Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services new Plant Pay Portal: What Florida Beekeepers Need to Know(3/10/2026)by Amy Vu-If you're a Florida beekeeper (or interested in becoming one), there is a new portal through the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS), called Plant Pay. The FDACS Plant Pay Portal is designed to pay invoices, manage your apiary registration, and print any certificates that you may need. What Is the Plant Pay… more
Strengthening Honey Bee Colonies Through Queen Instrumental Insemination(3/5/2026)by Amy Vu-Background Honey bee colonies (Apis mellifera) continue to face significant losses, largely due to stressors like the parasitic mite Varroa destructor. While chemical treatments are commonly used to treat Varroa, growing resistance has made long-term control more difficult. As a result, beekeepers are increasingly turning to selective breeding as part of Integrated Pest Management (IPM)… more
Call for Submissions: 2026 UF/IFAS 4-H Honey Bee Essay Competition(2/24/2025)by Amy Vu-Attention, UF/IFAS 4-H'ers! The UF/IFAS Honey Bee Research and Extension Laboratory (UF HBREL) is currently accepting submissions in response to the 2026 American Beekeeping Federation Foundation 4-H competition call for entries. Since national submissions are due on May 1, 2026, UF/IFAS state submissions will be due by 5:00pm US EST on Friday, April 17, 2026. … more
Beekeeping Management Calendar: November(10/25/2024)by Amy Vu-Recommendations for your apiary in November: This beekeeping calendar is a tool for all beekeepers in Florida, small scale to commercial operations. This calendar is meant to be a reference point for beekeeping management and is not comprehensive. The check-list can be used to identify management issues or concerns in the apiary. Understanding the plants… more
Florida Beekeeping Calendar: October(10/1/2024)by Amy Vu-Management practices for your apiary in October: This beekeeping calendar is a tool for all beekeepers in Florida, small scale to commercial operations. This calendar is meant to be a reference point for beekeeping management and is not comprehensive. The check-list can be used to identify management issues or concerns in the apiary. Understanding the… more
Florida Beekeeping Management Calendar: July(7/1/2024)by Amy Vu-Management practices for your apiary in July: This beekeeping calendar is a tool for all beekeepers in Florida, small scale to commercial operations. This calendar is meant to be a reference point for beekeeping management and is not comprehensive. The check-list can be used to identify management issues or concerns in the apiary. Understanding the… more
Florida Beekeeping Management Calendar: June(6/1/2024)by Amy Vu-Recommendations for your apiary in June: This beekeeping calendar is a tool for all beekeepers in Florida, small scale to commercial operations. This calendar is meant to be a reference point for beekeeping management and is not comprehensive. The check-list can be used to identify management issues or concerns in the apiary. Understanding the plants… more
UF/IFAS Honey Judge Training now conducted by American Honey Show Training Council(5/10/2024)by Amy Vu-Popular across the United States since the mid-1800s, honey shows have been a way for people who keep honey bees and who produce honey, beeswax, and other hive products to have their items evaluated in the court of industry and popular opinion. Bragging rights about “Best Honey” is a badge of honor for many a… more
Florida Beekeeping Management Calendar: May(4/23/2024)by Amy Vu-Recommendations for your apiary in May: This beekeeping calendar is a tool for all beekeepers in Florida, small scale to commercial operations. This calendar is meant to be a reference point for beekeeping management and is not comprehensive. The check-list can be used to identify management issues or concerns in the apiary. Understanding the plants… more
Florida Beekeeping Management Calendar: April(3/25/2024)by Amy Vu-This beekeeping calendar is a tool for all beekeepers in Florida, small scale to commercial operations. This calendar is meant to be a reference point for beekeeping management and is not comprehensive. The check-list can be used to identify management issues or concerns in the apiary. Understanding the plants blooming in your area can help… more
Florida Beekeeping Management Calendar: March(3/5/2024)by Amy Vu-This beekeeping calendar is a tool for all beekeepers in Florida, small scale to commercial operations. This calendar is meant to be a reference point for beekeeping management and is not comprehensive. The check-list can be used to identify management issues or concerns in the apiary. Understanding the plants blooming in your area can help… more
Florida Beekeeping Management Calendar: February(1/31/2024)by Amy Vu-Recommendations for your Florida apiary in February: This beekeeping calendar is a tool for all beekeepers in Florida, small scale to commercial operations. This calendar is meant to be a reference point for beekeeping management and is not comprehensive. The check-list can be used to identify management issues or concerns in the apiary. Understanding the… more
Florida Beekeeping Management Calendar: January(1/1/2024)by Amy Vu-Recommendations for your Florida apiary in January: This beekeeping calendar is a tool for all beekeepers in Florida, small scale to commercial operations. This calendar is meant to be a reference point for beekeeping management and is not comprehensive. The check-list can be used to identify management issues or concerns in the apiary. Understanding the… more
Beekeeping Management Calendar: December(11/30/2023)by Amy Vu-Recommendations for your apiary in December: This beekeeping calendar is a tool for all beekeepers in Florida, small scale to commercial operations. This calendar is meant to be a reference point for beekeeping management and is not comprehensive. The check-list can be used to identify management issues or concerns in the apiary. Understanding the plants… more
What’s Up With the Newly Registered Amitraz Flash-Treatment in Florida?(10/9/2023)by Amy Vu-Varroa destructor is no stranger to beekeepers around the world. In August 2023, a product (Amiflex) representing a new formulation of amitraz was registered in many states the United States, including Florida. After receiving many questions about Amiflex, here are some things you should know (*Note, this blog is only for registered beekeepers located in… more
Florida Beekeeping Calendar: September(9/1/2023)by Amy Vu-Management practices for your apiary in September: This beekeeping calendar is a tool for all beekeepers in Florida, small scale to commercial operations. This calendar is meant to be a reference point for beekeeping management and is not comprehensive. The check-list can be used to identify management issues or concerns in the apiary. Understanding the… more
Florida Beekeeping Management Calendar: August(7/25/2023)by Amy Vu-Honey beekeeping management practices for your Florida apiary in August: This beekeeping calendar is a tool for all beekeepers in Florida, small scale to commercial operations. This calendar is meant to be a reference point for beekeeping management and is not comprehensive. The check-list can be used to identify management issues or concerns in the… more
Research Update: Thymol shows promise as a potential control for greater wax moths(12/9/2021)by Amy Vu-Members of the UF/IFAS Honey Bee Research and Extension Laboratory conducted a research project that led to a publication on the use of essential oils for the control of greater wax moths in honey bee colonies. Below is a summary of that research as well as a link to the full publication. Background: The greater… more
Research Update: Following Pollen Substitute Patties in a Honey Bee Colony(7/13/2021)by Amy Vu-The UF/IFAS Honey Bee Research and Extension Laboratory conducted a research project that led to a publication on pollen substitutes. Below is a summary of the research as well as a link to the full publication. Purpose: The purpose of this research project was to evaluate how honey bees distribute pollen substitute patties throughout their… more
How Can a “Bee Box” Help Protect a Beehive?(6/24/2021)by Amy Vu-The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) states that when used according to the label, pesticides “Do not cause an unreasonable risk of harm to people or the environment”. All too often it is believed that pollinators (particularly honey bees) and pesticides do not mix. However, we have the EPA saying that if used according… more
Training the Future of Beekeeping: UF/IFAS Honey Bee Laboratory Hosts Honey Bee Queen Instrumental Insemination Workshop Alongside Purdue and Apis Engineering (4/24/2026) - GAINESVILLE, Fla., April 21, 2026 — The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences’ (UF/IFAS) Honey Bee Research and Extension Laboratory (HBREL) collaborated with Purdue University and Apis Engineering to hold one of the largest honey bee instrumental insemination courses in history this past March. This class highlights the growing need for queen… more
Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services new Plant Pay Portal: What Florida Beekeepers Need to Know (3/10/2026) - If you're a Florida beekeeper (or interested in becoming one), there is a new portal through the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS), called Plant Pay. The FDACS Plant Pay Portal is designed to pay invoices, manage your apiary registration, and print any certificates that you may need. What Is the Plant Pay… more
Strengthening Honey Bee Colonies Through Queen Instrumental Insemination (3/5/2026) - Background Honey bee colonies (Apis mellifera) continue to face significant losses, largely due to stressors like the parasitic mite Varroa destructor. While chemical treatments are commonly used to treat Varroa, growing resistance has made long-term control more difficult. As a result, beekeepers are increasingly turning to selective breeding as part of Integrated Pest Management (IPM)… more
Research Update: Evaluating the Toxicity of Known Western Honey Bee-Safe Insecticides in Controlling Small Hive Beetles (Aethina tumida) (3/3/2026) - Members of the UF/IFAS Honey Bee Research and Extension Laboratory conducted a research project evaluating the toxicity of pesticides on small hive beetles (SHBs) that have previously shown to have low toxicity to honey bees. Below is a summary of the research as well as a link to the full publication. Background SHBs are a honey bee pest that damages honey… more
Call for Submissions: 2026 UF/IFAS 4-H Honey Bee Essay Competition (2/24/2025) - Attention, UF/IFAS 4-H'ers! The UF/IFAS Honey Bee Research and Extension Laboratory (UF HBREL) is currently accepting submissions in response to the 2026 American Beekeeping Federation Foundation 4-H competition call for entries. Since national submissions are due on May 1, 2026, UF/IFAS state submissions will be due by 5:00pm US EST on Friday, April 17, 2026. … more
Beekeeping Management Calendar: November (10/25/2024) - Recommendations for your apiary in November: This beekeeping calendar is a tool for all beekeepers in Florida, small scale to commercial operations. This calendar is meant to be a reference point for beekeeping management and is not comprehensive. The check-list can be used to identify management issues or concerns in the apiary. Understanding the plants… more
Florida Beekeeping Calendar: October (10/1/2024) - Management practices for your apiary in October: This beekeeping calendar is a tool for all beekeepers in Florida, small scale to commercial operations. This calendar is meant to be a reference point for beekeeping management and is not comprehensive. The check-list can be used to identify management issues or concerns in the apiary. Understanding the… more
UF/IFAS Honey Judge Training now conducted by American Honey Show Training Council (5/10/2024) - Popular across the United States since the mid-1800s, honey shows have been a way for people who keep honey bees and who produce honey, beeswax, and other hive products to have their items evaluated in the court of industry and popular opinion. Bragging rights about “Best Honey” is a badge of honor for many a… more
Florida Beekeeping Management Calendar: May (4/23/2024) - Recommendations for your apiary in May: This beekeeping calendar is a tool for all beekeepers in Florida, small scale to commercial operations. This calendar is meant to be a reference point for beekeeping management and is not comprehensive. The check-list can be used to identify management issues or concerns in the apiary. Understanding the plants… more
What’s Up With the Newly Registered Amitraz Flash-Treatment in Florida? (10/9/2023) - Varroa destructor is no stranger to beekeepers around the world. In August 2023, a product (Amiflex) representing a new formulation of amitraz was registered in many states the United States, including Florida. After receiving many questions about Amiflex, here are some things you should know (*Note, this blog is only for registered beekeepers located in… more
Research Update: Experimental Nosema ceranae infection is associated with microbiome changes in the midguts of four species of Apis (honey bees) (2/2/2023) - Members of the UF/IFAS Honey Bee Research and Extension Laboratory in collaboration with researchers located at Burapha University in Thailand conducted a research project studying the effect of Nosema ceranae infection on the microbiome of honey bees. Below is a summary of the research as well as a link to the full publication. Background The… more
Research Update: Thymol shows promise as a potential control for greater wax moths (12/9/2021) - Members of the UF/IFAS Honey Bee Research and Extension Laboratory conducted a research project that led to a publication on the use of essential oils for the control of greater wax moths in honey bee colonies. Below is a summary of that research as well as a link to the full publication. Background: The greater… more
Research Update: Determining the Dose of Oxalic Acid Applied via Vaporization Needed for the Control of the Honey Bee (Apis mellifera) Pest Varroa destructor (12/9/2021) - Members of the UF/IFAS Honey Bee Research and Extension Laboratory conducted a research project that led to a publication on determining the effective dose for oxalic acid (OA) vaporization in honey bee colonies. Below is a summary of the research as well as a link to the full publication. Background: Varroa destructor is a dangerous pest of the western… more
Research Update: Detection of Lotmaria passim, Crithidia mellificae and Replicative Forms of Deformed Wing Virus and Kashmir Bee Virus in the Small Hive Beetle (Aethina tumida) (11/24/2021) - Members of the UF/IFAS Honey Bee Research and Extension Laboratory conducted a research project that led to a publication on small hive beetles and their ability to transmit honey bee pathogens. Below is a summary of the research as well as a link to the full publication. Background Small hive beetles (SHBs) are an invasive… more
Research Update: A comparison of Varroa destructor (Acari: Varroidae) collection methods and survivability in in vitro rearing systems (11/17/2021) - Members of the UF/IFAS Honey Bee Research and Extension Laboratory conducted a research project that led to a publication on Varroa destructor survival in in vitro (in the lab) rearing systems. Below is a summary of the research as well as a link to the full publication. Background: Varroa destructor is a major stressor of… more
Research Update: Following Pollen Substitute Patties in a Honey Bee Colony (7/13/2021) - The UF/IFAS Honey Bee Research and Extension Laboratory conducted a research project that led to a publication on pollen substitutes. Below is a summary of the research as well as a link to the full publication. Purpose: The purpose of this research project was to evaluate how honey bees distribute pollen substitute patties throughout their… more
How Can a “Bee Box” Help Protect a Beehive? (6/24/2021) - The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) states that when used according to the label, pesticides “Do not cause an unreasonable risk of harm to people or the environment”. All too often it is believed that pollinators (particularly honey bees) and pesticides do not mix. However, we have the EPA saying that if used according… more