10 tips for new beekeepers

1. Work slowly!
2. Keep good records of your hive inspections.
3. Check hives every 2-3 weeks from early spring (exact timing depends on weather) and monthly from August – October.
4. Be conscious of being fire safe with your smoker.
5. Keep frames squeezed together as you work.
6. Check for adequate brood space and whether brood area is honey bound.  Need more space?  Pull a built out frame up into the center of the new hive body you are adding.
7. Know thy bees enemies.  There are lots out there…start by focusing on these two:
   1. Determining levels of varroa mite infestations (especially in late summer & fall), and
   2. Identifying American Foulbrood (you’re not likely to see but because of its’ highly contagious nature it is imperative you familiarize yourself with it).
8. Prevent starvation (by feeding if/when necessary) and prevent yellow jacket robbing (by reducing entrance if necessary).
9. Bigger is not always better.  As winter approaches, don’t leave too much honey on the colony making it harder for the bees to keep the cluster warm.
10.  Work slowly!  (Worth mentioning again.)