Enjoy the time-honored tradition of beekeeping in your own backyard or urban rooftop with this accessible resource for beekeepers of all skill levels, now in its 5th edition.

More than a guide to beekeeping, The Backyard Beekeeper features expert advice for:

• Setting up and caring for your own colonies


• Selecting the best location to place your new bee colonies for their safety and yours


• The most practical and nontoxic ways to care for your bees


• Swarm control


• Using top bar hives


• Harvesting the products of a beehive and collecting and using honey


• Bee problems and treatments

New in this edition:

• Natural beekeeping techniques like insulating hives for the winter to mimic the advantages of bee homes in the wild


• Important new treatments for and updated info on the battle with Varroa mites


• How to deal with the new antibiotic recommendations for American foulbrood


• Introduction to new recordkeeping technology to consider

In addition to content updates to reflect the most recent research and technology in beekeeping, the book features a new design with larger, easier-to-read text, many new photos, and a more easily navigable structure.

With this complete reference and the expert advice ofBee Culture editor emeritus Kim Flottum, your bees will be healthy, happy, and more productive.