Barking up the wrong Bee
~Beekeeping Reinvented~
There's NO magic pill to make honey bees thrive, It's not that difficult to keep them ALIVE.
Let's take a NEW look at what we can do,
It's not up to 'them,' it's up to ME and YOU.
Upper hive entrances are a must for proper ventilation in a bee hive.
Goldenrod is essential for winter survival for my bees in the North Georgia Mountains.
Monocrops are not my favorite thing, but without Orange Blossom we wouldn't make it in Florida.
Upper hive entrances are a must for proper ventilation in a bee hive.
I'm about to go over some seriously rad recommendations. People still say 'rad' right?
American Honey Plants- This book is my Favorite! It goes into amazing detail about hundreds of forage plants for honey bees. AND it breaks it down into regions state by state. You learn honey bee forage and plant knowledge at the same time.
Hive Tools- You can use any hive tool BUT through trial and error I've found that the Italian style offered by Sultan, provides the best leverage for prying frames apart, and because of its slim profile, you don't accidentally squish as many bees.
Honey in the Comb- This book has been a great influence to me. I explains in depth the entire process of making comb honey; from special equipment to method. I have pretty much tailored my equipment to this book with amazing results. I have better ventilated hives that are cooler in summer and warmer in winter.
Smoker- When it comes to smokers you can't really go wrong. If you treat it right it will last for years. I still have my first one that I got 17 years ago! I do have to replace the bellows occasionally. When you get a smoker, try to find one with a heat guard; an extra plate of metal that shields your smoker hand from excess heat. But any smoker will do just fine.
At the Hive Entrance- This German beekeeper goes into amazing hive observations and what they say about the condition of the hive, just by watching the entrance. If you like to learn through observation and want to reduce disturbance to your hives, the insight from this book is for you.