In many parts of the world, temperatures range from freezing cold to scorching hot throughout the year. In some areas, honeybees can be subjected to these temperatures on the same day. This has forced them to develop incredible hive temperature regulation methods to help control the internal temperature. The internal […]
Beehive Temperature: How Hot Is It Inside?
Yes, bees are friendly and don’t attack or sting without being provoked. However, some factors can shape the defensive response of bees, like genetics and their roles in the colony. Unfortunately, the perception that bees are not friendly has spread over the years. There are even movies about killer bees
A refractometer is a tool that measures the refractive index of a liquid substance. In other words, it measures the degree light bends when passing through the solution. It is used in many fields to identify the purity and concentration of substances in liquid samples. A honey refractometer is an instrument
What Is A Honey Refractometer And How To Use It
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?
Washboarding is a behavior where honey bees sway back and forth in a rocking motion, moving their mouths, antennae and front legs over the surface of the hive. It’s called washboarding because the movement looks almost as if the bees are scrubbing clothes on a washboard. Bees washboard both inside
Bees Washboarding: Bees Rocking Back And Forth
Bearding and swarming are two different phenomena that occur in the lifecycle of honeybees. In both cases, a large number of bees cluster together – which is why many people mistake bees bearding for bees that are about to swarm. While there are some similarities between the two, you should
Bearding Vs Swarming: How To Tell The Difference
The Demaree method is a popular method of swarm prevention invented by American George Demaree who published the details in the American Bee Journal in the late 1800s. It involves rearranging the boxes vertically before the signs of swarming occurs. The idea behind the Demaree method, as with other swarm
Demaree Method Of Swarm Control
Have you ever wondered how much moisture is in honey? The truth is that the exact amount varies depending on a given country’s food standards and the source of nectar from which the honey is made. However, in general terms, a moisture content between 17% – 21% is internationally accepted. Moisture
Having your bees is something many of us can do. Not only will they pollinate many of your food crops, but they will also provide you with delicious honey too. Before getting your first bees there are several important decisions you have to make. One of these is to decide
Bee Package vs Nucleus Colony (Nuc)
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
