Hive Management: A Seasonal Guide for Beekeepers (Paperback)

~ (Author) "WE HAVE ALL EXPERIENCED one of those unseasonably warm days in February, just at that time when winter is weighing so heavily on us..." (more)
Key Phrases: New England, United States

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

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. 

From the Back Cover

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.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: Storey Publishing, LLC (January 2, 1991)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0882666371
• ISBN-13: 978-0882666372
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #38,873 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

  #1 in	Books > Outdoors & Nature > Field Guides > Insects & Spiders
  #3 in	Books > Professional & Technical > Professional Science > Agricultural Sciences > Animal Husbandry > Bees
  #11 in	Books > Home & Garden > Crafts & Hobbies > Seasonal

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Nice general book, April 21, 2006

By	A Reader "Hobbyist beekeeper" (NC) - See all my reviews

This is a very readable book - Bonney puts words together well. Not a "must have" in a beekeeper's library but a good general discussion of relevant topics. Assumes basic beekeeping knowledge. Overlaps with his beginner's book (Beekeeping: a Complete Guide); this would be aptly titled "Your Second Year as a Beekeeper."

43 of 51 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This one is a keeper (pun intended)., April 5, 1999

By A Customer

In the past year I have borrowed from the library all the books I could find about beekeeping . This is one I plan to add to my personal library.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars a must have, August 9, 2008

By	MO MAN "MO MAN" (Missouri) - See all my reviews

Hive Management written by Richard Bonney is awesome! This is not intended to be your first bee book, however I have read two other books and started my bees just under 1 year ago, so this was perfect timing. It's an easy read and makes sense for the non-PHD bee keeper. The only negative is there's not many pictures, but I would highly recomend this book to anyone with bees!