The Beekeeper’s Companion Since 1861
ABJ Cover March 2025 - Pale yellow honeycomb with black foundation. Callouts: What makes a poor queen poor? Pg 271, A tribute to Sue Cobey pg. 311, A robbing screen that works? pg. 327

“Bees”: A Historical Bee Journal Full of Illustrated Apiculture

Posted May 1, 2024

“Bees”: A Historical Bee Journal Full of Illustrated Apiculture

When historical bee journals can readily be found dating back to the late 1800s, finding one from the late 1940s to the early 1950s does not seem all that old. Production and dissemination of the journal are also important factors to consider; a fairly recent journal without a wide distribution can become quite rare. “Bees” …

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Should Beekeepers Rough Up Their Hive bodies to Promote Propolis?

Posted May 1, 2024

Should Beekeepers Rough Up Their Hive bodies to Promote Propolis?

During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, most people invested time and effort into staying healthy. I’m guessing nearly everyone reading this article bought and used hand sanitizer and face masks. Plexiglass screens were erected at the check-in areas of businesses, and work surfaces were disinfected frequently. We did these things because we’re a social …

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Cutting Through the Weeds: Is No Mow May Pollinator-friendly?

Posted May 1, 2024

Cutting Through the Weeds: Is No Mow May Pollinator-friendly?

Many of us delight in the crisp scent of a freshly mown lawn. The emerald fragrance of a spring breeze overlain with the citrus-and-cucumber aroma of cut grass signals a rebirth. As winter recedes, the dewy scent of wet soil and slinky earthworms overwhelms us with joy, hope, and a belief in the future. As …

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Maximize a Flow Hive Harvest with Gene Killion’s Comb Honey Production Method

Posted May 1, 2024

Maximize a Flow Hive Harvest with Gene Killion’s Comb Honey Production Method

We said it could never work! We fell out of our chairs when Stuart and Cedar Anderson touted a more “hands-off” method of harvesting honey and turned the Flow Hive tap to show it. And now, almost 10 years later, there are more Flow Hive users than ever. Some of them have great success and …

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The Old Craft of Box Hive Beekeeping: a bygone minimalist bee management technique

Posted May 1, 2024

The Old Craft of Box Hive Beekeeping: a bygone minimalist bee management technique

Here’s the truth There is a staggering amount of beekeeping lore and instruction on the internet. The recent addition of archived books, pamphlets, catalogs and publications has gone even further in adding to the stock of bee information — information that is both old and new. I have long since learned that the web has …

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Letters to the Editor – May 2024

Posted May 1, 2024

Letters to the Editor – May 2024

Darwin Among the Hives In reference to my February article, a reader wrote to me: “I have read your many contributions over the years with both respect and admiration, and thus was a little surprised to find myself in some disagreement with the February contribution — ‘Darwin among the Hives.’ My impression is that you …

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UW RESEARCHER LEARNS HOW NECTAR-LADEN HONEY BEES AVOID OVERHEATING

Posted May 1, 2024

UW RESEARCHER LEARNS HOW NECTAR-LADEN HONEY BEES AVOID OVERHEATING

— February 13, 2024, University of Wyoming Honey bees carrying nectar have the remarkable ability to adjust their flight behavior to avoid overheating when air temperatures increase, according to research led by a University of Wyoming scientist. Jordan Glass, a postdoctoral research associate in UW’s Department of Zoology and Physiology, conducted the study to determine …

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USDA ASKS AMERICANS TO LOOK FOR INVASIVE EGG MASSES

Posted May 1, 2024

USDA ASKS AMERICANS TO LOOK FOR INVASIVE EGG MASSES

WASHINGTON, March 15, 2024—Help the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) stomp out invasive pests this spring! Challenge your detection prowess: Look for spotted lanternfly and spongy moth egg masses on vehicles, trees, and other outdoor surfaces during the winter and early spring. If you find them, USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) …

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BEE BOX

Posted May 1, 2024

BEE BOX

Lucile Morehouse, age 13, is an active 4-H member in Choctaw County, Oklahoma. She created a service project that focuses on saving pollinators. Last year Lucile was awarded the Youth Enhancement Grant from the Oklahoma 4-H Foundation. This one-time grant allowed Lucile to distribute 600 seed packets that went to 16 different states. This year, …

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Contents-May 2024

Posted May 1, 2024

Contents-May 2024

A Field Trial of Probiotics, part 2 Randy Oliver – 481 The Dynamics of Honey Bee Flight Bill Hesbach – 496 Let’s Throw a Bee! Peter L Borst – 501 Having It Your Way in a HOA Peter Keilty – 519 Rescuing Plastic Foundation Wes Henry – 521 Revealing Hygienic Behavior with UBeeO Tine Sebestyen …

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