Like every living organism on Earth with several subspecies, there are many different types of honey bees, each with their own traits. Apis mellifera, the western honey bee or the European honey bee, is the most common honey bee in the world. Apis mellifera consists of several subspecies of honey bees that vary based on…
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Beekeeping is a complex occupation that requires extensive knowledge and skill. As a result, beekeepers put in a lot of time and effort to care for their bees, hives, and equipment. Bee insurance is an integral safeguard for beekeeping operations, protecting beekeepers and their hives from damage, product liability, and injury liability. Why should beekeepers…
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To survive and grow as a colony, honey bees need access to sufficient amounts of flowering plants and trees year round. This has been severely impacted by urbanization throughout the past few decades. Currently, over half of the world’s population reside in urban areas, and it is expected to rise to 70% between 2020 and…
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Although the honey industry may seem sweet, there’s something fishy going on. In the last 20 years since 2018, honey consumption has increased by over 40% as people search for healthier alternatives to sugar and are attracted by the benefits that honey offers. In 2016, 35% less honey was produced by American bees than 20…
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Although you can keep bees in urban, suburban, and rural areas, certain types of land and land factors create a more suitable environment for bees and beekeeping than others. Factors such as water, climate, forage, and predators determine how your bees live and produce honey. Climate and Temperature Honey bees have adapted to all types…
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When you first think about keeping bees in your backyard, you may initially start thinking about supplies, the bees themselves, hives, and space in your backyard. However, before you can even start assembling your beekeeping gear, one question must be answered: Am I even allowed to have bees on my property? Your city or town…
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Dearth is a difficult time for all bee colonies, and it occurs when there is a shortage of nectar-producing flowers in a colony’s foraging region. Flowers that normally produce nectar may not during times of stress, such as a drought. Dearth can be disastrous to colonies because a whole population can starve to death if…
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COVID-19 is a virus that has proven difficult to combat. One of the main defenses that the CDC has recommended is social distancing. This puts a wrench in beekeeping courses and club meetings that are usually hands-on and taught in person. To alleviate the stress of putting classes, hobbies, and future careers on hold, there…
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Verbal contracts are hard to prove, especially if the other side is saying “I never agreed to that!” 🙄 Whether you are a hobbyist, sideliner, or commercial beekeeper, when putting hives on other peoples’ land, it is best to create a written document outlining the terms of the arrangement. Benefits of a Written Contract for…
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Today I got to see the famous Dr. Samuel Ramsey—the University of Maryland bee scientist who pioneered research that discovered that Varroa mites feed on fat bodies, not hemolymph (blood in invertebrates)—speak about his new research into an emerging threat to apis mellifera at the 2020 American Beekeeping Federation conference in Schaumberg, IL. And—wow—his talk…
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