Why does honey never spoil? Explore the science behind its natural preservatives like low water content and high acidity, and learn storage tips for Australian beekeepers. Discover how to use honey’s longevity to benefit your hives this winter. Read more to unlock nature’s sweetest secret for your apiary!

Are your beehives safe from winter pests? In Australia, small hive beetles and wax moths can threaten weakened colonies during cooler months. Discover practical strategies to protect your bees, from deploying beetle traps to maintaining hive hygiene. Ensure a thriving spring with our expert tips for Australian beekeepers. Read more to safeguard your hives!

Dearth
A nectar dearth, marked by a scarcity of floral resources, poses a significant challenge to bee colonies across Australia. In Northern Tasmania, current dry conditions have diminished nectar flows, leaving hives with dwindling stores and heightened stress. Honey production declines, brood rearing falters, and foraging bees exhaust themselves in search of sustenance. Beekeepers are responding with supplementary feeding—sugar syrup and pollen substitutes—to avert starvation and sustain their apiaries. This silent struggle underscores the need for vigilant management to protect these vital pollinators.

Dearth
A nectar dearth, marked by a scarcity of floral resources, poses a significant challenge to bee colonies across Australia. In Northern Tasmania, current dry conditions have diminished nectar flows, leaving hives with dwindling stores and heightened stress. Honey production declines, brood rearing falters, and foraging bees exhaust themselves in search of sustenance. Beekeepers are responding with supplementary feeding—sugar syrup and pollen substitutes—to avert starvation and sustain their apiaries. This silent struggle underscores the need for vigilant management to protect these vital pollinators.

Dearth
A nectar dearth, marked by a scarcity of floral resources, poses a significant challenge to bee colonies across Australia. In Northern Tasmania, current dry conditions have diminished nectar flows, leaving hives with dwindling stores and heightened stress. Honey production declines, brood rearing falters, and foraging bees exhaust themselves in search of sustenance. Beekeepers are responding with supplementary feeding—sugar syrup and pollen substitutes—to avert starvation and sustain their apiaries. This silent struggle underscores the need for vigilant management to protect these vital pollinators.

Excerpt: "Illuminating Excellence: The Benefits of Beeswax Candles from Frogmouth Ponds"
As autumn deepens here in Port Sorell, Tasmania, and the days grow shorter, my beekeeping focus shifts toward preparing my hives for the cooler months ahead. This week, a reader posed an excellent question: “How much is too much when feeding bees to replace their stores?” To answer this, we must first understand why bees collect nectar and transform it into honey—a process central to their survival—and then consider our responsibility as beekeepers when we harvest their reserves.

This blog post will cover the following:

• The Purpose of Nectar and Honey in the Hive

• Harvesting Honey: A Beekeeping Responsibility

• How Much Is Too Much?

• Striking the Balance

I hope you enjoy reading it!