Beginners

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ID help — which of my garden visitors are actually my honeybees?

Bit of a soft question but I'm genuinely confused. Since getting my two hives this spring I keep 'recognising' my bees all over the garden, but my partner pointed out tha…

LindenNora · Uppsala, SE · Beginners · Jun 15, 2026 · ▲ 11 · 💬 3 · ✅ Solved

Supplier has nucs available mid-June — too late to start this year or should I jump?

Second year but effectively restarting — lost my only colony over winter (long story, mostly my fault, we've all read my chalkbrood thread). Local supplier in Galway just…

GalwayBees · Galway, IE · Beginners · Jun 14, 2026 · ▲ 14 · 💬 4 · ✅ Solved

I cannot see eggs no matter what I do — starting to think my eyes are the problem

First year, one hive, Yorkshire. Every inspection I hold frames up and stare into cells until my arms shake and I have never once confidently seen an egg. I see larvae fi…

YorkshireNewbee · Yorkshire, UK · Beginners · Jun 10, 2026 · ▲ 17 · 💬 4 · ✅ Solved

Bee math cheat sheet — pin this to the inside of your hive tool box

Every June I answer the same timing questions at our local club, so here's the table I make every beginner copy out by hand. 18 years in Tyrol and I still count on my fin…

AlpineCarnica · Tyrol, AT · Beginners · Jun 10, 2026 · ▲ 30 · 💬 5

Wrapping for winter — when to start and what to wrap with?

First winter for my colony. Currently warm-ish days (12–18°C) but nights hitting –2°C. Locals are starting to wrap. When does wrapping help vs. hurt? Bee Cozy vs. tar pap…

BethsBees · Ontario, CA · Beginners · Jun 4, 2026 · ▲ 33 · 💬 4

How often is too often to inspect in the first year?

I'm worried I'm overdoing it. Currently going in every 7 days, all frames out, queen check, brood check, food check. Single deep, package install in May. Club mentor said…

VTBeeHannah · Vermont, US · Beginners · Jun 4, 2026 · ▲ 38 · 💬 3

First package install — bees are bearding hard on day 2. Normal or swarming?

Installed my first package Saturday. It hit 31°C today and there's a big beard hanging off the front. Total panic or totally fine? Box is single deep, 5 frames drawn comb…

VTBeeHannah · Skåne, SE · Beginners · Jun 2, 2026 · ▲ 19 · 💬 3
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