Beekeeping

Beekeeping4th Edition

by Howland Blackiston

foreword by Dewey M. Caron

Beekeeping For Dummies®, 4th EditionPublished by: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 111 River Street Hoboken, NJ 07030-5774 www.wiley.com

Copyright © 2017 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc., Hoboken, New Jersey

Published simultaneously in Canada

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Library of Congress Control Number: 2016960491

ISBN 978-1-119-31006-8 (pbk); ISBN 978-1-119-31102-7 (ebk); ISBN 978-1-119-31103-4 (ebk)

Manufactured in the United States of America

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

Foreword v

Foreword

In his foreword to the third edition of Beekeeping For Dummies, Connecticut author and beekeeper Ed Weiss wrote, “This book is written for all those folks who have happily decided to have our wonderful friend, the honeybees, as their

own.” Ed concludes that Beekeeping For Dummies answers beekeepers’ perpetual “How do I do it?” question. That continues to hold true for the updated and expanded fourth edition.

The learning curve to successfully starting and continuing to maintain beehives can be steep. Beekeeping For Dummies flattens the curve in covering all aspects of keeping bees. Anyone interested in learning about the basics of beekeeping  — from figuring out what equipment is required to what to do after the bees are installed to harvesting honey to helping colonies with disease and pest control — will find it all here. This book is ideal for everyone, from those with a blossoming interest in bees to those who have already started. It eliminates the uncertainties — our dumbness — of bees and beekeeping.

Dummies author Howland Blackiston is no stranger to honey bees. He has been managing bees, starting with an observation hive, for more than 30 years. He speaks authoritatively of his firsthand experiences. He offers his recommenda-tions gently and honestly, based on his successes. And he encourages new bee-keepers to experiment with their own techniques when traditional solutions don’t work as expected.

Howland is an accomplished honey wine (mead) connoisseur, makes beautiful beeswax candles, and has sampled honeys from around the world. He is a consci-entious bee mentor for “newbees.” As you read, you’ll find him to be a patient and thorough teacher of beekeeping.

The fourth edition of Beekeeping For Dummies has been expanded, in response to reader demand, to include information on Top Bar hives. It still includes those items readers have come to expect from earlier editions. Icons highlight the text with tips, reminders, and warnings as well as call attention to specialty concerns that urban beekeepers face. And all beekeepers would do well to pay attention to Howland’s explanations of how to be all-natural, pointed out by another icon. Brand-new in this fourth edition is information on Top Bar hives.

vi Beekeeping For Dummies

In addition to money-saving coupons, there are directions to find online videos (in other words, to see, as well as read about, techniques as you set up a new hive or prepare to harvest honey and carry out the honey extracting process). You can also find a Dummies Cheat Sheet online to keep up with your seasonality practices.

The book promises and delivers step-by-step, easy-to-understand instructions to becoming organized and beginning a bee colony. Seasonal chapters explain what to do and when to do it. This is a great book to start beekeeping. However, readers will find much more as they refer back to the information or consult the additional information found online. I wholeheartedly recommend that this book be part of your beekeeping bookshelf. I expect it will become a regular read.

Dewey M. Caron Emeritus Professor University of Delaware Retired after 40 years of bee extension, research, and University teaching Still interacting with bee associations, bee short courses, and outreach

Contents at a GlanceForeword . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . v

Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

Part 1: Taking Flight with Beekeeping . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7CHAPTER 1: To Bee, or Not to Bee? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9CHAPTER 2: Getting to Know Your Honey Bees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23

Part 2: Starting Your Adventure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49CHAPTER 3: Alleviating Apprehensions and Making Decisions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51CHAPTER 4: Selecting a Hive That’s Perfect for You . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65CHAPTER 5: BasicEquipmentfor Beekeepers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85CHAPTER 6: Obtaining and Installing Your Bees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121

Part 3: Time for a Peek . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 143CHAPTER 7: Opening Your Hive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145CHAPTER 8: What to Expect When You’re Inspecting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 159CHAPTER 9: DifferentSeasons,DifferentActivities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 183

Part 4: Common Problems and Simple Solutions . . . . . . . . . . 203CHAPTER 10: Anticipating and Preventing Potential Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 205CHAPTER 11: Colony Collapse Disorder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 231CHAPTER 12: Understanding Diseases and Remedies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 241CHAPTER 13:HeadingOffHoney-Bee Pests . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 251CHAPTER 14: Raising Your Own Queens . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 275

Part 5: Sweet Rewards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 297CHAPTER 15: Honey, I Love You . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 299CHAPTER 16: Getting Ready for the Golden Harvest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 319CHAPTER 17: Honey Harvest Day . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 333

Part 6: The Part of Tens . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 351CHAPTER 18: More than Ten Fun Things to Do with Bees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 353CHAPTER 19: More than Ten Frequently Asked Questions about Bee Behavior . . . . 379CHAPTER 20:MyTenFavoriteHoney Recipes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 385

Part 7: Appendixes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 397APPENDIX A: Helpful Resources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 399APPENDIX B: Beekeeper’s Checklist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 413APPENDIX C: Glossary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 415

Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 423

Table of Contents ix

Table of ContentsFOREWORD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . v

INTRODUCTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1About This Book . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1Foolish Assumptions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3Icons Used in This Book . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3Beyond the Book . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4Where to Go from Here . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5

PART 1: TAKING FLIGHT WITH BEEKEEPING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

CHAPTER 1: To Bee, or Not to Bee? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9DiscoveringtheBenefitsofBeekeeping . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10

Harvesting liquid gold: Honey . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11Bees as pollinators: Their vital role to our food supply . . . . . . . . . .11Being part of the bigger picture: Save the bees! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13Getting an education: And passing it on! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13Improving your health: Bee therapies and stress relief . . . . . . . . . .15

Determining Your Beekeeping Potential . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16Environmental considerations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16Zoning and legal restrictions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16Costs and equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17

How many hives do you need? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17What kind of honey bees should you raise? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17

Time and commitment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18Beekeeper personality traits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18Allergies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19

Deciding Which Beekeeping Approach to Follow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19Medicated beekeeping . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20Natural beekeeping . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20Organic beekeeping . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21Combining approaches . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21

CHAPTER 2: Getting to Know Your Honey Bees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23Basic Body Parts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24

Skeleton . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24Head . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25Thorax . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26Abdomen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27

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The Amazing Language of Bees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27Pheromones . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27Shall we dance? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28

Getting to Know the Male and the Two Female Castes . . . . . . . . . . . . .29Her majesty, the queen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30The industrious little worker bee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32House bees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33

Housekeeping (days 1 to 3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33Undertaking (days 3 to 16) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33Working in the nursery (days 4 to 12) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34Attending royalty (days 7 to 12) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34Going grocery shopping (days 12 to 18) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34Fanning (days 12 to 18) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34Becoming architects and master builders (days 12 to 35) . . . .36Guarding the home (days 18 to 21) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36

Field bees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36The woeful drone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .37

The Honey Bee Life Cycle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .39Egg . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .39Larva . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .41Pupa . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .41

Other Stinging Insects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .43Bumblebee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .44Carpenter bee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .44Mason bee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .45Wasp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .45Yellow jacket . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .46Bald-facedhornet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .47

PART 2: STARTING YOUR ADVENTURE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49

CHAPTER 3: Alleviating Apprehensions and Making Decisions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51Overcoming Sting Phobia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .52

Knowing what to do if you’re stung . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .53Watching for allergic reactions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .54Building up a tolerance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .54

Understanding Local Laws and Ordinances . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .54Easing the Minds of Family and Neighbors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .55Location, Location, Location: Where to Keep Your Hives . . . . . . . . . . .56

Knowing what makes a perfect bee yard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .57Urban considerations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .59

Dealing with nervous neighbors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .59City bees have the same needs as country bees . . . . . . . . . . . .59Deciding where to put your hives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .59

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Strike a deal with a community garden . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .60Speak to your landlord about roof rights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .60Providing for your thirsty bees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .60

Understanding the correlation between geographical area and honeyflavors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .63

Knowing When to Start Your Adventure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .64

CHAPTER 4: Selecting a Hive That’s Perfect for You . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65The Langstroth Hive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .66The Kenyan Top Bar Hive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .68The Warré (People’s) Hive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .71The Flow Hive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .74TheFive-FrameNucHive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .77The Observation Hive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .79Make a Beeline to the Best Beehive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .81

Hives for harvesting honey . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .82Hives for pollinating your garden . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .82A hive for learning and teaching . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .82

CHAPTER 5: BasicEquipmentfor Beekeepers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85Starting Out with the Langstroth Hive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .86Knowing the Basic Woodenware Parts of the Langstroth Hive . . . . . .86

Hive stand . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .87Bottom board . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .87Entrance reducer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .89Deep-hivebody . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .89Queen excluder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .90Shallow or medium honey super . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .91Frames . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .92Foundation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .95Inner cover . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .98Outer cover . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .99

Knowing the Basic Parts of a Top Bar Hive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .99The top bar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .100Everything else . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .101

Ordering Hive Parts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .101Startup hive kits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .102Setting up shop . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .102

Adding on Feeders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .104Hive-topfeeder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .104Entrance feeder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .105Pail feeder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .106Baggie feeder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .107Frame feeder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .108Top Bar hive feeders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .109

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Fundamental Tools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .110Smoker . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .110Hive tool and frame lifter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .111

Bee-ProofClothing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .112Veils . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .112Gloves . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .112

Really Helpful Accessories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .114Elevated hive stand . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .114Frame rest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .116Bee brush . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .117Slatted rack . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .117Screened bottom board . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .118Beekeeper’s toolbox . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .119

CHAPTER 6: Obtaining and Installing Your Bees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121Determining the Kind of Bee You Want . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .121Deciding How to Obtain Your Initial Bee Colony . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .124

Ordering package bees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .124Buying a “nuc” colony . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .126Purchasing an established colony . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .127Capturing a wild swarm of bees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .128

Picking a Reputable Bee Supplier . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .128Deciding When to Place Your Order . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .130The Day Your Girls Arrive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .131

Bringing home your bees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .132Recipe for sugar syrup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .132

Putting Your Bees into the Hive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .133Hiving steps for Langstroth hives and Steps 1–7 for Top Bar hives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .134Hiving Steps 8–14 for Top Bar hives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .139Watching your bees come and go from their new home . . . . . . .140

PART 3: TIME FOR A PEEK . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 143

CHAPTER 7: Opening Your Hive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145Establishing Visiting Hours . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .146Setting an Inspection Schedule . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .146Preparing to Visit Your Langstroth or Top Bar Hive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .147

Making“non-scents”apartofpersonalhygiene . . . . . . . . . . . . . .147Getting dressed up and ready to go . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .147

Lighting Your Smoker . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .148Opening a Langstroth Hive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .151

Removingthehive-topfeeder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .153Removing the inner cover . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .155

Opening a Top Bar Hive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .156The Hive’s Open! Now What? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .158

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CHAPTER 8: What to Expect When You’re Inspecting . . . . . . . . . . . 159Keeping a Journal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .160Inspecting a Langstroth Hive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .161

RemovingthefirstframeofyourLangstrothhive . . . . . . . . . . . . .161Working your way through the Langstroth hive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .162Holding up frames for inspection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .163Knowing when it’s time for more smoke . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .164Replacing Langstroth frames . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .165Closing the Langstroth hive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .165

Inspecting a Top Bar Hive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .166Working your way through the Top Bar hive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .167Top Bar comb management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .168Looking into Top Bar cells . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .170Replacing the top bars and closing the hive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .170

Understanding What to Always Look For . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .170Checking for your queen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .170Storing food; raising brood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .171Inspecting the brood pattern . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .171Recognizingfoodstuffs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .172

Your New Colony’s First Eight Weeks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .172Checking in: A week after hiving your bees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .172

Verifying that the queen was released . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .173Removing any burr comb . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .173Looking for eggs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .174Replacing the missing frame of the Langstroth . . . . . . . . . . . .174Providing more syrup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .174

The second and third weeks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .174Looking for larvae . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .175Evaluating your queen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .175Hunting for capped brood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .176Looking for supersedure cells . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .176Provide more syrup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .177

Weeks four through eight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .177Addingaseconddeep-hivebodytoyour Langstroth hive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .178Witnessing a miracle! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .178Watching for swarm cells . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .179Providing more ventilation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .179Manipulating the frames of foundation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .180Making room for honey! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .180Inspecting your multilevel Langstroth hive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .181

CHAPTER 9: DifferentSeasons,DifferentActivities . . . . . . . . . . . . . 183Lazy, Hazy, Crazy Days of Summer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .184

Yoursummerto-dolist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .185Your summertime commitment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .185

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Falling Leaves Point to Autumn Chores . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .186Yourautumnto-dolist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .186Your autumn time commitment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .191

Clustering in a Winter Wonderland . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .191Yourwinterto-dolist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .192Your winter time commitment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .192

Spring Is in the Air (Starting Your Second Season) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .193Yourspringto-dolist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .193Your springtime commitment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .195Administering spring medication . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .195Reversing hive bodies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .196

Managing Top Bar Hives in the Spring . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .197Finding the cluster . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .198Preventing the urge to swarm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .198Expanding the brood nest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .199

The Beekeeper’s Calendar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .199

PART 4: COMMON PROBLEMS AND SIMPLE SOLUTIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 203

CHAPTER 10: Anticipating and Preventing Potential Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 205Running Away (to Join the Circus?) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .206

Swarming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .206Understanding why you want to prevent swarming . . . . . . . .208Keeping the girls from leaving home . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .208They swarmed anyway . Now what? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .211Capturing a swarm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .213Hiving your swarm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .215

Absconding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .216Where Did the Queen Go? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .217

Letting nature take its course . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .218Ordering a replacement queen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .218Introducing a new queen to the hive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .218

Avoiding Chilled Brood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .220Dealing with the Dreaded Robbing Frenzies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .221

Knowingthedifferencebetweennormal and abnormal (robbing) behavior . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .221Putting a stop to a robbing attack . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .222Preventingrobbinginthefirstplace . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .222

Ridding Your Hive of the Laying Worker Phenomenon . . . . . . . . . . . .224How to know if you have laying workers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .224Getting rid of laying workers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .224

Preventing Pesticide Poisoning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .226

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The “Killer Bee” Phenomenon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .227What are “killer bees”? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .228Bee prepared! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .229

CHAPTER 11: Colony Collapse Disorder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 231What Is CCD? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .232What to Do If You Suspect CCD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .233Why All the Fuss? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .233What’s Causing CCD? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .234

The cellphone theory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .234It may be the perfect storm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .234

Parasites . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .234Pathogens . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .234Pesticides . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .235Other possibilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .237

Answers to FAQs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .237What You Can Do to Help . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .238

CHAPTER 12: Understanding Diseases and Remedies . . . . . . . . . . . . 241Medicating or Not? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .242KnowingtheBig-SixBeeDiseases . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .242

American foulbrood (AFB) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .243European foulbrood (EFB) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .244Chalkbrood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .245Sacbrood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .246Stonebrood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .247Nosema . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .247

Nosema apis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .247Nosema ceranae . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .248

A handy chart . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .248

CHAPTER 13:HeadingOffHoney-Bee Pests . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 251Parasitic Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .251

Varroa mites . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .252Recognizing Varroa mite symptoms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .253UsingtwosurefiredetectiontechniquesforVarroa . . . . . . . .253Knowing how to control Varroa mite problems . . . . . . . . . . . .256

Tracheal mites . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .259Symptoms that may indicate tracheal mites . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .260How to control tracheal mite problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .261Natural source options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .261Synthetic chemical options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .263

Zombie(Phonid)flies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .265

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Other Unwelcome Pests . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .265Wax moths . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .265Small hive beetle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .266

Determining whether you have a small hive beetle problem . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .266How to control the small hive beetle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .267

Ants, ants, and more ants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .268Bear alert! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .268Raccoons and skunks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .270Keeping out Mrs . Mouse . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .270Some birds have a taste for bees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .272

Pest Control at a Glance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .272

CHAPTER 14: Raising Your Own Queens . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 275Why Raising Queens Is the Bee’s Knees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .275Understanding Genetics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .277

Dominant and recessive genes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .277Inbreeding versus outcrossing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .278Accentuate the positive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .279

What Makes a Queen a Queen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .280Talking about the Birds and Bees for Honey Bees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .282Creating Demand: Making a Queenless Nuc . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .283Queen-RearingMethod1:GowiththeFlow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .283

If the queen cells are capped . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .284If the queen cells are open . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .284Mind the timeline . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .285

Queen-RearingMethod2:TheMillerMethod . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .285Queen-RearingMethod3:TheDoolittleMethod,also Known as Grafting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .288

Tools and equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .288How it’s done . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .291Providing nuptial housing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .293

Finding Homes for Your Queens . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .294Evaluating the Results . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .295The Queen Rearer’s Calendar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .295Marking Your Queens . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .296

PART 5: SWEET REWARDS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 297

CHAPTER 15: Honey, I Love You . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 299Appreciating the History of Honey . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .299Understanding the Composition of Honey . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .301Healing with Honey . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .302

Honey and diabetes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .302Honey’s nutritional value . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .303Honey and children . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .303

Table of Contents xvii

Choosing Extracted, Comb, Chunk, or Whipped Honey . . . . . . . . . . .303Extracted honey . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .304Comb honey . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .304Chunk honey . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .305Whipped honey . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .305Honey or honeydew honey? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .306

Taking the Terror out of Terroir . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .306Customizing your honey . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .306Honey from around the world . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .307

The Commercialization of Honey . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .312Is it the real deal? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .312Raw versus regular honey . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .312Organic or not? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .313Your own honey is the best . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .313

Appreciating the Culinary Side of Honey . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .314The nose knows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .314Practice makes perfect . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .315Recognizing defects in honey . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .315

Pairing Honey with Food . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .316Infusing Honey with Flavors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .316Judging Honey . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .317Honey Trivia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .318

CHAPTER 16: Getting Ready for the Golden Harvest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 319Having Realistic Expectations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .320What Flavor Do You Want? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .320Assembling the Right Equipment to Extract Honey . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .321

Honey extractors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .321Uncapping knife . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .321Honey strainer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .322Other handy gadgets for extracting honey . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .323

Double uncapping tank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .323Uncapping fork or roller . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .323Bottling bucket . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .324Solar wax melter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .325

Honey containers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .326Planning Your Extracted Honey Harvest Setup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .326Gathering Comb Honey Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .328

Section comb cartridges . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .328Cut comb . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .328

Branding and Selling Your Honey . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .328Creating an attractive label . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .329Finding places to market your honey . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .332Selling your honey on the web . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .332

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CHAPTER 17: Honey Harvest Day . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 333Knowing When to Harvest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .334

Bad things come to those who wait! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .335A few pointers to keep in mind when harvesting liquid gold . . . .336

Getting the Bees out of the Honey Supers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .336Shakin’ ’em out . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .338Blowin’ ’em out . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .339Using a bee escape board . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .339Fume board and bee repellent . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .340

Honey Extraction from a Langstroth Frame . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .342Harvesting honey using an extractor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .342Cleaning frames after extracting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .344

Harvesting Honey from Your Top Bar Hive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .345Selecting the comb to harvest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .346GettingthebeesoffTopBarcomb . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .346Harvestingusingthecrush-and-strainmethod . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .347Harvesting honey using a honey press . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .348Harvestingcut-combhoney . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .350

Harvesting Wax . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .350

PART 6: THE PART OF TENS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 351

CHAPTER 18: More than Ten Fun Things to Do with Bees . . . . . . . . 353Making Two Langstroth Hives from One . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .353Making One Langstroth Hive from Two . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .355Dividing a Top Bar Hive into Two Colonies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .357Combining Two Top Bar Hive Colonies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .358Building an Elevated Hive Stand . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .359

Building materials list . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .361Cut list . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .361

Planting Flowers for Your Bees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .362Asters (aster/callistephus) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .362Bachelor’s buttons (Centaurea) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .363Bee balm (Monarda) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .363Hyssop (Agastache) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .363Malva (Malvaceae) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .364Mint (Mentha) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .364Nasturtium (Tropaeolum minus) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .364Poppy (Papaver/Eschscholzia) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .364Salvia(Salvia/farinacea-strata/splendens/officinalis) . . . . . . . . . . .365Sunflowers(Helianthus/Tithonia) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .365

Brewing Mead: The Nectar of the Gods . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .365CreateCoolStuffwithPropolis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .368

Propolis tincture . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .369Propolis ointment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .369

Table of Contents xix

Propolis varnish . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .370Making Gifts from Beeswax . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .370

Beeswax candles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .370Dipped candles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .371Molded candles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .371

Beeswax furniture polish . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .372Beauty and the Bees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .372

Use your cappings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .373Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .373The recipes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .373

Ultra-richskincream . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .374Rich body balm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .375Beeswax lip balm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .375Beeswax and olive oil salve . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .376Beeswax lotion bar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .376Natural homemade sunscreen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .377

Packaging and labeling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .377

CHAPTER 19: More than Ten Frequently Asked Questions about Bee Behavior . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 379

CHAPTER 20:MyTenFavoriteHoney Recipes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 385Honey Curry Vegetable Dip . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .387Golden Cornbread . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .388Honey Picante Chicken Wings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .389Apricot Honey Bread . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .390AsianHoney-TeaGrilledPrawns . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .391BroiledScallopswithHoney-LimeMarinade . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .392A Honey of a Chili . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .393Beef and Potato Tzimmes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .394Chewy Honey Oatmeal Cookies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .395Apple Honey Tart . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .396

PART 7: APPENDIXES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 397

APPENDIX A: Helpful Resources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 399Honey Bee Information Websites . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .399

Apiservices —Virtualbeekeepinggallery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .399The Barefoot Beekeeper . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .399BeeHoo —Thebeekeepingdirectory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .400Beemaster Forum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .400Bee-Source.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .400Facebook —TopBarBeekeeping . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .400Mid-AtlanticApicultureResearchandExtension Consortium (MAARAC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .400

xx Beekeeping For Dummies

National Honey Board . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .401Bee Organizations and Conferences . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .401

American Apitherapy Society . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .401American Beekeeping Federation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .401American Honey Producers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .402Apiary Inspectors of America . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .402Apimondia:InternationalFederationof Beekeepers’ Associations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .402Eastern Apiculture Society . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .403International Bee Research Association . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .403USDA Agricultural Research Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .404The Western Apiculture Society . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .404

Bee Journals and Magazines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .404American Bee Journal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .404Bee Culture . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .405Bee World . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .405

Beekeeping Supplies and Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .406Bee-commerce.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .406BeeInventive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .406Bee Thinking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .407BeeWeaver Apiaries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .407Betterbee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .408Blue Sky Bee Supply . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .408Brushy Mountain Bee Farm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .408Dadant & Sons, Inc . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .409Glorybee Foods, Inc . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .409Kelley Beekeeping . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .410Mann Lake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .410Miller Bee Supply . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .410Rossman Apiaries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .411Sacramento Beekeeping . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .411Swienty Beekeeping Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .411Thorne Beekeeping Supply . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .412

State Bee Inspectors (United States) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .412

APPENDIX B: Beekeeper’s Checklist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 413

APPENDIX C: Glossary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 415

INDEX . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 423

Introduction 1

Introduction

Keeping honey bees is a unique and immensely rewarding hobby. If you have an interest in nature, you’ll deeply appreciate the wonderful world that bee-keeping opens up to you. If you’re a gardener, you’ll treasure the extra

bounty that pollinating bees bring to your fruits, flowers, and vegetables. If you’re a foodie, you will celebrate your own honey harvest. In short, you’ll be captivated by these remarkable little creatures in the same way others have been captivated for thousands of years.

Becoming a beekeeper is easy and safe — it’s a great hobby for the entire family. All you need is a little bit of guidance to get started. And that’s exactly what this book is for. I provide you with a step-by-step approach for successful backyard beekeeping — follow it closely, and you can have a lifetime of enjoyment with your bees.

About This BookThis book is a reference, not a lecture. You certainly don’t have to read it from beginning to end unless you want to. I organized the chapters in a logical fashion with sensitivity to the beekeeper’s calendar of events. I include lots of great pho-tographs and illustrations (each, I hope, is worth a thousand words) and lots of practical advice and suggestions.

Because Langstroth hives are far and away the most widely used type of hive in the world, most of the content is written with the assumption that you will start your adventure using a Langstroth hive. But since Top Bar hives (and Kenyan Top Bar hives in particular) have become increasingly popular, this fourth edition includes information of particular interest to you Top Bar beekeepers.

I guarantee you will discover all sorts of new information and helpful tips. Just take a look at the sorts of things I’ve included. This book

» Lets you explore the many benefits of beekeeping and helps you decide whether beekeeping is the right hobby for you.

2 Beekeeping For Dummies

» Gives you some insight into a day in the life of the honey bee. You find out about the queen, the workers, and the drones, and the roles each plays in the colony. It explains basic bee anatomy and introduces you to other stinging insects.

» Deals with any apprehensions you may have about beekeeping (stings, neighbors’ funny looks, local restrictions, environmental considerations, costs, and time and commitment).

» Helps you decide where you should locate your hive and how you can get started.

» Introduces you to five different hive types that are the most popular among backyard beekeepers. You learn the benefits and drawbacks associated with each of these hives.

» Shows the basic tools and equipment you need and how to assemble a hive. You find out about really cool gadgets and weird and wonderful accessories.

» Helps you decide the kind of honey bee to raise, and when and how to order your bees. You also find out what to do the day your “girls” arrive and how to successfully transfer them to their new home.

» Explains how and when to go about approaching and opening up a colony of bees.

» Helps you understand exactly what you’re looking for every time you inspect a colony. I include the specific tasks that are unique to the weeks immediately following the arrival of your bees as well as throughout the season.

» Discusses the tasks a beekeeper must perform year-round to maintain a healthy colony. Use it as a checklist of seasonal activities that you can refer back to year after year. There’s a neat “Beekeeper’s Calendar” that’s keyed to different climates. Use this to identify the tasks you should do and when.

» Shows you how to anticipate the most common problems. Find out what to do if your hive swarms or simply packs up and leaves. Discover how to recognize problems with brood production and your precious queen.

» Provides the latest information about topics that are all the buzz in the media: colony collapse disorder (CCD), backyard pollination, nutritional value of honey, and Africanized bees. Find out what you can do to help save the honey bees.

» Takes a detailed look at bee illnesses. Learn what medications you can use to keep your bees healthy and productive, year after year. Discover alternative natural approaches to keeping bees healthy that avoid or minimize the use of any chemicals.

Introduction 3

» Teaches you the basics of raising your own queen bees for fun and profit.

» Gives you a yummy chapter 100 percent about honey. Find out about its influence throughout history, what it’s composed of, the many different kinds and characteristics of honey, and how honey is used for health and wellness.

» Gives you a step-by-step approach for harvesting, bottling, and marketing your honey.

I also include some back-of-book materials, including helpful bee-related resources: websites, journals, suppliers, and beekeeping associations. I also give you a glossary of bee and beekeeping terms that you can use as a handy quick reference and some useful templates for creating your own beekeeping checklists and logs. Finally, there are some special discount coupons from major vendors that you can take advantage of for managing your hives, purchasing equipment, and subscribing to one of the leading bee journals.

Foolish AssumptionsIf you’ve never kept bees, this book has all the information you need to get started in beekeeping. I assume that you have no prior knowledge of the equipment, tools, and techniques.

However, if you’ve been a beekeeper for a while, this book is a terrific resource for you, too. You’ll find new ideas on how to keep your bees healthier and more pro-ductive, as well as natural alternatives to traditional medication approaches. And if you’re a city dweller, you’ll benefit from the special hints and guidelines that are unique to urban beekeeping. You’ll appreciate the way the book has been orga-nized for easy and ongoing reference. I include a whole lot of “tricks of the trade.” In short, this book is for just about anyone who’s fallen in love with the bountiful honey bee.

Icons Used in This BookPeppered throughout this book are helpful icons that present special types of information to enhance your reading experience and make you a stellar beekeeper.

4 Beekeeping For Dummies

Think of these tips as words of wisdom that — when applied — can make your beekeeping experience more pleasant and fulfilling!

These warnings alert you to potential beekeeping boo-boos that could make your experiences unpleasant and/or your little winged friends unhappy or downright miserable. Take them to heart!

I use this icon to point out things that need to be so ingrained in your beekeeping consciousness that they become habits. Keep these points at the forefront of your mind when caring for your bees.

Urban beekeeping involves special considerations and techniques. For those of you keeping bees in a city environment, these hints and suggestions will come in very handy.

The trend these days is to be very judicial about the use of chemicals in the hive. Use this icon to learn about natural, nonchemical methods for tending to your colony’s health and otherwise dealing with problems.

Beyond the BookThere is much more information available from your author, and from the For Dummies brand, for your learning pleasure. Check out these resources to find out more about the art of beekeeping:

» The Cheat Sheet gives you quick reference tasks that you need to complete at various times of the year. Find out what you need to do in summer and winter to care for and protect your bees. To get this Cheat Sheet, simply go to www.dummies.com and search for “Beekeeping For Dummies Cheat Sheet” in the Search box.

» For Dummies online videos are available at www.dummies.com/go/ beekeepingfd4e. You can see everything from installing your bees to lighting a smoker. Watching me perform these tasks is an invaluable help to new and seasoned beekeepers.

» And, although this book includes information about different beehives, I give you much more information in Building Beehives For Dummies (Wiley).

Introduction 5

Where to Go from HereYou can start anywhere with For Dummies books, but there’s a logic to beginning at the beginning. If that’s not in your personality, consider starting with Chapter 5 to see what equipment you’ll need to get started. Then move over to Chapter 6 to determine what kind of honey bee is right for you and what to do the day your “girls” arrive at your home.

You may have some apprehension about working around bees, such as stings and whether your neighbors will be comfortable with your new hobby. Check out Chapter 3 to get some ideas on how to win over your neighbors with jars of deli-cious honey.

Colony collapse disorder has been in the news over the last few years. Chapter 11 takes an in-depth look at this problem and answers common questions. Chapter 8 gives you info and advice about inspecting your hives and your bees, and Chapters 12 and 13 tell you what to do if you find mites or other potentially fatal problems with your bees.

Chapter 15 is all about honey. Sweet, sticky, golden honey. You learn about the health benefits as well as a little about the history and the medicinal benefits. You find out how to gather and process your honey in Chapters 16 and 17. And after all the work is done and you have pounds of the sweet stuff, Chapters 18 and 20 give you directions for everything from brewing your own mead (honey wine) to mak-ing your own lip balm, along with lots of yummy honey-inspired recipes.

My advice is to not hurry through this book. There’s a lot of information here, and all of it will help you be a better beekeeper. Whether you’re in the country, in a subdivision, or you’re planning on an urban rooftop beehive, there’s something here for you.

1Taking Flight with Beekeeping

IN THIS PART . . .

Discover the role honey bees have played in history, and find out about the many benefits of beekeeping today. Understand the honey bees’ vital role in nature and what they contribute to our agricultural economy.

Decide whether becoming a beekeeper is the right decision for you. How much work is involved? Do you have what it takes? What will your neighbors say?

See what makes honey bees tick. Understand how they communicate with each other, and find out about their different roles and responsibilities as members of a fascinating society.

Find out about other stinging insects that are often confused with the gentle honey bee and as a result give them a bad rap.