For any beekeeper, the sight of a ravaged beehive is a heart-sinking experience. With their clever paws and sweet tooth, raccoons can significantly threaten your beekeeping efforts. They damage the hive itself and consume the honey and bee larvae, jeopardizing the colony’s health and honey production. Fortunately, you can implement several effective methods to deter … Read more
Having trouble with skunks raiding your beehives? These striped bandits can wreak havoc on your bee colony, devouring bees and damaging hives. Do you want to learn about some practical strategies on how to get rid of skunks raiding beehives? Well, look no more! Read to learn some of the most effective strategies I found to … Read more
Urban beekeeping is a growing trend. And it’s a fantastic trend. Why? It allows city dwellers to contribute to bee health and enjoy the benefits of local honey production. However, embarking on this journey requires the right tools and equipment. This guide provides a comprehensive overview of essential urban beekeeping equipment and other useful urban beekeeping tools, from … Read more
Honeybees are vital to our ecosystem, playing a crucial role in pollination and honey production. However, their health is threatened by various diseases and pests. This comprehensive guide explores several common bee diseases and pests, empowering beekeepers to protect their hives and ensure bee health. Common Bee Diseases: Chalkbrood If you’re a beekeeper, you may … Read more
Looking for a rewarding hobby that connects you with nature and helps the environment? An introduction to beekeeping can be your first step! This guide explores the basics of beekeeping, its benefits, and how to get started. The Fundamentals of Beekeeping What is Beekeeping? Beekeeping, also known as apiculture, is the practice of maintaining honeybee … Read more
Key Takeaways The Western Honeybee, often reduced to a honey-producing insect, holds unimaginable value for our planet. From ensuring bountiful harvests to maintaining biodiversity, its contributions are essential for human well-being. But this vital pollinator faces numerous threats, jeopardizing its existence and the very foundation of our food system. This article explores the western honeybee’s importance, its challenges, and how we … Read more
Key Takeaways The maximum lifespan of a queen bee typically ranges between 3 to 5 years, although most commercial beekeepers choose to replace queens every 1 to 2 years to maintain optimal colony productivity and health. However, with optimal conditions, including excellent genetics, proper nutrition, and effective colony management, queens can live to their full … Read more
Key Takeaways A bee-friendly garden benefits the bees and results in higher-yielding and more productive fruits, vegetables, and flowers to enjoy. By supporting bees at a local level, you can make a difference for these essential pollinators that we all rely on to produce our food. Do your part by making your garden a welcoming … Read more
Key Takeaways Bee-safe insecticides minimize harm to bees, either through reduced toxicity, natural formulation, or specific application methods that avoid contact with pollinators. Examples include Acetamiprid and Thiacloprid, which are among the least toxic to bees, and natural repellents like garlic and kaolin clay, which deter pests without harming bees. Why are bee-safe insecticides important? Because pollinators like bees, butterflies, birds, … Read more
Key Takeaways Why a wild bee hotel DIY project? Because bees are incredibly important pollinators for home gardens. Unlike domesticated honeybees, wild bees pollinate crops and other plants for free, and studies show that gardens with greater wild bee diversity have higher pollination rates and increased fruit set on flowers and vegetables. Native wild bees help gardens … Read more
