Honey Bee Basics
Bee Species
- Western Honey Bee (Apis mellifera): Most common, excellent honey producers
- Eastern Honey Bee (Apis cerana): Smaller, resistant to some pests
- Giant Honey Bee (Apis dorsata): Large, wild species
- Dwarf Honey Bee (Apis florea): Small, gentle nature
Colony Structure
- Queen: 1 per colony, lays up to 2,000 eggs/day
- Workers: 20,000-80,000 females, do all colony work
- Drones: Few hundred males, mate with queen
- Lifespan: Queen 2-5 years, Workers 6 weeks (summer), Drones 8 weeks
Lifecycle Stages
- Egg: 3 days - Queen lays in cells
- Larva: 5-6 days - Fed royal jelly, then pollen/honey
- Pupa: 7-14 days - Metamorphosis in sealed cell
- Adult: Emerges fully formed, ready to work
Bee Behavior
- Foraging: Visit 50-100 flowers per trip, up to 5km range
- Waggle Dance: Communicate flower locations
- Swarming: Natural reproduction, usually spring
- Defense: Sting to protect colony, release alarm pheromones
Common Diseases & Pests
Bacterial Diseases
American Foulbrood (AFB)
Cause: Paenibacillus larvae bacteria
Symptoms: Sunken, perforated cappings; ropy, brown larval remains; foul odor
⚠️ Highly contagious - burn infected hives
European Foulbrood (EFB)
Cause: Melissococcus plutonius
Symptoms: Twisted larvae, sour smell, patchy brood pattern
⚠️ Less severe than AFB, treatable
Nosema
Cause: Nosema apis/ceranae (fungal parasite)
Symptoms: Dysentery, weak colonies, reduced lifespan
⚠️ Common in spring, affects digestive system
Viral Diseases
Deformed Wing Virus (DWV)
Vector: Varroa mites
Bees emerge with crumpled wings, unable to fly. Control varroa to prevent.
Sacbrood Virus
Symptoms: Larvae fail to pupate, become fluid-filled sacs
Usually self-limiting, strong colonies recover naturally.
Major Pests
🦟 Varroa Mites
Impact: #1 bee killer worldwide
Damage: Suck hemolymph, transmit viruses, weaken bees
Detection: Sugar shake, alcohol wash, sticky boards
🪲 Small Hive Beetle
Impact: Destroys comb, ferments honey
Control: Strong colonies, beetle traps, reduce hive space
🦋 Wax Moths
Types: Greater & Lesser wax moth
Damage: Tunnel through comb, destroy frames
Prevention: Strong colonies, freeze stored frames
🕷️ Tropilaelaps Mites
Region: Asia, spreading
Threat: Similar to varroa, faster reproduction
⚠️ Reportable pest in many countries
Treatment & Prevention
Integrated Pest Management (IPM)
Holistic approach combining multiple strategies:
1. Monitoring
- • Regular inspections
- • Mite counts
- • Disease screening
- • Record keeping
2. Cultural Controls
- • Drone brood removal
- • Screened bottom boards
- • Strong colonies
- • Hygienic queens
3. Treatments
- • Organic first
- • Chemical when needed
- • Rotation to prevent resistance
- • Follow label instructions
Varroa Mite Treatments
🌿 Organic Options
- Formic Acid: 65% effective, temperature-dependent
- Oxalic Acid: 90%+ effective, use when broodless
- Thymol (Apiguard): 60-80% effective, slow-release
- Hop Guards: Natural, safe for honey
⚗️ Chemical Treatments
- Amitraz (Apivar): 90%+ effective, 6-8 week treatment
- Fluvalinate (Apistan): Resistance common in some areas
- Coumaphos (CheckMite+): Restricted use, resistance issues
- ⚠️ Remove before honey flow!
Disease Management
AFB Treatment
Action: Burn infected hives and frames. Sterilize equipment with lye or bleach. Report to authorities. No chemical cure!
EFB Treatment
Action: Requeen with hygienic stock. Oxytetracycline (Terramycin) if severe. Improve nutrition and reduce stress.
Nosema Treatment
Action: Fumagillin-B (where legal). Good ventilation, dry hives. Replace old comb regularly. Strong colonies resist better.
Best Practices
Hive Inspection Schedule
- •Spring (Weekly): Check for queen, brood pattern, food stores, swarm preparations
- •Summer (Bi-weekly): Monitor honey production, add supers, check for pests
- •Fall (Weekly): Assess winter stores, treat for mites, reduce entrances
- •Winter (Monthly): Quick external checks, listen for activity, emergency feeding if needed
Feeding Guidelines
Sugar Syrup
• Spring/Fall: 1:1 (stimulative)
• Winter prep: 2:1 (heavy)
• Never feed during honey flow
Pollen Substitute
• Early spring for brood rearing
• Commercial patties or homemade
Emergency Feeding
• Fondant or candy boards in winter
• Dry sugar on inner cover if desperate
Record Keeping
Document every inspection:
- ✓ Date and weather conditions
- ✓ Queen status (seen/eggs/larvae)
- ✓ Brood pattern quality
- ✓ Food stores (frames of honey/pollen)
- ✓ Pest/disease observations
- ✓ Treatments applied
- ✓ Equipment changes
- ✓ Temperament notes
Safety Procedures
- Protective Gear: Veil always, suit for aggressive colonies
- Smoker: Use cool smoke, avoid over-smoking
- Timing: Inspect midday when foragers are out
- Weather: Calm, warm days (above 15°C/60°F)
- Allergies: Keep EpiPen nearby, know symptoms
- Neighbors: Inform them, maintain flight paths away from property lines
Seasonal Care Guide
🌸 Spring (March-May)
Key Tasks:
- • First inspection when temps reach 15°C (60°F)
- • Check for live queen and brood
- • Assess winter losses
- • Add supers before nectar flow
- • Monitor for swarming (weekly checks)
- • Reverse brood boxes if needed
Swarm Prevention:
- • Provide space (add supers early)
- • Split strong colonies
- • Remove queen cells
- • Ensure good ventilation
☀️ Summer (June-August)
Key Tasks:
- • Monitor honey production
- • Add supers as needed
- • Ensure adequate ventilation
- • Provide water source nearby
- • Check for pests (especially mites)
- • Harvest honey when capped
Heat Management:
- • Shade hives if possible
- • Increase entrance size
- • Bees will beard outside - normal!
🍂 Fall (September-November)
Key Tasks:
- • Assess winter food stores (40-60 lbs needed)
- • Feed 2:1 syrup if light
- • Treat for varroa mites (critical!)
- • Reduce entrance to prevent robbing
- • Remove queen excluders
- • Combine weak colonies
- • Install mouse guards
⚠️ Fall mite treatment is crucial for winter survival!
❄️ Winter (December-February)
Key Tasks:
- • Minimal disturbance - don't open hives!
- • External checks only (listen for buzzing)
- • Clear snow from entrances
- • Ensure ventilation (top vent open)
- • Emergency feed if light (candy boards)
- • Protect from wind
- • Monitor for dead hives (remove)
Winter Cluster:
Bees form tight cluster, vibrate to generate heat. Center stays 35°C (95°F). They move up through winter, consuming honey stores.
Resources & Downloads
Downloadable Guides
Useful Links
Government Resources
- • National Bee Board
- • Agricultural Extension Services
- • Pest Reporting Hotlines
Research Institutions
- • Bee Research Labs
- • University Apiculture Programs
- • Scientific Journals
Beekeeper Associations
- • Local Beekeeping Clubs
- • State/Regional Associations
- • International Organizations
Emergency Contacts
- • Bee Inspector Hotline
- • Veterinary Services
- • Swarm Removal Services
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