Author Archives: Ron Miksha
The Lazy Bees
A friend wanted to name his honey farm The Lazy Bee Apiaries. He even made the proper brand (LBA) for marking his frames and rims. But other beekeepers (including me) told him that bees aren’t lazy. Sometimes beekeepers are a … Continue reading
The Kiwi Beekeeping Podcast is Back!
Returning to the pod-waves after a two-month hiatus, Kiwimana is back. Since May 24, I’ve been suffering mana-withdrawal, but the popular beekeeping podcast released a new episode a few days ago. So, I’ve kicked back and begun to enjoy the … Continue reading
Does the Truth Matter?
I’m back in Canada after a week in Europe. It’s cooler here (21C today) than Hungary’s 39C. It’s been much too dry on the western Canadian prairies – that’s probably going to hurt the honey crop and maybe even the … Continue reading
Posted in Culture, or lack thereof, History, Honey, Outreach, Save the Bees
Tagged Canada, Einstein, honey, Hungary, King Tut
14 Comments
When Bees Become Culture
I’m in the central European country of Hungary for a few days. It’s a family visit with no work or particular sightseeing goals. But honey bee culture is everywhere. Perhaps only Utah (“The Beehive State”) and the little alpine nation … Continue reading
Posted in Culture, or lack thereof, Honey
Tagged beekeeping, Benny the Bee, Franz Liszt, Hungary, Maja the Bee, selling honey, Szeged
4 Comments
Better Bees
Hungary, where I am today, has a long beekeeping history. Honey bees have been part of the ecology for thousands of years. Here, they are indigenous species whereas in the Americas (and Australia, New Zealand, and much of Asia), the … Continue reading
Posted in Bee Biology, Climate, Culture, or lack thereof, Ecology, Genetics, Science
Tagged bee races, black bees, Carniolan honey bees, Galtee Queen Breeding, Hungary, Ireland
2 Comments
A Quick Note from Abroad
Want to be a better beekeeper and have a lot of fun in the process? Try exploring new scenery. When I was rather young, I worked for about a dozen beekeeepers – in Pennsylvania, Wyoming, Saskatchewan, Florida, Montana, Wisconsin. Even … Continue reading
Are You Giving It Away?
A few days ago, I was shopping at our local co-op grocery store. As usual, I checked the price of honey. I like to use their prices as a minimum guide for honey produced by hobby beekeepers. Here in Calgary, … Continue reading
Fireweed Attraction
Last week, fires in western Canada forced 47,000 people from their mountain homes. Over a hundred houses were destroyed. Livestock, wildlife, even bees went up in flame. Millions of stately pines and firs are now little more than spent matches … Continue reading
YIKES! Small Hive Beetle in Alberta
Two days ago, our apiary inspector announced the unfortunate discovery of the ugly Small Hive Beetle (SHB), species Aethina tumida, in the northern part of our province. I think that this is the first time SHB has been found in … Continue reading
Posted in Beekeeping, Diseases and Pests
Tagged Alberta, beekeeping, New Brunswick, Ontario, small hive beetles
7 Comments
The Beekeeper Everyone Knows
There aren’t many beekeepers that the whole world knows. No one gets famous for keeping bees. Sometimes a beekeeper becomes locally infamous, but I can’t think of any beekeeper as well-known as, say, Sir Edmund Hillary. He and his climbing … Continue reading
Posted in Beekeeping, Culture, or lack thereof, History, People
Tagged beekeepers, Mount Everest, New Zealand, Sir Edmund Hillary
18 Comments
Bad Beekeeping Blog 