Yes, Hive Insulation Is Good Year-Round – A Deeper Dive
Introduction The honeybee (Apis mellifera) displays advanced regulation of the nest climate, in summer as well as in winter. Thermal homeostasis (thermoregulation) of the colony is especially important for the brood, because honeybee larvae and pupae are extremely stenothermic (surviving only within a narrow temperature range). A brood nest temperature of 93–95 °F/32-36 °C guarantees […]
Understanding Your Local Swarming Process
Introduction Below is a summary of the recent research on swarming and topics surrounding its timing and identification. Research articles are always listed at the bottom of the blog for further details. Just below are two links which contain information gleaned from the research and organized into an approximate execution timeline. Consider downloading these two […]
Harbo Assay, Varroa Sensitive Hygiene Testing
From Wild Hives More than likely you could simply Google “Harbo Assay” and get all you ever wanted to read on this topic, but my hope is that the organized extracts below might take you from “knowing” about this topic to actually getting involved. Yes, you as a backyard beekeeper can participate. Commercial breeders located […]
Mold, should I be concerned?
It is early spring, and your beehive seems too quiet. You pop the lid only to find mold everywhere. It cloaks dead bees, top bars, and on the comb. There is no doubt in your mind: mold killed your bees. But did it? In truth, mold in a beehive is a result of colony death, not the cause of […]
2025 UPDATE Spreading Varroa Resistant Traits
2025 Update Dr Melissa Oddie has done some outstanding recent research worthy of mention in the last couple years on this topic. Below are the links to two resources for your review. Reproductive success of the parasitic mite (Varroa destructor) is lower in honeybee colonies that target infested cells with recappingSteve Riley (Westerham Beekeepers) Resisting […]
Natural Defense Against Varroa
Introduction After Varroa jumped the species barrier around the 1950s, from its native host Apis cerana (Asian honeybee) onto A. mellifera, it spread globally along with deformed wing virus (DWV). Currently only Australia and a few small, isolated islands are free of both DWV and Varroa. Since then, research and experimentation continue to try to identify and select for the honeybee genetic […]
Genetic Diversity Matters
History The honeybee originated in the Old World, where it diverged into more than two dozen recognized subspecies. Initial introduction of the honeybee (subspecies A. m. mellifera) to North America occurred in the 17th century and records indicate that another seven subspecies were introduced by 1922, when further importations were restricted. With the notable exception […]
Propolis: Honeybees Love It for Good Reason
Introduction A beekeeper with their hive tool in hand will often be wondering what the best way is to separate and lift frames that are not only sticking together but also sticking to their gloves, tools and ruining their clothes. It’s like a sticky piece of tape that you just can’t seem to get off […]
Is Moisture Normal…In a Hive?
Introduction Water plays a critical role in honeybee biology and overall health. Honeybees rely on water for various purposes, from maintaining their internal temperature to diluting food sources and supporting the growth of their brood. In regulating the internal temperature of the hive, honeybees use water to cool down the hive by using evaporative cooling […]
Honeybee Medicine Cabinet
Introduction The coevolutionary dependencies between pollinators and plants has enabled pollinators including honeybees to derive benefits from pollen and nectar but today they face challenges from declining natural flowering habitats and diverse floral (polyfloral) resources. They are also affected by increasing metabolic stressors, such as the exposure to plant protection products (agrochemicals), dietary limitation, monofloral diets, […]
