Books.by / The Hive Doctor

The Path from Beginner to Master

Intuitive Beekeeping

by Jonathan Adam Hargus

Book 1 in The Hive Doctor's Guide Series

About The Book

The Intuitive Beekeeper — Revised Edition
Developing the Mentor Within
Beekeeping isn’t just boxes, frames, smoke, and schedules — it’s a conversation.
A language.
A relationship.
Most beekeeping books teach what to do. This one helps you understand why — and more importantly, how to listen.
In The Intuitive Beekeeper, author and educator Jonathan Adam Hargus — The Hive Doctor — bridges the gap between science and instinct, giving beekeepers a way to approach their hives with confidence, clarity, and calm. Whether you’re brand new to bees or years into the craft and searching for deeper understanding, this book will help you move beyond checklist beekeeping and into intentional, connected practice.
Inside, you’ll learn:
How to read a hive without opening it
When to act — and when to leave the bees alone
The balance between data, observation, and intuition
How to assess colony health through behavior, sound, scent, and posture
A simplified approach to hive management that reduces overwhelm and increases success
This revised edition includes updated methods, improved structure, refined seasonal guidance, and a more grounded philosophy rooted in both research and real-world experience.
If you’re ready to stop reacting and start understanding, this is your missing link between beginner and master.
Because the best beekeepers aren’t just managing bees —
they’re learning to hear them.

The Hive Doctor

Professional Beekeeper of over 25 years

I spent 15 years working alongside commercial beekeepers, where every decision had real consequences and reading the bees’ signals correctly wasn’t optional—it was essential. I didn’t start as a beginner myself, but I’ve seen firsthand the mistakes and confusion that hobbyists and intermediate beekeepers face in their first seasons. My goal is to give you the clarity and insight that took me years to develop. I distill complex, expert-level knowledge into practical guidance so you can focus on what truly matters, avoid unnecessary trial-and-error, and build healthy, thriving hives with confidence. Think of this as a shortcut to understanding your bees—learning what to observe, when to act, and how to enjoy the process without getting lost in the noise.