BeeKeepClub Resources and Guides for Beekeepers

Honey hunting or the opportunistic stealing of honey from wild bee colonies was the defining characteristic of medieval beekeeping. The beginning of true beekeeping was the development of artificial chambers for honeybees to construct comb where the queen could lay eggs, and the workers could gather honey. The Egyptians had mastered apiculture by 2450 BCE, and two thousand years later, beekeeping with horizontal hives had spread all over the Mediterranean region.  From the 13th century onward, the art of beekeeping became a significant part of medieval life. Honey was the main product. However, another product from bees gained more importance as the candle -made from beeswax, became a mainstay of medieval culture. Beeswax was the primary material for making candles used in religious ceremonies. It is no wonder that monasteries became ardent beekeepers simply because they needed beeswax for candle making. In reality, many monastic orders saw the maintenance of bees and the collecting of their honey as a way to generate cash in addition to the production of food and candle wax. Monasteries are credited with pioneering modern beekeeping practices in England, France, Germany, and most of Europe.

A major affliction of honey and mason bees is the chalkbrood disease, which caused by the fungus Ascosphaera Apis. The diseases afflicts colonies of the honey bee the world over. It mummifies the larvae of honey bees, leaving larvae in bee brood cells hard on the outside and white on the inside. The mummified larvae looks like a piece of chalk, hence the name chalkbrood. This disease of honey bees affects both sealed and unsealed brood in a colony. These mycelia multiply and eventually engulf the entire larvae inside the cell and kill it. This guide helps you with chalkbrood disease treatment for honey and mason bees.

As a beekeeper there are a number of beekeeping kits, equipment and tools, without which raising bees become impossible. The beehive is on the top of the list and should be chosen wisely. Various hive designs are out there in the market and you have to consider their features before settling for one. The Rose beehive is not a popular concept, but it is one that has been gaining more attention in the recent past. The design is attributed to Tim Rowe, the brain behind it. The hive is described as simple and great for raising honeybees. In this article we shall find out more about the Rose beehive and it will be up to you to decide whether it is something worth trying.

Goodland Bee Supply is a reputable manufacturer of beekeeping supplies. The company has an impressive array of products for beekeepers including the Goodland Bee Supply HE2MOT 2 Frame Motorized Honey Extractor. Other Goodland Bee Supply products that have served beekeepers very well over the years include: beehive kits, protective wear, …

The location of a beehive is not fixed, and sometimes it becomes necessary to transport beehives, especially over long distances. The work is hard but the entire process is not complicated at all. When you need to truck bees, you should take their needs and behavior into consideration. Proper preparations and provision for feed are needed by the beekeeper moving their bees for various purposes. In pollination season, beehives are moved long distances. This guide takes you through moving beehives and making sure that the honeybee colonies inside are well taken care of. It provides you with detailed information about trucking bees and how to move a beehive.

Control of Varroa mites is done using a number of methods, including using treatments in the beehive. Formic acid and oxalic acid are two treatments that are popular in beekeeping circles for control of Varroa mites. They are applied using varying methods and have their individual levels of efficacy. This guide compares formic acid vs oxalic acid in their beekeeping use. It also sheds light on the Varroa mite challenge in beekeeping and its impact on honeybee colonies.

Mason bees are highly sensitive and require little management when compared to the honey bee. They are particularly prone to pesticides. It is therefore the responsibility of those who use pesticides in their lawn or garden, to ensure it does not drift into the mason bee houses. Flowering plants should also be free from pesticides, since the bees forage on these plants. This is not the only challenge faced by the mason bee. Pests, parasites and predators target mason bees as well. Consequently, they should be protected. This should be an all-season work on your part, leaving no chance for these enemies of the mason bee to attack.

Royal jelly is one other honeybee product that also boast a lot of benefits. It is the main food for the queen and it also has health benefits for humans.

Acorn Beekeeping is a supplier of beekeeping equipment in the USA. The company also exports some of its products to other countries in the world. One of the best products from the company is its foundation sheets. The plastic foundation sheets from Acorn Beekeeping are popular among beekeepers. This is …