Why winter bees live longer than summer bees
Winter bees can bridge months rather than weeks. Explore how brood care, stored nutrients and local conditions shape worker lifespan—and what to record at the hive.
UpdatedThe ApiNote Journal
Beekeeping practice
Seasonal decisions, colony records and field notes. Practical reading for the work around your hives.
Capped honey still needs a moisture check
Check honey moisture with a refractometer: choose the right scale, follow the calibration instructions, prepare a representative sample and keep a useful batch record.
Updated
A smaller hive entrance is not necessarily mouse-proof
Check the difference between an entrance reducer and a mouse guard, inspect the fit, and leave bees a clear passage as your apiary heads into winter.
Updated
Ivy in flower: autumn forage, not a winter guarantee
Why flowering ivy draws autumn bees, how to recognise mature growth, and what a busy patch can—and cannot—tell you about your colonies’ food reserves.
Updated
Storing drawn comb: freezing is only the first step
Protect next season’s drawn comb from wax moths. Learn what to keep, how to plan freezing and moth-proof storage, and what to check after packing.
Updated
Why honey turns grainy: a guide to crystallization
A grainy jar is not automatically spoiled. Learn why honey crystallizes, why texture cannot prove purity, and how to store or gently soften set honey.
Updated
Bee syrup ratios: 6 kg of feed is not 6 kg of sugar
Understand 1:1, 3:2 and 2:1 bee syrup by weight. Work out a batch, spot the pound-to-pint trap and keep feeding records that make sense next time.
Updated
Common beekeeping mistakes—and a better habit for each
Avoid preventable confusion around inspections, feeding, queens, mite monitoring and honey harvests with practical habits for a new beekeeper.
Updated
Preparing bees for winter: a colony-by-colony checklist
Review stores, colony condition, varroa follow-up and hive protection before winter. A practical checklist that avoids one-size-fits-all dates and feed targets.
UpdatedApiNote · iOS & Android
Good notes make the next visit easier.
Give every colony a history you can find again. ApiNote is available for iOS and Android, free for up to five hives.
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