Of course, World Bee Day is every day. But on May 20, we recognize and celebrate the hard work of our beekeepers and bees and the important impact they have on the world’s ecosystem.World Bee Day is celebrated on May 20th each year, coinciding with the birthday of Anton Janša, the pioneer of beekeeping, who was born in 1734. During his time, he pioneered modern beekeeping techniques in Slovenia and praised the bees for their ability to work hard, while being self-sufficient creatur …

WSU Scientists Researching Possible Reemergence of Asian Giant Hornet in Washington StateWSDABack in December, we (unfortunately) told you about some invasive Asian giant hornets being discovered in Washington state.Now, Washington State University scientists are partnering with other agencies in researching the bee-killing hornets and preparing for their possible emergence this spring.A Giant Asian hornet was found on a property in Blaine, Wash., back in early December. This hornet hadn’t …

Your bees will be here soon! You've got your hive kit. It's all assembled and painted, and ready for package/nuc installation day. Now what?This time of year, the biggest question we hear from new beekeepers is "what else do I really need to have when I get my bees?" Of course, like many other questions asked in beekeeping, the answer will vary depending on who you ask. Nonetheless, we've compiled a list of 6 items that we consider to be "essentials" in the bee yard.  Feeder - this is a cr …

A small Buckinghamshire distillery that usually makes gin and vodka out of honey has begun making hand sanitizer amid a global shortage — highlighting how businesses both great and small are throwing their weight behind efforts to fight Covid-19.The British Honey Company said on Tuesday it had been given the green light by UK tax authorities to use its spare capacity for producing hand sanitizer ingredients. The British Honey Company’s distillery in Worminghall, Buckinghamshire, will now start p …

Raising native bees creates diversity in your ecosystem, which helps to ensure that all different types of plants are being pollinated. About 90% of native bee species are solitary, meaning they do not live in colonies or produce honey, making them easy to raise. Every female solitary bee lays eggs and takes care of her young on her own, which makes them very gentle and unlikely to sting, as they are not defending a hive or honey.The manner in which native bees, like the mason bee, forage and ca …