Bees

It’s hard to overstate just how important pollinators are. Pollinators ensure all kinds of plants, including the ones in our garden, can share their pollen to make new seeds, and it improves genetic diversity. Among pollinators, some of the most important ones are bees. Bees visit all sorts of different blooms on different plants looking … Read more

Carpenter bees might not be the worst pests you’ll find around your homestead, but they can be quite problematic all the same. They aren’t aggressive as a rule, but these big, chubby bees bore large holes in all kinds of wood surfaces. At best, it makes them unsightly, but at worst, they can significantly weaken … Read more

One of the most fascinating displays of organization and industry found in nature is the humble beehive. Bees work together, in unison, both to construct their home and to provide food and resources for all of the bees living in it. But, at the head of every beehive is a queen bee. Most people think … Read more

If all you’ve ever done is buy honey off of the grocery store shelf, you might not have a true appreciation for what it takes to get that delicious, golden stuff in that little bear-shaped bottle. Of course you know that bees make honey, but if you don’t know a lot about the day in … Read more

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

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

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

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

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

Bees are among the most industrious insects on Earth. We should be thankful for these hard-working pollinators, because without them, so many crops that we depend on would basically fail entirely. But, as necessary as they are, bees can also be big pests, particularly when they decide to set up a thriving hive inside the … Read more

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

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

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

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

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

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