Pesticides vs Pests or Pathogens: Part 2 the Results

Continued from My first possible pesticide incident, and sample collection. Part 1 After discovering a large number of dead bees just down the road from the office, I collected a sample, preserved them and sent them in for analysis. It ended up just costing just $2.50 to mail off the sample to the laboratory, really great Read more about Pesticides vs Pests or Pathogens: Part 2 the Results[…]

My first possible pesticide incident, and sample collection. Part 1

My colleague and I usually walk around the block here off Hollister and Robin Hill in Goleta mid afternoon to enjoy some fresh air and give our eyes a break from computer screens and robots. Yesterday, I’d been impressed by just how many bees were visiting the bottle brush flowers, and the seemingly healthy indication Read more about My first possible pesticide incident, and sample collection. Part 1[…]

Transitioning to Foundationless frames, as the bees intended

Drones started showing up in a big way after I put in a foundationless frame (with wooden comb guide) in the middle of my brood nest on 12/25/14.  Over the last month I completely transitioned to foundationless too – comb production is going crazy! I have lots of healthy drones, as of about 3 weeks Read more about Transitioning to Foundationless frames, as the bees intended[…]

Bee Hive Building – what to build, and not to build!

Why would anyone get into bee hive building?  Well, because it’s really fun, hands on, satisfying and rewarding – a lot like beekeeping itself.  My goal for building bee hives was actually to return all gear I borrowed from my friend by next spring, and have a full set of my own gear! The easiest Read more about Bee Hive Building – what to build, and not to build![…]

Combining Colonies and the new Dark Queen of the Bees

The next day I was able to transfer the bees to a new deep above my doomed colony, combining the colonies – the Garage Bees would have a new Queen! Newspaper Technique for Combining Colonies I used the “newspaper separation” technique, so that the hives wouldn’t mix right away.  The newspaper mostly prevents that by Read more about Combining Colonies and the new Dark Queen of the Bees[…]

Bees in a Queenless Hive

Over the last few days I’ve been keenly watching the bees over breakfast every morning, and relaxing after work in the evenings strumming a little acoustic guitar from my chair near the hive. My neighbor is an elementary school teacher and is quite entertained by this – apparently she wants to write a children’s book after telling her Read more about Bees in a Queenless Hive[…]

A Cut Out Bee Rescue

Following all of the Preparing and Repairing Bee Hives, it was time for a bee rescue! The night before, I prepared the backyard area, and started work on the garage panels (while bees were mostly sleeping) until un-neighborly hours. Planning and Execution of a Bee Rescue Sunday morning, myself and another friend (who recklessly/admirably agreed to help two nights before) Read more about A Cut Out Bee Rescue[…]

Bees are pretty wonderful creatures

Becoming a Beekeeper. Getting Started

Read up and make plans I’m excited about becoming a beekeeper!  I read about it all night – looking at different hive designs, wondering if I can make a Langstroth frame myself with reclaimed (non treated) wood, reading up on regulations (SB city is very bee friendly), people’s experiences, Africanized bees etc. I like honey, and Read more about Becoming a Beekeeper. Getting Started[…]

Bee-friendly garden, swarm arrived, started a hive in my garage wall

A colony of bees arrived in my bee friendly backyard within the last month, and has made its home in the side wall of our garage between the insulation and the wood. Becoming a Bee Keeper I rent on the 1600 block of Chapala.  I’m interested in beekeeping, and I think my landlord may allow me Read more about Bee-friendly garden, swarm arrived, started a hive in my garage wall[…]