Give the gift of beekeeping, with a Colony Membership Gift Coupon. On sale now!

PerfectBee Academy
A unique way to learn and enjoy beekeeping
PerfectBee Academy is our extensive beekeeping syllabus. Across three detailed courses, our free lessons help you decide if beekeeping is right for you. Our Colony lessons take you to the point where you can confidently install your first hives....and beyond.
Course 1: Learn About Bees
This course starts with a look at the huge diversity of bees around the world, honeybee reproduction, the miracle of pollination, the beauty of honeycomb and more.​
1.1 The Science of Bees
The bee is one of nature’s most incredible creators and in The Science of Bees we look at everything from bee species, reproduction, genetics and much more.
WebinarTake Test
Why Bees Rock
The Incredible Diversity of Bees
The Anatomy of Bees
A Deeper Look at Honeybee Anatomy
Honeybee Genetics
How Honeybees Reproduce
The Honeybee Lifecycle
Exploring the Process of Pollination
The Secrets of Honeycomb
How Bees Use Pheromones
Why Bees Can't Fly
The Common Races Of Honeybees
1.2 The Life of Bees
Watching bees fly from and back to the hive is a special part of beekeeping. But the real wonder is what happens in and away from the hive, as our bees go about their astonishing lives.
WebinarTake Test
Inside And Out of the Beehive
The Role Of The Drone Honeybee
The Role Of The Queen Honeybee
The Role Of The Worker Honeybee
How Bees Sense And React To Their World
Why And How Honeybees Forage
How Do Bees Make Honey?
Understanding The Honey Flow
Sticking With Propolis
How Bees Manage Temperature and Moisture
Fat Honeybees And The Winter Cluster
Why And How Bees Swarm
1.3 About Beekeeping
While we consider the science and life of the bee, the beekeeper can also play a vital role in the success of the colony. So, what does it take to be a beekeeper and what is involved?
WebinarTake Test
The Philosophy Of Natural Beekeeping
Beekeeping With Kids
The Growth And Feasibility Of Urban Beekeeping
Understanding, Avoiding And Coping With Bee Stings
Finding Beekeeping Clubs And Mentors
Beekeeping And Your Neighbors
Top Beekeeping Books For Your Bookshelf
Why Beekeeping Matters
The Hidden Benefits of Beekeeping
Thoughts About Responsible Beekeeping
Jump To:

Section 1.1

Section 1.2

Section 1.3

COURSE 2

COURSE 3

Course 2: Your Beehive
A heavily practical course! We introduce you to the types of beehives in common use today and how they might best suit your specific needs. We cover tools, accessories, clothing and much more. Then we discover that great moment when you obtain and install your first bees!
2.1 Beehives and Accessories
What does it take to provide a home for our bees? We look at the types of hives and the various choices we have for our bee yard.
WebinarTake Test
A Practical Guide To Starting Beekeeping
What Bees Need
What Beekeepers Need
An Introduction To The Common Types Of Beehives
A Detailed Look At The Langstroth Hive
A Detailed Look At The Top Bar Hive
A Detailed Look At The Warre Hive
A Detailed Look At Flow Hive Beehive
Foundation Or Foundationless Beekeeping?
The Practicalities Of Setting Up A Beehive
2.2 Equipment and Clothing
Beyond the hive, there are many tools available to the beekeeper, from the essential to the entirely optional. We also cover the important topic of protective clothing.
WebinarTake Test
Beekeeping With A Smoker
Using Feeders With Your Hive
Tools For Beekeepers To Consider
Beekeeping Protective Clothing Overview
Beekeeping And Technology
2.3 Starting Your Beehive
Getting your hives started is a glorious time, but also one packed with important decisions. We look at how to prepare, where to set up, and how to install your bees and much more.
WebinarTake Test
Questions The New Beekeeper Should Answer First
Preparing And Installing Your Beehive
An Overview Of Obtaining Bees For A Beehive
Obtaining And Installing A Package Of Honeybees
Obtaining And Installing A Honeybee Nucleus Colony
Capturing and Installing A Swarm Of Bees
Practical Guidance For The New Beekeeper
Contrarian Positions for New Beekeepers to Consider
Involving Family And Friends In Beekeeping
An Introduction To The Brood Nest
An Introduction To Feeding Honeybees
An Introduction To The Honeybee Hive Inspection
Tracking Beehive Progress And Keeping Records
Beekeeping Advocacy
Beekeeping Myths For The New Beekeeper To Question
Course 3: A Healthy Beehive
Bees do a great job keeping a healthy colony. But it's also important that the beekeeper has a good sense of when things might go bad! We look at how we can help our bees help themselves. And we finish with a look at the rewards beekeeping offers!
3.1 Threats to Bees
Our bees face a wide range of threats, both natural and man-made. Although they have remarkable resilience and effective ways to combat many challenges, the informed beekeeper understands the potential risks and how our bees can sometimes benefit from a helping hand.
WebinarTake Test
A Practical Guide To A Thriving Colony
An Overview Of The Main Threats To Bees
The Threat Of Robbing
An Introduction To Colony Collapse Disorder
Small Hive Beetle And Honeybees
The Lifecycle and Dangers of Wax Moths
From Tiny Mice To Big Bears
The Threat Of American And European Foulbrood
An Introduction To Nosema And Chalkbrood
An Introduction To Tracheal Mites
The Threat Of Varroa Mites: Part 1
The Threat Of Varroa Mites: Part 2
3.2 Inspecting Your Beehive
The beehive inspection is a time of wonder for the beekeeper and an opportunity to experience the joy of beekeeping, right up close. It's also an important time to observe and learn. A successful beekeeper has taken the time to watch and interpret what is happening inside the hive.
WebinarTake Test
The Big Issues To Check At The Hive Inspection
Learning From Deadout Inspections
Queenlessness In Your Beehive
Why And When To Consider Requeening
Recognizing And Avoiding Swarms
What is Bearding in Honeybees?
Inspecting And Understanding The Brood Pattern
An Introduction To Cross Comb
Splitting A Hive of Bees
An Introduction To Queen Rearing: Part 1
An Introduction To Queen Rearing: Part 2
An Introduction To Overwintering Honeybees
Preparing for Deep and Long Winters
Managing Hive Capacity
Moving A Hive
A FAQ For The Committed New Beekeeper
3.3 Reaping The Rewards
The extraction of honey is perhaps the most well-known reward for the beekeeper. But there are so many other ways in which we enjoy and value our beekeeping, from the tangible to the emotional.
WebinarTake Test
The Tangible Rewards Of Beekeeping
An Introduction To Harvesting Honey: Part 1
An Introduction To Harvesting Honey: Part 2
An Introduction To Extracting Beeswax
Making Money With Beekeeping
From The End Of A Course To The Start Of Beekeeping

Frequently Asked Questions