The Beekeeper’s Companion Since 1861
American Bee Journal Volume 166 No. 1 January 2026 Cover Callouts: Invisible Bee Communication - 45, Vadescana: A new varroa control - 51, The impacts of pollen trapping - 61 Cover depicts a honey bee with propolis on its legs.

The Classroom – July 2018

The Classroom - American Bee Journal
Posted July 1, 2018

The Classroom – July 2018

Q Toughest Job I am curious on your thoughts on this article. The Bee Apocalypse Was Never Real; Here’s Why: https://www.acsh.org/news/2018/04/17/bee-apocalypse-was-never-real-heres-why-12851 Thank you,Randy McElroy A Beekeepers in a commercial setting have been ignored for years and have been characterized as the ugly step sisters of agriculture. Passionate beekeepers, i.e. those who have had a desire …

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Notes from the Lab – July 2018

notes from the lab - ABJ
Posted July 1, 2018

Notes from the Lab – July 2018

This spring, I received several phone calls from beekeepers, growers and pesticide applicators regarding the risk posed to honey bees from insect growth regulators (abbreviated as “IGRs”). These chemicals are used as insecticides to control insect pests, especially in agricultural settings. And since many of them are developed to be insect-specific (e.g., they target leaf-chewing …

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Are Women Better Beekeepers

female beekeeper
Posted July 1, 2018

Are Women Better Beekeepers

I can be naïve at times, so when I was asked to write an article about “why women are better beekeepers” I said sure, no problem. After all, the hardest part of writing is finding a topic. But in truth, the assignment turned into a nightmare. My first mistake was thinking it would be fun. …

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Symbionts in the Honey Bee Nest

honey bee nest symbionts
Posted July 1, 2018

Symbionts in the Honey Bee Nest

By now, readers of this column know that the honey bee colony is an assemblage of individuals, organized to a greater or lesser degree by genetic kinship, yet behaviorally specialized and integrated to optimize survival and reproduction of the group. Numerous times in this column we have drawn metaphors between organs, tissues, and behaviors in …

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Queen Cell Cups and Laying Workers

Varroa Immigration into the hive
Posted July 1, 2018

Queen Cell Cups and Laying Workers

We’ve all heard of mite bombs and varroa hitchhiking into our colonies via robber bees. But how many are actually sneaking in? As the summer comes on in full force, be advised this is the time when varroa mite immigration can spike, in some years quite drastically. Varroa mites can enter our hives in large …

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PACKAGES, NUCS & SWARMS, OH MY

package of honey bees
Posted July 1, 2018

PACKAGES, NUCS & SWARMS, OH MY

You’ve made the leap and are ready to get bees, but the choices are a little overwhelming. So many options and how do you compare? What is the best way to start out? And most importantly, what kinds of questions should you ask of your bee supplier to truly understand what you are receiving? Not …

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The Blueberries and the Bees

beekeepers tending to hives
Posted July 1, 2018

The Blueberries and the Bees

Thousands of honey bee colonies arrive in the Fraser Valley’s blueberry fields every spring, but beekeepers are worried this crop may be harming their bees. My alarm only managed to announce one jolting ring before I slapped it off. The clock read 3:45 am, and there was no time to waste. Bleary-eyed, I threw together …

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Letters to the editor – July 2018

hive design
Posted July 1, 2018

Letters to the editor – July 2018

To the editor, I am just finishing my latest beehive in my quest to find a perfect beehive! I thought your readers might find it interesting. With the attached photos I thought I would tell why I chose each detail of the hive design. I chose Long Langstroth type hive because the hive takes standard …

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WHAT GIVES BEES THEIR SWEET TOOTH?

Posted July 1, 2018

WHAT GIVES BEES THEIR SWEET TOOTH?

Scientists have discovered bees linger on a flower, emptying it of nectar, because they have sugar-sensing taste neurons which work together to prolong the pleasure of the sweetness. Newcastle University researchers report that the bees’ taste neurons found on their proboscis – their mouthparts – fire intense signals for up to 10 seconds – much …

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UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA TO MEASURE ECONOMIC IMPACT OF HONEY INDUSTRY

Posted July 1, 2018

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA TO MEASURE ECONOMIC IMPACT OF HONEY INDUSTRY

Industry can promote its economic contributions – but only if beekeepers, importers, packers and processors participate in study FREDERICK, Colo. (May 16, 2018) – From beekeepers and honey importers to packers and processors, the honey industry plays a unique and vital role in the U.S. economy. To illustrate the industry’s true impact, the University of …

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