Bees typically prefer natural sources of nectar over sugar water due to the complex range of nutrients found in natural nectar that sugar water lacks. Nectar from flowers contains not just sucrose but also other essential nutrients and trace elements vital for a bee’s health. Sugar water, primarily made of sucrose and water, lacks these […]
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The cost of a queen bee can vary significantly depending on several factors such as the breed, the breeder’s reputation, and regional availability. Generally, a mated queen bee can cost anywhere from $20 to $40, but prices may be higher for specific breeds or those with particular desirable traits, like resistance to diseases or high
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Before we get onto the best bee suits, an introductory paragraph is in order. Beekeepers wear bee suits because they frequently get up close and personal with thousands of stinging insects – it is really that simple. While honey bees are well known for their essential placidity (being some of the least aggressive stinging insects
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Before getting onto the best beekeeping books, let’s start with a little introduction. For experts and hobbyists alike, the market has been teeming for some time with beekeeping books. These can range from those offering technical apicultural advice to those more general books on any number of topics tangential to the world of bees. In
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Bees, commonly perceived as aggressive, actually exhibit aggression only when provoked or defending their hive. Their primary focus is not on attacking but rather on foraging for nectar and pollen. The level of aggression varies among species; for instance, honeybees generally show mild aggression, defending their hive only when necessary. Africanized honeybees (often dubbed “killer
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Setting aside the possibility of building your own mason bee house, what are the best ones on the market right now and what should you look for when selecting a mason bee house? The best mason bee houses should offer ample space for the bees but also a series of tube openings which vary in
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If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. The basic principle behind the honey extractor has remained unchanged for as long as they have existed. For sure, some new high-tech models might have been released down the years – and within the field of industrial beekeeping, different honey extractors suited for industrial quantities are used –
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Several factors can contribute to why your bees may be dying. Pesticide exposure is a common culprit, where chemicals used in agriculture or gardening can be harmful to bees. Another significant factor is Varroa mite infestation, a parasite that weakens bees and spreads viruses. Diseases like American Foulbrood or Nosema can also be devastating. Poor
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In many places, destroying a beehive is illegal, primarily due to the ecological significance of bees as pollinators. Laws vary by region, but generally, there’s a growing recognition of the need to protect bee populations. This legal protection is a response to the declining bee numbers worldwide, which could have serious implications for ecosystems and
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We all know that beekeeping is both an enjoyable and rewarding activity, but it does come with challenges. One of these challenges is ensuring that the bees are comfortable in their hive, especially during hot weather. Bees regulate their temperature by fanning their wings and gathering water, but sometimes the heat can become too much
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