Once Again, Bees Make Headlines and Turn Heads If you have not read, watched, or heard about the latest bee headline in North Carolina, it is something that makes most people uneasy to even think about. This occurrence is not the first time, nor will it be the last. Bees do what they want, when they want, and where they want. Although this story may make you squirm, it is a story that many beekeepers are familiar with, as their job is to help property owners overcome bee problems, issues, and concerns on a regular basis. The family, who is now documenting the removal of the honeybee hive on ..read more

Bees Display Recognition of Human Faces Although The Bee Movie did include some personal moments between humans and bees, nobody ever thought it was a reality. However, scientists have discovered that bees can recognize human features during repeated interactions. A bee's brain is teeny, about the size of a chia seed, so the fact that they are showing they can identify human features is incredible! Beekeepers Get to Know Their Bees Anytime a person spends time doing something, it becomes more familiar. Beekeepers who have been around for a while have become experts and often have intuitive a ..read more

Removing Bees Humanely for Successful Rehoming The spring and summer months bring more than the best weather. The warmer days and nights result in increasing bee activity, and this is the busiest time of year for bee removal companies. Inquiries always pour into local beekeepers and pest control companies this time of year on how to get rid of unwanted bees. Pest control businesses are happy to come out and spray a beehive to kill the bees, but this is not the best way to approach a beehive that needs to be removed. The benefits of keeping bees alive should be understood so that more people ..read more

Monitoring Beehives for Mites If a beekeeper experiences colony loss, it may be due to the varroa virus-infected mites inside the hive. Mites are the cause of colony loss 90% of the time, and even if mites are not observed on the bees, varroa mites are lurking. When mites are in the free-moving phase of their life cycle, they easily transmit from bee to bee and between hives. Mites use their bodies and wedge between the adult bee's abdomen segments. If beekeepers see mites on the bees, a mite problem already exists, and immediate action must be taken. Parasitic mite syndrome (PMS) occurs whe ..read more

How Do Bees and Other Animals Respond to the Solar Eclipse? Next Monday, a total solar eclipse will pass over North America. A solar eclipse at this time of year is sure to bring new information on how living things, specifically bees, birds, and plants, respond to this daytime darkness. Those familiar with bees and their reliance on sunshine and heat wonder how the eclipse will affect them and if they will respond differently or peculiarly to this natural and uncommon event. Since 1932, scientists have observed bees, birds, and plants and recorded their observations during solar eclipses. W ..read more

Three Critical Things Beehives Need to Survive This Summer This summer is sure to bring some extreme temperatures and break some records. Anyone involved in the beekeeping process should take note; these simple steps can help beehives stay cool this summer. Keeping bees happy and producing honey includes giving them a break from the prolonged hot days and months to come. Skipping these small steps may result in bees leaving to find a new, cooler place to call home. Although bees are resourceful and do much of the temperature regulation on their own, prolonged heat and sun exposure can make t ..read more

Poisoned Bees, Colony Collapse Disorder, and Absconding: A Beekeeper’s Reality Experiencing poisoned bees is a reality for most beekeepers who have been in the field for a while. When bees appear in large piles, dead in front of the hive, this is a sign that those bees have been poisoned. In the last several years, the buzz has been about the dreaded Colony Collapse Disorder, which is what many suspected was happening, but it would be quite a bit different. In Colony Collapse, the entire colony would disappear, leaving only traces of the hive's existence in honey and brood, and sometimes the ..read more

What Is Absconding in Beekeeping? It is crucial for beekeepers to acknowledge that even though bees are incredibly resilient and adaptable, they are also sensitive and will leave when unhappy. Although foraging and swarming are natural behaviors that involve bees leaving the hive and are good signs for beekeepers, absconding is not standard or a good thing in beekeeping. In a sense, it is abandoning the existing hive without any intention of returning. Absconding is scary for beekeepers because they have failed the colony in some respect with what they were able to provide. Contrary to forag ..read more

Top Misconceptions About Bees Local gardeners and beekeepers pride themselves on staying up to date on the latest related to bees and other pollinators. Bee enthusiasts are advocates for sharing information and growing awareness of the importance of bees as pollinators to the environment. Misconceptions about bees have led to many situations that could have otherwise been avoided. Understanding and dispelling myths about bees can help us live harmoniously with bees and other pollinators. All Bees Live in Beehives and Produce Honey This misconception could not be less accurate! Most bee speci ..read more

Prioritizing Non-Lethal Bee Removal Regardless of what someone believes about how many items on your dining table are directly tied to bees’ pollination, it is undeniable that bees are essential pollinators in many crops. As many bee species are reported to have dwindling populations, those who may have previously disregarded an unwanted beehive now seek ways to handle beehive concerns using companies that guarantee non-lethal techniques. Pest Control Vs. Humane Live Bee Removal Pest control companies do just that – they eliminate the pest, or bee, problem. Unfortunately, pest control compan ..read more