Here’s some things to think about for your apiary about this time of year–for colonies in climates similar to ours … in my opinion of course. Beekeeping practices vary. 1) Wish a Happy Father’s Day to any friendly drones you see. Hopefully those will be the...
I hesitated a few seconds before I added “and Answers” to the title of this blog. Beekeeping is often more art than science. What I prescribe may be different from other beekeepers’ answer. The lack of black-and-white answers is a maddening thing (and one of the...
My phone, and my colonies, are buzzing. The phone with questions, the latter with bees. Here are some things I suggest you bear in mind this time of year for colonies located in climates similar to SW Michigan. Yes, this is a long post. There’s a lot going...
In the bee-ginner classes I taught this year, I said I’d be posting periodic updates of my packages’ and nucs’ progress, so you could compare and ponder whether yours were ahead or behind or what. Typically packages arrive within a few weeks of each other, and...
I’m lying. To me, bees are anything but taxing. But, having written a couple big checks this tax season, I’m trying to find some humor in the situation with a play on words. Speaking of playing, we played with bees this weekend, when we helped some new beekeepers...
I spoke at the Michigan Beekeeper’s Association meeting last weekend, and things were buzzing. I believe there was a record number of beekeepers and wannabees, and we’re all enthused and excited for spring. These balmy mid-March temperatures have lured us into...
In speaking at several bee schools lately, I am frequently asked whether I think someone should begin with a nuc (nucleus hive) or a package. The answer is yes! I encourage everyone to keep bees, so yes, you should begin with one of those two predominant methods of...
I’ve been rapping sharply on my hives every few weeks now. Most of them answer back with either a soft, barely discernable “chatter” or a significant “YES WE’RE IN HERE QUIT BOTHERING US!” quite audible roar. Unfortunately I know that bees alive mid-February doesn’t...
I got a panicked text from a first year beekeeper recently when the thermometer (again) read -8 degrees. The text said: “My bees are all right, right?!?” I answered supportively that of course they are. And because I don’t text very well, and because there’s a lot of...
Pollinators are responsible for one out of every three bites of food we eat. They deserve our salute and support for that alone. But beyond that, the food for which bees are integral is the food we really love—pumpkins for pumpkin pie, apples for sauce, the...
