We beekeepers are often blind-sided by our love of honey bees. We, and especially the press, tend to equate the word “bee” with “honey bee.” Last evening, as I watched the much-touted film, More than Honey, I was dismayed to hear that, “Unlike bumble bees and butterflies, bees remain true to one type of flower.” […] Read more
What looks like an hourglass-shaped paint splotch on the thorax of some bees is actually pollen. In the past I often saw these stripes—usually in yellow—and wondered what they were. The bees look like they squeezed through someone’s freshly painted woodenware. But according to Rosanna Mattingly in her fascinating book, Honey-Maker, the design occurs when […] Read more
The glass jar comb honey super shown below is a refinement of the one made by beekeeper Morris Ostrofsky of southwestern Oregon. A detailed description of Morris’ equipment and process can be found here: Glass Jar Beekeeping—Creating Edible Art. After reading his account, I decided to make several tweaks to fit my own situation. The […] Read more
One of the best things about beekeeping is that it forces me outside. Especially in winter, when I might otherwise stay indoors, I’m compelled to monitor my hives. Yesterday, after a brief hive check, my husband and I were wandering in the rain looking for a place to mount the native bee housing we are […] Read more
Most of my Hive Tracks-related mail comes from Hive Tracks, but this comment from Kiwiland stirred up my old impatience with digital bee-ware. Hivetracks is a simple and brilliant piece of software. I am from New Zealand and we have just starting to use it as my Son is a beekeeper. I will be putting […] Read more
Is it safe to eat honey from a hive with mites? Can I safely eat the honey after my bees absconded? Is the honey from a dead hive safe to eat? A moth was on the honey comb. How can I sterilize it? Is it safe to eat a jar of honey with comb inside? […] Read more
Right now in the US there are two comb honey systems that include embossed plastic foundation in a plastic tray. You put these plastic trays in a honey super and the bees build their comb right on the base of it. Once filled, the beekeeper only needs to add a lid and a label. Previously […] Read more