and supports bee health. Essential knowledge for commercial beekeepers.
Learn how preserving comb integrity saves bee energy, boosts honey production, and how modern hive design can increase yields by up to 30%.
Discover the essential role of a hive bottom board for structural support, ventilation, temperature control, and Varroa mite management.
Discover the essential beekeeping equipment, from hive components to safety gear, needed to start and manage a healthy, productive honey bee colony.
Discover the key features of telescoping outer covers, including their weatherproof design, insulation benefits, and why they're vital for healthy bee colonies.
Discover the 4 key functions of a beehive inner cover: insulation, ventilation, moisture control, and easier hive inspections for beekeepers.
Learn how a slatted rack improves hive ventilation, reduces congestion, and promotes a healthier, more productive brood nest for your apiary.
Compare solid vs. screened bottom boards for beehives. Learn the pros and cons for insulation, ventilation, and Varroa mite management to make the best choice.
Learn the benefits of stacking unused beehives: save space, protect from pests, and ensure rapid deployment for swarm season.
Learn the best practices for storing beekeeping gear to prevent moisture damage. Key steps include proper cleaning, drying, and ventilation for long-term protection.
Learn why painting wooden hive components is essential for weather protection, temperature regulation, and preventing bee drift.
Discover how a wire mesh beehive floor improves ventilation, controls Varroa mites, manages moisture, and simplifies cleaning for healthier colonies.
Learn how to harvest honey sustainably. Discover the factors that determine harvest frequency, from nectar flow to colony health, for maximum yield.
Learn the factors affecting honey yield per hive, from colony health to forage, and the responsible beekeeping practices for a sustainable harvest.
Discover the essential beekeeping equipment checklist: hive components, protective gear, and tools for a safe and successful start to your apiary.
Learn the optimal hive inspection frequency for each season, balancing bee health, swarm prevention, and honey production. A guide for effective apiary management.
Discover the ideal beehive placement: morning sun, wind protection, and proper drainage for a thriving, productive colony.
Start beekeeping right with our guide to the 4 essential equipment categories: the hive, protective gear, basic tools, and sourcing bees.
Discover the ideal native bee hive location: morning sun for activity, deep afternoon shade to prevent hive meltdown. Learn expert placement tips for a thriving colony.
Learn the essential steps to successfully install a package or nuc, ensure queen acceptance, and build a thriving honey bee colony for your apiary.
Learn the complete process for installing a package of bees into a new hive, from preparation and placement to post-installation care for colony survival.
Learn the 3 keys to attracting solitary bees to a bee house: correct placement, proximity to pollen-rich flowers, and providing essential building materials.
Learn why a queen bee cannot survive alone and the correct methods for starting a new honeybee colony, from packages to nucs.
Learn why a queen bee alone cannot start a hive and the two proven methods for successfully establishing a new bee colony.
Discover the three castes of bees, honeycomb architecture, and the vital roles of brood, honey, and pollen inside a thriving beehive.
Learn the core purpose of a beehive: a climate-controlled fortress that protects the queen, brood, and resources for a thriving colony.
Learn the seasonal time commitment for beekeeping, from a beginner's first year to managing a honey-producing side business.
Compare Langstroth, Top Bar, and Flow Hives for beginners. Learn the pros, cons, and which hive is best for your beekeeping goals.
Discover why honey bees swarm, a natural process for colony reproduction. Learn how to identify and manage this key beekeeping behavior.
Learn how to attract bees to a new box using scent lures like lemongrass oil, proper hive volume, and strategic placement to mimic an ideal home for scout bees.
Learn why an empty bee box won't attract bees and discover the proven methods, like using bait hives, to reliably start your colony.
Learn why a queen bee alone isn't enough to start a hive and discover the two proven methods for successfully establishing a new colony.
Discover the real challenges of starting beekeeping, from the initial investment to the learning curve and mental hurdles. Learn how to succeed.
Learn the realistic timeline for mastering beekeeping, from foundational first year to confident colony management. Get started with expert guidance.
Learn how to legally and responsibly keep a bee hive in your backyard. Discover key steps for placement, neighbor relations, and hive management.
Discover why beekeeping is harder than it looks, from varroa mite management to the steep learning curve. Essential reading for new beekeepers.
Compare wood, polystyrene, and plastic beehives. Find the best material for your budget, climate, and beekeeping goals with our expert guide.
Learn why not removing honey from a hive leads to swarming, disease spread, and colony decline. Essential reading for responsible beekeepers.
Learn the key difference between acute (less than 6 weeks) and chronic (6+ weeks) urticaria hives and how to manage each type effectively.
Learn the critical temperature for beehives, how the winter cluster works, and key factors like honey stores and ventilation for colony survival.
Discover why starting with two beehives is the best strategy for new beekeepers, enabling resource sharing and providing a critical safety net for colony health.
Discover the best winter bee hives: compare Warré, Horizontal, and Langstroth designs for superior moisture control and heat retention to protect your colony.
Learn the ideal beehive orientation (southeast) and key principles for morning sun, wind protection, and heat management to boost your apiary's success.
Learn the exact queenless hive survival timeline. Discover the critical intervention window to save your bees and prevent colony collapse.
Learn the critical queenless timeline for hives, from emergency response to the point of no return, and how to save your colony.
Learn the key signals for adding honey supers based on hive strength and nectar flow, not just the calendar, to maximize honey and prevent swarming.
Learn the best practices for placing beehives close together, including tips to prevent bee drifting and create a safe workspace.
Learn the critical rules for moving a beehive, including the 3-foot/2-mile rule, to prevent losing forager bees and ensure colony survival.
Learn the essential steps to raise a beehive, from initial setup and feeding to pest control and seasonal hive expansion for a thriving colony.
Learn the '3 feet or 3 miles' rule and step-by-step process to safely relocate your beehive at night, ensuring colony survival and health.
Learn the sustainable number of beehives per acre. Key factors include forage area, bloom cycles, and beekeeper experience for optimal hive health.
Learn the proper techniques for lifting and moving a beehive safely, from strapping components to choosing the right method for short or long-distance moves.
Learn the proper techniques for lifting and moving beehives, from preparation and timing to manual and mechanical lifting methods.
Discover the ideal sun or shade balance for your beehive. Learn how placement affects foraging, pest control, and honey production in different climates.
Discover why bees build hexagonal honeycombs for maximum storage, strength, and efficiency. Learn the difference between a hive and a honeycomb.
Learn the best way to store honeycomb to prevent crystallization and spoilage. Keep it fresh at room temperature in an airtight glass container.
Learn why beehive maintenance is crucial for colony health, preventing swarming, and maximizing honey production. A guide for beekeepers.
Learn the difference between bee anatomy (head, thorax, abdomen) and the structures they build (nests and hives). Essential for beekeepers.
Discover what an apiary is, how to select the ideal location for your beehives, and key considerations for bee health and honey production.
Learn practical strategies for beekeepers to minimize stings, from protective gear to gentle bee genetics. Manage risks effectively.
Yes, stings are part of beekeeping, but they are manageable. Learn how to minimize stings with the right gear, techniques, and bee genetics.
Discover the top beekeeping regions in the U.S. and how to choose the best location based on climate, forage, market, and support for your apiary goals.
Discover the most profitable beekeeping ventures: selling bees, pollination services, and value-added products. Learn how to maximize your apiary's ROI.
Learn the best time to open a beehive for inspections or new installations. Maximize colony health and minimize stress with expert timing tips.
Learn why opening a beehive below 50°F (10°C) is dangerous, how to safely assess your colony in winter, and when emergency intervention is necessary.
Learn when to avoid hive inspections to prevent stressing your colony. Key factors include cold, rainy, or windy weather to protect brood and forager stability.
Compare Langstroth, Top-Bar, Warre, and Flow beehives. Find the best hive for your honey production, management style, and beekeeping philosophy.
Learn how to choose the ideal bee hive location by balancing sun, water, wind protection, and safety for a healthy, productive apiary.
Discover how responsible beekeepers act as stewards, protecting honey bees from disease, starvation, and environmental threats for thriving colonies.
Learn the correct way to install a new bee package or nuc into a hive. Our guide covers queen introduction, feeding, and avoiding common mistakes.
Learn the critical times to avoid hive inspections to prevent brood loss, reduce bee stress, and maintain colony health. Essential reading for beekeepers.
Learn how to set up a rooftop beehive, from structural safety and legal approval to managing wind, sun, and water for thriving colonies.
Learn why planting nectar-rich flowers is better than sugar water for feeding bees in your garden. Support pollinators sustainably.
Discover why a variety of natural pollen sources is essential for bee nutrition and when to use supplements. Learn the best strategies for beekeepers.
Discover the key strategies to attract honey bees, including planting dense clumps of blue, violet, and yellow flowers for maximum visibility and efficiency.
Most hives are caused by viral infections, not allergies. Learn the real triggers of acute and chronic urticaria for effective management.
Discover why an inner cover is essential for modern beekeeping, improving hive inspections, ventilation, moisture control, and feeding.
Learn the ideal sun-to-shade ratio for beehives based on your climate. Boost colony health, productivity, and honey yields with strategic placement.
Learn the essential beekeeping rule for safely moving hives to prevent forager loss. Understand bee navigation and how to move hives correctly.
Learn the 7/10 beekeeping rule for adding hive boxes to prevent swarming and encourage steady colony growth for a productive apiary.
Learn to identify a healthy bee colony by checking brood pattern, bee population, food stores, and hive behavior for optimal apiary management.
Learn the most effective, responsible methods to deter bees by removing attractants like scents, colors, and food sources. Coexist safely outdoors.
Learn why professional bee removal is the safest, most effective method to permanently eliminate a hive and prevent costly structural damage.
Discover the most effective natural bee repellents like peppermint oil and cinnamon. Learn when to use them and when to call a professional.
Hives are raised welts caused by histamine release during an allergic reaction. Learn the triggers, from allergens to stress, and when to seek help.
Learn the consequences of bee hive removal: straggler bees, brood loss, and how to prevent future infestations. Essential for responsible beekeeping.
Learn the queen bee's crucial roles in egg-laying and pheromone production to manage hive health, honey yield, and colony stability effectively.
Explore the majority of bee species that live without a hive. Learn about solitary bees, their nesting habits, and their vital role in pollination.
Learn the secrets of gentle bee handling: using smokers, calm movements, and stress reduction to minimize stings for beekeepers and apiaries.
Discover how a simple sugar water spray calms bees by distraction and simulating a nectar flow, ideal for installing new packages.
Discover the difference between immunity and tolerance to bee venom, and learn how beekeepers' bodies adapt to stings over time.
Learn the 3 key pillars for successful beekeeping: essential equipment, foundational bee biology knowledge, and the right temperament.
Discover the non-negotiable beekeeping equipment for a safe and successful start, from hives and protective gear to essential management tools.
Learn why responsible beekeepers always leave honey for their bees to ensure colony survival during winter and nectar dearths for long-term health.
Learn why air exposure degrades honey by increasing moisture, leading to fermentation, flavor loss, and spoilage. Discover best storage practices.