Beekeeping Resources

Hive How-To Instructions

• How does the parts of a hive stack together
• How I like to make 1:1 syrup for spring and summer feeding
• Instructions for Assembling Frames
• Video of Assembling Frames
• Instructions for Inserting Wax Foundation
• Video of Inserting Wax Foundation
• Instructions for Assembling Hive Bodies and Supers
• Video of Assembling Hive Bodies and Supers
• Video of Painting Hive Bodies and Supers
• Video of How to Make a Candy Board for Winter Feeding

Installing Package Bees

•  Download instructions for package installation 

  • See a video of Phil Gaven installing a package of bees
  • See a video of Erin Forbes installing a package in a hive

Maine Beekeeping Resources

• Maine State Beekeepers' Association Website

• It is required by Maine Law that you register your hives with the Department of Agriculture

  • Application for license and request for hive inspection is found here
• Map of bee forage plants by region - dozens of plant species that support bees and other pollinators

Videos from the Observation Hive

• A bee doing the Waggle Dance
• A bee doing the Round Dance
• A queen bee laying eggs in comb
• Emerging bees and pollen baskets - FUN FOR KIDS!
• A swarm leaving a hive, alighting on a branch, and being wrangled into a hive - AMAZING!

Sugar Shake Test for Varroa Mites

• Click this link to go to the YouTube video

Bee Disease Diagnosis Resource

• USDA Bee Disease Diagnosis Service at the Beltsville (MD) Lab

Bee Math

• Bush Bees website - a fantastic resource for natural and chemical-free beekeeping

Application instructions for Varroa Mite treatments

• Instructions for applying Apiguard
• Instructions for applying Mite Away Quick Strips
• Oxalic Acid Dihydrate Directions for Use and Precautionary Statements

Mite Control Products, Methods, and Misconceptions

• Guide to Effective Varroa Sampling and Control:  empirical survey from the Bee Informed Partnership showing differing mite control methods and their efficacy

• Randy Oliver - American Bee Journal, February 2011:  a thorough review of mite control products on the market

• Jennifer Berry (University of Georgia) - Bee Culture Magazine, November 2009:  Research on Small Cell Foundation and Varroa Mites
• Jennifer Berry - Bee Culture Magazine, January 2013:  Research on  powdered sugar as treatment for Varroa

How to render wax

• Download the PDF with instructions for cleaning beeswax for use in candles, lotions, etc.

Artificial Swarm Spring Management

• Article by Phil Gaven from the Bee Line (April/May 2017) on how and why to make spring splits using the Artificial Swarm method

How to Build a Swarm Trap

• Download a PDF of Thomas Seeley's pamphlet "Bait Hives for Honeybees"

Workshops and Presentations

• Backyard Queen Rearing with a Queen Castle Mating Nuc
• Nucleus Colony Workshop Presentation
  
• Making splits, nucs, and backyard queens
• Swarm Prevention, Wrangling, and Trapping
• How to Harvest Honey
• Observation Hive Presentation

Beginner Beekeeping Class Presentations

• Course Outline
• Class #1 - Getting Ready to Begin a Hive
• Class #2 - Starting out your hive in the Spring 
• Class #3 - Spring and Early Summer Management
• Class #4 - Late Summer and Fall Management
• Class #5 - Winter Prep through the coming Spring