California Honeybees Getting Tough on Mites
California Honeybees Getting Tough on Mites Earlier this year, the University of California, Riverside concluded research that showed local California bee species are adapting to fight off against deadly mite threats. Specifically in Southern California, threats to bees from the deadly Varroa mites are showing a steady decline. California beekeepers have lost huge numbers of…
Read MoreIf You Plant It, The Bees Will Come
If You Plant It, The Bees Will Come This is the time of year when even those without a gift for gardening start to think about what they can grow to make their landscapes beautiful. Whether planting herbs, vegetables, or a variety of flora, everyone wants to look out their window and see something natural…
Read MoreHow Californians Manage Bee Swarm Clusters
How Californians Manage Bee Swarm Clusters The first thing people do when they see a bee cluster is panic. Nobody understands this better than local beekeepers who get loads of calls this time of year. The spring and summer months are popular for swarming, but when people aren’t used to the sight, they can often…
Read MoreThe Study of Bees
The Study of Bees The study of bugs is entomology, and the specialized field of study that focuses on bees is apiology. Entomology studies more than 1 million insect species, while apiology explores the social behaviors, patterns, cognitive abilities, and ecological impact of bees. Although there is some crossover since bees are not the only…
Read MorePurple Honey Offers a Natural Surprise
Purple Honey Offers a Natural Surprise Although most people have seen a variety of golden hues in honey, few can say they have seen or even tasted purple honey. Purple honey is a gift from Mother Nature and is exclusively harvested in the South. Honey actually comes in a wide range of colors depending on…
Read MoreThe Impactful, But Short Lives of Bees
The Impactful, But Short Lives of Bees The life of a bee greatly depends on the species, and more specifically, the role of the individual bee. Of the 20,000-plus bee species now recognized, lifespans vary, and it would be nearly impossible to address all the different species. Learning about some of the most common species…
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