Rearing queen bees in beekeeping operations requires the accurate timing of events and activities. This article guides you on how to use a queen rearing calendar for success in your queen rearing efforts. It also explains the queen rearing calendar while exploring major concepts in the queen rearing process. Beekeeping operations require healthy queen bees in their honeybee colonies for optimum productivity. With a queen rearing calendar, you are able to produce new queen bees on schedule to meet your need to replace queen bees. Newly reared queen bees require mating before they are useful in the honeybee colony, so be sure to get them fertilized using the method available to you.
Read More »How to Build a Bee Swarm Trap – DIY Beekeeping
Swarming is a natural process of a hive splitting itself to create two colonies. It is a common occurrence whenever a colony gets too large. Beekeepers are able to catch swarming bees using swarm traps and then transfer the bees to beehives. It it is the natural way of acquiring …
Read More »How Honeybees Maintain Temperature and Humidity in a Beehive
Beehives are microclimates with conditions that require careful control to remain at optimum levels at all times. Changes in beehive conditions affect honeybees living there. They can turn harmful if left unchecked for long periods of time. Honeybees are always regulating the temperature and humidity of beehives. They employ various techniques to achieve nearly uniform temperatures in the hive. Of major consideration to honeybees, is the brood of the colony. Other parts of the beehive come second in priority when it comes to warming or cooling the beehive, as well as in humidity control. Read on to learn how honeybees maintain temperature and humidity in a beehive, and what you can do to help them.
Read More »Why Bees are Important
Bees do more to save the world than we could ever do, as they are an integral part of our ecosystem and work to keep the planet healthy. It might also surprise you that there are over 20,000 species of bees that we know about in the UK. From bumblebees, honeybees and solitary bees, each species contributes a lot to the UK's environmental balance and the planet's wellbeing. Let’s take a look at why bees are important.
Read More »Little Giant Farm & Ag HIVE10KIT Beginner Hive Kit Review
Beekeeping requires a unique set of tools and equipment including protective wear. Various suppliers have specialized in the different areas of beekeeping. Little Giant Farm & Ag have put together a beehive kit that includes most of what you will need to start beekeeping. The Little Giant Farm & Ag …
Read More »How to Wire a Beehive Frame
Wiring a beehive frame gives it strength and better support for wax comb. It prevents sagging and enables the frame and comb on it to endure honey extraction without breaking apart. This article shows you how to wire a beehive frame by yourself, using simple home and garden tools. Beekeepers should keep in mind that the purpose of wiring frames is not so much to hold comb in place, but rather to prevent it from sagging.
Read More »The Importance of a Clean Water Source for Bees
Water is universal and a necessity for all living creatures, including honeybees. Both feral and domesticated bees require a reliable source of clean water for their survival throughout the year. Water is not only needed for quenching thirst but is also used for other important purposes in the honeybee colony. It is useful during hot and colder months and thus colonies should be situated near a clean water source.
Read More »Wildlife World Mason Bee Interactive Management System Review
The Wildlife World Mason Bee Interactive Management System is a custom made house for mason, leafcutter and other solitary bees. As the name suggests, it is built to be an interactive habitat for these solitary bees that are very good for pollination. The mason bee house is built using durable …
Read More »Top 10 Best Swarm Lures for Beekeeping (2023)
Swarm lures refer to equipment used to attract a honeybee swarm into a beehive or trap. The trap is different from what takes place when trying to attract a bee colony out of their dwelling. The swarm is usually a natural split for a bigger colony. They usually move with …
Read More »Top 10 Best Honey Refractometers for Beekeeping (2023)
The honey’s water content determines the capability of the honey to stay fresh. In essence, the lower honey water content, the better the honey is. Water causes the honey to ferment making it acidic and less desirable. The advisable water content in honey is less than 20% before extraction, but it is not advisable to have a honey water content that is too low. A very low water content will cause the honey to crystallize. It should be at the right level. Imagine that it’s like chemistry. The success of the formula depends on accurate levels of solutions. Even the slightest mistake can result to a catastrophe. This logic also applies in beekeeping. A slight error in measuring the honey water content and nutrient could ruin the quality of your honey products.
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