bee

What’s Better? Buying Bees or Catching Swarms?

There are several ways to start beekeeping. Most beginners start buying bees via packages because they are the most readily available. Another way is to catch a swarm.

Read More
Fascinating Queen Bee Facts for Today’s Beekeeper

Queen bees are fascinating and sophisticated creatures. Before starting your honey bee farm, there are some queen bee facts you must know in order to be a successful backyard beekeeper.

Read More
11 Must-Have Beekeeping Supplies for Beginners
December 21, 2021 · · Hives & Equipment

Beekeeping can be pricey. Learn how we had to get creative with beekeeping supplies and equipment when our son first decided he wanted to keep bees.

Read More
What is Honey Bee Dysentery?
December 10, 2021 · · Health & Pests

Beekeeping is rife with confusing terminology that can baffle even experienced beekeepers. Honey bee dysentery is a perfect example.

Read More
Top Bar Beehives vs Langstroth Beehives
December 8, 2021 · · Hives & Equipment

Not long after our teenage son started raising honey bees, a family friend built him a top bar beehive with an observation window using beehive plans from a homesteading book. It was such an amazing gift.

Read More
The Ins and Outs of Buying Bees
December 2, 2021 · · Beekeeping 101

Every spring potential beekeepers begin to get excited about starting to keep bees. They read beekeeping books and articles, and talk to experienced beekeepers about everything from setting up their apiary to buying bees.

Read More
Which Bees Make Honey?
November 19, 2021 · · Beekeeping 101

While not all bees make honey, there are many species that do—perhaps hundreds.

Read More
Why Honey Bees Dying in the Hive Should Be Investigated
November 4, 2021 · · Health & Pests

Honey bees dying while you learn to care for the colony and hive is disappointing. It is important to look into the cause of honey bees dying to avoid it happening again.

Read More
How do Bees Mate?
June 15, 2021 · · Health & Pests

An interesting and deadly dance takes place all across the world; in fact, it’s necessary for human survival and yet goes unnoticed by humans year after year. The dance is actually the mating ritual of honey bees.

Read More
Natural Bees Comb Building: Boon or Bust?

The construction of natural bee’s comb is a wonder to behold. Festooning bees clasp legs to form hanging chains, a behavior many beekeepers describe as measuring, and set to work building hexagonal cells using wax flakes they excrete from abdominal glands and shape with their jaws. Each bee appears to work independently, yet somehow cells built by many bees working on different areas of comb come together seamlessly.

Read More