The PerfectBee Blog

For most new beekeepers, it is generally recommended not to harvest honey in the first year. Many new hives are started with a 3-pound package...

Beekeeping isn’t just a hobby. It can be a deeply fulfilling and productive passion, with so many rewards. 

Honey production can vary widely depending on the hive’s age, strength, location, and management. Here's a general breakdown of what you can expect.These are general...

Your bees are always talking. Are you taking notes? If you think you’ll remember every hive detail - well, you won’t! Here’s why note-taking matters.

We are pleased to announce our new Substack.

In Kelle's beekeeper story, we learn how an interest in honeybees has helped her overcome challenges and walk exciting new paths, all thanks to beekeeping.

For beekeepers seeking to keep their bees healthy, knowing how genetic diversity affects them can be the key to success.

Varroa mites are often the biggest concern in beekeeping, and for good reason!

Beekeeping is not just about helping colonies survive, it's about understanding what they need to stay healthy for generations.

Beekeeping is a rewarding hobby, but there's a lot to learn first for new beekeepers. Our tips cover what’s important to know about beekeeping to...

Why we're starting a Substack newsletter (and what it means for you!)

Completing a beehive inspection isn’t just fun, it's a very important part of maintaining a healthy honeybee colony & having a successful hobby.

Most people envision a familiar scene when they think of beekeeping: a beekeeper wearing a bee suit & veil, holding a lit smoker near their...

Choosing the right beehive feeder to use can be tricky when there are so many options available, but we make it easy by covering the...

Beekeeping is a fun and rewarding hobby, but it does come with some risks. Wearing the right protective clothing can keep you safe and relaxed...

Beekeeping is certainly important to maintaining healthy honeybee populations worldwide... but there are many more reasons than just that!

A swarm of bees is an amazing sight, but one most beekeepers would rather avoid in their own bee yards!

Foraging is an essential activity for the survival of the honeybee colony. Worker bees leave the hive to collect nectar and pollen, to support the...

A honeybee colony may make it seem easy, but a lot of complex work goes into the production of honey!

Perfectly adapted to its environment, the anatomy of a bee is something that’s easy to be amazed by, despite its tiny size!

Honeybees may be small and generally live a short life. But, collectively, colonies have an amazing impact on our world.

Pollination is a crucial part of reproduction for both honeybees and the plants that they help to fertilize.

The process of installing a honeybee colony shouldn't be scary. If a beekeeper has the right knowledge it doesn't have to be!

A beekeeper’s job is to help ensure their colony stays healthy, despite the various threats that exist which could harm them.

Beehive inspections are an integral part of keeping healthy bees, as long as they are completed and timed correctly.

Many specialized tools are available to help with managing your colony's health and complete beekeeping tasks.

The day you'll install honeybees is a very big and exciting one indeed, but it shouldn't be a stressful time! Ease your worries with these...

There are many beehive designs available, all aiming to provide what you and your bees need... but which one is most popular, and why?

Spring is the busiest time of year for both the bees and the beekeeper.  A strong, healthy colony will feel the natural urge to reproduce...

Fostering an interest in honeybees at a young age can lead to a generation of more successful and responsible beekeepers.

Marta's Beekeeping Story leads us down an unexpected and adventurous path to beekeeping in which she focuses on the health and vitality of her colonies...

Harvesting honey can be a very exciting prospect for any new beekeeper, but there are some very important things to consider before doing so.

Beekeepers should be sure they know what signs indicate it's time to feed a honeybee colony, especially newbies starting their first season.

Before setting up your beehives out in the bee yard, there are a few important considerations to keep in mind.

In a bee yard location, honeybees need a few basic things in order to thrive and not just survive.

A honeybee colony can't survive without its queen, but worker bees and their role are equally important.

Arguably the most important bee within a colony, the honeybee queen's role is a vital one to their growth and survival.

Honeybee drones - not just useful for reproduction!

Drones are specialized for a singular but critical function: ensuring the genetic diversity and growth of honeybee populations.

The lifetime of honeybees is dependent on the type of bee and the role that they play within the colony.

What should you do if you love honeybees and beekeeping, but for one reason or another, you’re unable to be a beekeeper yourself?

Traditionally, the use of technology in beekeeping has been fairly limited, particularly at the hobbyist level. Yet hobbyists, sideliners, and commercial beekeepers all face similar challenges....

Honeybee development time varies by role: worker, drone, or queen.

The Langstroth is both the most traditional and popular of beehives. It is also the design with the potential for the highest honey yield.

Honeybee colonies rely on reproduction in two broad ways to ensure the survival and expansion of their species.

Brand new to learning beekeeping? Have years of experience? Being part of a beekeeping community can offer some great benefits.

Prevention is key to protecting your bees from potential threats, and bears are no exception.

Beekeepers can use some special techniques to check if their colony is alive in the coldest months.

The focal point of the Langstroth are the boxes in which your bees will live. This Product Guide looks at the options available when purchasing...

A few dead bees are normal, but it's important to know when you need to do further investigation.

Honeybees cannot forage in winter while clustered. So, how do they get their water?

One area with many choices is that of the frames and foundation to be used in our hives. There are options aplenty here and, without...

In some extreme scenarios, man-made beehives may not be able to retain the level of heat needed to keep bees safe.

Honeybees need to stay warm and require enough resources to survive the winter, but what else threatens them?

Discover effective Varroa mite treatments for your bees. Explore natural and synthetic options, including Apiguard and Oxalic Acid, to protect your hive.

Cold weather and condensation are a dangerous combination for honeybee winter survival. New beekeepers sometimes place too little emphasis on the latter.

Honeybees produce beeswax with a process that begins with using specialized glands on their abdomen.

When temperatures get too low, beekeepers should avoid disturbing the colony and cluster.

Beekeeping laws and regulations cover many aspects of beekeeping and may vary by location.

Candy boards are a preferred method of providing supplemental food for bees, especially in the winter months.

With certain precautions, it’s possible to safely enjoy the hobby with a bee sting allergy.

Bees buzz with intention. Communication is key when there are so many variables in the life of a honeybee!

Born in late summer or early fall, winter bees are built differently! Their bodies develop especially to survive the cold months.

Disturbing the hive in cold weather can stress bees. Learn how to check on your bees safely in the winter!

In winter, it’s normal for honeybees to relieve themselves near the hive. Learn what is normal and when to be alarmed.

The timeline you'll officially start your beekeeping hobby depends on a few factors, read more inside to help ensure a successful start! 

A nucleus colony, packaged bees, catching a swarm; learn what your options are and what will work best for your season as a beekeeper.

Honeybees use a wide array of tactics to see them through the winter, without hibernation. There is also the wonder of winter bees.

As each beekeeping season is nearing its end, beekeepers are filled with a twinge of sadness and anxiety. Not only will we miss being able...

Consider how honeybee populations change in the fall and learn what the "winter bees" are all about.

For bees, preparing for winter is a year-round affair!  Even when winter seems far away, beekeepers think about helping their bees prepare for the colder...

Prepare your honeybee colonies for winter. Essential tips on hive inspection, feeding, and ensuring their health and survival through the colder months.

As we touched on in another Snippet, "Assessing Colony Size", knowing what the size of your colony is AND what it means for its health...

No matter the reason for your trip out to your bee yard and inspection of your colonies, each time you peek inside one of your...

The best practices for harvesting honey from your beehive. Learn tips and techniques to ensure a successful and rewarding honey extraction experience.

Tips for harvesting honey from your beehive. Learn what to consider before collecting your sweet rewards and ensure a successful beekeeping experience.

“Robbing” is a term in the beekeeping world that refers to the act of bees (or other insects and animals, like wasps) invading another hive...

Beekeepers must monitor the surrounding environment, particularly the sources of pollen and nectar, to ensure their colonies have adequate resources.

Whether you’re just getting started in beekeeping or have been at it for years, you’ve likely heard a LOT about the Varroa Mite. But are...

“Beekeeping Season” is often thought of as the time of year when the world and environment around us will become alive and renewed again. Trees...

Learn how to inspect your hive during and after a honeybee swarm. Explore essential tips to manage your bees and ensure the health of your...

The sight of a honeybee swarm is truly an incredible one. Thousands of honeybees, heavy with the weight of the nectar they carry, decide together...

Learn to feed your honeybees effectively, ensuring their health and productivity. It's crucial to understand best practices for nourishing your hive.

Let's discuss the ash content in sugar and what it means for feeding your bees.

If you decide that your honeybee colony could benefit from extra feed, the next step is choosing the right type. Selecting the appropriate feed and...

Learn to feed your honeybee colonies for optimal health and productivity. Understand when it's necessary to support your bees throughout the seasons.

One of the most exciting steps for any beekeeper is installing a new honeybee colony into their beehive. It can, though, be a worrying time as...

From supporting pollination to producing honey, discover some of the possible and diverse goals of beekeeping for this season and beyond.

Honeybees avoid waste near their hive. Learn how they use "cleansing" and "clearing" flights during warmer months to keep their homes hygienic.

Discover important updates at PerfectBee as we enhance your beekeeping experience. Join us in celebrating the joy of beekeeping with our latest changes!

Investigating lost honeybee colonies helps identify causes and provides insights for improving success with future colonies.

Ensure your bees thrive through winter by learning how to check for signs of life in your hive without disturbing the colony, and what to...

New beekeepers starting their beehives this spring are quite rightly focused on their equipment and having it ready for the day they bring their new...

While you could start a beehive by setting your hive directly on the ground and the bees might just make do, at least for a...

Although as you gain experience there will be a bit less to learn, beekeeping is a hobby where the learning never stops. When you’re first...

Awful News, But an OpportunityNo beekeeper wants to go out to feed a hive in late winter or open up a hive for their Spring...

For a first-year beekeeper, it's important to dive in and learn how to inspect your beehives with hands-on experience. Every hive is unique, so inspect...

With a single hive, we lose many options as beekeepersOne question all beginner beekeepers face is just how many hives they should install when starting...

For nectar, pollen and water, our bees will travel great distancesHoney bees are like foraging machines! While a single honey bee will make less than...

Beekeeping requires a few specialized, multi-purpose tools for inspections and tasks. A beekeeper's toolkit doesn’t need to be extensive or costly, but we do need...

Whether the holiday season, a birthday or any other time of the year, it's always fun to gift your favorite beekeeper.

The fascinating world of drone congregation areas (DCAs), where male bees gather for mating. Learn their significance in the hive and the life of bees.

Though honey doesn't spoil, storing frames in a corner until spring poses a threat, which is important to consider.

How the Vision of Bees Helps ThemAs with many things bee-related, the way honey bees see the world is remarkable. However, the way they see...

Examine the fascinating composition of honey, a natural sweetener made by bees from flower nectar. Learn about its unique properties and health benefits.

There aren’t many guarantees when it comes to keeping bees, but eventually getting stung is one of them.

Be ready....If you keep bees, it’s likely that sooner or later, upon visiting your bee yard, you will find a pile of dead bees on...

In nature, honey bees overwinter in hollow tree cavities, with a small entrance and generous insulation above, below, and around their hive. This creates an...

Learn how to make delicious honey sticks with your harvested honey. Enjoy your sweet rewards in a fun, portable way!

Learn how to mark your queen bee effectively to ensure a healthy hive. Discover tips and techniques for getting the job done.

Learn how beekeepers can prevent colony starvation by understanding bee behavior, managing food supplies, and ensuring a healthy hive environment year-round.

Bees in the wild make good use of any entrances they can find. For our beehives, however, entrance management is important knowledge for beekeepers.

A beekeeper story.

Who is the patron saint of beekeeping? St Valentine, no less. We can't let that go without a celebration. Here are 9 ways to do...

There has been strong growth in interest recently for synthetic comb, as an effective way to help our bees establish themselves in a hive. The...

Does the idea of requeening a hive scare you? Don’t let it. It is great for your hive and in turn, great for you as a beekeeper....

Join the PerfectBee Colony forum to connect with fellow beekeepers, share experiences, and enhance your beekeeping journey in a supportive online community.

How can we assess our bees response during a hive inspection? And what can we do to increase the chances of the calm enjoyable encounter...

VHS bees exhibit behaviors that directly reduce the number of Varroa in a hive, helping keeping the threat of mites in check.

Drone Congregation Areas (DCAs) are a fascinating place where queens kick-start their life of egg laying - and drones end their own.

The events that happen within a beehive are hidden from view. But they shape the miraculous lives of our bees and, through the wonder of...

We love our bees. We introduce them to their homes, in the form of a hive. We do our best to ensure they have the...

In recent years one of the more popular treatments for Varroa mites has been the application of oxalic acid. This article looks at this treatment...

Winter Updates from the HiveWhat a year it has been in Beorn's Apiary! 2018 went out with relatively warm weather. In December, we had a...

This article is part of the A New Beekeeper's Journal column, which documents the story of Keith Stiles as he builds a keen interest in...

Well, many people might have only seen bees being fed one way or the other. But really, you should be well informed so you can...

Did you know that there are two different types of bottom boards?New beekeepers may not be aware that there are many types of bottom boards...

Did you know that using herbs for medicine was once considered witchcraft?It is true! During the 17th Century they literally handed out tips as to...

Would you like to be able to raise your own queens?The idea of raising your own queen isn't one that comes to mind early for...

You don't need all the beekeeping equipment seen online to succeed. However, basic, essential gear is required to get started. I'll share my recommendations and...

ZomBees?!!!No, this isn’t a joke or the next big sci-fi flick coming to a box office near you, though I’m sure Hollywood could have a...

Discover the impact of pesticides on bees and learn safe practices to protect these vital pollinators while maintaining a healthy beehive.

Have you ever performed a swarm split?If not, it can actually be rather intimidating at first thought. I remember the first time my husband performed...

Urban beekeeping. Is there really even such a thing? Why yes, yes there is. And it is on the rise, just like urban farming. People...

What is the Small Hive BeetleThe small hive beetle is a common hive pest, particularly in southern areas. The winters in northern areas are a...

Have you ever been stung by a bee?Are bee stings something that has held you back in your beekeeping ventures? Have you ever wondered "What...

Walk through the first fourteen days of beekeeping along with us.

Are you a beekeeper with a child right on your heels?If so, you should encourage them!You are probably wondering how? Keeping bees is not the...

Depending on your methodology, there are two options for when to harvest honey from your hive - a spin extractor or crush-and-strain.

A crucial month for bees and beekeepers. Learn what to expect and how to make the most of April.

Weighing your hive reveals honey quantity and bee population, offering a rewarding sense of appreciation for the colony's incredible effort.

Bees and kids are often not a happy combination. Taught to fear bee stings at a young age, children often erupt with screams and tears...

The result of 50 years of research, the Warre beehive is designed to mimic bees in nature as much as possible. We look at it's...

It's not uncommon for the laymen to harbor a fear of bees. But a little digging shows they are far more docile than many consider.

There are more associations between beekeeping and Easter than you might imagine.

Propolis is more than just that sticky substance that makes it difficult to move your frames – it plays a crucial role in a hive’s...

The top bar hive has emerged as a popular alternative to the Langstroth for people who are looking to avoid heavy lifting and/or enjoy a...

It’s finally here! That joyous warm weather. The sun is shining, it’s 50°F and you’re ready to see how your bees did over the winter.

As a beekeeper, it’s absolutely essential that you keep the varroa mites in your hive under control. Because it’s never a question of whether you...

Although beekeeping is a time-honored tradition, it is constantly evolving and new trends and technology emerging to aide beekeepers - and save the bees.

A look at the components of the Langstroth beehive and guidance on operational ​factors to keep your colony happy and healthy.

Just like most intelligent animals, bees communicate with each other. They don’t use words like we do, or clicks like dolphins, but they do have...

As a new beekeeper you have a lot to learn. Beyond old-school books, today we have the benefit of the Internet. But for the most...

Moving a hive full of bees, comb, and honey is not an easy task and should not be undertaken lightly. In addition to the weight...

Our resident curious beekeeper-to-be, Amy, wonders whether she has all she needs to be a beekeeper, while hoping her history with plants isn't an accurate...

Beekeepers talk about overwintering - the art of getting bees through the cold winter months. But what about us humans?

The mystery of honey bees in winterFor the layman, it's a bit of a mystery. Those little creatures we associate with beautiful summer days return...

Sarah chose her hive, she decided where to locate it. Now it's time to obtain her bees. A package of bees or a swarm?

As we sit down for Thanksgiving dinner there are so many things for which we should be grateful - but especially the bees!

Sarah considers her beehive location - grade, environmental protections, flight directions and permanence.

If you care for your bees attentively, they will reward you.

How one intrigued, fascinated person is slowing getting drawn into the amazing world beekeeping.

The first of a three-part blog series, describing how Sarah decided on her choice of hive.