Screenshot of a witbee Snelgrove Board Double screen boards—often called Snelgrove boards—come in various styles and designs to meet the needs of different beekeepers and management techniques. The core concept remains the same: a board with two parallel screens to separate colonies or spaces within the same hive while allowing heat and pheromones to transfer. […]
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Image by Zoran Milosavljevic via Pexels Insulation Needs in Cold Climates Horizontal vs. Vertical Hives Horizontal Hives Vertical Hives Key Differences Feature Horizontal Hives Vertical Hives Wall Thickness Must be thick, often double-walled or well-padded Standard thickness often sufficient, add wraps for extreme cold Top Insulation Essential due to heat loss from broad roof Important, but
Picture by Kristina Paukshtite via Pexels Designing a season-long bloom schedule for bees involves selecting a range of plants that provide continuous flowers and nectar from early spring through late fall. This approach ensures bees always have access to food across the active months.[1][2][3] Designing a Season-Long Bloom Schedule for Bees Example: Seasonal Bloom Plant
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Bee-friendly gardening involves thoughtful planting and habitat management to support both honey bees and native wild bees throughout the year. Plant selection, water sources, nesting options, and tree choices all play a crucial role.[1][2][3] Best Bee-Friendly Gardening Practices Best Plants to Attract Bees Best Water Sources for Bees Best Trees for Bees These methods promote
Starting a local beekeeping club can be one of the most rewarding ways to build community, share knowledge, and support new and experienced beekeepers in your area. Here’s a comprehensive step-by-step guide based on successful club models and best practices. Getting Started: Initial Planning 1. Define Your Club’s Purpose Before anything else, establish clear goals
Use this handy guide to plan the start-up cost for your 1st year of beekeeping. The more work you’re willing to do, the more money you can save getting started. Cost Category Low‐budget Option (USD) Midrange (USD) Notes on Saving Money Hive hardware (1 Langstroth kit, unassembled) 200 300 Buy unassembled, paint yourself; look for
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Beekeeping offers several sustainable economic benefits for small-scale farmers, extending beyond direct profits from honey sales. These advantages contribute to farm income diversification, agricultural productivity, and community resilience. Key Economic Advantages 1. Multiple Income Streams 2. Improved Crop Yields and Quality 3. Reduced Risks and Increased Resilience 4. Employment and Community Economic Development 5. Profitability
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To adjust your current pollen patty using Randy Oliver’s V2025b amino acid calculator guidance: Step-by-Step Process Practical Application Example In Summary By following these steps, you ensure your pollen patty aligns with the latest amino acid balance benchmarks, supporting stronger brood rearing and colony health.[3][1][2] ⁂
To interpret Randy Oliver’s amino acid ratios in his calculator: How to Read the Ratios Summary Table Column Color What It Represents Interpretation Gray de Groot recommendation Traditional target ratio Red Oliver’s revised target Updated, research-driven ratio Green Your diet Actual EAA content in your recipe Key Takeaways: This method helps maximize bee health, colony
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The latest version of Randy Oliver’s Amino Acid Calculator was updated on May 6, 2025 (“V2025b”). Key updates and features include: In Summary Randy updates the calculator’s recommendations and formulas regularly to reflect new research findings and field trials, so it’s crucial to always download the latest version for accuracy and best results.[2][3][1] ⁂
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