Articles

1. Conduct Thorough ResearchBees are really unique and complicated insects. Jumping into beekeeping without doing intensive research about the species is a recipe for disaster. Before you buy any bees, equipment, or gear, make sure that you know everything that you can know about each type of bee. Also, be sure to know what type of equipment you will need, and the space that you will need to adequately keep the bees.As mentioned, the… Read more

Below is a rough guide to things beekeepers in New Zealand might want to think about or do for each month of the year. * Please note, the beekeeping season typically begins in August/September in New Zealand. As this list is in chronological order, it might make more sense if you begin reading from August. This is when most beekeepers will begin preparing hives for the honey flow. January Super up Extract honeyFebruary Harvest remain… Read more

What You Should Know About Buying Honey Bees OnlineHave you ever wondered how beekeepers get their honey bees? There are several ways to fill your apiary, but many beekeepers choose to buy their honey bees online. Like the rest of the world of online shopping, this method of acquiring new honey bee colonies has grown in popularity over the years. That said, there are a few things you need to consider before you add a buzzing box of bees to your d… Read more

Beekeeping in a Crazy WorldIt’s weird being the age of what I considered to be “old” people. But I now understand the idea of “life experience”. Just being around for a long time usually means you have absorbed some experiences and experience. You’ve seen what works and what maybe should be left alone. I know, I know, there is a difference between having 40 years’ experience and 40 times one year’s experience, but let’s just accept that us… Read more

Signs Your Colony Is Queen-LessEveryone’s heard of the queen bee and how important she is. A queen is responsible for laying eggs and maintaining her colony’s population levels. Due to her level of importance, losing a queen is one of the most common ways to lose a colony. Fortunately, there are symptoms you can look out for to catch the problem and help your bees correct it in time. Here are some signs your colony is queen-less and h… Read more

Here’s my take on what’s happening, for better or for worse.It is clear that over the past two years, the apiculture industry has been a business of haves and have-nots. If you have good Manuka sites, you are probably doing just fine. If not, well the cost/price squeeze is hurting. However, what also is clear, is that beekeepers are hard workers and don’t easily give up. And I think that the current situation may be offering a faint glimmer o… Read more