You can learn to produce your own queens using this small, but scalable system.
I originally wrote this article in 2011, since then I have continued to keep bees and rear some queens every year. I have tried most of the other popular methods, but this one is still my favorite for the size of my apiary and my needs. As I have learned new things I have incorporated those into this article. So, on with it…
I’m a beginner. This has been my second year raising queens – my third year keeping honey bees. So I am in no way pretending to be any kind of an expert – not only have I made many mistakes, but I expect to make many more next year. As one beginner to another – I think I might have some useful insights into getting started in queen rearing.
I’m going to give several beginner-to-beginner tips in this article. Things that might not be all that helpful to old hands but have really helped me. Here’s the first – and I think, best:
Plan to practice rearing queens when it’s easiest – during the main flow/swarm season, that is – late April/Early June in Mid TN – when the bees want to reproduce. It can be done earlier and later, but it’s a lot more difficult.
The Basic Principle of Honey Bee Queen Rearing
Any queenless hive of honey bees will try to make a new queen if it has the resources to do so. The required resources being » Read more: Beginner to Beginner Queen Rearing