Simple questions don’t always have easy answers Question: “Should I requeen every two years?” Answer: “Well, yes and no.” This common subject came up again during some short email interactions a few weeks ago. At first glance, and from the perspective of an established beekeeper, yep … you should requeen every two years. Next question? …
Read MoreWhy do bees beard? My November issue of the ABJ arrived a couple of weeks ago and I have recently finished reading it. I was particularly interested in Dewey Caron’s explanation of why bees sometimes hang in clusters around the entrance to the hive. This is a question that turns up regularly on the Facebook …
Read MoreWhat makes a poor queen poor? Alison McAfee – 271 Who’s keeping whom? Peter Keilty – 285 Propagating Varroa-resistant Colonies Stephen Martin – 289 Arkansas Honey Festival Serves Beekeepers and Public Dewey M. Caron – 305 A Tribute to Sue Cobey on Her Retirement Jackie Park Burris – 311 A Commercial Perspective – From Conventions …
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Apis artistry: Gavonna Fore of West Plains, Missouri, discovered this work of art in her very first hive in the spring of 2023. Note the pristine white cell walls – accentuated by black foundation below – whereas the top edges are already travel-stained with pollen and propolis from the “dirty” feet of construction workers.
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Drone brood lead to more Varroa I have a question regarding the consequences of your answer regarding flooding an area with drones (December 2024 Classroom). Letting the drone brood, especially multiple generations of drone brood, hatch will very negatively affect a colony’s Varroa population. How would you recommend countering this issue? I was trying to …
Read MoreEntomology 101 was required for my agronomy degree. On the first day of class, encircled with posters of drosophila, moths, and beetles, I recoiled at the scent of old wooden desks — outfitted with inkwells and graffiti — and the chemical odor of bugs lying dead in cottony beds. Although I grew up around honey …
Read MoreConsuming cold honey Honey bee colonies — anywhere in the world — require some way to store food products for lean times. Such foodless periods occur in all climates. While stores are required anytime there is a dearth, the Queen Mother of all dearths is a long, hard, cold winter. After reading the simplest of …
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The previous article began with a private conversation between Amaron and the Girl, who are both “part bees,” meaning they can perceive the world like bees. Taking a break from their apiary work, the two discussed a curious bee flight. A few dozen bees at a time flew to the Girl while She rested on …
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Many of us have cabin fever during February. As beekeepers we must be patient and let the bees determine our course of action. Honey bees have a definite cycle of development. Figure 1 indicates that bee populations are at their lowest level during the winter season. Population growth increases from that point through mid-summer (June …
Read More"I want the American Bee Journal to be the finest publication about bees and beekeeping in the world."
- C.P. Dadant, Editor of ABJ 1912-1938
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