Beekeeping Success: Start Right, Build Strong Colonies, Harvest More Honey

Beekeeping Success is a practical, easy-to-navigate reference for anyone starting out or looking to level up their beekeeping skills. 

Learn how to choose the right equipment, raise healthy bees, prevent swarming, manage pests, and harvest honey with confidence. Whether you’re urban or rural, this book makes beekeeping approachable, profitable, and fun.

Written in a clear question-and-answer format, the book solves the most common problems faced by beekeepers — from installing your first colony to managing diseases like Varroa, harvesting honey efficiently, and introducing new queens.

Organized by theme, with step-by-step guidance and hundreds of real-life tips, this is a resource you can dip into whenever you encounter a challenge — or read cover to cover for a comprehensive foundation. Unlike theory-heavy manuals, this book is grounded in practical advice, with solutions tested by real beekeepers across a variety of climates and conditions, including suburban and small-space setups.

Whether you're in the US, UK, Australia, or beyond, Beekeeping Success gives you the confidence to start strong, build resilient colonies, and enjoy the sweet rewards of your efforts.

Dr Robert Owen is the founder of Bob’s Beekeeping Supplies and the author of the acclaimed Australian Beekeeping Manual, and co-author of Honey Bee Pests and Diseases. Robert is also a regular contributor to magazines such as the American Bee Journal.

Professor Jean-Pierre Scheerlinck is a scientist and longtime beekeeper and educator with expertise in bee biology and health. Together with Dr Robert Owen, they have created a trusted, experience-based resource for beekeepers worldwide.