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How to use a Top Feeder for Bees
There are three different types of feeders used in beekeeping. An entrance feeder sits right outside the entrance of the beehive. A frame feeder goes in the hive, replacing one of the frames. A top feeder sits on top of the upper box of the beehive, with an empty hive box placed around it. Each type of feeder has it’s own benefits and disadvantages, so different beekeepers prefer different feeders. The top feeder for bees is good because they are protected from the sun and they usually hold a lot of syrup. What is a Top Feeder for bees? There are different designs for top feeders for bees, but they…
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Benefits of a Beehive Frame Grip
Hive inspections are a critical part of beekeeping. In order to do hive inspections you must lift a frame out of the box to inspect the brood. A good brood pattern means that you have a healthy colony. Lifting the frames out of the box can be a little tricky though. Frames can get heavy and sometimes propolis makes them stick to the box. Normally a hive tool does the trick of levering the frame out of the box, but there is a better option – a beehive frame grip. What is a Beehive Frame Grip? Beehive frame grips are used to remove a frame from a brood box or…
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Beehive Super Dimensions
You will notice that a Langstroth Beehive consists of several wooden boxes. Different boxes have different functions. The boxes on the bottom are called brood boxes, and the boxes on the top are called honey supers, or beehive supers. Supers are where the bees store their honey. If you buy a complete beehive it might come with 1 super, but as your colony grows and makes more honey, you will need to add onto it. Luckily, you can get beehive supers separately. This article will discuss everything you need to know about supers, including beehive super dimensions and their weight when full of honey. What is a Beehive Super? The…
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What is a Beekeeping Frame Perch?
Did you ever wonder why bee suits have so many pockets? It’s because beekeepers need to hold a lot of things. There’s the smoker, bee brush, frame grip, hive tool, and the frames themselves! How do beekeepers manage so many things all at once? Pockets help with the smaller tools, but what about the frames? During hive inspections beekeepers will pull one or more frames out of the brood or honey super box. If they’re lucky they have a frame perch to hold the frames. Otherwise, the frames tend to end up on the ground. Of course, it’s not an ideal situation to put your precious frames on the ground,…
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Best Hive Tools For Beekeepers
In addition to a beehive and bee suit, beekeepers also keep a small arsenal of tools ready. The most versatile of these tools is the hive tool. The hive tool is a very simple looking instrument, but it has many important uses. This article will explain everything you need to know about hive tools, as well as review the best hive tools for sale. What is a Hive Tool? A hive tool is a handheld, metal tool that is about 10 inches long. Bee hive tools are used for both inspecting and maintaining beehives. While there are different styles of hive tool, the 2 main types of hive tool used…
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The Best Bee Suits for Women
Women are making an impact on agriculture. Today, women account for 36% of farmers. Over the past 5 years the number of female farmers has been steadily rising. In the world of apiculture, local beekeeping clubs comprise of nearly 50% women, with many in leadership roles. Whether it be commercial or hobby beekeeping, many women are successful beekeepers. So it’s no surprise that some companies have started to develop bee suits for women. Of course, beekeeping is no fashion show, but it is nice to have a bee suit that is made to fit the smaller frame of a woman. What to Look For in Bee Suits for Women If…
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The Best Bee Hive Frames for Sale
In this day and age, making use of bee hive frames is an efficient way of beekeeping. The best bee hive frames put the available space in your bee hives to good use. There are several very good reasons why you need to use bee hive frames if you are a commercial beekeeper. For one thing, the best bee hive frames for sale are perfectly designed and suited for many different hive sizes. They also help your honey bees when it comes to making honey by giving them a guide as to where to build comb. But perhaps the best reason why you would appreciate the best bee hive frames…
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How to Use a Sugar Water Feeder For Bees
Feeding bees can be somewhat of a controversial topic among beekeepers. Some feel that it’s best to leave bees to their own devices and let nature take it’s course. The weaker bees would die off, leaving a colony of stronger bees. However, there are definitely times when it is appropriate for beekeepers to feed bees. In those times it is extremely helpful to have a sugar water feeder for bees. A new colony of bees would require feeding, as well as bees recovering from illness. If for some reason there are no flowers around for bees to get pollen and nectar, they may need to be fed as well. This…
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Best Bee Suit For a Child
One of the things I really like about beekeeping is that it’s a hobby that the whole family can enjoy together. Children are so interested in insects and nature that it’s no wonder that they would also love beekeeping. If you have or know a child that you would like to introduce to beekeeping the first thing you need is a bee suit for a child. Of course safety when working with bees is always most important, so it’s necessary to have a good protective bee suit for a child. This will protect them from any stings that may occur and make them feel comfortable in the bee yard. There…
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Top 5 Beehive Stands for Sale -The Importance of Using a Hive Stand
An important tool in beekeeping that is sometimes overlooked is the beehive stand. While beehive stands don’t look like anything special, they provide the beekeeper with comfort while tending to the hive. For the bees, a beehive stand is important because it helps to keep the hive dry. This article will discuss what a beehive stand is, the proper beehive stand height, and dimensions of a beehive stand. Lastly, I will review the top beehive stands for sale. What is a Beehive Stand? In beekeeping, a beehive stand is a structure that elevates the beehive off the ground. Hive stands are made of wood, plastic or metal and can be…
