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BeeCraft Magazine
@beecraftmag.bsky.social
International award-winning monthly beekeeping magazine.

www.bee-craft.com
The November issue is out now.

In this month's issue, learn about the 500-year history of the global trade in beeswax, how to make kombucha with your honey, finding out about whether bees have personalities, and the event that tests what it means to make a good honey.
October 28, 2025 at 6:10 PM
As Anaphylaxis Week has just come to a close, we’re sharing a reminder of how suddenly and seriously an allergic reaction can occur.

Symptoms include:
* Difficulty breathing or swallowing
* Swelling of the throat and tongue

If you experience these symptoms after a sting, seek medical attention.
October 7, 2025 at 4:35 PM
We are proud to announce that you can find us at The National Honey Show this year!
Come and attend our very own BeeCraft lectures, held on Friday 24th October, where we'll be sharing personal experiences and tips!

For more information, visit www.honeyshow.co.uk
October 1, 2025 at 3:57 PM
Our September Photo of the Month is from Ged Marshall in Buckinghamshire.

To enter this year's competition to win a complete Cedar National Hive donated by @nationalbeesupplies, email your photo to editor@bee-craft.com any time up until the 31 October 2025.
September 25, 2025 at 9:48 AM
In the September Issue of BeeCraft, Sophie Butcher visits the Tallinn Memorial, where 22,000 bronze honey bees adorn a wall facing an apple orchard. Each bee represents a life lost in Estonia under Soviet occupation from 1940 to 1991.

Find this article and more in the latest issue of BeeCraft.
September 21, 2025 at 2:29 PM
In the Cyclopedia section of BeeCraft this month, U is for Undertaker bees!

Co-editor Stephen Fleming explores the nature of the Undertaker bee, specialists responsible for removing dead nestmates from the hive.

Learn more about the work of Undertaker bees in the latest issue of BeeCraft.
September 16, 2025 at 5:14 PM
In BeeCraft, we catch up with Martin Bencsik and his cello hive. Finding new residents proved to be a challenge for Martin, as the colony continued to abscond their harmonic haven.

Find out what happened to the cello hive on page 15 of the newest BeeCraft issue.
September 10, 2025 at 6:02 PM
In the September issue of BeeCraft, master beekeeper Simon Tuck explores the "remote and unattainable" idea of instrumental insemination, writing on his mistakes and success, and sharing tips that may help you with your own journey.

Learn more about Simon's research on page 11 of BeeCraft.
September 4, 2025 at 5:31 PM
🍯 Ever heard of blood honey?

In the Sundarbans — the world’s biggest mangrove forest — honey collectors (known as moulis) risk their lives battling tides, swarms of bees… and even tigers, just to bring home this rare red honey.

Dive into the story of blood honey in the latest issue of BeeCraft.
August 24, 2025 at 1:09 PM
In the July Cyclopedia section, S is for the Schmidt Sting Index!

BeeCraft co-editor Stephen Fleming explores the wild world of entomologist Justin O. Schmidt, the man who got stung for science — all in the name of understanding insect pain.

To find out more, head to page 33 of the July BeeCraft!
July 19, 2025 at 7:14 PM
Why do some varroa-tolerant “survivor stock” bees act more defensively?

This month’s CIBER feature in BeeCraft looks at New Zealand research comparing alarm pheromone levels and hive sound recordings.

Full article in the July issue.
July 15, 2025 at 5:32 PM
In this month's issue of BeeCraft, Christine Ratcliffe, Campaigns and Communications Manager at Bees Abroad, explores the effect that beekeeping can have when adapting to climate change, protecting harvests, and building hope in the community.
July 10, 2025 at 2:30 PM
🐝🚀 Kingston University students are taking sustainability to new heights—literally. What started as a second-year business module turned into a mission to prove beeswax can power a rocket engine.

Find out more in the latest issue of BeeCraft!
July 7, 2025 at 8:45 PM
Our July Photo of the Month is by Margaret Edge from Nottinghamshire.

To enter this year's competition to win a complete Cedar National Hive kindly donated by National bee supplies, email your photo to editor@bee-craft.com any time up until 31 October 2025
July 3, 2025 at 3:48 PM
The July Issue of BeeCraft is out now!

In this month's issue, find out about Bee-powered Rockets, Chronic Bee Paralysis, the pantaloon bee and much more.

Head over to our website now to read the digital copy!
June 28, 2025 at 5:10 PM
In June's BeeCraft:

📍 Discover how one BKA tackled a real-life EFB outbreak with swift action, education, and teamwork.

🧪 Practical advice on detection and inspections

🔥 Honest insights into euthanasia methods and disinfection

🧼 Tips to improve your own apiary biosecurity

#BeeCraft #Beekeeping
June 22, 2025 at 2:18 PM
A beekeeper went to deal with a stack of supers in his apiary;
in them was a yellow-legged hornet which had already built a primary nest about the size of a tennis ball and contained between five and ten workers.

More details to follow in an upcoming issue of BeeCraft.

Photos: Crown copyright
June 17, 2025 at 7:17 PM
In the June 2025 issue of BeeCraft Magazine, Serena Watts shares her journey from a surprise schoolyard swarm in 2002 to accompanying young beekeepers at international events like the IMYB in Slovenia and Dubai.

Her story is a reminder of how one unexpected moment can lead to a lifelong passion.
June 14, 2025 at 8:03 AM
🐝 Thinking About Raising Your Own Queens? 👑

The June issue of BeeCraft Magazine walks you through a beginner-friendly queen-rearing method — perfect for those new to the craft.

📖 Grab your copy of the June BeeCraft — available now!
June 11, 2025 at 3:42 PM
In this month's issue of BeeCraft, we take a closer look at the vital relationship between field beans and their pollinators, including honey bees, bumblebees, and syrphid flies.

This revealing look at one of the UK’s most underappreciated crops is available on page 26 of the June BeeCraft!
June 7, 2025 at 11:39 AM
Do you know a young beekeeper who would like to speak at Apimondia 2025?

Apimondia is a global congress hosted by the International Federation of Beekeepers' Associations and, this year, will take place in Copenhagen, Denmark.

Tag your favourite young beekeeper below 😉
June 4, 2025 at 2:42 PM
In this month's issue of BeeCraft, Ted Benton explores the world of the Bryony Mining Bee.

Learn about the interesting characteristics of the Bryony plant and it's interaction with this fascinating insect in the June BeeCraft!
June 1, 2025 at 12:43 PM
In our June Cyclopedia article, R is for Roman Beekeeping!

Helen Tworkowski explores how the Romans mastered beekeeping across their vast empire—from the warm hills of Italy to the windswept edges of Britain.

From cork hives to ancient swarm control, find out more in the latest issue of BeeCraft!
May 30, 2025 at 5:35 PM
The June Issue of BeeCraft is out now!

In this month's issue, find out about EFB in an association apiary, Roman beekeeping, the use of neonicotinoid pesticides, the bryony mining bee, and much more.

Head over to our website now to read the digitial copy!
May 28, 2025 at 5:49 PM
As the end of this year's RHS Chelsea Flower Show draws near, its clear that the buzz around pollinator-friendly gardening is still going strong.

Bees for Development showed an impressive Balcony garden that demonstrated how small urban areas can promote pollinator health, winning the silver gilt!
May 24, 2025 at 10:04 AM