Apiculture
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Honey bees are known to be the strongest link in the chain between food producers and consumers. They contribute nearly $20 billion to the crop industry by providing pollination services all over the United States, and Florida's honey industry is ranked among the top five in the nation. There are nearly 5,000 registered beekeepers in the state of Florida, managing approximately 630,000 colonies. Unfortunately, high colony loss rates of honey bees have been reported throughout the world. Stressors, such as Varroa destructor, queen quality, and nutrition are just some of the reported factors associated with this decline. Researchers have been working to identify best management practices to mitigate these losses. All recommendations in these publications are based on scientific literature about honey bees in Florida and around the world.
Narrower Topics
Related Topics: Apiculture, Pest Management, Animal Health
Bees
Insect members of the superfamily Apoidea, found almost everywhere, particularly on flowers. About 3500 species occur in North America. They differ from most wasps in that their young are fed honey and pollen rather than animal food.
Related Topics: Apiculture, Pollinators
Related Topics: Apiculture, Beneficial Organisms
Publications
Showing 23 of 23 Publications
Best Management Practices for Live Bee Removals in Florida: A Beekeeper's Guide
Mary Bammer, Jamie Ellis, Eric Baxter, Krista Butler, John Coldwell, B. Keith Councell, Kevin Easton, Brendhan Horne, Brandi Stanford, and Amy T. Vu
Florida Honey Bee Plants
Mary Christine Bammer, William H Kern, and Jamie D. Ellis
Several factors influence the flora throughout Florida, including annual freezes, average temperature, annual rainfall, and soil composition. Because of these variations, plants that grow well in one region may not grow well in another. Climate, plant communities, and timing of floral resources differ significantly between the three main regions in Florida: North Florida, Central Florida, and South Florida. While many plants are acceptable pollen producers for honey bees, fewer yield enough nectar to produce a surplus honey crop. As such, the tables in this document list the nectar-bearing plants that are present to some degree in each region and the plants' respective bloom times.
The Benefits of Pollen to Honey Bees
Amanda Ellis, Jamie D. Ellis, Michael K. O'Malley, and Catherine M. Zettel Nalen
Using Nucs in Beekeeping Operations
James D. Ellis andJames D. Ellis
Other Contacts: Amy Vu
The Social Organization of Honey Bees
Ashley N. Mortensen, Bryan Smith, and James D. Ellis
Preserving Woodenware in Beekeeping Operations
J. D. Ellis, W. H. Kern, and C. M. Zettel Nalen
Building Bear Fences for Your Apiary
Kimberly K. Post and Cameron Jack
Swarm Control for Managed Beehives
James D. Ellis, Sara DeBerry, Sara DeBerry, John Crowley, andJames D. Ellis
Other Contacts: Amy Vu
During the swarm season, hive owners should undertake proactive beekeeping practices to alter colonies in response to potential swarming behavior. In this way, the beekeeper maintains strong colonies with greater honey production and the potential to split and increase the total number of colonies, all of which makes beekeeping much more profitable for hive owners.
Florida Bears and Beekeeping
Malcolm T. Sanford and James D. Ellis
Minimizing Honey Bee Exposure to Pesticides
J. D. Ellis, J. Klopchin, E. Buss, L. Diepenbrock, F. M. Fishel, W. H. Kern, C. Mannion, E. McAvoy, L. S. Osborne, M. Rogers, M. Sanford, H. Smith, B. S. Stanford, P. Stansly, L. Stelinski, S. Webb, and A. Vu
A UF/IFAS numbered peer reviewed Fact Sheet. Published by Integrated Pest Management
Overwintering Honey Bee Colonies in Northern Climates
James D. Ellis, James D. Ellis, andKatherine Hammons
Other Contacts: Amy Vu
A UF/IFAS numbered publication. in support of UF/IFAS Extension program: Animal Systems
Keeping Bees in Florida
James D. Ellis, Thomas A. Bustamante, James D. Ellis, andMary Bammer
Other Contacts: Amy Vu
A UF/IFAS numbered Fact Sheet. in support of UF/IFAS Extension program: Integrated Pest Management
Monitoring for Amoebic Disease (Malpighamoeba mellificae) in Honey Bee Colonies
Hannah N. Gurland, James C. Fulton, Marley E. Iredale, Amy Vu, and Julia St. Amant
Digestive health is an overlooked but vital component of the success of Western honey bee (Apis mellifera) colonies. Viral, bacterial, fungal, and protozoal infections can inhibit nutrient uptake and waste elimination by the honey bee digestive tract. Active management requires monitoring honey bee health on an individual and colony basis, providing adequate nutrition, and controlling for other pests and diseases. One organism that has gained recent attention is Malpighamoeba mellificae. This publication describes how to detect M. mellificae in A. mellifera colonies.
Welcome to the Hive! Honey Bee 4-H Project Book
James D. Ellis, Megan Hammond, Amy Vu, Mary Bammer, Emily Helton, Karen Henry, Jessica Sullivan, andJames D. Ellis
The purpose of this publication is to provide a 4-H project book that discusses honey bees and their importance to our nation’s agriculture. The intent is to introduce the world of honey bees to youth ages 8 to 12, with or without any previous beekeeping background or knowledge. This book consists of six sections that familiarize youth with the honey bee’s basic anatomy and life cycle, the three members of the honey bee colony, their roles and responsibilities, and colony communication. Each section has been designed to give youth a brief introduction to a topic and offers activities building on that topic. Written by Megan Hammond, Amy T. Vu, Mary Bammer, Emily Helton, Karen Henry, Jessica Sullivan, and James D. Ellis; 56 pp.
Florida Beekeeping Management Calendar
James D. Ellis, James D. Ellis, Mary Bammer, andWilliam H. Kern Jr.
Other Contacts: Amy Vu
A UF/IFAS numbered publication. in support of UF/IFAS Extension program: Integrated Pest Management
The Basics of Queen Management in Beekeeping Operations
Francesca Michelini, Devan Rawn, andCameron Jack
Queen management is a fundamental aspect of successful beekeeping, ensuring the health and productivity of honey bee colonies. Since the western honey bee (Apis mellifera) is vital for global crop pollination, maintaining strong colonies through proper queen care is essential. This publication details various queen management techniques, including monitoring queen performance, marking queens for easy identification, clipping wings to mitigate swarming, and timely requeening to sustain colony vitality. By adopting these best practices, beekeepers can optimize hive health and longevity.
European Honey Bee Apis mellifera Linnaeus and subspecies (Insecta: Hymenoptera: Apidae)
Ashley N. Mortensen, Daniel R. Schmehl, and Jamie Ellis
This document provides an overview of the European honey bee, Apis mellifera, detailing its natural distribution, subspecies, and introduction to the Americas. It covers the biology, life cycle, and social structure of honey bee colonies, emphasizing the roles of workers, drones, and queens. The article also discusses the economic importance of honey bees in pollination and honey production, as well as management practices and challenges, including pests and diseases. The information is intended for both laypersons with some biological knowledge and academic audiences.
Welcome to the Apiary! Honey Bee 4-H Project Book
Written by Megan Hammond, Amy T. Vu, Natalie Parkell, Mary Bammer, Emily Helton, Karen Henry, Jessica Sullivan, and James D. Ellis
The purpose of this publication is to offer a follow-up 4-H curriculum to Chapter 1: Welcome to the Hive! The text is most appropriate for junior-, intermediate-, and senior-aged youth (about 8–18 years old) and may serve as a guide for prospective and beginner beekeeping.
Theft, Vandalism, and Other Related Crime in the Beekeeping Industry: A Guide for Beekeepers
C. M. Zettel Nalen and James D. Ellis
A UF/IFAS numbered Organism ID.
Robbing Behavior in Honey Bees
Ryan Willingham, Jeanette Klopchin, and James Ellis
A UF/IFAS numbered publication. in support of UF/IFAS Extension program: Integrated Pest Management
Observation Bee Hives
David Hall, James D. Ellis, and Malcolm Sanford
A UF/IFAS numbered Fact Sheet. in support of UF/IFAS Extension program: Integrated Pest Management
Sample Pollination Agreement
Malcolm T. Sanford, Jeanette Klopchin, and James D. Ellis
A UF/IFAS numbered Fact Sheet. in support of UF/IFAS Extension program: Farm Economics, entrepreneurship, and management
Best Management Practices for Siting Honey Bee Colonies: Good Neighbor Guidelines
James D. Ellis and Jerry Hayes
A UF/IFAS numbered Fact Sheet. in support of UF/IFAS Extension program: Farm Economics, entrepreneurship, and management