Issue November 2025
How To Use A Bee Smoker
Bruce White takes through the fundamentals of using a smoker
It is important to be able to control the honeybee colony, so as to carry out inspections and management, this is done by using a bee smoker with the smoke disrupting the bees organised defensive behavior, with the aim of you not being stung. Read More:
Do Bees React to Earthquakes?
At our club meeting on Saturday August 16, 2025, we went into all the hives to check for space to prevent the hives swarming. All was going well and the bees were their usual docile selves. Around 9:45 am a couple of members noticed that bees were gathering on the metal fence nearby and all members present reported that the bees had suddenly become very grumpy.
It was most unusual because it was like turning on a switch. The bees in all 5 hives had changed from being quite calm and docile to suddenly being very aggressive. Read More:
What detergent do I use for a soap wash?
This is a frequently asked question when we’re talking about varroa monitoring. When we need to count mites at the bottom of the container, soaps with suds can trap mites in the foam at the top. The soap suds also cloud up the wash, making mites harder to see. This can skew the accuracy of our mite counts, making varroa control decisions more difficult. We did a quick field test of 10 different soaps. Read More:
Hives for Heroes
Mentored Beekeeping is offered to Veterans, Emergency First Responders, active and ex-Military Member, who would like to learn more about keeping honey bees. Little or no prior experience is necessary as Mentors will support all of the initial beekeeping activities.
The goal is to provide a healthy alternative to managing trauma and mental health, alongside a re-connection with everyday experience. Read More:
Honey Soy Chicken
This recipe is a very quick to prepare meal. It blends honey sweet with the salty soy sauce and savoury garlic and ginger. Kids love it.
Serves: 3-4
Farewell "The Australasian Beekeeper"
With the October 2025 issue, The Australasian Beekeeper (ABK) brings down the curtain on a publication that tracked, sometimes drove, every major turn in our craft since Federation. Founded in July 1899 by William Samuel Pender, ABK began as a practical, industry‑minded journal and kept that DNA across generations of editors and readers. Read More:
