Jacques van Alphen
admin Professor Jacques van Alphen is an evolutionary ecologist and author of Honeybees: A Natural and Less Natural History. A leading advocate for sustainable, science-based beekeeping, his work highlights how wild…
September 2025
Why Every Sustainable Beekeeper Should Read The Principles of Bee Improvement by Jo Widdicombe
In The Principles of Bee Improvement, Jo Widdicombe offers a practical, sustainable approach to breeding gentle, productive honey bees from local stock. Instead of relying on imported queens, Jo guides…
Jo Widdicombe
Jo Widdicombe is a Cornish bee farmer, author, and former BIBBA committee member dedicated to sustainable beekeeping. Best known for The Principles of Bee Improvement, he promotes the use of…
Swarm Triggers in Honey Bees
Swarming in honey bees is rarely caused by a single factor. Instead, it results from a mix of conditions such as overcrowding, lack of egg-laying space, declining queen pheromone, and…
Beehive Inspections
Hive inspections are essential, but knowing when to open colonies - and what to do once inside - is the real challenge. This guide breaks down seven key inspection questions,…
Swarm Collecting
Collecting a honey bee swarm can look daunting, but most are calm and manageable. This guide covers what every beekeeper should know before attending a swarm call: essential skills, safety…
Hiving a Swarm: Tips for Improving Success
Hiving a swarm isn’t as straightforward as it once was - modern swarms often come with failing or virgin queens, making success less certain. With the right precautions, from requeening…
Dave Cushman
Dave Cushman devoted his final years to building what became the world’s most comprehensive beekeeping website, a resource still treasured by beginners, experts, and scientists alike. This post reflects on…