Manuals

Manual Cover

Manuals are made available to download without charge when possible. To help cover the expenses to produce these, consider donating to the Bee Lab.

Beekeeping in Northern Climates - Third Edition

Authors: Lee, K.; Reuter, G.; Spivak, M.

Illustrator: Anne Turnham 

Description:

This manual is an update of the Beekeeping in Northern Climates. This manual accompanies our Beekeeping in Northern Climates courses. 

This updated manual contains updated information from the first and second edition, along with updated pictures and figures. Our manual and courses provides basic management principles and methods for managing honey bee colonies in regions with long, cold winters. For beekeepers, entomology students, and others interested in beekeeping. Contains 133 pages of information.

Download a free PDF. Hard copies of the manuals are for sale at the U of MN Bookstore. (You will receive a printed manual in the mail as part of the Beekeeping in Northern Climates online course or the in-person Beekeeping in Northern Climates Year 1 course)

2016 Honey Bee Diseases & Pests: A companion to Beekeeping in Northern Climates

Spivak, M.; Reuter, G.

Description: Updated for 2016. This 34-page booklet contains information on controlling diseases, parasitic mites and other pests of honey bees. For beekeepers, entomologists, and apiculture students.

Download PDF  Free. If you wish to donate see our Giving page.

Beekeeping in Northern Climates - First Edition

Furgala, B.; Spivak, M.; Reuter, G.

Description: This manual has been replaced by Beekeeping in Northern Climates - Second Edition. Those interested in the Horizontal two Queen System will be interested in this manual. Provides basic management principles and methods for managing wintered honey bee colonies in northern climates. Includes ten illustrations, a resource list and glossary. 75 pages. For beekeepers. entomology students, and others interested in beekeeping. A 40-minute companion video is available below.  Also included in the package is a copy of Honey Bee Diseases & Pests (see below).

2017 - This manual has been updated. If you have a 2013 version you can update with a few changes. Get a PDF file with the changes highlighted.

Download 1st Edition PDF - Free. If you wish to donate see our Giving page.

Download 1st Edition in Spanish PDF

View companion video to Beekeeping in Northern Climates.  Free. If you wish to donate see our Giving page.

Successful Queen Rearing Manual

Spivak, M.; Reuter, G.

Description: Provides how-to information on biology of queens and drones, stock selection and maintenance, Doolittle method, mating yards, making queens, timing of rearing queens, and record keeping. Includes designs for making your own equipment. 80 pages. A companion video is available below. For hobby and commercial beekeepers and professionals who work with beekeepers.

Purchase manual Successful Queen Rearing$25.00

View companion video to Successful Queen Rearing.  Free. If you wish to donate see our Giving page.