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How to Use a Honey Refractometer [6 Steps]
A Honey Refractometer helps beekeepers decide when honey is ready for extraction or jarring. But the best equipment in the world won’t improve your operation if it gets misused. This guide explains how to use a…
What Is A Honey Refractometer?
A honey refractometer is an essential piece of kit for beekeepers looking to sell their honey. Hobbyists can also use one to ensure their harvest is ripe and ready to store in jars. This article provides…
What Is A Honey Bee Drone Congregation Area?
At the start of a queen bee’s life, she sets off searching for male honey bees (drones) to mate with. This one-time event should allow her to lay fertilized eggs for the duration of her life….
18 Best Sunflowers For Honey Bees
Sunflowers are easy to grow, and bees love them, but not all varieties are created equal. While some are hugely appealing to pollinators, others provide little benefit. Whether you’re a beekeeper or want to give honey…
How Much Honey Does A Bee Make? [Updated 2024]
In the warmer months, worker bees dedicate their lives to collecting nectar which is transformed into honey. While it’s a sweet treat for humans, honey is essential for the colony’s survival through winter. If you’d like…
What Does A Queen Bee Look Like?
If you’re getting started as a beekeeper, you may wonder how to identify the queen bee. At a glance, she appears to blend in with the other bees, but no other hive member looks like her….
How To Prevent European Foulbrood [8 Ways]
European foulbrood (EFB) is found in the United States and almost every other country where bees are kept. It is a brood disease caused by the bacterium Melissococcus plutonius. The hive often deals with mild cases…
Russian Bees Vs. Italian Bees – Comparison Guide
Russian and Italian bees are both excellent options for beekeepers, but which is best? They differ in appearance, but what matters more is their character traits. Factors like swarm tendency, productivity, and defensiveness will vary depending…
Do Racoons Eat Bees? How To Keep Them Out
Raccoons are North American natives that enjoy moist woodland areas. However, they’re are known to make their homes almost anywhere. These nocturnal mammals are part of the bear family and are highly intelligent. If you’re a…
How To Keep Bears Out Of Hives [11 Ways]
Bears have a healthy appetite for honey and larval bees. An acute sense of smell draws them towards hives as they travel. Once a bear discovers a beehive, it may rip it apart, causing massive damage….
How To Keep Mice Out Of The Hive [Tested Solutions]
Mice are a headache for beekeepers in winter when bees are vulnerable. They enter hives seeking shelter and food but often end up causing massive disruption. Unwanted mice use comb and frames for nests which causes…
How To Treat Wax Moths [8 Options For Beekeepers]
Healthy bee colonies are good at dealing with wax moths and their larvae. But weak hives don’t have the numbers to watch every corner of their home. In the right conditions, wax worms will infest and…
Lifecycle Of The Wax Moth [Egg To Adult]
Wax moths progress through four stages in their lifecycle: egg, larva, pupa, and adult moth. The length of each phase is highly dependent on environmental factors like humidity, light, temperature, and airflow. This guide will look…
How To Prevent Wax Moths [In Hives And Storage]
Wax moths are parasitic insects that can cause severe damage to woodenware and comb. A healthy colony will often fight off these pests, but not always. Beekeepers should make every effort to prevent wax moths from…
How To Detect Wax Moths In The Hive [7 Ways]
The wax moth is a highly destructive hive pest that beekeepers should watch out for. In weak colonies, larvae tunnel through comb filled with brood, pollen, and honey with ease, destroying everything in their wake. The…