Be Like Bees

17/03/2026

It's official and only 30 minutes.. How will they get me to stop talking 🤷‍♀️🌸🐝

15/03/2026

It seems that many beeks think that if they wear no protective gear it makes them superior (or sexy in some youtube videos).
I think saying wear no protection but not clarifying that you will get stung, is misleading.
I reckon do what makes you feel safe. If you feel safe you'll be able to be gentler and calmer. If you want to wear leather gloves soften them (chuck them in the wash a few times or crush them around a bit) and choose a size that fits really well (sometimes child size are best).
Start fully protected and reduce as you build skill and knowledge.
Avoid being a beek snob criticising others based on how safe they want to be.

02/03/2026

Had a lovely day at the Werribee Park Heritage Orchard Festival. Lots of people came to my honeybee discussion and I enjoyed their enthusiasm.

27/02/2026

Looking forward to tomorrows Werribee Park Heritage Orchard Festival where I will be guest speaking about honey bees (of course).

26/02/2026

From the apiary(s).

Our girls are buzzing along happily, we are cruising our back yard and reveling in the freedom.

The Blossom hive has now settled into the apiary at . We had split them, queen removed (thank you sweet queen for trying your best) and took them out of their hive into boxes that had been used before, thinking it may be something about the new hive I had them in.
Today we inspected and found 26 queen cells on 3 frames. WOW girls 😲 Below is a great pic of the girls festooning.
We knocked off the cells, merged the hive.
This evening I've been back to add a beautiful Italian queen from (he guaranteed varroa free). The girls were annoyed, as to be expected, when I turned up. But when I lay the queen on top of the frames, their tone lowered, they visited her and stuck their bums up fanning pheromones. They were definitely signing that they were accepting her. So in she popped in her cage. Of course the guards followed me for ages far and wide again, hopefully for the last time. But I'm waiting these girls out especially since they are not putting our streets in danger.
I look forward to visiting them next and seeing what is happening.

26/02/2026

22/02/2026

From the apiary

Well on the second try, the Blossom hive is closed up - steel wooled and taped.
It was 8.30pm, raining and they still came to give me a pinky sting. They heard me coming in the dark and were straight on guard duty. I think there may be more guards than workers. Hopefully the wet weather won't unstick the tape.

Hopefully we can fix these girls up soon. Am hopeful that they will soon be calm and well behaved. I'm sure they will be an amazing colony for someone's backyard soon. ✨️🐝

20/02/2026

From the apiary.

Well the little girls from the Blossom hive have done their dash. They've upset the neighbours (and us), won't let anyone out the back door, the dogs are confined to indoors. They definitely don't like public displays of affection.

Today I went in to do some preparation and they were roaring. They are the spiciest hive I've worked. Was going to take video of their tantrum but knew there would just be a screen covered in bees.

On Monday they will be moved to a new property with lots of space. Hopefully to be calmed down asap. Would be pretty nice if they just didn't like living at our place.

Crossing fingers our beautiful calm girls in the Violet and Flow hives haven't picked up bad habits.

16/02/2026

Harlequin bugs are in plague proportions this year and they seem to like congregating on the hives. So here's a summary of info from searches:

》they are native to Australia

》they are part of the family of bugs that some Australians call 'stink bugs', they apparently taste bad enough that chickens won't eat them

》they are sap sucking and love fruit and veg

》they are not harmful to the hive and bees, but do feed on dead bees and hive debris, monitor weak colonies to ensure they are not impacted

》they like warm weather

》they can be controlled:
-by planting herbs like dill and coriander and by having a diversity of plants
- using soapy water spray, however this can also can kill bees, better to brush them off the hive into a bucket of soapy water (at least 2 tablespoon dish soap to a bucket of water)
- just leaving them and waiting for the balance to return (remember only a month ago there were stacks of hover flies

》they are prolific breeder, one female can lay 150+ eggs, eggs are found on the underside of leaves

》 they live in debris during winter waiting for warmer conditions

》predators include: lady bugs, ants, spiders, praying mantis, lacewings, wasps, Guinea fowl

Be aware that by controlling one 'pest' in an ecosystem you are impacting other lives as well.

Be Like Bees 2026

12/02/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/1QfXzrAK5X/

12/02/2026

Learn about St Gobnait, one of few recognised female Irish saints & patron saint of bees and beekeepers. Feast of St Gobnait is February 11th.