Fresh from the apiary
26 guides
Bee Suits, Jackets, and Veils: What Protection You Actually Need
Full suit, jacket, or just a veil? Learn what beekeeping protection actually makes sense based on your experience level, climate, and hive temperament.
August 19, 2026
Beekeeping Laws and Registration: What Beginners Must Know
Beekeeping laws vary by country, state, and town. Here's exactly what to look up before you set up your first hive.
August 17, 2026
Crush and Strain vs. an Extractor: Which Is Right for You?
Choosing between crush and strain and a honey extractor? Your hive count and whether you want reusable comb will settle the question fast.
August 14, 2026
Nosema in Bees: Symptoms and Management
Nosema is a gut parasite that quietly drains your colony. Learn the signs, how to confirm it, and what you can actually do about it.
August 12, 2026
How to Split a Hive to Prevent Swarming
Learn how to split a beehive to prevent swarming, increase your colonies, and keep your bees productive all season long.
August 10, 2026
Why Bees Swarm and What It Means for Your Hive
Swarming is natural honey bee reproduction, not a sign something is wrong. Learn why it happens, what to watch for, and how to respond.
August 7, 2026
How to Choose and Use a Bee Smoker
Learn how to choose the right bee smoker, light it so it stays lit, and use it safely at the hive for calmer inspections.
August 5, 2026
How to Choose the Best Spot for a Backyard Hive
Pick the right location for your backyard beehive: sun, drainage, flight paths, water, and neighbor relations all covered.
August 3, 2026
How Much Honey to Leave Bees for Winter
Harvest too much and you'll starve your colony before spring. Here's how to calculate winter honey stores by climate and check your hives before cold sets in.
July 31, 2026
American and European Foulbrood: Spotting and Reporting
Learn to identify American and European foulbrood by sight and smell, understand legal reporting duties, and know when to call your bee inspector.
July 29, 2026
When and How to Add a Honey Super
Learn when to add a honey super using the 7/10 frame rule, how to use a queen excluder, and why timing matters for your honey harvest.
July 27, 2026
How Bees Make Honey, Step by Step
Honey is nectar that bees have concentrated and chemically transformed into shelf-stable food. Here's exactly how they do it.
July 24, 2026
The Beekeeping Starter Kit Worth Buying First
Cut through the marketing noise: exactly what equipment you need to start keeping bees, what to skip, and whether a bundled kit is actually worth it.
July 22, 2026
Package Bees vs. Nucs: Which Should a Beginner Buy?
Packages or nucs? Compare cost, install difficulty, disease risk, and head start to pick the right way to start your first hive.
July 20, 2026
How to Extract Honey at Home, Step by Step
A practical guide to pulling supers, uncapping frames, spinning your extractor, and bottling clean honey — without turning your kitchen into a disaster.
July 17, 2026
How to Do a Mite Wash: Alcohol Wash and Sugar Roll
Learn to count varroa mites accurately with an alcohol wash or sugar roll. Step-by-step instructions, the math, action thresholds, and how often to test.
July 15, 2026
How to Find the Queen During an Inspection
Learn how to spot the queen bee during a hive inspection, when you actually need to, and what to do if you can't find her.
July 13, 2026
The Life Cycle of a Honey Bee, Egg to Forager
From egg to forager in 21 days: learn the development stages of honey bees, caste timelines, and why these numbers matter for hive health.
July 10, 2026
Deeps vs. Mediums: Picking Your Hive Box Sizes
Deep, medium, or shallow? The box you pick shapes how hard you work every inspection. Here's how to choose the right hive box sizes for your back and your bees.
July 8, 2026
What Beekeeping Really Costs in Your First Year
A real-world breakdown of first-year beekeeping costs — hive, bees, gear, and extras — so you can budget honestly before you start.
July 6, 2026
When Is Honey Ready to Harvest? Reading Capped Frames
Honey is ready when frames are 80%+ capped and moisture is under 18.5%. Learn to read capped frames, test moisture, and harvest at the right time.
July 3, 2026
Varroa Mites: How to Monitor and Treat Them
Learn how to monitor varroa mite levels, read the numbers, and choose the right treatment to protect your colonies through winter.
July 1, 2026
How to Do a Hive Inspection: A Beginner's Routine
Learn how to inspect a beehive with confidence: what to look for, how often to check, and the step-by-step routine every new beekeeper needs.
June 29, 2026
Inside the Hive: Queen, Workers, and Drones Explained
Meet the three castes that make a bee colony work: the queen, workers, and drones. Learn their roles, lifespans, and why each one matters.
June 26, 2026
Langstroth, Top-Bar, or Warré: Choosing Your First Hive
Compare Langstroth, top-bar, and Warré hives so you can pick the right first hive for your goals, budget, and back.
June 24, 2026
How to Start Beekeeping: A Beginner's Step-by-Step Guide
Ready to keep bees? This step-by-step guide covers gear, bee selection, hive setup, and what your first season actually looks like.
June 22, 2026