Add the first honey super when bees occupy about 7 to 8 of 10 frames and the main nectar flow is near, and the next when that super is two-thirds full. Frame counts, flow timing and the steps, sourced to UMN and MSU Extension.
Inspect about every 7 to 9 days in swarm season, every 10 days to 3 weeks after that, and not at all in cold winter weather. This guide covers schedules by season and colony stage, what over-inspecting costs, and how a quick check differs from a full one.
Prepare bees for winter in order: mites first, then colony strength, honey, entrance guards and moisture control, with extension figures for cold, mid-Atlantic, Gulf and Florida climates.
When to feed pollen patties to an established colony: start two to three weeks before the first spring pollen, stop once foragers bring pollen in, and use winter patties for calories in fall and winter.
Most colonies need 60 to 100 pounds of honey for winter, depending on climate. How to tell honey weight from hive weight, count frames, heft or weigh a hive, and fix a shortfall.
Clipping a queen's wing does not stop swarming; it mainly keeps her from flying off with the swarm. Pros, cons, research and technique, from extension and association sources.
Learn exactly when to buy a replacement queen for your hive. Our professional guide helps you identify the perfect timing to ensure colony health and success.
Introduce a queen with a push-in cage: pick the right comb, seat the cage to the midrib and release on the right day, with an extension-backed timeline and fixes.
Learn what is a brood break queen cage and how to use it effectively in your apiary. This guide covers everything you need for successful mite management.
Discover how long to leave a queen cage in a hive with our expert guide. Ensure your new queen is accepted safely by following these proven beekeeping steps.
Learn how to mark a queen bee safely with our expert guide. Discover the best techniques to protect your hive and track your queen with ease and precision.
Confused by swarm cells vs supersedure cells? Our expert guide explains how to identify each type and what they mean for your colony health and management.
Learn how to introduce a new queen bee to your hive safely with our expert step-by-step guide. Ensure colony success and minimize stress for your bees today.
Requeen when forage, colony strength and season length line up: early June to mid-August in the Red River Valley. Month-by-month calendar and cutoff dates.
Discover what to do if package bees cluster outside the hive with our expert guide. Learn why they gather and how to safely encourage them to move inside.
Curious if you can split a first-year nuc? Learn the essential steps and timing requirements to ensure your honey bee colony thrives after a spring division.
Discover how to expand a 5-frame nuc safely using our step-by-step guide. Learn essential tips to help your growing bee colony thrive in a larger hive setup.
Package bees need no routine antibiotics or medicated syrup. The one treatment worth planning is label-approved oxalic acid before the first brood is capped.
Learn how to reduce drifting in new nuc yards with our expert guide. Discover proven techniques to keep your bees settled and your apiary thriving today.
Learn the essential steps for moving a nuc into a full hive box with our expert guide. Ensure your honey bee colony thrives during this critical transition.
Discover when to add a second box to a nuc to prevent swarming. Our professional guide helps you manage your hive expansion for a healthy, productive colony.
Learn how to choose the best feeder for newly installed packages with our expert guide. Ensure your honey bees thrive during their critical first few weeks.
Stop package bees absconding by making the hive look like a nest to a scout: a small low entrance, used comb, steady syrup and a delayed queen release.
Wondering how long to keep a package queen caged? Follow our expert guide to ensure a smooth transition and successful colony establishment this season.
Fine 1-2 mm top-bar screens collect the most propolis; wall traps and rough walls boost colony health; side-wall collectors suit the tropics. What trials show.