American scientists have discovered that a fly parasite can turn honey bees into confused zombies before killing them, in an advance that could offer new clues to why bee colonies are collapsing. So far, the parasite has only been detected in honey bees in California and South Dakota, American researchers reported in the open access [...]
Archive for the ‘Beekeeping’ Category
Fly Parasite Turns Honeybees into “Zombies”
Posted in Bee Present, Bee-ology, Beekeeping on January 6, 2012 | Leave a Comment »
The First Bees in Australia
Posted in Bee Lore, Beekeeping, Beetwixt & Beetween on December 18, 2011 | Leave a Comment »
“In 1822 the first hive bees were brought to this part of the world (Sydney), by a Captain Wallace, or Willis, in the ship “Isabella,” according to Haydon. From the bees thus introduced colonies were propagated and distributed inland. In the Government Gazette, of 21st June, 1822, there appeared this advertisement : — “Hive of [...]
The Beehive Ark
Posted in Bee Present, Beekeeping on October 5, 2011 | 1 Comment »
I came across this amazing beehive design at a Woodfair recently. Please find the full story of this unique design for a top-bar hive below the photograph with the designer’s contact details if you want more information: My initial inspiration to create a curved hive was from the curved structure of honeycomb created in top-bar [...]
Global Bee Emergency!
Posted in Bee Present, Bee-ology, Beekeeping on January 21, 2011 | 3 Comments »
CLICK HERE or on the photo below to sign the petition to save bees and our crops and send this link to everyone you know! Quietly, globally, billions of bees are dying, threatening our crops and food. But a global ban of one group of pesticides could save bees from extinction. Four European countries have begun banning [...]
This Year’s Honey Harvest and Dissolved Notes
Posted in Bee Present, Beekeeping, Beetwixt & Beetween on August 22, 2010 | 2 Comments »
With the first two weeks on holiday, the bees had to wait until last weekend before I removed the honey. We took four full supers – which will produce a good crop – though I have not extracted it yet. Planning on that next weekend. I always leave a super on each hive to over-winter. [...]
The Purpose of Beekeeping
Posted in Beekeeping on August 22, 2010 | Leave a Comment »
“Apiculture or beekeeping is the art of managing bees with the intention of getting the maximum return from this work with the minimum of expenditure. Bees produce swarms, queens, wax and honey. The production of swarms and queens should be left to specialists. The production of wax has some value, but this value is diminished [...]
Escaped Prisoners!
Posted in Bee Present, Beekeeping, Beetwixt & Beetween on June 11, 2010 | Leave a Comment »
It is a while since I last wrote a post. Life has been a bit hectic. I was expecting it to have been even more hectic as we are half-way through the swarming season, but I have only collected one swarm so far this year. The rest of this post is about that swarm. A [...]
The Plight of the Honeybee
Posted in Bee Present, Beekeeping, Beetwixt & Beetween on April 28, 2010 | Leave a Comment »
So you want a little bee like me to write a story about the current plight in the bee kingdom (or more strictly correct, queendom)? Humans have become increasingly aware of the stresses and strains that have been placed on the bee population. Not just the honeybee, but bumblebees and other types of bees. There [...]
Ted Hooper RIP
Posted in Bee Present, Beekeeping, Beetwixt & Beetween on March 30, 2010 | Leave a Comment »
The author of the “beekeepers bible” has died aged 92. Not a bad innings, as they say in cricket! More at: http://www.britishbee.org.uk/news/obituaries/ted-hooper-1918-2010.shtml
Heater Bees
Posted in Bee Law, Bee Lore, Bee Present, Bee-ology, Beekeeping, Beetwixt & Beetween on March 24, 2010 | Leave a Comment »
A great programme from the BBC on Heater Bees broadcast this evening. Unfortunately, you can’t watch the whole programme any more, but there are some clips here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00rqgh4#clips And this amazing photograph:
