Landing boards and wee porches are unnecessary for honey bees. Nevertheless, the subject is polarizing. Some beekeepers swear by them, others hate them. So what are the issues? I dislike the argument that if wild colonies don’t need landing boards, then no colonies do. However, it’s a good place to

Are you new to the beekeeping scene? China Bee Supply was formed specifically to help potential new beekeepers take their first steps, as well as to support and inform those already enjoying their bees! But for the completely new beekeeper, those first steps are sometimes confusing. A large part of

If the thought of keeping your own bees appeals to you, read on. We’ll explain the basics of beekeeping for the beginner, whether you’re a backyard beekeeper, homesteader, hobby farmer, or a small farmer looking to start a business selling honey and other bee products. It’s fairly simple to learn

An Informed Approach To Choosing the Right Beehive In this article, we are going to discuss the various types of beehives, a little about their history, and how to select the one that’s right for you. Flying “Outside the Swarm” is not about following trendy philosophies. We are not old school, nor

Lazy Days of Summer? On the first day of summer, the longest day has passed. School is out, vacations, camping trips, and bar-b-ques are planned. Those long hot summer days at the beach, the pool, or the lakeside many have dreamt of are upon us. For heaven’s sake who among

Calm bees and calm beekeepers There are few things more relaxing to a beekeeper than setting a chair close to the hive on a summer day and watching the beautiful activity to and from the entrance. The activity of workers leaving and returning to the hive is a gloriously comforting

Spring is the busiest time of year for both the bees and the beekeeper.  A strong, healthy colony will feel the natural urge to reproduce and will prepare to do so as soon as conditions are right.  Swarming is how Apis Mellifera reproduces and is one of the first issues

Landing boards and wee porches are unnecessary for honey bees. Nevertheless, the subject is polarizing. Some beekeepers swear by them, others hate them. So what are the issues? I dislike the argument that if wild colonies don’t need landing boards, then no colonies do. However, it’s a good place to

Safely moving a beehive is a valuable skill for beekeepers. Many beekeepers transport their colonies every season to help farmers pollinate their crops, while others simply want to change the layout of their backyards. Whatever your reason for relocating your bees, you’ll need to keep several key things in mind.

Although the small hive beetle is only 5 mm long, it is one of the most feared bee parasites because, with a heavy infestation, it can destroy an entire colony within a very short time. Compared to the African subspecies, which have developed control mechanisms as the original host of