Discover the two most popular honey bee feeders: frame feeders and bucket feeders. Learn the pros, cons, and best uses for each to feed your colony effectively.
Learn the correct initial feed amount for new bee colonies (1-3L of 1:1 syrup) to stimulate comb building and brood rearing for rapid self-sufficiency.
Learn the Mountain Camp method for feeding dry sugar to bees. Discover when and how to use this technique for winter starvation prevention in healthy colonies.
Learn why open feeding sugar to bees attracts robbing, spreads disease, and wastes resources. Discover safe, in-hive feeding methods to protect your colony.
Learn the critical safety rules for feeding honey to bees, including disease prevention, safe sourcing, and proper in-hive feeding methods to protect your colony.
Discover why honey bees store honey as a critical survival food source for winter, nectar dearths, and colony growth. Learn the key to hive resilience.
Discover the pros and cons of frame feeders, top feeders, and entrance feeders for beekeeping. Learn how to choose the right method to prevent robbing and drowning.
Learn the difference between pollen patties and dry powder for feeding bees, including when to use each for optimal brood stimulation or nutritional support.
Discover the essential Tools for Varroa Management guide for accurate monitoring, action thresholds, and effective treatment strategies to protect your hives.
Learn the critical advice for proactive Varroa mite management: regular monitoring, early spring checks, and data-driven treatment to prevent colony loss.
Learn the critical seasonal dynamics between Varroa mites and honey bees. Discover why late summer is the key window for treatment to prevent colony collapse.
Learn the critical 3% Varroa mite action threshold. Discover why it's essential for preventing colony collapse and how to accurately measure infestation rates.
Learn to prevent robbing in your apiary with strategic feeding, entrance reducers, and efficient hive inspections. Protect your colonies from devastating attacks.
Learn the key triggers of bee robbing, including nectar dearths, strong colonies, and weak hives, and discover effective prevention strategies for your apiary.
Learn the key symptoms of Varroa Mite Syndrome (VMS), including a dwindling bee population, spotty brood pattern, and visible mites, to protect your apiary.
Learn the critical steps for a Stage 4 or 5 mite-damaged bee colony: assess viability, prevent robbing, and decide between emergency treatment or humane euthanization.
Learn what phoretic mites are, their preferred hiding spots on bees, and why their presence signals a critical Varroa mite infestation that requires immediate action.
VMS is the fatal collapse of a bee colony from severe Varroa mite infestation and viral epidemics. Learn to identify the signs and focus on prevention.
Learn the 4 key Varroa mite monitoring methods: alcohol wash, sugar roll, CO2 injection, and sticky board. Compare accuracy and make informed treatment decisions.
Varroa mites were first detected in the US in 1987, triggering a permanent shift in beekeeping and posing the primary threat to honey bee colonies today.
Learn why Varroa mite resistance to oxalic acid is highly unlikely due to its physical mode of action, ensuring long-term sustainability for beekeepers.
Learn why monitoring varroa mite levels is crucial for effective beekeeping. Prevent resistance, protect bees, and make data-driven treatment decisions.
Learn the 3 registered oxalic acid application methods for beekeeping: spray, dribble, and vaporization. Compare efficacy, safety, and cost for varroa mite control.
Explore the benefits of forgoing a queen excluder: stronger bee populations, reduced swarming, and potentially larger honey crops. Ideal for commercial beekeepers.
Discover the key advantages of fogging oxalic acid for Varroa mite control: faster application, superior hive coverage, and reduced stress on bees compared to the dribble method.
Discover the benefits of oxalic acid for Varroa mite control: organic, protects wax comb, and highly effective when applied correctly for healthier hives.
Explore the dual role of oxalic acid in plants: a powerful defense against herbivores and a crucial tool for internal mineral regulation and detoxification.
Learn why obstructing a hive entrance after a move prevents forager loss by forcing bees to reorient. Essential for successful short-distance relocations.
Learn essential steps for moving beehives safely, including securing components, ensuring ventilation, and timing the move to prevent colony stress and overheating.
Discover the key reasons beekeepers move hives, from optimizing forage to commercial pollination, and learn the critical rules for a successful relocation.