Propolis is a mixture of resin, essential oils and waxes It also contains amino acids, minerals, ethanol, vitamin A, B complex, E, and flavonoids. Bees use it to seal cracks in their hive, coat foreign objects as a sealant against bacteria and to coat the cells of their comb. Its…
beekeeping
Arizona Beekeeping in March 2023
Yay! Spring is here and the days are simply beautiful. The mornings are a little chilly, but the sun is out and we have had some rain that makes the flowers bloom. It doesn’t get better than this here in central Arizona. Beekeepers are splitting their hives to sell to…
What Do Honeybees Eat?
Honeybees eat honey, right? Well, yes, but that’s just part of the story. Bees need Carbohydrates (from nectar or honey), Protein, Fats, Minerals (from pollen), Salts, and Water. If you look at a frame of bees you will see that it has a pattern to it. There will be honey…
Honeybee Facts for Beekeepers
Did you know that there are more than 20,000 species of bees in the world? Not all of them produce honey. In fact, depending on which scientists you talk with, there have only been about 7-11 species of honeybees in existence. Today there are about 7 or 8 surviving species…
Where to put your backyard hive
Where to place your hive is one of the first things to consider when deciding to get bees. This has certainly crossed your mind a few times by now. You can get pretty creative if you are desperate to get bees, and some of you may find that you are…
Beekeeping Planner
A beekeeping planner? Heck ya!! I LOVE planners. I LOVE planning my day and my life. So what is more appropriate than creating a planner that combines life goals with hive goals? For some of us they may be the same thing. How many times do you ask yourself when…
How to Make Pollen Patties
It’s late summer in Phoenix and my bees are hungry. Why pollen patties? Well, I’ve set out pollen substitute and they are rolling around in it like pigs in mud. It’s quite endearing really. I’ve also been feeding them sugar syrup off and on and I’ve noticed that some of…
Gifts for Beekeepers
Mother’s Day and Father’s Day are coming up soon and it’s always so hard to find gifts for people who don’t seem to ever want anything. Well, I started to make a list of things that I am always in need of because I either run out them or they…
Honeybee History
Humans have a tendency to like sweet things, right? Candy, deserts and sweets of every kind are at the top of most people’s list of favorite things to eat. So it comes as no surprise to know that honeybees have long been a part of our history. The Bible is…
What’s the Best Fuel for Your Smoker?
This is a question that beekeepers each have an opinion on. New beekeepers often buy the pellets because that’s what is in the catalogs next to the smokers. But I have yet to meet a seasoned beekeeper who uses them, though I’m sure there are some. I’m more of a…