Beekeeping showing beekeepers preparing to take a swarm. At bottom of tree are straw beehives (skeps) used in the apiary. From 18th century edition of Virgil Georgics which followed the agricultural traditions set down by Virgil in Roman times. Copperplate engraving'

8 de Octubre de 2008. VIII Edición de la Feria “El Corte de la Miel” de Ayora ... mercado medieval. Demostración del corte de la miel. Apicultores. Comunidad Valenciana.

Beekeeper checking drone larvae for mite infestation using an uncapping fork. No mites are apparent here. There would be a brown spot on the larvae if a mite were present.

Bee-keeper (apiarist) cutting twigs around a cluster of swarming bees to be able to cut the whole branch with the bees and transport them down to put the bees into a new hive

Beekeeper checking a drone frame (green) for larvae with mite infestation. (using an uncapping fork). No mites are apparent here. there would be a brown spot on the larvae if a mite were present.

Bee-keeper (apiarist) transporting branch with a cluster of swarming bees down the tree of which he cut the branch to transport the bees to a new hive

Queen excluder used between supers ( single boxes ) to isolate queen bee in lower portion of hive from honey bearing supers which are to be harvested. Paper towel which has been soaked in mineral oil, is used to help the bees combat mites.

Beekeeper cleans, feeds and inspects hives for health and condition of queen and her drones for honey in fields where they pollinate

Beekeeper examining comb from the brood chamber of hive. The frame has capped brood and eggs. This short frame has drone brood on the bottom, which the beekeeper can remove if it becomes mite infested.