Online Bee-Worthy Sites
American Bee Journal https://americanbeejournal.com
Established in 1861 and published by Dadant, the site offers a mix of hobbyist and commercial beekeeping articles, a long-running Q&A section to submit questions and get expert advice, historical archives, and regular updates on research, events, and legislation affecting the beekeeping world.
Bee Culture Magazine https://beeculture.com/
Known as "The Magazine of American Beekeeping," it offers monthly data on honey prices and hive conditions across different U.S. regions, a daily email service that provides breaking news in the world of bees and pollination, and articles ranging from high-level science and "The Bee Vet" to humor and "Minding Your Bees and Cues".
Bee Informed "The Loop" (Formerly Honey Bee Suite) honeybeesuite.com
Run by Rusty Burlew, this site is widely considered the best "blog-style" resource for nuanced beekeeping questions. Rather than just "how-to," Rusty explains the why behind bee behavior, such as why bees might be "washboarding" on the front of the hive or the chemistry of pheromones. The site also offers great information on niche subjects like wild pollinators, "fat bees," Demaree method for swarm control, and managing moisture in winter.
The BeeMD idtools.org/thebeemd
A sophisticated diagnostic tool funded by the USDA and the Pollinator Partnership. Offering an Interactive Diagnostic Key: If you see something wrong in your hive, you can select what you’re observing (e.g., "spotty brood," "bees with shriveled wings," or "greasy looking bees"), and the site will narrow down the potential causes and a huge library of hi-res photos to help visually confirm what a specific disease or pest looks like in person.
Betterbee Education Hub https://www.betterbee.com/beekeeping-hub/
The educational wing of the Betterbee supply company, designed to support beekeepers throughout the year. Offering an excellent free resource for beginners covering the absolute essentials of starting a hive, and a library of "how-to" tutorials on assembling equipment, managing pests, and harvesting honey.
Dadant https://www.dadant.com/
Dadant & Sons is one of the oldest and most respected names in beekeeping, having been in business since 1863. Their website is a massive resource for both beekeeping equipment and features an extensive library of articles and guides on topics like winterizing hives, pest management (such as Varroa mites), and hive ventilation. They also provide books, DVDs, and free videos to help new beekeepers learn the basics of the craft.
Honey Bee Health Coalition https://honeybeehealthcoalition.org
A collaborative network of agricultural stakeholders, researchers, and beekeepers focused on improving bee health. With Detailed manuals and Science-based resources to help beekeepers reduce chemical use for hive health & protection in agricultural landscapes, and a Varroa Management Guide (Considered the "gold standard" for mite control) providing a free, comprehensive guide and video series on how to test for and treat Varroa mites safely.
Scientific Beekeeping https://scientificbeekeeping.com/
The personal research site of Randy Oliver, a commercial beekeeper and biologist who bridges the gap between scientific papers and practical apiary work. He publishes his own field trials on everything from mite treatments (like Extended-Release Oxalic Acid) to bee nutrition and queen rearing and breaks down complex biological concepts into "Beekeeping Through the Eyes of a Biologist."
USDA Bee Research Labs ars.usda.gov
Agricultural Research Service (ARS) Honey Bee Health The official government research branch for honey bee health. Offers access to the latest federal research on topics like "Varroa-Sensitive Hygiene" (VSH) and the impact of climate on nectar flows and free disease diagnostics. If you suspect a serious disease like American Foulbrood, you can actually mail them a sample of your comb for a professional analysis.
The Xerxes Society xerces.org
The premier organization for invertebrate conservation, focusing heavily on native bees and habitat. Offering region-specific lists of native plants that provide the best forage for both honeybees and native pollinators and pesticide protection fact sheets on how to identify and reduce the impact of common pesticides on your colonies.
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