Feeding syrup is, for most regions, a critical aspect of hive management. There are times when feeding is not necessary. However, as a beekeeper, you will most likely need to feed frequently, or at least at some points in your beekeeping journey.
It’s a fair question! Is pollen substitute actually necessary? Why should you feed pollen substitute at all? Don’t the bees gather pollen themselves? Honey/syrup are the carbs in a bee’s diet, (See “Why Feed Syrup?”) and pollen/pollen substitute is...
Many beekeepers are very concerned about the cold when it comes time to check their hives in the winter months. However, following a few simple principles, it won’t hurt your hive at all! I always encourage beekeepers to check their hives at least 1 time per month during the winter. Here are some parameters around when to inspect:
Mowing and edging around beehives is not always easy! Bees hate the noise and vibration of either and will quickly become agitated. I recommend mowing and edging in the late evening right before dark when the bees are much less likely to fly.
This is not a very uplifting topic for sure, but one of the most important skills in beekeeping is to learn from our mistakes, of which we all make many! The average annual hive loss rate is up to 44%....