Synopses & Reviews
The beekeeper's year begins with a late winter hive inspection and ends with "putting the bees to bed" in the autumn. Richard Bonney believes that each beekeeping activity should be performed with an eye toward the overall well-being of the colony, as part of an integrated year-round program of hive management.
Long-term success in beekeeping can only be achieved by understanding the intimate lives, behaviors, and motivations of honey bees -- the factors which govern the life of each colony. Richard Bonney explains the reasons behind common practices that many beekeepers perform without really knowing why. He also stresses when to take timely actions that will prevent problems in future seasons.
Hive Management offers concise, up-to-date information on the whole range of beekeeping tasks, including:
-- How to prevent, control, and capture swarms.
-- What you can tell from an outside inspection of your hives.
-- When and how to "take the crop" and harvest honey.
-- How to successfully requeen -- from handling and marking queens to methods of introducing one into a hive.
-- The problem signs to look for when you open up a hive.
For the practicing beekeeper who needs more information, or for the serious novice who wants to start out right, Hive Management offers sensible advice to help keep your honey bees thriving.
Synopsis
Enjoy a thriving hive and plenty of delicious honey. This practical guide to beekeeping stresses practices that are based on an understanding of the intimate lives, behaviors, and motivations of honey bees. You'll learn proven methods for inspecting your hives, troubleshooting problems, introducing a new queen, collecting honey, and dealing with swarms. Whether you're starting your first hive or are tending to dozens of them, Richard Bonney's clear advice and expert insights will help make your beekeeping operation a success.
Description
Includes bibliographical references (p. 145-147) and index.
About the Author
A beekeeper for over 13 years, author Richard E. Bonney owns Charlemont Apiaries in Charlemont, Massachusetts. He has authored two books, Hive Management and Beekeeping. Richard is a beekeeping teacher at the University of Massachusetts in Amherst. He was named the Massachusetts Extension Specialist-Apiculture in 1991 and writes regularly about beekeeping.
Table of Contents
Preface
1 Initial Inspection
2 Spring Management
3 Swarming
4 The Queen
5 Making Increase
6 Life of a Worker
7 Supering
8 Hive Inspections
9 Comb Honey
10 Foraging
11 Summertime
12 Late Season Management
13 Taking the Crop
14 Fall Preparation
15 Equipment
16 Feeding
17 Pollination
Appendix
Diseases, Mites and Africanized Bees
Additional Reading
IndeX