In our northern environment our bees are subjected to cold damp weather through the winter months. As the hive forms a ball of bodies in the upper middle section box they are able to withstand the cold. Yet the heat generated by their bodies opposing the cold outside the huddle produces condensation. Consider a house […]

Prior to the middle of the 1800’s, most bee hives in North America and Europe were simple shelters for the bees. Skeps, log gums and box hives were common types of hives in this period. Bees attached their wax combs to the hive’s roof and walls, just like they do in wild hives. Today we […]

If we are to remain a beekeeper, then it becomes part of our mentality to accept the loss of hives. BUT like all things in life we should not merely take out the towel but engage our critical thinking to discern the cause. Not only will we become a better beekeeper but others may learn […]

Just returned from Michael Bush’s Bee Camp in Nebraska. Exhausted from long days, sleeping in a teepee, and mega time in hives and discussing bees. I am more convinced Bush’s system works. 1. Moving the hive entrance to the top allows the moisture to escape naturally. 2. Medium boxes with 8 to 9 frames per […]

Eggs – Don’t know about you, but seeing some those eggs in the comb is challenging. But what to look for? When the egg is initially laid in the cell by the queen it is standing on its end. It then falls to the bottom of the cell appearing straight by day two and on […]

The honey bee inherently communicates through the “waggle dance” or “figure-eight dance” which provides direction and distance to nectar and pollen. It is also used by the scout bees from a swarm in hopes of gathering ‘votes’ for the selected target hive. My recent visit to OSU Field Day, part of the Journey Program of […]