Author Archives: Ron Miksha

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About Ron Miksha

Ron Miksha is a bee ecologist working in Calgary. He is also a geophysicist and does a bit of science writing and blogging. Ron has worked as a radio broadcaster, a beekeeper, and Earth scientist. (Ask him about seismic waves.) He's based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.

Field School at the Bees

Posted on May 14, 2017 by Ron Miksha

Last weekend, the Calgary bee club’s introductory beekeeping course wrapped up with our field school section. After 2 full days (15 hours!) of instruction, participants had a chance to observe, study, touch, and ask questions about the innards of live … Continue reading →

Posted in Friends, Outreach, Tools and Gadgets | Tagged , , , , | 5 Comments

Metallica’s Beekeeper

Posted on May 13, 2017 by Ron Miksha

Last year, I wrote about the indomitable guitar man and bee guy Steve Vai. He’s a master of the strings and knows few equals. He’s also quite an experienced beekeeper.  Now it’s Mr Metallica, James Hetfield, who draws my beely … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture, or lack thereof, People, Stings | Tagged , , | 4 Comments

International Workers’ Day

Posted on May 1, 2017 by Ron Miksha

My home city of Calgary celebrated May Day (International Workers’ Day) by welcoming 1,176,334 foreign workers into our community last night, doubling our population. 196 packages of worker bees had arrived. A swarm of Calgary beekeepers greeted the immigrants. (The … Continue reading →

Posted in Beekeeping, Ecology, Friends | Tagged , , | 4 Comments

Fishing Bait That Eats Plastic

Posted on April 30, 2017 by Ron Miksha

Hundreds of diseases and pests attack honey bees. One of the oldest known hive invaders is the wax moth. Aristotle had trouble keeping them out of his hives so maybe you do, too.  Wax moths come in two flavours – … Continue reading →

Posted in Bee Biology, Beekeeping, Diseases and Pests, Science, Strange, Odd Stuff | Tagged , , , | 9 Comments

Billy Bee and Doyon – Canadian Honey Forever

Posted on April 27, 2017 by Ron Miksha

Professional Canadian beekeepers know the names of honey packers Jack Grossman and Paul Doyon. Jack started Billy Bee Honey; Paul’s label was regional (mostly Quebec) and his product was/is called Miel Doyon. During the 1970s and 1980s, I sold honey … Continue reading →

Posted in History, Honey | Tagged , , , | 11 Comments

Burt’s Cabin Tour

Posted on April 26, 2017 by Ron Miksha

Burt Shavitz, of Burt’s Bees, died two years ago. A photographer (for Life and Time) from Manhattan, he settled near Bangor, Maine, in the 1960s. There, he discovered beekeeping. Although Maine is one of the worst places in North America … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture, or lack thereof, Hive Products, People, Strange, Odd Stuff | Tagged , , | 3 Comments

Supporting “Painting the Bees”

Posted on April 25, 2017 by Ron Miksha

It’s pretty hard to pry money out of my pockets.  Unless you’ve got something really great going on that can use a little support. The Good of the Hive is one of the worthy ones. It aims to bring awareness … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture, or lack thereof, Ecology, Outreach, Save the Bees | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Have These Kids Found a Way to Kill Varroa?

Posted on April 25, 2017 by Ron Miksha

I am a skeptic when it comes to ‘miracle’ cures to fight varroa. I think that the various expensive heat/sauna systems are a waste of time and money. A lot of natural treatments (icing/powdered sugar; essential oils; screened bottoms) are … Continue reading →

Posted in Beekeeping, Diseases and Pests, Save the Bees, Science, Tools and Gadgets | Tagged , , | 14 Comments

March on Down?

Posted on April 21, 2017 by Ron Miksha

This weekend, we celebrate Earth Day. And why not? There are official days for glazed spiral ham (April 15), chocolate covered cashews (April 21!), and bee sting enthusiasts (March 30). So, Earth should have a day of celebration. As a … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture, or lack thereof, Outreach, Science | Tagged , , , | 3 Comments

World’s Sweetest Honey

Posted on April 20, 2017 by Ron Miksha

The April 2017 issue of the world’s best bee magazine (American Bee Journal) published a piece written by your favourite bee-blogger (me).  My article is called America’s Sweetest Honey. In it, I describe why honey from different flowers tastes different. … Continue reading →

Posted in Honey, Movies, Science | Tagged , , | 5 Comments