I have a definite opinion on this subject, although I don’t know if it’s completely justified. I’ve managed hives in both types of equipment, both at home and at the state prison where I used to teach beekeeping. It seems to me that, for a beginner, the best option will depend on the individual, the […] Read more
Last Wednesday the USDA released its newly redrawn Plant Hardiness Zone Map. The map is based on the average lowest winter temperature in a given area—not the lowest temperature ever—and is calculated from data collected over the last 30 years. The new map was compiled at Oregon State University using GIS software. Plant Hardiness Zones […] Read more
Lots of folks want to know if bees consume more food in warm winters or cold winters. I’ve been searching for scientific data on this for quite a while but I haven’t found any. So, for what it’s worth, I hereby offer my opinion. Based on hearsay and my own beekeeping experience, I believe that […] Read more
A lot is written about how to monitor mite loads with a sticky board. A sticky board is just a piece of thin wood or corrugated plastic that is covered with a sticky substance—usually pan spray—and placed below a screened bottom board. A certain number of mites drop off and stick to the board. The […] Read more
The weather service predicted an inch of snow. When we got something over 22 inches, I wasn’t surprised. After all, I’ve listened to those folks guess at the weather for years. I know how well they do. I love snow and this was particularly nice. Fluffy and light, it mounded in graceful undulations over the […] Read more
Thank you for visiting Honey Bee Suite. I want to mention that, following an unusual winter storm, I just braved a week of no electricity, no running water, no flush toilets, no propane heat, no telephone, and most importantly, no Internet connection. Ouch. All of which explains (I hope) why I haven’t posted or answered […] Read more
A number of years ago my daughter and I went on a pie trip. I had just read American Pie: Slices of Life (and Pie) from America’s Back Roads by Pascale Le Draoulec, then I sent it to my daughter who also read it. At the same instant we knew what we would do. It […] Read more