Hive Management: A Seasonal Guide for Beekeepers

by Richard E. Bonney

Enjoy a thriving hive and plenty of delicious honey. This practical guide to beekeeping stresses practices that are based on an understanding of the intimate lives, behaviors, and motivations of honey bees. You’ll learn proven methods for inspecting your hives, troubleshooting problems, introducing a new queen, collecting honey, and dealing with swarms. Whether you’re starting your first hive or are tending to dozens of them, Richard Bonney’s clear advice and expert insights will help make your beekeeping operation a success.

160 pages, Paperback

First published January 2, 1991

About the author

Veteran beekeeper Richard E. Bonney, author of Hive Management, Beekeeping, and co-author of Storey’s Guide to Keeping Honey Bees, was the longtime owner of Charlemont Apiaries in Charlemont, Massachusetts.

Reviews

[Chris Andrews · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book that I would recommend to someone who is in their first few years of beekeeping and still learning the ropes.

[Annie Oosterwyk · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another excellent book by Bonney. I pick it up often. One of my favorite reference books.

[Jennifer · Rating 1 out of 5]

Overall, this book didn't work for me. Mr. Bonney seems to have very black and white views on beekeeping that differ drastically from my own. His geography of the United States acknowledges New England, north of New England, and south of New England. It appears to have escaped his attention that the continental U.S. goes west for about 3000 miles.

This book is written in a style that appears to be appropriate for the hobbyist, yet his insistence that the hive be inspected every five days does not work with the average hobby beekeepers schedule. (not to mention creating disruption and distress in hives.)

Mr. Bonney dedicates a chapter to comb honey production, whines endlessly how there isn't a good selection on the market, and then insists that new and hobby beekeepers can not make good comb honey. Really!

Finally, talk of clipping the wings of the queen bee absolutely turn my stomach. I'd rather my bees swarmed any day than mutilate the creatures that are giving such golden gifts.

[Rolandofeld · Rating 4 out of 5]

Actually higher level material than I was expecting. Not that I'm complaining. A keeper.

[Sally · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book is straightforward and covers bee roles, seasonal management, and an overview of pests and diseases. It is a quick read and will be a good resource book.

[Arne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some info here that wasn't in A Practical Guide to Beekeeping.