Learn when to stop feeding bees to prevent honey contamination & robbing. Key signals include nectar flow start and bees ignoring the feeder.
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 how to calculate emergency feed for starving bee colonies based on brood amount, colony size, and feeder capacity for optimal survival.
Learn how fast a strong bee colony empties a feeder (2-7 days) and what it reveals about hive health, nectar flow, and weather conditions.
Learn how bees process sugar syrup into a storable food source and the strategic role of feeding in responsible beekeeping management.
Discover the purpose, benefits, and proper use of frame feeders for safe, efficient, and high-volume feeding of honey bee colonies.
Learn why a level hive is critical to prevent syrup loss from internal bee feeders, avoiding waste, pests, and bee drownings.
Explore internal vs. external bee feeder methods, including frame, top, and bag feeders, to prevent robbing and drowning while nourishing your hive.
Learn the correct 1:1 sugar syrup recipe for bees, including why avoiding boiling and ensuring complete cooling is critical for hive safety.
Learn the correct 1:1 vs 2:1 sugar syrup ratios for spring growth vs winter feeding. Ensure safe preparation to avoid harming your bees.
Learn why feeding dry sugar can kill a weak bee colony and the correct use of liquid sugar syrup for emergency recovery.
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 the best times to feed bees sugar syrup by season and time of day to prevent robbing, stimulate growth, and build winter stores effectively.
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.
Learn the critical signs of bee colony starvation, why honey is essential for survival, and how to prevent and intervene in a food crisis.
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 best methods for feeding sugar syrup to bees, including feeder types, safe syrup preparation, and how 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.
Compare internal vs. external bee feeders. Learn which feeder type best prevents robbing, drowning, and disease to protect your colony's health.
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 5 critical phases for Varroa mite monitoring to protect your honey bee colonies from collapse and ensure their long-term health.
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 the critical two-point pre-use inspection for top feeders to prevent bee drowning and robbing, ensuring safe and effective feeding.
Discover why top feeders are easier to fill, less disruptive, and more reliable than gravity feeders for your beekeeping operation.
Top feeders offer faster, less disruptive refilling than gravity or frame feeders, minimizing spills and robbing risks for healthier hives.
Learn why timing is critical for fall feeding to ensure bees cure syrup into winter stores before cold weather halts the process.
Discover how high-capacity top feeders save time & labor by enabling rapid, bulk feeding for commercial beekeepers and distributors.
Learn the standard 3-4 gallon capacities of Langstroth top feeders and how to choose the right size for your 8-frame or 10-frame hive management.
Learn how a top feeder's design provides large-volume, low-disturbance feeding for your bees. Understand its key components and strategic advantages.
Discover top, frame, and gravity bee feeder methods. Learn to choose the right feeder to prevent robbing, drowning, and support colony growth.
Learn why beekeepers feed sugar syrup to stimulate colony growth, survive nectar dearths, and build winter stores for a thriving apiary.
Learn the critical steps for a hive autopsy to determine if your colony died from starvation or was robbed after collapsing from disease or mites.
Learn to identify bee colony starvation vs. robbing. Key signs include bees with heads in cells, intact comb, and a clean bottom board.
Learn the key signs of post-mortem robbing in beehives, including wax debris, torn honey cells, and empty brood nests, to protect your apiary.
Learn how a robbing frenzy leads to food loss, bee casualties, disease spread, and colony collapse. Protect your apiary's health.
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 signs of a bee robbing event, from frantic fighting at the hive entrance to chewed wax cappings, to protect your colony's honey stores.
Learn why monitoring is the foundation of varroa mite control. Discover proven methods like the alcohol wash to protect your apiary.
Learn why consistent Varroa mite monitoring is essential for hive health, preventing exponential population growth and colony loss.
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.
Learn the 5 key stages of bee colony health related to Varroa mites and the seasonal management strategies to keep your apiary thriving.
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 how Deformed Wing Virus (DWV) signals a severe Varroa mite problem in bee colonies and why immediate action is crucial for beekeepers.
Chewed Down Brood (CDB) indicates your bees are fighting Varroa mites. Learn to interpret this key sign for effective colony management.
Learn to identify Stage 2 Varroa mite damage: spotting phoretic mites on adult bees. A critical sign for beekeepers to act before colony collapse.
Learn the 5 stages of Varroa mite damage, from initial infestation to colony collapse, and why proactive monitoring is essential for beekeepers.
Learn the 4 key Varroa mite monitoring methods: alcohol wash, sugar roll, CO2 injection, and sticky board. Compare accuracy and make informed treatment decisions.
Learn why late summer mite monitoring is critical for protecting winter bees and ensuring your hive's survival. Act before it's too late.
Compare the alcohol wash, sugar roll, and CO2 injection methods for accurate Varroa mite monitoring. Learn which is best for your beekeeping goals.
Learn the critical monitoring schedule for Varroa mites to prevent colony loss. Key checks in spring, summer, and fall based on bee lifecycle.
Learn the critical Varroa mite thresholds (1% in spring, 3% in fall) to protect your hives and prevent colony losses. Proactive management is key.
Learn how Varroa mites weaken bees and spread deadly viruses like DWV, leading to catastrophic hive losses and reduced honey production.
Varroa mites transformed beekeeping, causing massive colony losses by acting as vectors for deadly viruses like Deformed Wing Virus (DWV).
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 critical safety steps for handling oxalic acid, including required PPE, mixing techniques, and common pitfalls to avoid for beekeepers.
Learn the 3 registered oxalic acid application methods for beekeeping: spray, dribble, and vaporization. Compare efficacy, safety, and cost for varroa mite control.
Learn how Varroa destructor mites weaken bees and spread deadly viruses, leading to colony collapse. Essential knowledge for beekeepers.
Learn the pros and cons of queen excluders for hive management, honey production, and colony behavior. Make an informed choice for your apiary.
Learn how removing a queen excluder increases brood space and hive population, a key strategy for commercial beekeepers to maximize honey yields.
Explore the benefits of forgoing a queen excluder: stronger bee populations, reduced swarming, and potentially larger honey crops. Ideal for commercial beekeepers.
Learn the purpose of a queen excluder: to separate brood from honey, ensuring purity and simplifying hive management for 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.
Oxalic acid cannot penetrate brood cell cappings, making summer treatments ineffective when most mites are protected inside capped brood cells.
Compare oxalic acid application methods for Varroa mite control: dribble vs. vaporization. Learn about effectiveness, bee safety, and proper timing.
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 how to prevent Varroa mite resistance through strategic treatment rotation and vigilant monitoring to protect your apiary's long-term health.
Learn why obstructing a hive entrance after a move prevents forager loss by forcing bees to reorient. Essential for successful short-distance relocations.
Learn how to use rain or winter to force bees to reorient after a hive move, preventing drifting and ensuring colony health.
Learn the risks of bee sequestration vs. the safer obstruction method for hive relocation. Prevent colony loss and ensure successful reorientation.
Learn essential steps for moving beehives safely, including securing components, ensuring ventilation, and timing the move to prevent colony stress and overheating.
Learn the best methods to secure beehives for transit, including ratchet straps and staples, to protect your colony and equipment.
Learn why proper hive ventilation during transport is critical to prevent overheating and colony death. Essential guide for commercial beekeepers.
Discover the key reasons beekeepers move hives, from optimizing forage to commercial pollination, and learn the critical rules for a successful relocation.
Learn how to build and use a universal hive system for splits, honey production, and brood management with a simple division board.
Discover how a division board splits a hive into two colonies for efficient queen rearing, making splits, and managing apiary growth.
Learn how the universal hive's division board lets beekeepers rapidly scale colony numbers and meet specific pollination contract requirements.
Learn two methods to use a universal hive for honey production, and compare its trade-offs with Langstroth and Flow Hives for your beekeeping goals.
Discover how a universal hive's dual-queen system boosts honey yields, simplifies colony splitting, and provides built-in insurance for beekeepers.
Learn how to anchor a new bee swarm using brood frames, honey, and feeding strategies to prevent absconding and ensure colony establishment.
Learn the step-by-step process to successfully hive a captured bee swarm, including preparation, transfer techniques, and tips to prevent absconding.
Learn the step-by-step technique to safely capture a bee swarm on the underside of a limb using sugar syrup and a bee brush for a controlled transfer.
Learn the most reliable method to confirm a queen's capture during a swarm collection by observing bee behavior, not by sight. Achieve higher success rates.
Learn the step-by-step process for safely capturing a honey bee swarm spread across multiple branches, from preparation to transport.
Learn how to prepare your apiary for a swarm by creating an attractive hive setup with an open cavity, bait frames, and a food source to encourage the bees to stay.
Discover the essential gear for safe and successful swarm collection, from protective clothing to specialized tools for containment and transport.
Learn the 4 critical pieces of information needed for a safe bee swarm capture: identification, location, height, and timeline. Plan your equipment and approach.
Discover how spreading insects reveals key features for identification, ensures scientific value, and creates professional displays for research and education.
Learn the correct method for attaching labels to pinned bee specimens using a pinning block for consistency and scientific accuracy.
Learn the critical 3-7 day drying time for pinned bee specimens to prevent decay and ensure long-term stability for your collection.
Learn the correct dorsal positioning for pinning bees on Styrofoam, with techniques for aesthetic display or scientific identification.