Honey bee trophallaxis: food sharing and communication
How honey bees share liquid food mouth to mouth, learn nectar scents and coordinate colony life—and why food sharing does not mean identical nutrition.
Bee smoker: how to light it and use it safely
Choose suitable bee-smoker fuel, light it safely, apply cool smoke sparingly and manage fire risks before, during and after a hive inspection.
Swarming in honey bee colonies
Natural swarming The hive is a superorganism composed of different parts that function together: the queen, worker bees, drones (mainly during the reproductive season), and brood combs and stores for reserves. The relationship between the queen and the workers is governed by instinctive responses. As in other living organisms, external stimuli such as day length […]
Varroa diagnosis: Detection and decision-making
Varroa life cycle It must be understood in order to plan the fight against it effectively: Phoretic stage, on adult bees: a Varroa mite remains on an adult bee for between 2 and 10 days. During this stage, the mite is exposed and susceptible to treatment. Reproductive phase, inside a capped brood cell: when mature, […]
Honey pumps: types, practical differences and how to choose
Compare progressing cavity, rotary lobe, gear, peristaltic and flexible impeller honey pumps. Choose by honey condition, throughput, cappings, controls and cleaning.
How to move beehives: short moves and transporting bees
Plan hive moves around returning foragers, ventilation and safe handling. Compare gradual relocation, temporary apiaries and professional road transport.
Honey extraction lines: types, configurations and when they make sense
Compare cold and hot extraction lines, their main machines, frame compatibility and the factors that determine whether a setup is worth the investment.
Honey labelling 2026: regulations and mandatory information
A honey label must comply with regulations and, at the same time, clearly identify the product and its responsible operator. This guide summarises the key points to review before printing or updating the design. From 14 June 2026, Royal Decree 68/2025 is in force. It amends the honey quality standard and adapts Spanish honey labelling […]
Apiary theft: protect your hives, bees and honey
Understand the losses apiary theft can cause and combine identification, records, cameras, trackers and alarms with a safe reporting plan.
Electric harps and traps for Asian hornets: use and limitations
How electric harps can reduce Asian hornet pressure at hives, why trap selectivity matters, and what to check for safe installation and colony protection.
Propolis and health: what the evidence shows
Context of propolis In recent decades, beehive products have attracted growing scientific interest. These include natural propolis, a resinous material that bees (Apis spp.) collect from various plants, chiefly from their buds. Depending on its botanical origin, propolis can range from yellow to green, red, brown or black. Bees mainly use it to seal cracks […]
Honey bee pheromones: signals from queens, workers and brood
How honey bee pheromones coordinate queen signalling, swarming, defence, foraging and brood care—and why their effects depend on colony conditions.
Water for honey bees: why it matters and how to provide it
Why honey bees collect water, how colonies use it to rear brood and cool the hive, and how to provide a clean, dependable drinking source at the apiary.
What is pollination? How honey bees and wild pollinators help
How pollen moves between flowers, why pollination matters and how honey bees, wild bees and farm management work together to support crops and biodiversity.
How to prevent swarming: factors, methods and control
When a colony swarms, the queen and up to 60 % of the worker bees leave, along with genetic control. The six factors that trigger swarming, methods to control it according to apiary size, and techniques for artificial swarming.
