Appendix A
Helpful Resources
As a new beekeeper, you’ll welcome all the information that you can get your hands on. In this chapter, I present a bunch of resources that I find mighty useful: websites, vendors, associations, and journals.
Honey Bee Information Websites
What in the world did I — or anyone — do before cyberspace? For one thing, I took a lot of trips to the library. But not even the most determined library search of years gone by would have turned up the plethora of bee-related resources that are only a click away on the web. Just enter the word “beekeeping” or “honey bees” into any of the search engines, and you’ll come up with hundreds (even thousands) of finds. Like all things on the Net, many of these sites tend to come and go. A few are outstandingly helpful. Some are duds. Others have ridiculous information that may lead you to trouble. Each of the following sites is worth a visit.
Apiservices — Virtual beekeeping gallery
This European site is a useful gateway to scores of other beekeeping sites: forums, organizations, journals, vendors, conferences, images, articles, catalogs, apitherapy, beekeeping software, plus much more. It can be accessed in English, French, Spanish, and German and is nicely organized.
The Barefoot Beekeeper
Phil Chandler offers lots of information on natural beekeeping and Top Bar hives, including a full set of plans and instructions on how to build a Kenyan Top Bar hive or Warré Hive.
Beemaster Forum
A popular international beekeeping forum designed to entertain and educate anyone with an interest in bees or beekeeping. Here you can share images, send messages, and participate in live forums. This secure site is moderated and is completely family friendly. It was created and is maintained by hobbyist beekeeper John Clayton (who also provided some of the images in this book).
Bee-Source.com
This site includes a nicely organized collection of bee-related articles, resources, and links, and it features sections on bees in the news, editorials, an online bookstore, a listing of beekeeping suppliers, plans for building your own equipment, discussion groups, bulletin boards, and much more.
Facebook — Top Bar Beekeeping
Top Bar Beekeeping is a closed group on Facebook that has more than 3,200 members with more joining all the time. There are some lively discussions that can provide you with basic information and help you start thinking more about a subject. As with all Facebook pages, the information is mostly anecdotal, so checking things out is a must before you adapt any techniques being promoted.
Honey Bee Health Coalition
The Honey Bee Health Coalition was formed to bring together beekeepers, growers, researchers, government agencies, agribusinesses, conservation groups, manufacturers, and consumer brands to improve the health of honey bees in general and specifically around production agriculture. The site includes up-to-date information about factors influencing bee health, including hive pests and disease, forage and nutrition, and exposure to crop pesticides. It’s a very helpful resource for current, factual, helpful information.
Mid-Atlantic Apiculture Research and Extension Consortium (MAARAC)
This research and extension consortium is packed with meaningful information for beekeepers worldwide. Download extension publications; find out more about videos, slide shows, software, and courses that are available from the organization; and read about honey-bee research currently underway. You can also discover important local beekeeping events planned in the Mid-Atlantic region and other national and international meetings of importance to beekeepers.
National Honey Board
This nonprofit government agency supports the commercial beekeeping industry. The folks at NHB are enormously helpful and accommodating. The well-designed site is a great source for all kinds of information about honey. You’ll find articles, facts, honey recipes, and plenty of beautiful images.
Bee Organizations and Conferences
Here are my favorite national and international beekeeping associations. Joining one or two of these is a great idea because their newsletters alone are worth the price of membership (dues are usually modest). Most of these organizations sponsor meetings and conferences. Attending one of these meetings is a fantastic way to learn about new tricks, find new equipment, and meet some mighty nice people with similar interests.
The American Apitherapy Society Inc.
This nonprofit organization researches and promotes the benefits of using honey-bee products for medical use. Apitherapy encompasses the use of bee hive products including honey, pollen, propolis, royal jelly, and bee venom. A journal is published by the society four times a year. Once a year, AAS organizes a certification course.
Website www.apitherapy.org
American Beekeeping Federation
This nonprofit organization plays host to a large beekeeping conference and trade show each year. The meetings are worth attending because they include a plethora of interesting presentations on honey bees and beekeeping. By all means join this organization to take advantage of its bimonthly newsletter. The organization’s primary missions are benefiting commercial beekeepers and promoting the benefits of beekeeping to the general public.
500 Discovery Pkwy., Ste. 125
Superior, CO 80027
Phone 404-760-2875
Email info@abfnet.org
Website www.abfnet.org
American Honey Producers
American Honey Producers is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting the common interest and general welfare of the American honey producer. The handsome website provides the public and other fellow beekeepers with industry news, membership information, convention schedules, cooking tips, and other information.
Website www.americanhoneyproducers.org
Apiary Inspectors of America
The Apiary Inspectors of America is a nonprofit organization established to promote better beekeeping conditions in North America. Members of the Association, consisting of state apiarists, business representatives, and individual beekeepers, work collectively to establish more uniform and effective laws and methods for the suppression of honey-bee diseases, as well as a mutual understanding and cooperation between apiary inspection officials. Its website includes a list of USA beekeeping inspectors listed by state.
Website www.apiaryinspectors.org/
Apimondia: International Federation of Beekeepers’ Associations
Apimondia is a huge international organization composed of national beekeeping associations from all over the world, representing more than 5 million members. The organization plays host to a large international conference and trade shows every other year.
Corso Vittorio Emanuele 101
I-00186 Roma
Italy
Phone +39 066852286
Fax +39 066852287
Website www.apimondia.org
Eastern Apiculture Society
The Eastern Apiculture Society (EAS) was established in 1955 to promote honey-bee culture, the education of beekeepers, and excellence in bee research. Membership consists mostly of beekeepers east of the Mississippi River. Every summer, EAS conducts its annual conference in one of its 22 member states/provinces. The event is simply wonderful for a beekeeper. You can even take a comprehensive exam to become certified as an EAS “master beekeeper.” By all means, try to attend one of these weeklong adventures.
Website www.easternapiculture.org
Heartland Apicultural Society Inc.
Founded in 2001, the Heartland Apicultural Society (HAS) is a nonprofit corporation headquartered in Evansville, Indiana. The organization shares the latest scientific beekeeping research, offers beginning and advanced beekeeping classes, and organizes an annual conference.
Website www.heartlandbees.org
International Bee Research Association
Founded in 1949, the International Bee Research Association (IBRA) is a nonprofit organization with members in almost every country in the world. Its mission is to increase awareness of the vital role of bees in agriculture and the natural environment. The organization is based in the United Kingdom. IBRA publishes several journals and sponsors international beekeeping conferences.
91 Brinsea Rd.
Congresbury,
Bristol,
BS49 5JJ
United Kingdom
Website www.ibrabee.org.uk
USDA Agricultural Research Service
Known as Beltsville in the bee world, the Bee Research Laboratory is a division of the U.S. Department of Agriculture and is a good agency to know about. After all, if you’re an American, your tax dollars are paying for it! The mission of the Bee Research Laboratory in Beltsville is to conduct research on the biology and control of honey-bee parasites, diseases, and pests to ensure an adequate supply of bees for pollination and honey production. The list of scientists who have worked at Beltsville in the past reads like a “Who’s Who of American Beekeeping Research.” If you ever need to (let’s hope not), you can send samples of your sick bees to the lab for analysis. The lab also is consulted when there’s a question about whether a colony is Africanized.
Bee Research Laboratory
10300 Baltimore Ave.
Bldg. 306, Room 315, BARC-East
Beltsville, MD 20705
Phone 301-504-8205
The Western Apiculture Society
The Western Apicultural Society (WAS) is a nonprofit, educational beekeeping organization founded in 1978 for the benefit and enjoyment of all beekeepers in western North America. They publish a journal and host an annual conference worth attending.
Bee Journals and Magazines
Are you ready to curl up with a good article about honey bees? A bunch of publications are worth a read. Subscribing to one or more of them provides you with ongoing sources of useful beekeeping tips and practical information. And the ads in these journals are a great way to learn about new beekeeping toys and gadgets. Here are some English-language journals of interest.
American Bee Journal
The American Bee Journal was established in 1861 and has been published continuously since that time, except for a brief period during the Civil War. The Journal has the honor of being the oldest English-language beekeeping publication in the world. Today, Dadant & Sons publishes the American Bee Journal for subscribers throughout the world. Readership is concentrated among hobby and commercial beekeepers, bee supply dealers, queen breeders, shippers, honey packers, and entomologists.
Dadant & Sons, Inc.
51 S. Second St.
Hamilton, IL 62341
Phone 217-847-3324
Fax 217-847-3600
Email info@americanbeejournal.com
Website americanbeejournal.com
Bee Culture
Bee Culture has been around since the late 1800s. Articles are aimed at the needs and interests of the backyard beekeeper and small-scale honey producers. This journal features a wide range of “how-to” articles, Q&A, honey recipes, and industry news. This is the “bible” for the hobbyist beekeeper.
The Bee Culture website lists “Who’s Who in North American Beekeeping.” This terrific database enables you to search for bee clubs in your area. Go to beeculture.com/?s=who%27s+who.
They also offer an up-to-the-minute online newsfeed called “Catch the Buzz” that posts the very latest information from the world of beekeeping. Go to https://www.beeculture.com/catch-the-buzz/.
A.I. Root Company
623 W. Liberty St.
Medina, OH 44256
Phone 800-289-7668, Ext. 3220
Website www.beeculture.com
Be sure to check out the coupon later in this book that gives you a discount on a subscription to Bee Culture.
Bee World
Bee World, founded in 1919, is a journal that digests research studies and articles from around the world. Reliable and practical information comes from bee experts worldwide. It’s published by the International Bee Research Association (IBRA) and is free to members.
International Bee Research Association
91 Brinsea Rd.
Congresbury,
Bristol,
BS49 5JJ
United Kingdom
Phone 00 44 (0) 29 2037 2409
Website https://ibra.org.uk/bee-world/
Beekeeping Supplies and Equipment
Where do you find all the neat stuff you need to become a beekeeper? Where do you buy bees? Start with a search on the web for “beekeeping supplies.” Maybe you’ll get lucky and find a listing for a local supplier who sells supplies out of his or her garage. That’s kind of cool because it gives you face-to-face access to your own personal mentor. Alternatively, you can deal directly with one of the major bee suppliers. They all offer mail-order catalogs, and all now have e-commerce–enabled websites. Some provide online advice (your online mentor). I’ve included many of the more popular suppliers in the United States and a couple of international suppliers.
Apimaye Insulated Hives
The Apimaye’s double layer insulation used in the top cover and side walls of this design provides thermal insulation that provides a suitable habitat for a colony in different climate conditions.
112 S. Country Club Dr., Ste. 1
Mesa, AZ 85210
Email info@apimaye-usa.com
Phone 480-648-8385
Website https://apimaye-usa.com/
See the offer at the end of this book for a special coupon from this vendor.
Barnyard Bees
Barnyard Bees is located in the North Georgia Mountains of Chatsworth, Georgia.The site sells beekeeping supplies and equipment, plus bees and queens. There are even some helpful videos posted on the site.
Phone (706) 971-2700
Website https://barnyardbees.com/
See the offer at the end of this book for a special coupon from this vendor.
Bastin Bees
Bastin Honey Bee Farm is a family owned and operated business that began in 2008. They are Indiana’s largest and most complete supplier of beekeeping tools and equipment, typically filling orders within one business day.
5002 West County Road 450 South
Knightstown, IN 46148
Phone (765) 987-8385
Website https://bastinhoneybeefarm.com/
See the offer at the end of this book for a special coupon from this vendor.
Bee-commerce.com
This online company and retail store is based in Connecticut and offers secure e-commerce shopping and personalized support designed exclusively for the backyard beekeeper. A free download section is provided with helpful instruction sheets and articles. The company’s beekeeping experts happily serve as your online mentors.
Hopewell Harmony, LLC
160A Sugar St.
Newtown, CT 06470
Phone 800-784-1911 or 203-222-2268
Email info@bee-commerce.com
Website www.bee-commerce.com
See the offer at the end of this book for a special coupon from this vendor.
BeeInventive
BeeInventive created and markets the Flow hive. Based in Australia, the company ships this hive around the world through distributors in Europe and the United States. The hive can only be purchased using the company’s website, which offers lots of information and many helpful videos on the Flow hive.
BeeInventive Pty Ltd
ABN 31 161 952 941
Phone 646-876-8880 (U.S.);
+61 2 8880 0774 (Australia);
+3 18 5208 4111 (Europe [Netherlands])
Website www.honeyflow.com
See the offer at the end of this book for a special coupon from this vendor.
Bee Vital
This Austrian company develops and sells a range of honeybee-health solutions for maintaining strong and healthy honey bees. These are organic beekeeping products, using natural ingredients. They are ready-to-use and easy-to-use — and are safe for bees, the beekeeper, and the environment. Note that not all of their products are yet approved for use in the USA. Some are.
Website www.beevital.com
See the offer at the end of this book for a special coupon from this vendor.
Betterbee
Betterbee offers online and mail-order shopping for beekeeping supplies and equipment. Betterbee also has a great selection of supplies for candle making, soap making, and even a learning center with relevant articles and how-to information. It also offers local pickup of live bee packages. Worth a visit.
8 Meader Rd.
Greenwich, NY 12834
Phone 800-632-3379 or 518-314-0575
Email support@betterbee.com
Website www.betterbee.com
See the offer at the end of this book for a special coupon from this vendor.
Blue Sky Bee Supply
Blue Sky Bee Supply specializes in a range of beekeeping equipment, honey processing equipment, containers, and labels. In addition to traditional wooden hives, they sell Polystyrene insulated hives.
Blue Sky Bee Supply, LTD
930 N. Freedom St.
Ravenna, OH 44266
Website www.blueskybeesupply.com
Email info@blueskybeesupply.com
Phone (877) 529-9233
See the offer at the end of this book for a special coupon from this vendor.
Dadant & Sons, Inc.
Dadant & Sons, Inc. provides beekeeping supplies and equipment by mail order and e-commerce. It has several regional offices around the United States. One of the largest beekeeping suppliers in the United States, it has been in business since 1878.
51 South Second St.
Hamilton, IL 62341
Phone 888-922-1293 or 217-847-3324
Fax 217-847-3660
Email dadant@dadant.com
Website www.dadant.com
See the offer at the end of this book for a special coupon from this vendor.
Glorybee Inc.
Beekeeping equipment plus a huge array of soap, skin care, aromatherapy, cooking and candle-making supplies are from Glorybee. It also is a great resource for bee-related gifts. Fun shopping!
29548 B Airport Rd.
P.O. Box 2744
Eugene, OR 97402
Phone 800-456-7923
Website www.glorybee.com
See the offer at the end of this book for a special coupon from this vendor.
Healthy Bees, LLC
Healthy Bees patented patties and powders provide an all-natural source of nutrition to strengthen bees and improve their health.
7148 State Highway 199
Upper Sandusky, OH 43351
Phone (561) 703-9130
Email info@healthybeesllc.com
Website www.healthybeesllc.com
See the offer at the end of this book for a special coupon from this vendor.
Hive Butler
Among other products, The Hive Butler makes a rugged and nicely designed honey uncapping tank, which is a helpful accessory when it’s time to harvest your honey. Check it out in the shopping section of their website.
Phone (317) 896-0456
Email thehivebutler@gmail.com
Website www.thehivebutler.com
See the offer at the end of this book for a special coupon from this vendor.
Hive Tracks
Hive Tracks offers a best-in-class, cloud-based hive management software tool that you can use on your smartphone, tablet, or computer. It includes all kinds of thoughtful, helpful features. It’s fun to use, and ever so helpful for ensuring the success of your beekeeping efforts.
Website www.hivetracks.com
See the offer at the end of this book for a special coupon from this vendor.
Hungry Bear Farms
This online shopping and retail store offers a full line of beekeeping supplies, package bees, and candle-making supplies.
Phone 585-412-8745
Website www.hungrybearfarms.com
See the offer at the end of this book for a special coupon from this vendor.
Kelley Beekeeping
In business since 1923, Kelley Beekeeping provides beekeeping supplies and equipment by mail order and e-commerce. They offer a huge selection of quality products. In addition to their website, they have a retail store you can visit when in their neck of the woods.
807 W. Main St.
Clarkson, KY 42726
Phone 800-233-2899 or 270-242-6002
Email Sales@kelleybees.com
Website www.kelleybees.com
See the offer at the end of this book for a special coupon from this vendor.
Mann Lake
Mann Lake, Ltd. offers beekeeping supplies, equipment, and medication by mail order and e-commerce. Its website features an online catalog and a very helpful beekeeping learning center. It has retail store locations in Minnesota, Pennsylvania, and California.
501 First St. S.
Hackensack, MN 56452
Phone 800-880-7694
Fax 218-675-6156
Email beekeeper@mannlakeltd.com
Website www.mannlakeltd.com
See the offer at the end of this book for a special coupon from this vendor.
Miller Bee Supply
A nice, easy-to-use site offering a wide assortment of start-up kits, beekeeping supplies, medications, and queen-rearing equipment.
496 Yellow Banks Rd.
North Wilkesboro, NC 28659
Phone 888-848-5184 or 336-670-2249
Fax 336-670-2293
Website www.millerbeesupply.com
See the offer at the end of this book for a special coupon from this vendor.
Oliverez
This Northern California company has been producing premium queens and package bees for beekeepers across the US and Canada. They deliver high quality bees and great customer service.
6398 County Road 20
Orland, CA 95963
Phone 877-865-0298(530) 865-0298
Email Info@ohbees.com
Website www.ohbees.com
See the offer at the end of this book for a special coupon from this vendor.
Pierco
Pierco Beekeeping Equipment offers a full array of products to cover all the needs of the beekeeper, from hobbyist to commercial. They have their own in-house manufacturing capabilities, and are the inventor of the Pierco one-piece plastic frame and foundation.
680 Main Street
Riverside, CA 92501
Phone 800-233-2662
Email Info@pierco.com
Website www.Pierco.com
See the offer at the end of this book for a special coupon from this vendor.
Pigeon Mountain Trading Company
Pigeon Mountain Trading Company is a retailer of beekeeping supplies, beekeeping accessories and live bees. They also offer a wide variety of home and patio decor featuring the honeybees.
106 N Main Street
Lafayette, GA 30728
Phone 706-638-1491
Email administration@pigeonmountaintrading.com
Website https://www.pigeonmountaintrading.com/
See the offer at the end of this book for a special coupon from this vendor.
Rossman Apiaries
Rossman Apiaries, located in South Georgia and serving beekeepers since 1987, carries a wide range of supplies and manufactures highly durable Cypress Woodenware Hives. Rossman also raises and sells packages of Italian bees and queens.
3364-A GA Hwy. 33 N.
P.O. Box 909
Moultrie, GA 31776-0909
Phone 800-333-7677
Email rossmanbees@windstream.net
Website www.gabees.com
See the offer at the end of this book for a special coupon from this vendor.
Sacramento Beekeeping Supplies
A friendly retail store and online site offering beekeeping supplies, soap- and candle-making supplies, gifts, and honey. Family-owned and operated since 1985.
2110 X St.
Sacramento, CA 95818
Phone 916-451-2337
Fax 916-451-7008
Email info@sacramentobeekeeping.com
Website www.sacramentobeekeeping.com
Swienty Beekeeping Equipment (EU)
European supplier Swienty Beekeeping Equipment offers beekeeping supplies by mail order and e-commerce, including a nice selection of unique products not readily available in the United States. Its website is published in three languages. Note: Swienty is a source for a very nice honey press mentioned in Chapter 17.
Hørtoftvej 16, Ragebøl
6400 Sønderborg
Denmark
Phone +45 7448 6969
Fax +45 7448 8001
Email shop@swienty.com
Website www.swienty.com
See the offer at the end of this book for a special coupon from this vendor.
Thorne Beekeeping Supply (UK)
Thorne offers a wide range of beekeeping supplies and equipment, including a great selection of different hive styles (such as National, Warré, and Top Bar hives). You will also find candle-making supplies and useful information to download, plus links to helpful beekeeping-related sites.
EH Thorne (Beehives) Ltd
Beehive Business Park
Rand
Nr Wragby
Market Rasen
LN8 5NJ
United Kingdom
Phone +44 (0)1 673 858 555
Email sales@thorne.co.uk
Website www.thorne.co.uk
Western Bee Supplies
Western Bee Supplies, Inc. has been serving all levels of beekeeping from the beginner to the largest of commercial beekeepers since 1965.
P.O. Box 190
Polson, MO 59860
Phone 406-883-2918 or 833-533-1014
Email rick@westernbee.com
Website www.westernbee.com
See the offer at the end of this book for a special coupon from this vendor.
State Bee Inspectors (United States)
If you live in the United States, you will want to know how to contact the bee inspector in your state. The inspector is there to help. If you have a pesky problem with your bees’ health or a question needing the attention of a bee expert, call your state bee inspector. Alas, with governmental budget cuts, not all regions have a designated bee inspector. To track them down, just go to this web address: www.beeculture.com/apiary-inspectors/.