How to Set up A Bee Yard – Daniel Thurston
This is a nice short article on what to consider when setting up a hive, and a springtime refresher or checklist to use if evaluating a new or current apiary site. Requests to island beekeepers increases each year by residents that are interested in having a hive kept in their yard. Formerly written for the Ontario Beekeeping Association, the article discusses:
- Forage
- Water
- Wind Protection
- Sun Exposure
- Surroundings
- Size
- Accessibility
- Human Pests
- Legalities
The Politics of Killing Bees – Pesticides
A longer article that gives us a synopsis of what is happening in today’s realm of IPM and regulations but also takes us on a surprising walk in history about how pesticides actually started out in North America, as far back as the 1890s! Don’t let the first paragraph dissuade you, it’s a tidy account of things from past to present…
A Closer Look – Queen Rearing Behaviours
When your hive decides to raise a new queen, how do they behave? Here is an article that describes what to look for beyond the presence of a queen cell. There is something in this write up for new beeks and science geeks alike.
Requeening – by Larry Conner
The ups and downs of re-queening – both in nature and by the beekeeper. Some great facts & tips about bee packages and those queen introductions.
Varietal Honeys are Worth the Bother – Ann Harman
Do islanders take for granted the amazing varietal honey we have access to? Should we be thinking quality instead of quantity when it comes to selling product? A fun article on the merits of varietal honey, and how to organize yourself so you can enjoy and share with confidence.