About Us

Best for Bees is a research and development company for beekeepers that was founded in 2010 by Erica Shelley, PhD. Over the years, the company has grown to include agricultural and research projects with honeybees and bumblebees, as well as providing beekeeping services to companies through “Business Bees”.

In 2020, Best for Bees collaborated with the University of Guelph on a joint research project and she invented the ProtectaBEE, a hive entrance used for bee vectoring. Erica's background in Molecular and Medical Genetics, where she worked with fungi and cancer, proved particularly useful in the development of this project, which uses fungi to treat varroa mites.

Today, through Best for Bees, our "hive" is working with world researchers, producers, and supply companies to improve bee health, make beekeeping easier, and save the world's bees, one hive at a time. The company remains committed to educating hobby beekeepers and promoting sustainable beekeeping practices, while also spearheading innovative research and development initiatives aimed at improving bee health and population.

INSTALLATION:

Place case (A) against bottom board and push down (may be tight) until flush with bottom board. Attach case (A) with screws (I) pressing down on case to keep the case flush with bottom board (*bees will use gaps) (Fig. 1)

To remove case, loosen screws, lift and pull. (Fig. 2)

PROTECTION:

Add cone inserts (C) to drawer in opposite directions. Push drawers in and lock.

MAXIMUM TRAFFIC:

Remove inserts for maximum traffic and rain protection (lock drawers)

ENTRANCE REDUCER/SOLID:

Add reducer (E or F) to drawer. Add solid insert (D) to other drawer. Push drawers in completely and lock.

To add food/pollen substitutes or medications, place them into drawer with solid insert (D).

CLOSED:

Add solid inserts (D) to both drawers. Push drawers in completely and lock.

VECTORING:

Add powder to drawer as directed on package.

Snap block (G) into place above powder.

Add cone insert (C) (pointed inward) to powder drawer and cone insert (C) (pointed outward ) to other side. Push drawers in completely and lock.

REDUCING TRAFFIC:

To temporarily reduce outbound traffic, turn cone insert (C) pointed inward for both drawers. Push drawers in completely.

HIVE BEETLE DRAWER MONITOR:

Currently experimental: mix ¼ tsp apple cider vinegar with ¼ tsp hardened vegetable oil and spread on base of hive beetle drawer (H). Check periodically for presence of hive beetles.

*THIS IS NOT FOR VARROA MITE MONITORING

LOCK DRAWERS:

Lock drawers by aligning the holes of each drawer (J) with the hole of the case (K). Suggestions for the locking point are clevis fastener or cotter pins, twist tie, bolt, zip tie, etc.

OPTIONALS EXTRAS:

SwarmStopper™:

To temporarily prevent swarming, add SwarmStopper™ inserts (L - not included) to both drawers. Lock drawers.

*use no more than 2 consecutive days

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VENTED INSERT:

The vented insert (M) can be used for moving hives or increasing ventilation with entrance reducer (insert E or F) installed.Add the vented insert (M) to drawer(s). For hive moving ensure you have locked the drawers and secured the ProtectaBEE™.

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