When we think of bees, we imagine stingers, honey, or terrifying swarms. But we seldom think of a...
Author - Rusty Burlew
The truth about hummingbird pollinators: are they better than...
Both hummingbirds and bees are fine pollinators, but hummers collect no pollen, nor do they have...
Bumble bees and hollyhocks: an old-fashioned love story
It's easy to overlook hollyhocks as pollinator plants, but they have lots of nectar and pollen...
Ways pollination saturation can help crops but exploit our bees
Sometimes growers double or triple the usual number of honey bee colonies in a field or orchard in...
Flowering trees revisited: the best way to save the bees
When it comes to saving bees, or nearly any form of terrestrial life, nothing does it better than...
The 3 surprising things honey bees (almost) never collect
Honey bees collect many things in their environment, but not honey, propolis, or bee bread...
Is liquid smoke helpful or risky for calming honey bees?
Many beekeepers forego a bee smoker in favor of liquid smoke. But what is liquid smoke and is it...
Witch hazel: the unusual feast bees need in the off-season
Witch hazels are unique pollinator plants with unusual bloom times. They are perfect for honey bees...
Honey bee and wasp nests: how to know the difference
Before you destroy an insect nest, it's best to know who's living inside. The nest size, structure...
Beekeeper magic: how to become a hive tool magician
Of all your equipment choices, the right hive tool may be your most important decision. Pick a...
Think all bees are vegetarians? Strange reasons some eat meat
Many bees, like this Nomada cuckoo bee, eat meat at some stage in their lives. With few pollen...
Unlock beekeeping secrets with chatbots, but be wary of...
I worry about those who decide to learn beekeeping from a chatbot. Chatbots can provide some good...
Introducing beewolves: watch them pollinate flowers as they eat...
Bees and wasps are easy to confuse, especially when a wasp is carrying a load of pollen. This...
10 favorite posts about beekeepers (not normal people)
I love my honey bees and I'm intrigued by their enormous intelligence. Beekeepers are equally...
13 reasons for small honey harvests (& how to improve them)
You did everything right, but your honey harvest is small and barely worth the effort. Here are...
No Mow May: not very useful for the best pollinator health
Although No Mow May has a nice ring, it isn't very helpful for pollinators and has several...