USA Bee Population Skyrockets to All Time High

Where in the world did all these bees come from?! By Andrew Van Dam

After almost two decades of relentless colony collapse coverage and years of grieving suspiciously clean windshields, we were stunned to run the numbers on the new Census of Agriculture (otherwise known as that wonderful time every five years where the government counts all the llamas): America’s honeybee population has rocketed to an all-time high.

We’ve added almost a million bee colonies in the past five years. We now have 3.8 million, the census shows. Since 2007, the first census after alarming bee die-offs began in 2006, the honeybee has been the fastest-growing livestock segment in the country! And that doesn’t count feral honeybees, which may outnumber their captive cousins several times over.

READ MORE HERE>>>

Image courtesy of Washington Post

What is a Honey Shrub? A Refreshing Alternative to Traditional Mead

What is a Honey Shrub? A Refreshing Alternative to Traditional Mead

As autumn leaves begin to blanket the ground in hues of amber and crimson, our thoughts naturally drift towards cozy, comforting experiences. One such experience that shouldn't be overlooked this season is the delight of savoring a honey shrub. While mead may be the go-to choice for many honey enthusiasts, the non-alcoholic honey shrub offers a unique, sophisticated alternative that captures the essence of fall in each sip. Often overshadowed by its alcoholic counterpart, this non-intoxicating elixir delivers a unique balance of sweet and tangy, making it an ideal choice for those seeking complexity without the alcohol.

What Exactly is a Honey Shrub?

A honey shrub is a simple yet sophisticated concoction of honey, water, and vinegar. The result is a beverage that's not only refreshing but also versatile, offering endless opportunities for culinary creativity. Whether consumed as-is or used as a base for cocktails and mocktails, a honey shrub lends itself to a multitude of applications.

Basic Recipe

Ingredients:

• 1 cup of honey

• 4 cups of water

• 1 cup of apple cider vinegar

Steps:

1. Heat Water: In a pot, bring the water to a simmer.

2. Add Honey: Stir in the honey until it fully dissolves.

3. Cool Down: Let the mixture cool to room temperature.

4. Add Vinegar: Stir in the apple cider vinegar.

5. Refrigerate: Store the mixture in a glass container and refrigerate for 24-48 hours.

6. Strain and Serve: If you've added fruits or herbs for flavor, strain them out before serving.

The Health Angle

Aside from its delightful flavor profile, a honey shrub offers an array of health benefits. The natural sweetness of honey pairs excellently with the probiotic qualities of apple cider vinegar, making for a beverage that's as good for your gut as it is for your taste buds.

Creative Variations

While the classic honey shrub is gratifying in its own right, its basic recipe serves as an open canvas for additional infusions. Consider incorporating autumnal fruits like apple slices or pears, or perhaps some seasonal herbs like rosemary or sage.

In a world where complexity is often equated with sophistication, the honey shrub stands as a testament to the elegance of simplicity. This humble beverage, made from just three core ingredients, offers an enriching experience that caters to both the palate and the soul.

Here’s to elevating your autumn moments with the understated yet captivating allure of a honey shrub. Cheers.

A Fall Spectacle: The Beehive State's Autumnal Transition

As the Beehive State’s capital city, Salt Lake City’s historic streets and urban vibrancy, undergoes a remarkable transformation come autumn. Trees, once green, now flaunt a dazzling array of reds, oranges, and golds. The crisp air, carrying hints of woodsmoke, signals the onset of chilly evenings and cozy indoor moments.  

Recently, we had the pleasure of taking a trip up to the Sundance Mountain Resort, one of our cherished spots. The sight of the aspens, with their golden leaves shimmering against the backdrop of the clear blue sky, was truly a spectacle to behold. It's moments like these that remind us of the natural beauty surrounding Salt Lake City and inspire our creations at the Beehive Shoppe. 

Drawing from these experiences, our fall and Thanksgiving cards encapsulate the essence of the season. Each card, thoughtfully crafted, allows you to share a piece of Salt Lake City's autumn magic with those dear to you. 

We invite you to immerse yourself in the spirit of fall by exploring our curated selection at the Beehive Shoppe. 

 Warmly, Jessica & Dena

Bees and Halloween: Spooky Myths Debunked

Bee Ghost, Bees aren’t that scary

As All Hallows' Eve approaches, thoughts often turn to the eerie, the unsettling, and the misunderstood. Within the world of insects, few creatures are as widely misunderstood as bees. This Halloween season, we thought it fitting to dispel some myths that add unnecessary fright to these fascinating insects.

Myth 1: Bees are Aggressive and Likely to Attack

Bees are often portrayed as aggressive creatures lying in wait to sting. However, most bees are more interested in collecting nectar and pollen than in attacking humans. While it's true that they will defend their hive if threatened, by and large, if you don’t bother them, they won’t bother you.

Myth 2: A Single Sting Can Be Deadly

For the majority of people, a bee sting, though painful, is relatively harmless. However, the narrative often gets amplified to the point where some believe that a single sting can cause immediate and severe harm. It's important to note that only those with specific allergies need to be concerned to this extent.

Myth 3: Bees Produce "Evil" or "Cursed" Honey

Some tales and superstitions suggest that honey can carry malevolent energies or curses. These myths may stem from historical uses of honey in various mystical practices. In reality, honey is a natural sweetener with multiple health benefits—there's nothing 'cursed' about it.

Myth 4: Bees are a Bad Omen

In various cultures and folklore, bees are sometimes seen as harbingers of bad news or even death. However, they are more accurately symbols of industriousness, teamwork, and community—qualities that should be celebrated rather than feared.

Myth 5: Bees are Unimportant and Insignificant

Perhaps the most harmful myth of all is the idea that bees are not important to our ecosystem. Bees play a crucial role in pollination, making them indispensable for a thriving environment and food system.

The Reality: A World to Marvel, Not to Fear

Bees are creatures of remarkable complexity and function. They are a testament to the beauty of the natural world, and they invite us to learn more rather than recoil in fear. This Halloween, as you encounter various representations of creepy crawlies and winged beasts, we hope you'll remember that not all such creatures are the stuff of nightmares. Many, like bees, are essential to the fabric of life itself.

This Halloween, let’s replace fear with fascination and superstition with science. And remember, the next time you enjoy a spoonful of honey or a flower blooms in your garden, you likely have these misunderstood marvels to thank.

Happy Halloween from Beehive Shoppe.

May your Halloween be filled with more treats than tricks, and may you approach the natural world with a newfound sense of wonder.

Preparing Your Beehive for Winter: Steps for Autumn

As autumn's colors grace the landscape, the honeyed days of summer draw to a close. This seasonal shift isn't just a visual spectacle; it's a signal to beekeepers—both seasoned and novice—that it's time to prepare your hive for the colder months ahead. Fail to winterize your hive adequately, and you risk losing your colony. Here's what you need to know to transition smoothly.

Conduct a Hive Inspection

A thorough hive check in early autumn will give you a sense of the colony’s health. Look for ample honey stores, strong brood patterns, and signs of diseases or parasites. Address any issues promptly.

Reconfigure the Hive

A honey super functions as an additional storage place for extra honey and pollen for months when honey flow and pollen stores are low. Bees will eat their way up to consume stockpiled honey and pollen for survival during winter months. In warmer months, beekeepers often harvest honey from the honey super frames. After honey has been extracted, you can save it for later so bees can use leftover products to produce more honey and brood. Come autumn, remove these so the colony can focus on warming a smaller, more manageable space.

Install Insulation

Just as you wouldn’t leave your windows open in winter, don’t ignore your hive's insulation needs. Use materials like foam boards around the hive or even a winter wrap designed for this very purpose.

Ventilation is Key

Remember, insulation should not come at the expense of ventilation. Bees generate moisture, and inadequate ventilation can lead to mold. Make sure the hive has a small upper entrance to allow moisture to escape.

Feeding and Nutrition

Consider supplemental feeding. A 2:1 ratio of sugar water can be beneficial, but only if natural nectar stores are insufficient. Additionally, a protein patty can give your bees the sustenance they need.

Final Checks

As winter sets in, do a final walkthrough. Ensure the hive is secure against predators, that there’s no water ingress, and that the bees have sufficient food. Then, let nature take its course.

Taking these steps may require a weekend’s worth of effort, but the peace of mind and the thriving hive come spring will be worth every moment spent. After all, mindful stewardship is at the core of both successful beekeeping and a balanced life.

Hello from Beehive Shoppe's newest partner.

I'm Jessica, and I'm absolutely thrilled to share my journey with you as the newest partner at Beehive Shoppe. Dena and I have some fantastic plans in store for our online gift shop, and I can't wait for you to see all the unique and creative items we have in mind. But today, I want to take you on a little personal journey of mine, a moment of tranquility and inspiration right in the heart of Salt Lake City.

I moved into a charming house built in 1888, nestled on a quarter-acre lot in the city this spring to start a new urban adventure.  One of the most enchanting aspects of this historic house is the presence of fruit trees that have stood here for generations. Apricots, grape vines, nectarines, and cherry plums grace my backyard, each telling a story of the years gone by. Today, I want to tell you about my favorite among them, the apricot tree.

Picture this: I sit under the sprawling branches of the apricot tree, its leaves rustling gently in the breeze, and the sweet scent of ripe apricots filling the air. From this spot, I have an unobstructed view of the majestic Utah mountains. The sight never fails to take my breath away. It's like having a little piece of the countryside right here in the heart of the city.

What truly adds magic to this scene is the symphony of bees buzzing around the apricot blossoms and fruit. They are nature's diligent workers, tirelessly pollinating and making the promise of a bountiful harvest. It's a reminder of the incredible interconnectedness of life and nature's marvels.

You might wonder why I'm sharing this personal moment with you. Well, it's because this experience embodies the essence of Beehive Shoppe. We aim to curate items that bring a touch of nature's beauty and serenity into your urban lives. Our focus on urban homesteading, cottage core, and Hygge aesthetics is all about creating a haven amidst the hustle and bustle, just like my apricot tree does for me.

As I sit here, watching the bees work their magic, I can't help but feel grateful for the opportunity to embark on this exciting journey with Dena. Her business acumen and my passion for design, home decoration, and sustainability are the perfect blend. And we're both committed to offering you adorable home goods that cater to the minimalist at heart, all priced thoughtfully for every budget.

So, whether you're looking for notecards, journals, wall art, or any other delightful treasures, rest assured that Beehive Shoppe will be your unexpected oasis of curious, provocative, and beautiful things.

Thank you for joining me under my apricot tree today. Stay tuned for more updates, inspiration, and of course, the wonderful products we're excited to bring to your homes.

How to get rid bumble bee nest

How to get rid of bumble bees

Ready for Spring? One of the most popular questions people ask about bees is - How to get rid of a Bumble bee nest. Bumble bees are social insects that tend to form colonies of their own. Each colony of bumble bees has a single queen. Bumble bee colonies are typically not as large as honey bee colonies - typically there are roughly 40-50 bees per nest. Bumble bees can sting multiple times and can be very painful. The good thing about bumble bees is that they tend to stay away from animals and humans.

It’s important that you not kill bumble bees. Their population is already threatened and we need bumble bees in our ecosystem for many of our plants and food products to survive. Make sure you know what variety of bees are in your garden or yard before you try to get ride of them.

All that being said here are three effective tricks to safely remove bees from your yard or garden:

1) Mixing up a vinegar spray is an easy way remove bumble bees. Mix equal parts of vinegar and water and put it into a spray bottle or can. Be sure to wear protective clothing and spray the hive at night while the bees are resting. This should do the trick !

2) Citrus is another good way to ward off bumble bees. Boil a pan of water with lemon slices in it. The water should boil down to about one-third and then put it in the spray bottle. Spray this around the hive and on surrounding flower beds.

3) The sweetest way to get rid of bumble bees without killing them is to use cinnamon . Simply sprinkle some ground cinnamon around the hive at night for a couple weeks and they’ll eventually get the hint.

Reports of Bee Shortage Unsettle Almond Bloom

Photo: John Cox I The Californian

New reports of a honeybee shortage have thrown new uncertainty into the annual almond pollination just as trees have started blooming across the Central Valley.

In a sharp turnaround from glut expectations early this month, beekeepers and bee brokers said Wednesday they have been contacted during about the past week and a half by almond growers anxious for colonies to fertilize their orchards.

“All the surplus bees are gone,” Shafter-area honeybee broker Mike Mulligan said. “I get calls almost every day (from) people looking for additional bee hives.”

As the latest rebalancing of bee supply and demand, the situation strikes at the heart of the nation’s, if not the world’s, largest pollination event. But whether the dearth is good or bad may depend on the grower.

A large oversupply of almonds has built up over years of shipping bottlenecks and declining demand, such that prices have fallen to levels below growers’ costs. Optimism did tick up very recently as winter storms forced prices so low that sales picked up noticeably, resulting in less stored inventory and somewhat stronger prices.

Individual growers don’t want to see their own crop come up short, but the industry as a whole isn’t likely to grieve if this year’s bounty ends up a little light, especially if that means the oversupply shrinks and prices come up.

READ ARTICLE ON BAKERSFIELD.COM

🐝 National Make A Friend Day

National Make A Friend Day 2023 – Sat. February 11

  “There are no strangers in the world, only friends you have never encountered,” is a famous saying by Yeats. It is imperative that we continue to make new friends. It is for this reason that National Make a Friend Day has become so significant. A new friendship can pave the way for new adventures. Friends can assist us in getting through difficult situations. They give us the security of a secure emotional environment in which we may be ourselves. Our most valuable possession is a group of good friends.

Around February 11, make a concerted effort to contact or simply chat with someone unfamiliar. Your life may never be the same again. National Make a Friend Day happens to be that holiday celebrated around February 11th each year. It’s a day when folks are nudged to explore beyond their usual social circles and meet new acquaintances.

This is a day on which everybody, regardless of how many or perhaps several friends they have, should explore commemorating. Friendship is the most important aspect of our lives. “The Value of our Lives Can Be Seen in Our Friends,” according to popular thought. Friendship is the tie that connects our spirits and that we will never be able to break free from. Take “Make a Friend Day” as an opportunity to meet new people in your life.

THANK YOU Nationaldaytime.com for this fun information!

Baking with Bees & Beehive Ideas You'll Love

We have found a whole hive of fun bee & beehive baking ideas. We think you’ll love them:

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

Beekeeper Charged with Using Bees to Assault Police - NEWS

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. -- A Massachusetts woman who released a swarm of bees on sheriff's deputies as they tried to serve an eviction notice is facing multiple assault and battery charges, authorities said.

Rorie S. Woods, 55, pleaded not guilty at her arraignment on Oct. 12 in Springfield District Court and was released without bail, Masslive.com, citing court records, reported on Wednesday.

She and other protesters maintain that they were trying to prevent a wrongful eviction. The homeowner, Alton King, brought evidence of a bankruptcy stay to court the next day, at which point "everything should have stopped," said Grace Ross of the Massachusetts Alliance Against Predatory Lending.

Woods' lawyer did not immediately respond to a voicemail left by The Associated Press on Wednesday.

Hampden County deputies were met by protesters when they went to the home in Longmeadow on the morning of Oct. 12, according to the official department report.

Woods, who lives in Hadley, arrived in an SUV towing a trailer carrying bee hives and started "shaking" them, breaking the cover off one and causing hundreds of bees to swarm out and initially sting one deputy, according to the report.

READ MORE

Don’t miss out on these Wonderful Homemade Decorations!

The DIY craze is hitting the Fall! As tons of influencers, and bloggers show their skills in DIY decor, you can also learn these same tricks. Now is the perfect time spice up your home with homemade bee decor. These can make for great gifts.