This article is about the birds and the bees. Well actually, just the bees, to be honest… and really only about apis mellifera (or honey bees), to be even more specific. There’s been a growing interest in honey bees, as of late. As a consequence of a number of environmental organizations, attention has been brought to the sharp global decline in overall honey bee health and stability, as well as their crucial role in the environment and our agricultural economy. Even with this increase in attention, a person who finds themselves interested in beekeeping might still feel a bit overwhelmed at the prospect. This article, the first in a new beekeeping series, will give a step by step look into the world of backyard beekeeping – a fulfilling and attainable hobby that just about anyone can take part in. Read More
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Adventures in Live Bee Removal – Don’t be a Serial Buzz Killer
A couple months ago I unhappily discovered bees swarming our house. DISCLAIMER – DON”T try this at home. I then proceeded to get a very long pole, stuck a wad of steel wool at the end of it, and used it to seal the hole they were headed into by our roof. Yes, I probably killed some bees in the process, but I managed to prevent them from taking up residence in our wall and attic. Not a single sting and crisis averted! I patted myself on a job well done . . . until the next day, when a massive swarm of bees located a new home in a crack in a hollow stucco wall that surrounds our patio. Whether you have dealt with a swarm of bees in the past or just want to be prepared for one in the future (or better yet, you’d like to avoid a bee invasion altogether), you’ll definitely want to read on for our adventures in live bee removal. Read More