Category Archives: Ecology
African Beekeeping May “Save the Trees”
Rather than “Save the Bees”, it’s “Save the Trees” in central Africa. A story from Zimbabwe reminds us that beekeeping can be very, very good for ecology. Bees (and beekeepers) are saving Zimbabwe’s forests. The country of Zimbabwe, lest we … Continue reading
Posted in Beekeeping, Ecology, Save the Bees
Tagged Africa, bees, trees, Zimbabwe beekeeping
3 Comments
Sweet Sweet Clover (part 2)
Yesterday, I couldn’t say enough good things about sweet clover. The magic honey plant is just starting to bloom here in southern Alberta. In a few weeks, it will yield so much nectar that bees will plug supers with fine … Continue reading
Posted in Ecology, Honey Plants, Save the Bees
Tagged Grasslands National Park, invasive species, Lise Perrault, Saskatchewan, sweet clover, Val Marie
7 Comments
Sweet Sweet Clover (part 1)
Every June there is a wash of yellow along the edge of almost every highway and trail in North America. The yellow is from sweet clover that grows and blooms all across the continent. It’s wild and it has been … Continue reading
Almonds Doing Selfies
Almond pollination season is over. The billions of bees working in California have moved on. They are now mostly scattered across the American plains. It’s not easy to be a bee in the almond groves during February and March. Colony … Continue reading
Herbicides, Bacteria Killers, and Honey Bees
Recently, I learned that herbicides such as Roundup and 2-4-D kill bacteria. Not only do they do a fine job of killing broadleaf pollen producers, they also kill some microbes. This information didn’t come from the tin-hat doom-sayer who lives … Continue reading
Posted in Ecology, Pesticides, Save the Bees
Tagged glyphosate, herbicides, Monsanto, Roundup
6 Comments
Bumblebee Honey For Sale?
My brother was at a farmer’s market in North Carolina this weekend. A vendor was selling a thimble-full of honey for $10. Maybe slightly more than a thimble. The seller told my brother that you wouldn’t smother a pancake with … Continue reading
Posted in Apitherapy, Bee Biology, Ecology, Friends, Honey, Save the Bees
Tagged bumblebees, Central America, honey, honey pots
11 Comments
Rhodo Poison?
The rhododendron is a beautiful plant, but it’s rumoured to intentionally maim and kill honey bees. My mother had a favourite rhododendron bush in the yard by our house in the Appalachian foothills. Now that I am older and presumably … Continue reading
Posted in Bee Biology, Ecology, Honey Plants, Pollination
Tagged Appalachian, azalea, bees in warfare, John Lovell, poisoned bees, poisonous honey, rhododendrons
3 Comments
Ecology 1,2,3
On Friday, I led an ecology program at the local elementary school. My 32 students ranged in age from 6 to 12. They were part of an experimental class where kids in their school could select their interest and indulge … Continue reading
Posted in Ecology, Outreach, Pollination, Save the Bees
Tagged Benny the Bee, Ecology, school outreach, teaching beekeeping, wax foundation
2 Comments
Pollinator Friendly Gardening
Pollinator Friendly Gardening: Gardening for Bees, Butterflies, and Other Pollinators, by Rhonda Fleming Hayes, is a new book for the gardener who wants to help pollinators. With all the news about loss of habitat, warming climate, and pesticides, most wild … Continue reading
Posted in Books, Ecology, Honey Plants, Pollination, Save the Bees
Tagged gardening, pollinators
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Almonds, Water, and Bees
February is almond pollination month in California. A couple of nights ago, the CBC aired a story about almonds, water, and bees. They try to cover everyone involved – the consumer who loves the heart-friendly food, the almond grower who … Continue reading
Posted in Bee Yards, Beekeeping, Commercial Beekeeping, Ecology, Honey Plants, Pollination
Tagged almond pollination, almonds, California, migratory beekeeping
2 Comments
Bad Beekeeping Blog 