Beekeeping your way

The natural ecosystem works in a wonderful yet mysterious way. We can only do so much to protect the bees from its natural predators. We have identified common pests that can invade your bee’s hive and may cause harm that may eventually destroy the colony. We’ve also listed common bee predators that present danger to…

The 2019 Australian bushfires have been burning since October 2019. It has been reported that in NSW alone, almost 5 million hectares of land have been burned. In total, it is estimated that at least 10 million hectares have been burned across Australia. So far, there have been 25 casualties, including volunteer firefighters who gave…

Summer is around the corner and though your bees will be busy producing honey, it is important to be aware of what may be a threat to the hives. Nosemosis, also known as Nosema, is a common bee disease mainly caused by a parasite Nosema ceranae and Nosema apis. It has invaded many beehives worldwide,…

There is recent emergence of young and amateur beekeepers across Australia. In example, did you know that there is a beekeeping club for children? Yes, that’s right there is. Anita Long, previously a hairdresser turned apiarist started the Tasmania Junior Beekeepers that has over 80 members. The club is aimed to inspire the future of…

Queen management techniques to delay and deter swarming. In our second post on preventing spring bee swarms, we look at three queen management techniques. Remember, swarming is natural and all techniques technically only postpone swarming. However, done right, you can postpone until the swarming season has passed. You will need to combine a variety of…

Reducing congestion in the hive is essential to minimise the risk of swarming.  Responsible beekeeping practices include swarm management and prevention. In some places, it’s also a legal requirement! Approaches to reduce the impulse to swarm fall under two broad categories: Reducing congestion in the hive and queen management techniques. Unfortunately, there is no guarantee…

What are the Signs a Hive is Going to Swarm? As Perfect Bee notes, a bee swarm is often viewed as counter-productive for the beekeeper when honey is the goal. However, swarming is in fact a sign that the colony is healthy and flourishing. So what are the signs a hive is going to swarm?…

It’s Swarm Season! It’s a common sight all across Australia as soon as sunny spring weather hits – bee swarms. A buzzing, brown cloud of wayward honey bees moving en masse, clinging to each other. Then they settle on whatever temporary foothold they can find while the scout bees search for a new home. Beekeeping…

It’s spring, and you or someone you know may be thinking about keeping bees for the first time. And with swarming season upon us, you may be lucky enough to have some bees drop into your own backyard. These will be in need of a new, permanent home. Some familiarity with the ins and outs…

What is spring management and what does it mean for you and your beehive? Spring has sprung and you – and your bees – are about to get very busy. Good spring management practices are essential. Here’s an overview of what will keep the average beekeeper busy in spring.  Regular Hive Inspections Are Key to…