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How Many Boxes Do Bees Need for Winter?
Most established 10-frame Langstroth hives overwinter with one or two deep boxes, or a deep box and medium boxes, depending on the climate, colony strength, and available food. Some colonies need a different setup. The goal is not to give your bees the most space possible. It is to provide enough room for the colony and enough stored food to last until spring. If you are preparing your beehive for winter, here is how to decide which boxes to keep, when to remove a honey super, and what to check before... Read more...
Can You Treat for Varroa With Honey Supers On?
If your honey supers are still on the hive, do not assume it is safe to treat for Varroa mites. Some treatments have restrictions that require honey supers to be removed, while other products may have different rules. The answer depends on the exact treatment and its current label. Varroa mites are a serious threat to honey bee colonies. But treating at the wrong time or using a product incorrectly can create problems for your bees and the honey you plan to harvest. Here is what to check before treating your... Read more...
What Skills Do You Need to Be a Beekeeper?
You do not need to be an expert to become a beekeeper. You do not need a farming background, and you do not need years of experience before starting your first hive. But beekeeping does require a few important skills. The good news is that these skills can be learned with practice. You do not need to master them before you begin. Here are the skills that matter most. 1. Observation Good beekeeping starts with learning to observe. When you open a hive, you should gradually learn to notice: Are... Read more...
Can You Start a Beehive in the Fall?
Yes, you can start a beehive in the fall. But fall is not the easiest time of year to start a new colony. For a beginner, the important question is not simply, “Is it fall?” The better question is: Can my new colony become strong enough before winter? If the answer is yes, starting in the fall can work. If the colony is too small, food is limited, or winter is already close, starting a new hive becomes much more difficult. Why Is Fall Different? Spring and summer give a new... Read more...
What Is the Best Foundation for Bees?
What Is the Best Foundation for Bees?
If you are starting beekeeping, choosing the right foundation can save you a lot of trouble later. Foundation is the sheet that goes inside your hive frames. It gives the... Read more...
What Type of Wood Is Best for Beehives?
What Type of Wood Is Best for Beehives?
When choosing a beehive, most beekeepers think about the hive style, size, and price. But there is another decision that matters just as much: what the hive is made of. For... Read more...
What Is the Best Beehive for a Beginner?
Choosing your first beehive can feel confusing. There are Langstroth hives, top-bar hives, Warre hives, and other designs. For most new beekeepers, however, the Langstroth hive is the best place to start. It is widely used, easy to expand, and built around removable frames that make it easier to inspect the colony, manage brood, monitor pests, and harvest honey. University of Missouri Extension also recommends an 8- or 10-frame Langstroth hive for beginning beekeepers. But why is the Langstroth beehive such a good choice for beginners? Why Choose a Langstroth... Read more...
What Are Summer Bees?
Most honey bees do not live for the same amount of time. A worker bee born during the busy summer season usually lives only about 4 to 6 weeks. A worker bee born later in the year may live for several months. This is why beekeepers sometimes talk about summer bees and winter bees. So, what are summer bees? Summer bees are worker honey bees produced during the colony's active season. They are part of the large, fast-moving workforce that keeps the hive growing, fed, and productive during spring and... Read more...
Can I Start a Beehive in Summer? What Beginners Need to Know
Many new beekeepers ask: “Is summer too late to start a beehive?” The answer is no — you can start a beehive in summer. However, starting in summer is different from starting in spring. Your first goal should not be harvesting honey. Your goal is to help the colony build strength before the next season. Summer Can Be a Good Time to Start Beekeeping Warm weather gives bees several advantages: Bees can build comb quickly The queen can continue laying eggs New workers can develop faster Nectar and pollen may... Read more...
How to Keep a Beehive Cool in Summer: What Really Works
Summer heat can make a new beekeeper nervous. You may walk outside on a hot afternoon and see hundreds of bees hanging around the entrance. The first thought is often: “Is my hive too hot?” Usually, bees are better at managing heat than we give them credit for. But extreme heat can still create problems, especially when a colony is crowded, the hive has poor airflow, or there is no reliable water nearby. The goal is not to make the hive cold. The goal is to give the bees the... Read more...
What Is the Lifespan of a Summer Bee? Understanding the Life Cycle of Honey Bees
Many beginner beekeepers are surprised to learn that honey bees do not all live the same amount of time. A worker bee’s lifespan depends greatly on the season, its role inside the colony, and the amount of work it performs. So, what is the lifespan of a summer bee? The answer is: a typical summer worker bee lives about 4 to 6 weeks. Although this may seem short, summer bees spend their entire lives supporting the colony during the busiest and most demanding time of the year. Why Do Summer... Read more...
What Is the Difference Between Winter Bees and Summer Bees?
Many new beekeepers are surprised to learn that honey bees are not all the same throughout the year. A colony produces different types of worker bees depending on the season. Summer bees and winter bees have different lifespans, different roles, and different abilities to help the colony survive. Understanding the difference between them can help beekeepers better manage their hives and prepare colonies for seasonal changes. Summer Bees: The Busy Workers of the Colony Summer bees are the worker bees we usually imagine when we think about a hive. During... Read more...