Outside The Swarm
This column asks questions! Yes, it’s opinionated – but the common theme is to not just accept “truisms” because everyone else shouts the same tune. Rather, Outside The Swarm is about seeking actual evidence and, in it’s absence, asking questions. The intent is to help you – the sincere and interested beekeeper – ask your own, tough questions. And next time someone tells you “I do this because everyone else does” you have a different philosophy to offer!
Identifying Poisoned Bees
Be ready....If you keep bees, it’s likely that sooner or later, upon visiting your bee yard, you will find a pile of dead bees on...
The Second Half Of The Summer And Your Bees
The first day of summer, the longest day, has passed. School is out, vacations, camping trips and bar-b-ques are planned. Those long hot summer days...
A closer look at how bees make honey
“How about some bee spit...”...my friend offered.My imagination quickly conjured up and placed directly in front of my mind’s eye, an image of something that...
A Bee Yard Mystery
Those early spring days in the bee yard often bring surprises, turning the apiary into a top-notch outdoor classroom. If the beekeeper is observant and...
Bees in the Late Summer
Are your bees cranky?Are they on edge and don’t appreciate you being around? You used to be friends right? Spending an afternoon with the girls...
The Controversial Topic of Treatment-Free Beekeeping
Have You Actually Got a Mite Problem?The season has changed. We’ve moved out of the spring swarm season and are well into summer. The queen...
What is the “right” type of beehive?
An Informed Approach To Choosing the Right BeehiveIn this article we are going to discuss the various types of bee hives, a little of their...
Natural Beekeeping: The Problems with Following The Crowd
Keeping it RealNatural beekeeping has quickly drawn the attention of new beekeepers across the nation. It’s a rare bee class or meeting when the topic...
Natural Beekeeping: An Introduction
A common - and occasionally divisive - topicNatural Beekeeping is a stirring and fascinating topics among beekeepers. Though its exact definition is open to some interpretation...
“Outside The Swarm” Column
It's not always the obvious answer...Beekeeping is a fascinating hobby that challenges us to understand and learn from our bees on an ongoing bases. While...