Educating yourself is one of the important steps in beginning beekeeping. These are books we own and use. All of them are written by noted experts in the field.
A hive tool is a multipurpose implement designed for beekeeping. Hive tools come in different designs, but all serve two primary functions. First, hive tools separate and lift hive components stuck together by propolis. Second, they scrape off excess propolis and comb. A hive tool is the most used beekeeping tool.
Absconding bee colonies abandon a hive leaving little behind, save some very young bees and small amounts of brood and food. Learn the reasons why so you can avoid it.
Painting beehives is the most common way to protect pine boxes from weather damage. Rain, snow, and sun eventually rot unprotected wood. As a result, cracks may appear, and joints separate. Several types of coating protect wood, but painting beehives is a simple and inexpensive way to extend their useful lives.
A horizontal hive is generally a single-box beehive designed so that honey bees build their comb structures along a horizontal path rather than vertically. We cover the common types you’ll find and their pros and cons.
Every beekeeper needs a bee smoker. We’ll describe this all-important tool and explain how it works, how to light it, when to use it and how to maintain it.
Honeycomb is the six-sided wax cells built by bees to store pollen, nectar and honey. It’s also used to raise brood. Learn about its construction and uses.
Raw honey is honey just the way the bees made it. It is unheated/unpasteurized and unfiltered. Learn how it differs from what’s on your supermarket shelf.
