Diutinus Unveiled: Exploring Winter Bees
Outcomes Gain an understanding of the unique characteristics and adaptations of Diutinus bees. Key Takeaways Diutinus bees, also known as winter bees, exhibit unique physiological traits that set them apart from summer bees, including lower levels of juvenile hormone, higher levels of vitellogenin, and larger hypopharyngeal glands, enabling them to perform essential tasks […]
Supplemental Feeding
Outcomes Learners will gain insight into the timing and scenarios for effective feeding, and recognize different supplementation options. Key Takeaways Responsible feeding practices are essential for maintaining bee colony health and vitality, emphasizing proper nutrition over past practices. Timing is critical when deciding when to feed honey bees, with specific considerations for colony establishment, […]
Reducing the Stress of Your Honey Bees
Outcomes Learners will be able to identify potential stressors impacting their bees, and strategies to reduce beehive stress. Key Takeaways Environmental Considerations: Understanding and mitigating stressors caused by environmental factors, such as extreme weather, pesticides, and habitat loss, is crucial for maintaining healthy bee colonies. Proactive Beekeeping Practices: Implementing proactive beekeeping practices, like […]
Cleansing Flights
Outcomes Learners will understand the importance of cleansing flights for bees during winter. Key Takeaways Bees engage in cleansing flights during winter to defecate and maintain hive cleanliness, with some bees waiting up to 80 days before taking these flights. Hive placement and understanding the difference between cleansing flights and normal hive cleaning […]
All About Grafting Queens
Outcomes Learners will understand the basics of the Doolittle Method for queen bee rearing, including understanding essential equipment and key tricks for success. Key Takeaways Priming Queen Cups: Introduce grafting bars with queen cups to your queenless starter or shook swarm a day before grafting to have the cups cleaned and coated with […]
Creating a Biosecurity Plan
Outcomes Learners will gain an understanding of the significance of biosecurity and recognize a wide range of biosecurity practices. Key Takeaways Beekeeping biosecurity is vital for safeguarding bee colonies against diseases, pests, and contaminants that threaten their health and the environment. Key practices include sourcing bees and equipment from reputable suppliers, regular inspections, proper disposal […]
How Bees Thermoregulate
Outcomes Learners will recognize effective winter beekeeping practices in northern climates, including hive management, insulation, food stores, and hive health maintenance. https://youtu.be/zymJXJV_da8 Winter beekeeping in northern climates presents unique challenges that require careful planning and attention to detail. The harsh conditions of colder regions demand special considerations to ensure the survival and well-being of your […]
Insurance Needs for Beekeepers
Outcomes Learners will identify and understand the essential considerations required for securing appropriate insurance coverage tailored to their apiary operations. Key Takeaways Beekeeping and Risk Mitigation: Beekeeping combines natural wonders with product creation, but it involves risks. From bee-related dangers to property damage, insurance is essential. Fires, a significant threat, highlight the need […]
Managing Winter Moisture: Essential Tips for Beekeepers
Outcomes Learners will gain insights into why bees produce moisture and learn practical techniques to effectively manage moisture in beekeeping through hive design, ventilation, and insulation. Key Takeaways Understand why bees produce moisture during winter as they consume honey, and how excess moisture can pose a threat to bee clusters and hive health. Implement proper […]
Nature’s Insulator: How Honey Keeps Beehives Warm in Winter
Outcomes Gain an understanding of how honey acts as a natural insulator in beehives during winter, and the importance of strategically organizing honey and avoiding over harvesting to ensure the warmth and survival of honey bees Key Takeaways Honey acts as a natural insulator for beehives, creating a thermal blanket around the bee […]
