January and February are pivotal months for area beekeepers. Although our warm climate is great for beekeeping, there are a few things to keep in mind while managing bee colonies this time of year. For… Read More
It’s harvest time for many choice honey crops. That means it’s also time to plan for hive maintenance concerning next year’s harvest. Summer is great time for hive maintenance, as there are limited active pollen… Read More
If life were simple, one of its advantages would be that an apiary could be established and the beehives would never have to be moved. But life isn’t simple, and beekeepers need to move their… Read More
Cross pollination is carried on mainly by insects, especially by honeybees, bumblebees, and to a very limited extent, other bee-like insects. The honeybee, of all insects, is most peculiarly adapted to the task of cross… Read More
Over everything the beekeeper does hangs the honey producer’s main objective: maximizing bee populations in time for major nectar flows. The next major nectar flows in north Florida will be spring; but beekeepers need to… Read More
15.00 The varroa mite, Varroa destructor is the world’s most devastating pest of Western honey bees, Apis mellifera. Although the varroa complex includes multiple species, Varroa destructor is the species responsible or the vast majority… Read More
Normally a well-managed colony will require little supplemental feeding, but such feeding, when it is necessary, may determine the ultimate survival of the colony. Ensuring that bees always have an adequate food supply is a… Read More
Honey bees laboriously gather their food (nectar and pollen) from flowers in bloom and store it in the hive for use when needed. When nectar sources are scarce or unavailable locally, bees are attracted by… Read More
Honey bee swarms are a normal sign of healthy honey bee colonies. Two types of reproduction occur with honey bees. First, there is individual (biological) reproduction from eggs laid by the queen. Second, there is… Read More
Roy Lee Carter – Gulf County Extension Director Although overwintering management of bee hives differs according to regional winter conditions, there are some fundamentals that apply everywhere. When helping your bees prepare for the upcoming… Read More
