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What is the Best Beehive Stand Height?
Most beekeepers already know how important beehive stands are to successful colonies. Beehive stands have so many benefits that it is often considered a must have in beekeeping. Whether you buy a beehive stand, or build your own, many people wonder, what is the best beehive stand height? Beehive stand height is crucial because if it’s too low, pests could easily invade the hive. On the other hand, if it’s too high, it will be difficult to lift the supers off of the top. The supers can get quite heavy when they are full of honey, so having a beehive that is elevated too much can be a hassle for…
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Pollen Traps for Beehives
Everyone knows that you can harvest honey from beehives, but did you know that you can harvest pollen as well? Pollen is a valuable commodity in the health industry, as many people take it as a dietary supplement. Beekeepers collect pollen by using pollen traps for beehives. What is Pollen? Pollen is a fine powder that is produced by male plants. This powder contains the male reproductive cells of flowering plants. To reproduce, the pollen must move from the stamen of the male plant to the pistil of the female plant. Some plants are self pollinating and can do this on their own. Others require pollination from the wind, birds,…
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Foundation vs Foundationless Beekeeping
One of the big debates in beekeeping is whether or not to use foundation. Each method of beekeeping has it’s advantages and disadvantages, so it’s best to do your research before deciding on what is right for you. Read on for all the details on foundation vs foundationless beekeeping. What is Foundation? Foundation is a sheet made of plastic or wax that is placed in the middle of the frame. Foundation forms the base of one honeycomb, therefore giving the bees a guide on which to build the rest of their comb. It looks like a flat sheet with a hexagonal pattern molded into it. Plastic Foundation Plastic foundation is…
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How to Use a Robber Bees Screen
It’s something all beekeepers have to deal with at one time or another – robber bees. Left unattended, robbing can be a big problem for colonies. Using a robber bees screen is a great way to prevent robbing from starting in the first place. What Are Robber Bees? Robber bees are bees that enter a different colony with the intention to steal their honey. These are forager bees that simply want to collect food to bring back to their own colony. Since robbing isn’t an easy task, robbers will target a weaker colony to steal from. To enter the hive she must first fight the guard bees at the entrance. …
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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…
