Health & Pests
Treating Varroa Mites with Heat
What temperature kills varroa mites? Treating varroa mites with heat is a different tactic that uses special hive components to employ a passive solar radiation technique.
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Honeybee History: A Spring Preparation
We share a long and intimate history with the honeybee, much further back than most would ever imagine. Prep for spring with knowledge.
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Chalkbrood Disease and Sacbrood Virus
Be on the lookout for chalkbrood disease and sacbrood virus (SBV) in the springtime when colonies are increasing brood production.
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How to Make Fondant for Bees
Fondant for bees is a little different than the fondant that you find at the bakery. Making fondant for bees is a lot like making candy.
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Preparing Honey Bees for Winter
It’s time to start preparing your bees for winter. It’s important to understand what winterizing beehives look like for a backyard beekeeper.
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How Do I Keep the Hive Ventilated in Winter?
How much ventilation you need in a hive depends on many factors, including local climate, colony size, wind exposure, and sun exposure.
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Movements of the Winter Bee Cluster
The honeybee cluster moves up in winter and down in summer. The combs start at the top and are added in layers, one beneath the other, as the colony expands.
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When is it Too Late to do an OAV Treatment?
When is it too late to do an OAV treatment? Rusty Burlew gives tips for treating your hives any time of year.
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Hive Robbing: Keeping Your Colony Safe
Honey bee robbing is an almost desperate commitment, en masse, to maximizing a resource. Here’s why it happens, how to prevent it, and how to stop it when you see it.
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Asian Giant Hornets and Honeybees
Asian giant hornets are the world’s largest hornet, measuring a whopping 1.75 inches in length (queens reach over two inches) with a wingspan of three inches!
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