Fresh from the apiary
50 guides
Why Does Honey Crystallize, and How to Fix It
Crystallized honey is perfectly good honey. Learn why it happens, how to safely restore it to liquid, and when to just leave it alone.
July 4, 2026
How to Find a Beekeeping Mentor or Local Club
Find a beekeeping club, mentor, or class near you with this practical guide. Includes where to search, what to ask, and how to get the most from local beekee...
July 3, 2026
How to Requeen a Colony
Learn when and how to requeen a hive, from removing the old queen to safely introducing a new one, including tips for requeening a mean colony.
July 3, 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
Hive Tools, Brushes, and Feeders: The Small Gear That Matters
A practical guide to the beekeeping hive tool, bee brush, and types of bee feeders: the small gear that makes inspections and feeding go smoothly.
July 2, 2026
Drones and Drone Brood: Their Role in the Colony
Learn what drone bees do, how to recognize drone brood at inspection, what happens at drone congregation areas, and what a healthy drone population signals.
July 1, 2026
Feeding Bees: Sugar Syrup, Fondant, and Pollen Patties
When and how to feed your bees with sugar syrup, fondant, and pollen patties. Ratios, timing, feeder types, and common mistakes for beginners.
July 1, 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
Your First-Year Beekeeping Calendar, Month by Month
A practical month-by-month beekeeping calendar for beginners: what to do, when to do it, and why timing matters for your first colony.
June 30, 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
What Bees Do in Winter and How the Cluster Survives
Bees don't hibernate. They form a tight winter cluster and shiver to stay warm. Here's exactly how that works and what it means for your hive.
June 29, 2026
Preparing Your Hive for Winter
A practical guide to winterizing a beehive, from assessing food stores to wrapping hives for winter. Get your colony through to spring.
June 28, 2026
Propolis and Bee Pollen: What They Are and What to Do With Them
Learn what propolis is, how bees use it, and how hobbyist beekeepers collect both propolis and bee pollen from their hives.
June 28, 2026
How to Tell If Your Hive Is Queenless
Learn the key queenless hive signs every beekeeper should know, from no eggs to laying workers, and how to fix a queenless hive before the colony collapses.
June 27, 2026
How to Set Up a Hive Stand That Stays Level
A practical guide to choosing, building, and leveling a beehive stand so comb builds straight and your colony stays healthy all season.
June 26, 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
What Is a Nectar Flow and How to Make the Most of It
Learn what a nectar flow is, how to recognize one, when it happens in your region, and how to time supers, splits, and treatments around it.
June 26, 2026
Wax Moths: Protecting Comb and Weak Colonies
Learn how wax moths damage hives, which colonies are most at risk, and how to protect active hives and stored comb from infestations.
June 25, 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
Rendering Beeswax: Cleaning and Using Comb
Learn how to render beeswax at home using a solar melter or double boiler, filter it clean, and put it to work in a dozen practical projects.
June 24, 2026
Spring Buildup: Managing a Fast-Growing Colony
Spring hive management starts with space and swarm prevention. Learn what to do during spring inspections as your colony doubles in size.
June 24, 2026
How Bees Communicate: The Waggle Dance and Pheromones
Learn how bees share information through the waggle dance and chemical signals, and what it means for your hive inspections.
June 23, 2026
Frames and Foundation Explained: Wax, Plastic, and Foundationless
Learn the differences between wax, plastic, and foundationless hive frames so you can choose the right setup for your backyard colony.
June 22, 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
Swarm Control: Catching Swarms and Stopping Them
Learn how to prevent swarming, catch a swarm that's already left, and set up a swarm trap. Practical swarm control for backyard beekeepers.
June 21, 2026
The Queen Bee: Mating, Laying, and Replacement
Learn queen bee facts every beekeeper should know: how she mates, how she lays, and how the colony replaces her through supersedure.
June 21, 2026
Small Hive Beetle: Prevention and Control
Learn how to identify, prevent, and control small hive beetle before it destroys your colony. Practical traps, management tips, and what to do if your hive g...
June 20, 2026
Is Backyard Beekeeping Right for You? Time, Allergies, and Neighbors
Considering beekeeping? Honestly assess your time, sting allergy risk, and neighbor situation before buying gear.
June 19, 2026
Queen Excluders: Do You Actually Need One and How to Use It
A plain look at queen excluders: what they do, the honest debate over using them, and how to decide if one belongs in your setup.
June 19, 2026
How to Bottle and Store Honey Properly
How to store honey so it stays fresh for years: right jars, moisture control, ideal temperature, and what to do when it crystallizes.
June 18, 2026
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.
June 17, 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.
June 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.
June 16, 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.
June 15, 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.
June 14, 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.
June 14, 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.
June 13, 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.
June 12, 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.
June 12, 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.
June 11, 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.
June 10, 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.
June 10, 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.
June 9, 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.
June 8, 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.
June 7, 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.
June 7, 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.
June 6, 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.
June 5, 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.
June 5, 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.
June 4, 2026