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learn more about beekeeping http://umaine.edu/cumberland/programs/agriculture/beekeeping-courses/

gear up for next season: shop for equipment, mating nucs, etc
clean up the bee shed

Check...

I have this argument with my beekeeping partner all the time. She is from Tennessee, and like Verrick, doesn't like to open the hive unless it is 60+ or even 65+. She say's we'll chill the brood. ...

in Maine we use a homasote inslulation board over the inner cover with a groove in it to absorb moisture, act as a chimney for moist air, and allow an additional upper entrance. homasote is a fiber...

The advantage of the cloake board over a solid board is the period after you remove the slide - when the colony is separated only by the queen excluder. After the original three days (with the slide...

In northern climates the bees absolutely do need winter sun.
Is there another spot on the property which will provide better sunlight for the bees? I'd definitely plan to find another spot, or move...

DJS-
It sounds from your description that you did the right thing. Reversing is a great way to reduce congestion in the colony and create space for the queen to lay. Good job.
Best to you and...

Sounds like you are off on the right foot for sure! Welcome to beekeeping, Maine is a great place for bees.

The Maine State Beekeepers Annual Meeting and Conference will be held on October 19, 2013 in Portland Maine

Dr. Debbie Delaney, Kirk Webster, and Tony Jadczak will be our speakers.

This will...

Master Beekeeper Erin MacGregor-Forbes will lead this two-hour workshop on improving colony
health. "Breaking the Brood Cycle" is a technique which replicates the bee colony's most valuable
natural...

Fantastic Line Up! What a great looking program for SABA this year.

I agree with Grant. The Beekeepers Handbook is an excellent choice for beginner or intermediate bee school, and will serve as a valued reference for your students for years to come. The fourth...

Do not add another box. At this time of year the colony should be decreasing in population and storing your feed, not growing and building comb. Even if the queen is laying, she is likely laying...

Heck Yeah, and that aint the half of it.

I'm bringing LOTS of entries for the honey show. Get ready for some serious competition, folks.

The trap definitely does not encourage swarming. I set mine up in mid-late April (well before swarming season, because that's when I have time to do it) and take them down in October (same reason,)...

This workshop is designed to teach participants how to make their own summer nucs from their existing colonies. Summer nucs can be a key component to sustainable apiary management. We will teach...

Here's a link to the "staff" page of my bees at work.
I'm wondering how many other beekeepers out there have bees at their day jobs.
http://www.allagash.com/staff/bees

4/20/2012 swarm issued from my observation hive in Portland Maine

The Cumberland County (Maine) Beekeepers Association will be hosting a hands-on overwintering nucs workshop June 16, 2012 in Windham, Maine (10 miles from Portland)

Cost is $145 and includes a...

This category of the honey show will be sponsored by Allagash Brewing Company of Portland, Maine

Hope to see you all there.
http://www.nhbeekeepers.org/Calendar.htm

In the program I teach to use the swarm trap in the home apiary, where the trap will be checked daily and bees will not be left in the trap to build comb. The swarm trap, when managed correctly can...

The CCBA annual swarm workshop is scheduled for April 25.
Cost is $45 for non-members, and includes a swarm trap for each participant to bring home and use in their own apiary.
Details here:
...

I agree that you will find you need a third cinderblock in the center of the timbers. Also, Each hive stand could take 5, but is much better suited at 3.
...

Leaving them up is fine, but I'd check them prior to the start of swarm season just to make sure someone else hasn't moved in (birds, wasps)

Best to you and your bees,
-Erin