This book will guide you in selecting an observation hive and choosing a site for it, modifying the hive and the site as needed, installing the hive, working with the hive, and maintaining the hive. It will prepare you to take a temporary portable observation hive to a market, fair, or school. Most important, it describes and illustrates the many ways you can use your observation hive to learn more about honey bees and how to care for them.
Frank Linton is an EAS-certified Master Beekeeper who has kept an observation hive in his house since 2005. Retired from his career as an artificial intelligence engineer, he lives in Maryland. Clarence Collison is Professor of Entomology and Head of the Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology at Mississippi State University. He is the author of What Do You Know?
Contents Foreword by Clarence H. Collison Preface Acknowledgments 1. Benefits of Observing Honey Bees at Home 2. Preparing for and Selecting an Observation Hive Initial Preparations Choosing an Observation Hive Design Trade-offs Examples of Observation Hives Selecting Your Observation Hive 3. Installing Your Observation Hive Selecting a Location for Your Observation Hive Observation Hives in Multi-Use Rooms Hive and House Modifications 4. Working an Observation Hive Opening, Manipulating, and Closing Up Installing Bees Too Many Bees Swarm Traps Issues with Parasites and Pests Other Insects and Issues 5. Maintaining Your Observation Hive Feeding Preventing Mold in the Feed Going Away Overwintering Cleaning the Glass 6. Observation Hives in Public Spaces Permanent Public Observation Hives Temporary Portable Observation Hives 7. Bee Photography and Your Observation Hive 8. Things to Try with Your Observation Hive Bees and Light Monitor Brood Volume Capture Audio Take a Colony Census Weigh Your Colony Make a Pollen Feeder Confirm the Dance Hypothesis Observe Bees Perform Age-Related Tasks And More ... A Closing Word Appendix: Selection and Installation Checklist Bibliography Index
Linton, a certified master beekeeper, discusses the various options for constructing an observation hive.... This book is written primarily for experienced beekeepers, offering sound advice for those wishing to set up an observation hive.... Very well-written. (Choice) I wish I would have had this book 30 years ago when I started my first observation hive. It would have saved me a lot of time and energy and money, and if you don't already have one (and why not?), it will do the same for you.... If you have plans for, or already have one of these [hives], you need this book. It's worth every penny. (Bee Culture)
