Recent Posts
- Propolis Envelope
- Floral Fidelity
- Insulating a Beehive
- Robbing
- Beehive Sensors – Technology Overview Part 2
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Propolis Envelope
Honey bees collect resin from tree buds, sap flows, or other botanical sources then mix this resin with their own enzymes and beeswax to produce propolis. While beekeepers may loathe this sticky substance and find that is can be difficult to remove and clean, scientists have discovered propolis has many beneficial qualities that aid the…
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Floral Fidelity
What is floral fidelity and why is it important to honey bees? Floral Fidelity Floral fidelity refers to the tendency of a pollinator, for example a honey bee, to consistently visit flowers of the same species during a foraging trip, rather than switching between different types of flowers. Why is floral fidelity important to honey bees?…
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Insulating a Beehive
Since 1852, when Rev. Langstroth unveiled his movable frame hive, beekeepers have seen few changes to the original design. Wooden hives are popular for a number of reasons: it’s simple design allows for various configurations to meet the beekeeper’s needs, all-the-while providing an adequate shelter for the honeybees. One drawback for those hives made from…
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Robbing
Anyone who has witnessed an epic battle between honey bees at the entrance to a beehive understands the seriousness: it is intense! What is happening, and why? What are consequences – to the attacker and to the attacked? Does this behavior require intervention from the beekeeper? Most environments will experience nectar dearths – times of…
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Beehive Sensors – Technology Overview Part 2
In this post, I discuss Thingsboard and my internet-of-things (IoT) project whose data can be viewed at https://huntershives.com/iot/graph.html. ThingsBoard is an open source service I have running on my developmental network. Incoming data (from an Arduino board with an attached sensor) is uploaded to a Postgres database and read by ThingsBoard. The service has a…
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Honey Bees and Water
Bees need water for several reasons. They use it to aid in digestion, make royal jelly, dilute honey, and cool down their hive1. Specifically, honey bees require water for two main purposes: Honey bees collect water from various sources, including damp rocks, branches, muddy puddles, pond edges, and drops adhering to vegetation. They swallow the…
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Bald Brood: Understanding the Problem and Solutions
Bald brood is a relatively common issue that impacts developing honey bee pupae. Beekeepers often observe linear rows of uncapped brood cells, with exposed larvae still developing inside. But what exactly causes this phenomenon, and how can beekeepers address it? Causes of Bald Brood Impact on Bees Differentiating Bald Brood from Hygienic Behavior Remember, maintaining healthy…
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Inside the Honey Bee Colony: A Division of Labor, Tasks and Responsibilities
In the intricate society of honey bees, every member plays a crucial role in ensuring the survival and success of the colony. From foraging for nectar to caring for the young, each task is meticulously divided among different castes and age groups within the hive. Understanding this division of labor sheds light on the fascinating…
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Exploring the Marvels of Bee Bread
In the bustling world of a beehive, amidst the hum of activity and the dance of the workers, lies a hidden gem of nature – bee bread. This extraordinary substance, meticulously crafted by the industrious honeybees, is not just a mere collection of pollen and nectar; it’s a nutritional powerhouse essential for the survival and…
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The Creation and Colors of Honey
Honey is a product of honey bees. Along with its proven health benefits, it is sweet and delicious alone and in combination with other foods! Why is honey important for honey bees? Honey bee colonies require carbohydrates to maintain the adult population. These carbohydrates come from nectar, honey, or sugar syrup. Honey is their primary…
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Festooning
festoon /fĕ-stoo͞n′/noun1. A string or garland, as of leaves or flowers, suspended in a loop or curve between two points.2. A representation of such a string or garland, as in painting or sculpture.3. A garland or wreath hanging in a depending curve, used in decoration for festivals, etc.; anything arranged in this way.The American Heritage®…
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Piping, Tooting and Quacking: Listen to the Bee’s Music!
Charles Butler (1571–1647) has been called the Father of English Beekeeping. [1] Among his many discoveries was that the colony was governed by a queen bee, the benefits of bees for fruit production and swarm catching. Another startling discovery was the “music” sang by bees. These were tones emitted from within the hive by bees. In 1623…