Author Archives: Ron Miksha
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
Leave a comment
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
Leave a comment
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
Leave a comment
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
Beetox: Sting relief for tired skin
81-year-old comedian Joan Rivers died last week. The world is now without one of its truly acerbic wits. Ms Rivers loudly paraded her much-sculpted face before crowds, saying that it wasn’t right to pretend she wasn’t getting Botoxed. Lying about … Continue reading
Posted in Apitherapy, Culture, or lack thereof, Hive Products
Tagged Beetox, Botox, Joan Rivers
Leave a comment
See You in Court
A few hours ago, Bayer and Syngenta were hit with a $450 million lawsuit for producing a pesticide which has allegedly hurt beekeepers’ businesses. This might be the largest claim ever filed in the history of beekeeping. Two Ontario honey-producing … Continue reading
Posted in Culture, or lack thereof, Pesticides, Save the Bees
Tagged Bayer, colony collapse disorder, neonicotinoids
Leave a comment
Braving the Beards
Almost anyone can grow a beard. Especially if honey bees are the nubs. The young lady in the picture to your right is showing off a sporty growth of facial bees. Surely there is some medicine or therapy that could … Continue reading
Bad Beekeeping Blog 