Beekeeping Glossary
Absconding
The sudden and complete departure of a colony from the hive, often due to environmental stressors or pest infestation
Apis Mellifera
The scientific name for the Western honeybee, the most common species used in beekeeping.
Beehive
A man-made structure where bees live and store honey. It can be in the form of a wooden box, barrel, or other container.
Beekeeper
A beekeeper, also known as an apiarist, is a person who raises honey bees for various purposes such as producing honey, beeswax, pollen, propolis, and royal jelly. Beekeepers also play a crucial role in maintaining bee populations and supporting ecosystems through pollination services.
Bee Removal
The process of relocating or exterminating bees from an unwanted location, such as a building or structure.
Bee Vacuum
A specialized device used by beekeepers to safely remove bees from a location without harming them.
Bearding
A behavior where bees cluster on the outside of the hive, often to cool the hive during hot weather or when the hive is overcrowded.
Brood, Brood Chamber
The eggs, larvae, and pupae of bees develop within the honeycomb.Brood Chamber: The part of the hive where eggs are laid and brood are raised.
Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD)
A phenomenon where the majority of worker bees in a colony disappear, leaving a queen, food stores, and a few nurse bees. It is believed to be a combination of factors such as pesticides, parasites, pathogens, habitat loss, and environmental stressors.
Drone
Male bees whose primary function is to mate with the queen.
Drone Congregation Area (DCA)
Locations where drones gather to mate with queens from other colonies.
Hive Inspection
The process of examining a beehive to assess its health, population, and condition.
Honeycomb
The structure made of beeswax where bees store honey, pollen, and raise brood.
Integrated Pest Management (IPM)
An approach to pest control that emphasizes non-chemical methods and environmentally sensitive practices.
Nasonov Pheromone
A pheromone released by worker bees to orient returning foragers and to attract other bees to a new nest site. It is used by humans to recruit workers to food that lacks a characteristic scent and lead bees to water sources.
Orientation Flights
Short flights taken by young worker bees to familiarize themselves with the area surrounding the hive. It’s usually performed by young bees that are about 14 days old after emerging from their cell.
Pheromones, Queen Mandibular Pheromone (QMP)
Chemical substances produced by bees to communicate with each other, such as for marking trails to food sources or signaling danger. QMP: A pheromone produced by the queen bee that helps maintain colony cohesion and suppresses the development of new queens.
Pollination
The process by which pollen is transferred from the male reproductive organs of a flower to the female reproductive organs, resulting in fertilization and the production of seeds and fruits.
Propolis
A resinous substance collected by bees from tree buds and used to seal cracks and crevices in the hive. Propolis seems to help fight against bacteria, viruses, and fungi. It might also have anti-inflammatory effects and help skin heal.
Pupa
The life stage of a bee between the larval and adult stages, during which metamorphosis occurs. The pupa is enclosed in a cocoon and undergoes internal changes to develop into an adult bee.
Queen Bee
The female bee is responsible for laying eggs and governing the colony. She is the only female in the hive with fully developed ovaries. Without the queen, there is no colony or hive.
Queen Cell
Specialized cells within the hive where queen bees are raised. These cells are larger than worker cells.
Queen Suppression
The process by which worker bees inhibit the development of new queen bees by restricting their access to royal jelly.
Reproductive Swarming
The process by which a colony produces one or more new queens and divides into multiple swarms to establish new colonies.
Safety Gear
Protective clothing and equipment worn by beekeepers and pest control professionals to prevent stings and injuries during bee removal operations.
Smoke
Used by beekeepers to calm bees during hive inspections or removals by disrupting their communication and triggering a feeding response.
Sting
The defensive mechanism of bees, which can cause pain, swelling, and allergic reactions in humans. In general, honey bees die after stinging. The act of stinging rips away part of its abdomen and internal organs and causes it to die a few minutes later
Supersedure
The natural process by which a colony replaces an old or failing queen with a new one. This process usually occurs in the spring, summer, or early fall.
Swarm, Secondary Swarming
A large group of bees that leaves the hive to find a new location to establish a colony. Swarming is a natural part of the bee reproductive cycle. Secondary Swarming: Additional swarms that may leave the hive after the primary swarm has departed. Swarm Lure
A substance used to attract swarms to bait hives or swarm traps for capture and relocation. They can be made from old comb, which contains cocoons, bee propolis, pollen, and honey smell. There are also commercially available swarm lures that mimic bee pheromones.
Varroa Mites
A parasitic mite that infests honeybee colonies, feeding on the blood of adult bees and brood. It weakens colonies and contributes to colony collapse. It is considered a significant threat to honeybee populations worldwide.
Waggle Dance
A form of communication behavior used by worker bees to communicate the location, quality, and direction of food sources to other members of the colony.
Winter Cluster
A tight cluster of bees formed during cold weather to conserve heat and survive the winter months.Contact US
or call 916 961 5049 (we will get back to you as soon as possible)