A second hive provides a frame of eggs to save a queenless colony, plus equalizing strength, boosting weak hives, and diagnostic comparison. Learn the benefits.
Discover why a tie-down strap is essential for beehive security. Learn how it prevents toppling from wind, animals, and accidents to protect your colony.
Learn the essential steps to start a bee colony from scratch, including site selection, equipment setup, and crucial early care for beekeeping success.
Discover the essential beekeeping supplies: hive components, protective gear, and management tools you need for a successful start. Learn about trade-offs and starter kits.
Learn the essential parts of a beehive: bottom board, brood box, honey supers, frames, and covers. Understand how each component functions for successful beekeeping.
Explore the essential parts of a Langstroth beehive, from the bottom board to the outer cover, and learn how each component supports colony health and honey production.
Discover why regular hive inspections are non-negotiable for both Flow Hives and Langstroth hives. Learn the shared process for monitoring colony health, pests, and diseases.
Discover how proper fit, breathable materials, and flexible design in beekeeping gloves reduce physical and mental strain for longer, more effective hive work.
Discover why starting with two beehives is the expert-recommended strategy for new beekeepers to manage risk, accelerate learning, and ensure colony survival.
Learn why a bee hive starter kit warranty is crucial for quality assurance and protecting your investment from defects, missing parts, and shipping damage.
Discover the best gloves for bee sting protection: goatskin leather for beekeeping and heavy-duty nitrile for dexterity. Learn the science behind puncture resistance.
Learn the key roles of frames and foundation in beekeeping. Frames provide structure, while foundation guides bees to build efficient, manageable honeycomb.
Learn foundationless beekeeping comb management: prevent cross-comb with level hives, starter strips, and early inspections for natural, chemical-free honeycomb.
Explore the pros and cons of plastic beehives vs. wood. Learn about durability, pest resistance, maintenance, and thermal benefits for modern beekeeping.
Learn the key features of beekeeping gloves: material, arm coverage, and fit. Choose the right balance of sting protection and dexterity for your needs.
Discover the critical role of frames and combs in beekeeping for brood rearing, honey storage, and hive inspections. Learn about wood vs. plastic options.
Learn the key steps for assembling beehive frames correctly, from achieving a square structure to secure nailing, to prevent hive failure and support heavy honeycombs.
Explore why experienced beekeepers sometimes work without gloves for better hive feel and precision, while beginners should prioritize safety with proper gear.
Learn how hive type (Langstroth, Top Bar, Warre) dictates bottom board choice for optimal bee health, ventilation, insulation, and Varroa mite management.
Discover why bees build comb on empty frames, the correct placement to avoid hive stress, and the trade-offs between foundationless and foundation frames.
Learn why the right beekeeping gloves are critical for safety and efficiency. Compare materials like leather, goatskin, and nitrile to find your perfect fit.
Learn how solid bottom boards create a closed system for effective Varroa mite treatment, ensuring maximum chemical concentration and accurate mite counts.
Discover the key benefits of top bar hives for honey harvesting, including minimal equipment needs, low startup costs, and a straightforward crush-and-strain method.
Discover how nucleus colonies act as a beekeeper's insurance policy, enabling rapid queen replacement, swarm control, and sustainable apiary expansion.
Learn the essential steps to split a beehive, from resource allocation to queen management, for swarm prevention, mite control, and sustainable growth.
Discover the complete equipment list for installing a nucleus hive, including hive components, protective gear, and tools for a smooth, successful setup.
Discover why wooden frames are the reliable choice for honey extraction, offering superior structural integrity and resistance to warping compared to plastic.
Discover the critical role of the Langstroth hive bottom board: structural support, ventilation, and pest management. Learn to choose between solid vs. screened designs.
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 how a nuc box helps new bee colonies by improving thermal efficiency, accelerating brood production, and ensuring a stronger start for the season.
Explore 5-frame, plastic, wooden, and cardboard nuc boxes. Learn how frame count, material, and design impact colony success for transport, queen rearing, or overwintering.
Learn how requeening with a nuc provides an immediate, proven queen and a surge of brood to solve queen problems fast, ensuring colony survival and rapid recovery.
Discover the standard Langstroth hive box sizes: 10-frame vs. 8-frame widths and deep, medium, and shallow depths. Learn the trade-offs between weight and honey production capacity.
Explore bee breed defensiveness, from docile Italian bees to aggressive Africanized hybrids. Learn how genetics, environment, and handling affect hive temperament.
Learn the key traits of a solid bottom board for beehives, including benefits for heat retention, cost, and how to choose the right one for your climate.
Discover how a screened bottom board provides passive ventilation, aids in varroa mite control, and serves as a diagnostic tool for better hive management.
Learn how climate dictates brood nest size. From single deeps in warm climates to double deeps for cold winters, ensure your colony's survival and health.
Learn the ideal cooling time for beeswax in molds to create pliable, crack-free sheets. Key indicators include the two-minute guideline and the warm touch test.
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 equipment for the oxalic acid dribble method, including precise measurement tools, mixing supplies, and critical personal protective gear (PPE).
Learn how bee vacuums use low-power, high-volume airflow for safe bee removal. Discover key components like airflow regulators and collection chambers.
Learn the role of deep boxes in beekeeping: the primary brood chamber for colony health, egg-laying, and food storage. Understand configurations and trade-offs.