In recent years, beekeepers on several continents have been suffering heavy losses of colonies. If we systematically investigate factors causing the losses, we can justifiably ask whether the way in which honey bees are kept is part of the problem. Could hive design, frames, foundation, intrusion, artificial queen breeding, drone suppression, queen excluders, artificial feeding, medication, transhumance and overstocking - all elements of modern beekeeping - be reducing the vitality of bees?
This book examines the issues surrounding these practices, drawing where possible on the primary literature in bee biology and apiculture, in order to identify an approach to keeping bees that is more bee-appropriate, more apicentric. It also analyses the fundamental attitudes underlying the different ways in which we choose to keep bees.
Honeycomb is now known to be much more than just the skeleton of the bee colony superorganism. A case is presented for making natural comb the centre of a way of beekeeping that better respects the nature of the honey bee by allowing its species-specific behaviours to be expressed. This is apicentric beekeeping.
Among the hives based on relatively natural comb, the author presents the top-bar hive of Émile Warré as a practical and economical alternative to frame hives and describes the bee-friendly features of its operation. The book includes construction plans and modern tips for its management. Contents & Preface
- published by Northern Bee Books, 14 September 2010
- ISBN: 978-1-904846-60-4
- paperback, 170 x 244 mm, 160 pages
- 80 colour illustrations and 16 line drawings
- fully annotated with supporting 117-reference bibliography including up-to-date apiological and apicultural primary literature
- thoroughly indexed
- suitable for beginners who already have a basic knowledge of the life of the honey bee, as well as for beekeepers with experience who want to discover a more bee-friendly way, either with their existing hives or with the Warré hive
- printed on recycled paper
- £24.00 (GB pounds) + £1.00 carriage from Northern Bee Books
Reviews Reader's comments (PDF)
Amendments and addendum of second impression (2011)
The Bee-friendly Beekeeper orders:
Shipping to UK and worldwide destinations, direct from the publisher:
Northern Bee Books
Scout Bottom Farm
Mytholmroyd
Hebden Bridge
HX7 5JS
UK
Tel: +44 (0)1422 882751 Fax: +44 (0)1422
886157
Email Northern Bee Books: sales@recordermail.co.uk
Please note: Shipping to the USA direct from the publisher (Northern Bee Books) generally takes about a week.
Purchase a signed copy of The Bee-friendly Beekeeper direct from the author:
UK destinations -- £25.00 (includes first class post)
European countries other than UK -- £26.00 (includes airmail)
Outside Europe -- £29.00 (includes airmail)
Email David Heaf for payment options: david (at) dheaf.plus.com
Online sales outlets for The Bee-friendly Beekeeper:
UK
Green Shopping; Arden Books; IBRA Store; Waterstones; Amazon; Biodynamic Agricultural Association;
Beechwood Bees; WH Smith; Thornes; Bees For Development; Campus; National Bee Supplies
USA
Matt Reed (Oregon): http://www.beethinking.com (listed for sale 2 January 2011)
Bill Bezuk (Oregon): http://eugenebackyardfarmer.com (no online sales)
Australia
New Zealand
Koanga Gardens Centre for Sustainable Living: http://www.koanga.org.nz/shop/animal-health (listed for ale 4 January 2011)
Keeping bees in a more natural way is growing in popularity throughout the world. Older hive designs are being reappraised, and methods that have been used for over a century are being questioned.
The People's Hive of Abbé Émile Warré (1867-1951) is one of the older designs that beekeepers find particularly attractive. Several commercial honey producers have already adapted it to fit their needs. Warré's one-size box with top-bars, natural comb and insulating quilt, create ideal conditions for colony vitality and survival, as well as reducing consumption of honey stores in winter. The hive is now used worldwide in climates ranging from the tropics to the taïga.
This inspiring, practical, clearly laid out book contains everything you need to know in order to build and run a Warré hive. Amongst others, topics include tools, siting, obtaining and hiving bees, monitoring, feeding, wintering, enlarging the hive, harvesting and extracting honey with simple kitchen equipment. An ideal book for the aspiring natural beekeeper.
Preface & Contents- published by Northern Bee Books, April 2013
- ISBN: 978-1-908904-38-6
- paperback, 170 x 244 mm, 104 pages
- 50 B&W illustrations and 17 line drawings
- thoroughly indexed
- suitable for beginners who already have a basic knowledge of the life of the honey bee, as well as for beekeepers with experience who want to start Warré beekeeping
- £12.00 (GB pounds) + carriage from Northern Bee Books
Natural Beekeeping with the Warré hive -- A Manual orders:
Shipping to UK and worldwide destinations, direct from the publisher:
Northern Bee Books
Scout Bottom Farm
Mytholmroyd
Hebden Bridge
HX7 5JS
UK
Tel: +44 (0)1422 882751 Fax: +44 (0)1422
886157
Email Northern Bee Books: sales@recordermail.co.uk
More purchase opportunities to follow.
