In response to the many questions we get about beekeeping supplies and practices, the Mid-Atlantic Apicultural Research & Extension Consortium has helped us compile this modest list of the most common questions, and some fairly detailed answers:

• Can you give bee-ginners any tips to help them?
  
• Why are my bees gentle sometimes and mean others?
  
• Can I keep bees in populated areas?
  
• What should I do to my bees to get them started off correctly in the spring?
  
• How do I control swarming?
  
• How can I catch swarms of bees?
  
• How do I divide a colony and make two?
  
• How do I move a colony of bees?
  
• How do I remove bees from houses, trees, or old equipment?
  
• Is there any way to trap bees out of trees or buildings?
  
• What should I do to my bees to get them ready for winter?
  
• What is Integrated Pest Management and can I use it on my colonies of bees?
  
• Are there any pests of honey bees?
  
• Are there any diseases of honey bees and how do you treat them?
  
• What are Varroa Mites and how do I control them?
  
• What are Tracheal Mites and how do I control them?
  
• My hive was dead when I opened it and there was a terrible mess of webs and cocoons. What happened?
  
• What is the small hive beetle and how do I control it?
  
• What is honey?
  
• What is pollination and can I rent my colonies for pollination?
  
• Should I have a contract if I rent my bees out for pollination?