April resources for Michigan beekeepers
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EmailBeekeepers in Michigan can learn about seasonal honey bee colony management and care through webinars, videos and other online resources.
April is a critical time for Michigan beekeepers as they prepare their colonies for the active spring and summer months. With changing weather conditions and seasonal hive management needs, beekeepers can access the following online resources, including webinars and videos, to stay informed, ask questions and ensure healthy honey bee colonies.
April beekeeping webinar and webinar recordings from past years
Join Michigan State University Extension for April Michigan Beekeeping Office Hours on Monday, April 7 at 7 p.m.. The 2025 series of Michigan Beekeeping Office Hours webinars will focus time for answering beekeeping questions.
Beekeeping webinar series in past years included presentations on seasonal beekeeping management. Beekeepers can watch these presentations in the April 2024 Michigan Beekeeping Office Hours webinar recording and the April 2023 Michigan Beekeeping Office Hours webinar recording. Additional webinar recordings are available on the Michigan State University Beekeeping YouTube channel and at Michigan State University Extension beekeeping and pollinator videos.
The best way for Michigan State University (MSU) Extension to answer beekeeping questions is through monthly Michigan Beekeeping Office Hours webinars. If you need to ask questions outside of the webinars and you live in Michigan, submit your question through the Michigan beekeeping Ask Extension form.
New colonies
- Northern Bee Network - online directory for selling and purchasing local bees
- Beginning beekeeping: installing a package - video
- Beginning beekeeping: installing a nuc - video
- First year colonies: what to do when the bees arrive - webinar recording
Swarms and splits
- Don't be surprised by swarms - article
- Established colonies: preparing for swarm season - webinar recording
Varroa mites and honey bee diseases
- Tools for varroa management from the Honey Bee Health Coalition - guide (Spanish version: La versión completa en español de las Herramientas para la Gestión de Varroa)
- Diagnostic tools for honey bee diseases - online learning module
- European foulbrood office hours - webinar recording
- Michigan honey bee veterinarians - contact list
- Find a bee vet from the Honey Bee Veterinary Consortium - contact list
General beekeeping resources
- Apiculture programs and resources from MSU Extension
- Getting started with beekeeping in Michigan
- Is Beekeeping Right for Me? - online course
- Ask Extension form for Michigan residents to ask beekeeping questions
- List of Michigan beekeeping clubs from Michigan Beekeepers Association
- Beekeeping in Northern Climates Manual from the University of Minnesota Bee Lab
Websites, email newsletter and social media
- MSU Extension Beekeeping & Pollinators website
- Michigan Pollinator Initiative website
- MSU Extension Beekeeping & Pollinators events
- MSU Extension Beekeeping & Pollinators email newsletter
- Michigan State University Beekeeping YouTube channel
- Michigan State University Beekeeping Facebook page
- Michigan Pollinator Initiative Facebook page
Acknowledgments
Thank you to the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development for securing funding from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for Michigan State University to implement strategies in the Michigan Managed Pollinator Protection Plan.
This work is supported by the Crop Protection and Pest Management Program, project award no. 2021-70006-35450, from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture.
This work is supported by the Crop Protection and Pest Management Program, project award no. 2022-70006-38001, from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture.
Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the view of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
