Author Archives: Ron Miksha
Sometimes They Get Caught (then gently tapped on their knuckles)
This is a piece about someone in the USA who was caught selling tainted honey. This was not his first brush with the law. The same gentleman, Douglas Murphy, was an executive at American Rice, Inc. when the feds found … Continue reading
Posted in Honey, Strange, Odd Stuff
Tagged adulteration, honey laundering, Honey Solutions, lawsuits
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Morgan Freeman’s Bees
By now, most beekeepers have heard that Morgan Freeman is a beekeeper. Morgan Freeman is incredible. Whether you enjoyed him driving over Miss Daisy or just gaining redemption after Shawshank, you likely admired the way the man can perform. I’ve … Continue reading
Upside-Down Almond Pollination
It’s September, but some beekeepers are just wrapping up almond pollination and moving their bees to canola. Sounds late. California’s almonds finished in March. Canola blossom ended months ago, too. But not for Australian beekeepers. Here’s a news piece from … Continue reading
Posted in Beekeeping, Commercial Beekeeping, Pollination
Tagged almond pollination, Australia
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Why do bumblebees follow ferries?
Originally posted on Prof. Jeff Ollerton – ecological scientist and author:
A few years ago I mentioned in my post “Garlicky archipelago” that I had seen bumblebees (Bombus spp.) following the ferry from Southampton to the Isle of Wight, a…
Posted in Ecology, Reblogs, Strange, Odd Stuff
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No bees, no honey, no Rosh Hashanah
No bees, no honey, no Rosh Hashanah. Sweet. The Calgary Jewish Community Centre (JCC) is hosting a “beeswax and sweetness marketplace” this week, Tuesday, September 27th from 3 to 7 pm. Rosh Hashanah – Jewish New Year – begins at … Continue reading
Posted in Culture, or lack thereof, Honey, Outreach
Tagged honey and apples, Rosh Hashanah
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Brood in Front of the Hive?!?
I’m continuing with the series of questions which I overheard at a bee meeting a few days ago. Today, it’s dead brood. Here are those questions: My honey isn’t capped. What should I do with it? (I heard that one … Continue reading
Posted in Bee Biology, Bee Yards, Beekeeping, Diseases and Pests, Pesticides, Strange, Odd Stuff
Tagged American Foulbrood, chalkbrood, dead bees, skunks, wintering
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Bright Shiny Extractors
I’m continuing with the series of questions I overheard at last week’s bee meeting. Today, it’s the bright shiny extractor. Here are those questions: My honey isn’t capped. What should I do with it? (I heard that one from three … Continue reading
Remembering: Charles Valentine Riley
Charles Valentine Riley (1843-1895) September 18 is the birthdate of British-American entomologist Charles Valentine Riley. Riley pioneered the scientific study of insect pests and their impact on agriculture. He founded the US Department of Agriculture’s Division of Entomology and was … Continue reading
Posted in Diseases and Pests, Ecology, History, People
Tagged Charles Darwin, Charles Riley, economical entomology, insect pests, Smithsonian
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How Can I Stop Wasp Attacks?
A few days ago, I wrote about the way new beekeepers are generally sure about the right way to keep bees while oldtimers are reticent when it comes to answering questions. Sometimes there are a dozen ways to solve a … Continue reading
Noxious Milkweed?
The Cedar Rapids (Iowa) Gazette had a story yesterday about a fellow in Monticello who ran afoul of the law for something he’s growing in his back yard. His crime? Cultivating (Milk)weed. Bee and butterfly enthusiasts know milkweed. So do … Continue reading
Posted in Culture, or lack thereof, Ecology, Honey Plants, Humour, Save the Bees
Tagged Iowa, milkweed, monarch butterfly
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Bad Beekeeping Blog 