Best Beekeeping Books for Beginners (2025)

Why Books Still Matter in the YouTube Age

YouTube is fantastic for seeing techniques in action. But when you're standing in your apiary at 7am, trying to remember if that spotty brood pattern means a failing queen or American foulbrood, you need a reference you can flip to—not a 45-minute video you have to scrub through.

Good beekeeping books offer something videos can't: organized, searchable knowledge that you can absorb at your own pace and reference repeatedly. They're also written by authors who've spent years refining their explanations, not just recording their stream of consciousness.

That said, not all beekeeping books are created equal. Some were written decades ago and haven't been updated for modern pest pressures (Varroa mites weren't even in the US until 1987). Others are so region-specific that the advice will kill your bees if you're in a different climate.

Here are the books that actually help—and why.

Best Overall: The Beekeeper's Handbook (5th Edition)

If you buy one beekeeping book, make it this one. The Beekeeper's Handbook has been the standard university text for decades, and for good reason. It's comprehensive without being overwhelming, and the 5th edition (2021) includes updated information on Varroa management and modern treatment options.

What makes it great:

• Logical organization that mirrors your learning journey
• Detailed illustrations for disease identification
• Treatment schedules and dosage charts you'll actually use
• Referenced by university extension programs nationwide

Minor drawbacks: The tone is academic rather than conversational, which some find dry. It also assumes a Langstroth hive setup—top-bar and Warré beekeepers will need to supplement.

Best for: Any beginner who wants a comprehensive, reliable reference. This is the book you'll still use in year 10.

Best for Natural Beekeeping: The Practical Beekeeper

Michael Bush runs one of the most visited beekeeping websites (bushfarms.com) and has kept bees treatment-free for decades. His approach emphasizes foundationless frames, small-cell comb, and letting bees express natural behaviors.

What makes it great:

• Challenges conventional wisdom with evidence
• Excellent coverage of natural comb and foundationless frames
• Philosophy-driven but still practical
• Available free online at bushfarms.com (but the book is better organized)

Important caveat: Treatment-free beekeeping has high failure rates for beginners. Bush has decades of experience and locally-adapted genetics. If you're starting with package bees, you'll likely need to treat for Varroa. Read this for perspective, not as your sole guide.

Best for: Beekeepers interested in natural methods who already have a solid foundation in conventional management.

Best Visual Guide: Storey's Guide to Keeping Honey Bees

If you learn better from pictures than text, this is your book. Storey's Guide is packed with color photographs and diagrams that show you exactly what healthy brood looks like versus diseased brood, how to spot a queen, and what your smoker should look like when it's working properly.

What makes it great:

• Full-color photographs throughout
• Side-by-side comparisons (healthy vs. sick, good vs. bad)
• Excellent seasonal management calendar
• Accessible writing style

Minor drawbacks: Less depth on advanced topics than The Beekeeper's Handbook. You'll outgrow some sections within a year or two.

Best for: Visual learners and those who want a less academic introduction.

Best for Your First Year: Beekeeping for Dummies

Don't let the "Dummies" title fool you—this is a legitimately solid book. Howland Blackiston writes with the assumption that you know absolutely nothing, which is exactly what you want when you're starting out.

What makes it great:

• Zero assumptions about prior knowledge
• Covers equipment selection and purchasing
• Good section on common first-year mistakes
• Updated regularly (5th edition is 2020)

Minor drawbacks: Becomes less useful after your first year. Some coverage is surface-level compared to more comprehensive texts.

Best for: Complete beginners who want a gentle, reassuring introduction before diving deeper.

Best Reference: The Hive and the Honey Bee

This is the encyclopedia of beekeeping—a massive, multi-author reference that covers virtually everything known about honey bees and beekeeping. It's not a book you read cover-to-cover; it's a book you consult when you need deep information.

What makes it great:

• Unmatched depth on every topic
• Written by leading researchers and practitioners
• The definitive reference for serious beekeepers
• Covers biology, chemistry, history, and management

Important note: This is not a beginner book. It's expensive (~$60-80), dense, and assumes significant prior knowledge. Add it to your library in year 2 or 3.

Best for: Serious hobbyists and aspiring master beekeepers who want the definitive reference.

Best for Pest Management: Honey Bee Diseases & Pests

With colony losses averaging 55.6% in 2024-2025, pest and disease management is the most critical skill for modern beekeepers. This free guide from CAPA is the best resource available for identifying and treating common problems.

What makes it great:

• Excellent diagnostic photographs
• Clear treatment protocols
• Free to download and print
• Regularly updated with current information

Also recommended: The Honey Bee Health Coalition's Tools for Varroa Management guide is another free, essential resource specifically for mite control.

Best for: Every beekeeper. Print this and keep it in your bee bag.

Regional Guides Worth Having

Beekeeping is intensely local. What works in Georgia can kill bees in Minnesota. Your state extension office often produces free or low-cost guides tailored to your specific climate and nectar flows.

Top regional resources:

• Northeast: Check the Penn State Extension beekeeping resources
• Southeast: University of Georgia Bee Program publications
• Texas/Southwest: Texas A&M AgriLife Extension guides
• Pacific Northwest: Washington State University Extension
• Midwest: University of Minnesota Bee Lab resources

Most state beekeeping associations also publish newsletters and guides specific to local conditions. Joining your local club often includes access to these resources.

What to Skip

Not every beekeeping book deserves your time or shelf space. Here's what to avoid:

• Anything published before 1990: Pre-Varroa advice is dangerously outdated. Those bees didn't face the pest pressure yours will.
• Heavily romanticized "bee whisperer" books: They're fun to read but won't help you manage mites or recognize foulbrood.
• Generic "homesteading" chapters on bees: Usually superficial and sometimes wrong.
• Self-published books without credentials: Anyone can publish on Amazon. Check if the author has actual beekeeping experience.