It is a well known fact that bees prefer drinking from dirty puddles than from clean water. It is presumed that they value the minerals and other ingredients that are in such water sources. https://www.stuff.co.nz/science/118605431/honey-bees-need-better-nutrition-and-nz-scientists-think-they-can-help?utm_source=hs_email&utm_medium=email&utm_content=8 Below is an article from the Entomological Society of America . Honey bees reportedly have a preference to drink brackish […]

Here’s some inspiration for Urban Bee Lovers!  While roving through our customer websites, I came across this inspirational one which I would like to share with you.   It captures the very essence of urban beekeeping and furthermore, the whole point behind saving the bees. Click on the link below to discover what these two beekeepers […]

Winter is hard on hive colonies and for various reasons you may find yourself with a a hive that has insufficient bees to keep alive through the rest of the season or maybe it has become queenless. If left alone you will lose the bees that are there. The only option here is to merge […]

How can we develop Varroa Resistant bees? Every now and again, a new idea comes forward to combat varroa,  the problem that has been with us in New Zealand since it was discovered here in April 2000.  These ideas are eagerly analysed for their chances of success because it doesn’t seem like varroa is going […]

  I have been considering the importance of hive temperature and its effect on the bees. The design of the hive, whether it be a nest in a tree or a man-made hive, considerably impacts hive temperature.  Hive design has not changed fundamentally since the Langstroth hive was invented in 1854. Commonly, Langstroth hives are […]

Many beekeepers in New Zealand are finding the current climate is pretty tough for their trade.  If you’re looking for employment opportunities in other places – here’s a great job – Royal Beekeeper! A photo of the queen taken  in 2003 has come to light showing her amusement at a swarm of bees interrupting a […]