How Bees Reproduce: A Full Guide

holding a super with honey and bees

If you’ve ever been up close with a beehive, assuming you weren’t running for your life, you’ve probably been as astounded as I was by the sheer number of bees inhabiting it. Thousands and thousands – countless – bees all working and living in harmony for the good of the hive. It’s absolutely amazing! But … Read more

So, How Long Do Bumble Bees Live?

a bumble bee

Whenever the weather warms up and bees and other stinging insects start taking to wing, it’s only natural to wonder how long they’re going to be around. If they are flying all over your backyard, sometimes it can feel like they’re going to be there forever! But most insects don’t have long life spans. Let’s … Read more

So, What Does Smoke Do to Bees?

opening up a beehive

When you think of a beekeeper, what comes to mind? Certainly, you think of someone in that big, puffy suit with a veil around their head, and probably a small can that spews smoke. Indeed, the smoker is an essential part of a beekeeper’s repertoire. But what’s the deal with smoke in the first place, … Read more

What Do Bees Do With Pollen?

holding a super with honey and bees

Pretty much everyone knows that bees are critically important pollinators. You’ve probably heard the old admonishment that without them, about half of the crops and other plants that people depend on would cease to exist. Maybe that’s true, I don’t know, but I do know that things will only get worse without our friendly bees! … Read more

So, Why Do Bees Make Honey?

holding a super with honey and bees

I think everyone knows by now that bees make honey, and that more importantly, it is absolutely delicious. For plenty of beekeepers, this is the number one reason why they got into the practice in the first place! But on the topic, have you ever stopped to consider why bees make honey in the first … Read more

10 Easy Ways of Getting Rid of Carpenter Bees

California carpenter bee

Bees are some of the most important pollinators in nature, but what you might not know is that there are tens and tens of thousands of different species around the world. They’re all a little bit different, and one of the most interesting is the carpenter bee… Sometimes referred to as wood bees or erroneously … Read more

Killing Ground Bees: 11 Ways to Get Rid of Them

bee next to hole in the ground

Bees are some of the most important pollinators in nature. These industrious insects work tirelessly to harvest nectar and pollen and crank out honey in order to feed the next generation of bees, repeating the cycle year in and year out. But unlike honey bees which typically nest above ground and in out-of-the-way places, ground … Read more

Here’s How to Get Rid of Sweat Bees

sweat bee on flower

Summertime is a great time, but whether you’re working hard outside or trying to get in some much-needed recreation and relaxation, it rarely fails that you’ll be sweating. That can make you miserable enough, but why does it always seem like these annoying little bugs land on you when you’re at your sweatiest? And then … Read more

The 7 Best Types of Honey Bees

holding a super with honey and bees

Even among domesticated animals of the same species, we can see considerable variation in their intrinsic qualities among different breeds. Looking at insects that are seemingly single-minded, like honey bees, we can see that various subspecies have wildly different levels productivity, and also differ in their interactions with beekeepers. Happily, no matter what your preferences … Read more

So, How Many Wings Do Bees Have?

bee on a flower

Bees truly are some of the most amazing creatures on Earth, and probably the single most impressive insects. From their incredible work ethic and feats of engineering to their tireless production of honey, there’s always something new to learn and admire about bees. Even their biology is impressive. Have you ever considered the acrobatic flight … Read more

So, Do Bees Sleep?

holding a super with honey and bees

Most of us know that pretty much every living thing on Earth requires rest in the form of sleep. But some animals have entirely unique sleeping habits, either being active at night and sleeping during the day, or entering a state of sort of suspended animation where they aren’t really asleep. But what about insects? … Read more

So, How Is Honey Made?

holding a super with honey and bees

Everyone knows that bees make honey. And although they don’t make it for us, they’re so good at it they’ll typically have quite a surplus on hand, a surplus that a beekeeper can harvest responsibly without hurting the bees. This golden treasure has been relished since antiquity, and remains ubiquitously popular around the world today. … Read more

So, Why Do Bees Have Sticky Hair?

honey bees in beehive

You don’t have to look very closely at a bee to see that they are some hairy little creatures. They are covered, quite literally, from head to tail in fine, fuzzy hair. They even have hair growing on their eyes! Of course, this hair isn’t merely for decoration: this is special hair, and is designed … Read more

How Much Does Beekeeping Cost? (Detailed Breakdown)

inspecting a beehive super

One of the most fascinating, interesting, and useful skills you can take up is beekeeping. Lots of folks engage in the practice for the honey, either for themselves or to sell, but others do it specifically with the purpose of breeding bees or renting out their bees as a pollination service. There’s a surprising amount … Read more

So, How Many Eyes Does a Bee Have?

bee eyes closeup

Ask anybody who is unsettled by insects what bothers them the most, and at least some of them are going to answer that it is their creepy eyes. Most insects have eyes that are beady, lifeless-looking, strange, or just too big. It’s enough to give you the willies! But how about our bee friends? How … Read more