When I first started beekeeping, there were a lot of new terms I had to learn that I found confusing. Two of these were ‘super’ and ‘brood box’. These terms are used often because they describe where the bees and queen live, the brood is raised and the honey is […]
Brood Box Vs Super: What Is The Difference?
Australian beekeepers, depending on where they live, need to think about preparing their hives for the winter during fall (between March and May). In countries located in the northern hemisphere, such as the U.S.A. or U.K., the timing of the winter shutdown will be different, and the methods used there
How To Store Bee Frames Over The Winter
An excluder is a selective barrier that confines the queen and drones to the brood box. It’s placed between the brood box and the honey super, allowing only worker bees to pass through the holes. This means that no brood will be laid in the honey super – so fully
What Is A Queen Excluder And Do I Need To Use One?
A beehive entrance reducer is a tool used during the winter months, or in very cold weather, to reduce the width of the entrance to a beehive. Reducers can be made of plastic, wood, or metal. They can be homemade or purchased online or from a store that sells beekeeping
Beehive Entrance Reducers: What Are They And How To Use One
There are three methods for safely getting the bees out of your honey super before you harvest your honey. They are: Shake and brush method Use of a clearer or escape board Use of a mechanical bee blower Before I outline each of these methods, you must ensure you have
How To Get Bees Out Of Your Honey Super
As winter approaches and the weather becomes cooler, your colony of bees will need less space than they did during the warmer months. Therefore some frames and supers (boxes) will need to be removed and stored securely until Spring. This is known as the winter shutdown. The climate where you
How To Store Frames Full Of Honey And Drawn Comb
As a beginner beekeeper, you may have come across the term bee nuc. But what is it exactly? And what is it used for in beekeeping? A bee nuc (which is short for nucleus colony) is a small colony of bees. It is usually stored in a single deep box
What Is A Bee Nuc And When Should You Use One?
As a beekeeper, some form of protective clothing is essential, especially for the face. Stings to the facial area don’t happen all that often, but when they do, significant swelling can occur. I’m speaking from personal experience here… I foolishly walked near one of my hives without protection and bent
What Protective Clothing Do You Need For Beekeeping
As a new beekeeper, there are several basic pieces of equipment you will need to work with your bees. These items include a smoker, a bee brush, one or more hive tools and some form of protective clothing. When choosing equipment, there are various designs available and it can become
Essential Beekeeping Equipment for Beginners
How To Light And Use Your Smoker
How To Light And Use Your Bee Smoker
