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A New Iconic HBRC Facility

We are creating a new, iconic facility for honey bee education, research, advocacy and outreach. It will be a destination; a place of excellence in design, function and research. All in support of the future of honey bees.

University Of Guelph Honey Bee Research Centre

A Leader In Apiculture, Research And Education


Honey bees play a key role in agricultural productivity and ecosystem sustainability by providing pollination services to crops and wild plants. Our mandate is to help honey bees continue this vital work.

Featured Articles


  • Katie Knowles | Summer 2023
    Having made her way from volunteer to summer staff to Apiary Research Assistant, Kathryn (better known as Katie) is Paul’s right-hand woman, making her an especially important person to highlight!  Katie is in her final year of a BSc in Ecology and has spent her summer co-op term here at the HBRC. Now, she is… Read more: Katie Knowles | Summer 2023
  • Sarah Guzman | Summer 2023
    Sarah, the daughter of our HBRC director, Dr. Ernesto Guzman, started volunteering in May of 2023. Her interest in the HBRC is rooted in the desire to learn more about the importance of bees and the care required to maintain their health. She thought that volunteering at the HBRC would teach her about pollinators and… Read more: Sarah Guzman | Summer 2023
  • Student Apiculture Club | Summer 2023
    The Apiculture Club is a student-run club at the University of Guelph. Since being founded in the late 1800s, they have been actively participating in activities aimed at raising awareness of, and fostering a passion for, honey bees. They organize information booths at university events and host club activities. In addition, they produce hive products… Read more: Student Apiculture Club | Summer 2023
  • Propolis | Summer 2023
    Propolis is a tree resin that honey bees collect. They use propolis to seal the interiors of their hives and to reduce hive entrances for the cooler months. Propolis is an ancient Greek word meaning, ‘before the city’. Closing the entrance with propolis is like closing the gates to the city! Bees also use propolis… Read more: Propolis | Summer 2023
  • Acaricide Formulations for Varroa Mite Control | Summer 2023
    In Ontario, as in other parts of the world, beekeepers employ a variety of acaricides (chemicals that kill mites) to reduce the populations of Varroa mites in their beehives. Over the years, we have identified several natural compounds that exhibit strong acaricidal activity. These compounds are advantageous as they are not deemed toxic to humans,… Read more: Acaricide Formulations for Varroa Mite Control | Summer 2023
  • Hive Update | Summer 2023
    It has been an up and down year weather-wise. Our spring started off quite dry, but by the end of May and into June, we started receiving periodic rains and many warm sunny days. Late summer, we received lots of rain! This year, all trees, shrubs, and other vegetation bloomed profusely. Our hives were able… Read more: Hive Update | Summer 2023

Our Courses at UoG


Featured Course

  • Introductory Beekeeping Course
    In 2023, the HBRC will be conducting the Introductory Beekeeping course in-person and also virtually. The content of the courses (listed below) will be the same, but with different delivery methods.  REGISTRATION FOR BOTH COURSES WILL BE AVAILABLE STARTING ON JANUARY 25th, 2023, @7:00 PM Follow us on social media to receive an announcement about when… Read more: Introductory Beekeeping Course

“The OAC is a leader for advanced agricultural and environmental research and has an inspiring 125-year history of honey bee research.”

Rene Van Acker,
Dean, Ontario Agricultural College, UoG

“We are passionate about bees at the Honey Bee Research Centre. Our life’s work is understanding bee health problems and providing solutions. To ensure honey bee sustainability, we provide many educational opportunities for beekeepers and visitors of all ages. We look forward to enhancing our research and education capacities with a new Honey Bee Research Centre. Please help us help bees by joining our community of supporters.”

Paul Kelly
Research And Apiary Manager, HBRC

“Having a world class facility with the capacity for advanced research and outreach is essential to the apicultural industry in Canada. The Honey Bee Research Centre will now continue to be an even stronger model for Canada and the world of progressive and innovative beekeeping activity. “

Rod Scarlett
Executive Director, Canadian Honey Council

4000

Visitors Annually

326

Hives

28

Tons of Honey Produced Annually

127

Years in Existence

7

Million YouTube Video Views