Customer Reviews

The Complete Idiot's Guide to Beekeeping

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

As a relatively new beekeeper interested in natural beekeeping methods I have been searching for a book like this for 2 years. The book is easy to read, very well written and best of all, it contains information that no other book on beekeeping contains. The concise information on small-cell beekeeping, unlimited broodnest, the importance of the microbial environment of the hive, and the general approach of treatment free management methods is all a breath of fresh air in a genre of books that usually advocates for unnecessarily micro-managing our hives and also dumping all kinds of unhealthy chemicals into our hives.

I congratulate the authors on writing a book that I will undoubtedly refer to over and over again as I continue to learn more about bees and beekeeping. I highly recommend this book - especially if you are just getting started with bees.

What's great about this book is that it explains small cell, foundationless, no treatment beekeeping for beginners. It's the first book, that I'm aware of, to do so. I know from experience that these methods work well. I've also found these natural methods to be a lot less labor intensive than conventional beekeeping. A great book for beginners or for beekeepers thinking of switching over to natural methods.

In an age of Roundup resistant weeds that are out of control in 13 states, staph infections from bacteria which are immune from any treatment and considered *killer* infections which breed in hospitals, and beef/chicken/swine production so dependent on anti-bacterial drugs that the animals are artificially surviving ----- this book offers beekeeping methods FREE OF CHEMICAL TREATMENTS. Bravo!

One chapter in the book, "Managing for long-term success," sums up why this book is different. For those of us who know that putting apistan and terramyacin in hives is just wrong and no longer effective, this book provides an entire management program (many different methods) for keeping bees naturally.

With so many ecosystems, (fisheries, forests, pollinators), crashing or becoming extinct, it's time that we start saving our planet's natural systems so that we might survive as a species. A school child asked a biologist when on a field trip, "What is your favorite endangered species?," and the biologist answered, "human beings."

This is a comprehensive guide for beekeepers who want to have good information about the various practices which allow *sensible* and *thoughtful* beekeeping in an age where solid solutions are required. Get this book and start thinking for yourself about what makes sense for your bees, then implement those methods and start becoming part of the new chemical-free beekeepers. After my first year, I abandoned the use of chemicals and have always felt it was my wisest move in beekeeping. This book provides an overview and methods for being successful without chemicals.

Make your beekeeping healthy - this book helps you get there!

I've known Dean and Laurie for a while. I've heard them speak. I've read their posts on bee forums. So I had high expectations. They were exceeded. Something as complex as bees and beekeeping is very difficult to explain to a complete neophyte as the complexity and interrelatedness of everything makes it difficult to know where to start. I really didn't think anyone could write something so basic and still cover the essentials, but I think they have succeeded beyond any of the hundreds of beginning beekeeping books I've read over the years. Thanks Dean and Laurie for writing this. Now I know where to send a beginner for a book.

I've been a beekeeper for almost 40 years, I wish that a book of this depth was available to me when I first started out.
It belongs on the shelf of everyone that is considering getting their first hive!

I found the book very informative, however, you can only explain so much about bee keeping in words. Illustrations need to be incorporated to emphasize the narration. This book is suppose to be for novice
beekeepers who haven't seen the inner workings of a hive and can't picture in their minds what is being explained. I realize that pictures would add a few dollars to the price, but it would be worth it.

I am a first year beekeeper. I am heartened and inspired by Laurie and Dean's book. This book agrees with my thinking that we should work with nature rather than force it to our will.

I learned a lot about what to look for in the hive as well as different ideas for inexpensive equipment and techniques.

Their writing style is easy and laid back, not preachy at all.

This book is a fun and informative ! Highly recommended !

This is a great book for beekeeprs and wannabee apiarists. Full of interseting facts and an easy to follow format.
Arrived in good time and in excellent condition so kudos to the bookseller.

... if you are only getting one book on beekeeping. The book heavily emphasizes sustainable beekeeping practices which is what I am interested in.
My only complaint is wanting to see more photos of basics. Perhaps in the next edition... :)

This is the best book on bees that does not recommend or suggest the use of treatments (poisons, oils) in raising bees. If you put anything in with your bees it will end up in your honey, this books teaches how to raise bees the truly organic way and not add bad things to the hive.