A lecture given by Kirsten Traynor at the 2021 National Honey Show entitled “Reading a Hive” The lecture is sponsored by Sussex Beekeepers Association. The National Honey Show gratefully acknowledge the Worshipful Company of Wax Chandlers for their support.

The hardest thing to learn as a beekeeper is how to read a hive. This comes through experience, repetition, and careful observation. Gain some insight into the natural structure of a hive and how you can manage the bees to achieve the goals you set.

Dr. Kirsten S. Traynor is the Director of the Institute of Bee Science in Celle, Germany. In 2020, she launched a new quarterly magazine 2 Million Blossoms: protect our pollinators. Originally an English major, Kirsten won her first hive in a raffle right after college graduation. These fascinating insects led to a globe-trotting adventure, a PhD in biology, and a new appreciation for the interconnectedness of our planet. But she never lost her desire to write and now combines her skills in science communication. She is the author of Two Million Blossoms: Discovering the Medicinal Benefits of Honey and Simple, Smart Beekeeping.