Category Archives: Ecology

Malathion and Pesky Bugs

Posted on July 8, 2016 by Ron Miksha

There’s a pesticide causing grief among some hobby beekeepers. No, not the neonicotinoids again (though they’re not without blame). This is an “older” poison. If you are a new beekeeper, you might not have heard of malathion. Malathion is deadly … Continue reading →

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African Beekeeping May “Save the Trees”

Posted on June 29, 2016 by Ron Miksha

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 →

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Sweet Sweet Clover (part 2)

Posted on June 1, 2016 by Ron Miksha

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 , , , , , | 7 Comments

Sweet Sweet Clover (part 1)

Posted on May 31, 2016 by Ron Miksha

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 →

Posted in Ecology, Honey Plants | Tagged , | 20 Comments

Almonds Doing Selfies

Posted on May 6, 2016 by Ron Miksha

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 →

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Herbicides, Bacteria Killers, and Honey Bees

Posted on April 28, 2016 by Ron Miksha

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 , , , | 6 Comments

Bumblebee Honey For Sale?

Posted on April 25, 2016 by Ron Miksha

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 , , , | 11 Comments

Rhodo Poison?

Posted on April 19, 2016 by Ron Miksha

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 , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Ecology 1,2,3

Posted on April 17, 2016 by Ron Miksha

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 , , , , | 2 Comments

Pollinator Friendly Gardening

Posted on March 5, 2016 by Ron Miksha

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 →

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