Author Archives: Ron Miksha
Educating the Humans
Killer bees used to be big news. Enough people are nervous around bees (even the pleasant, nearly harmless, garden bees) that the idea of massive stings is terrifying. “Bee venom is a cocktail of biologically active components that are designed … Continue reading
Posted in Killer Bees, Stings, Strange, Odd Stuff, Swarms
Tagged Arizona, dumb newspapers
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Bees as a Small Business
A lot of North American beekeepers operate huge operations. These days, 2,000 colonies is about average for a commercial operation. Help is usually imported seasonally and the beekeeper/owner is sometimes a bookkeeper/trucker who has more than a veil and gloves … Continue reading
Hives as Art
North Americans are missing a great canvas. The beehive. Solid, often white and publicly visible, it should be used by artists more often. I’ve been lucky enough to work hives in the USA, Canada, Mexico, Europe, and South America. Surprisingly, … Continue reading
Posted in Hives and Combs, Strange, Odd Stuff
Tagged Alberta, Chile, Haagen-Dazs Honey Bee Haven, Slovenia
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Lessons from the Hive
In the mood for a good read? Looking for a holiday gift? Mark Winston’s latest book, Bee Time: Lessons from the Hive, is as good as his other bee-related books. Which means it is very, very good. I haven’t read … Continue reading
Sweet New Year!
Shanah Tovah! Rosh Hashanah, or the Jewish New Year, is the only holiday I can think of where honey is an integral part of the celebration. Without honey, the New Year just isn’t as sweet. I came across a really … Continue reading
Posted in Culture, or lack thereof, Honey
Tagged honey in religion, Jewish New Year, Rosh Hashanah
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Bees Back Up on their Knees?
In today’s unlikely Op-Ed article in the New York Times: Are Bees Back up on their Knees? beekeeper Noah Wilson-Rich makes the case that the worst of the mysterious colony collapse syndrome may be over. He reviews what many of … Continue reading
Bees: Targeted and Poisoned!
Three million bees were apparently poisoned. The RCMP is investigating. A commercial beekeeper with about 1,200 colonies now has fewer than a thousand. The Winnipeg Free Press says that Manitoba beekeeper Jason Loewen suffered a “targeted attack.” Beekeeper Loewen told … Continue reading
Posted in Bee Yards, Beekeeping, Culture, or lack thereof
Tagged bee theft, Manitoba
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Neonicotinoids and western Canada
I am still trying to understand why neonic-otinoids have not been a problem in western Canada. 40% of all seeded crops in Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Alberta are canola. And 100% of the seed is treated with neonics. So, at least … Continue reading
Alberta has been ‘Harvest Mooned’
Usually the Harvest Moon is appreciated by farmers. It heralds the cool night that may put the first frost on the pumpkins. The cool weather sweetens apples and brings on the colours of fall. The Harvest Moon is the full … Continue reading
Posted in Climate, Culture, or lack thereof
Tagged evolution, Harvest Moon, winter storm
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The Worst Place to Get Stung
Where is the worst place to get stung? The correct answer is not “on the picnic table.” According to Cornell University graduate research scientist Michael L. Smith, in a study funded by the United States National Science Foundation, the worst … Continue reading
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