The bees are back!
Well, maybe not yet, but we can hope, can’t we? For years now, the message has been constant, the bees need our help.
The only problem is sometimes, we can do more harm than good when we act without the right information.
A lot of new beekeepers are doing exactly that. So how can aspiring beekeepers make sure that they are helping their bees? Arriving at beekeeping101.com is a great first step.
I’m Annie, the owner of this website and a lifelong nature lover, beekeeper, and educator.
My goal for this site is to provide you with easy-to-read condensed information about bees and beekeeping.
The two are separate entities because bees can exist without beekeepers.
I don’t just want to give you a how-to manual on apiculture. Instead, I want you to draw on the years of experience that I have as a professional beekeeper and help you understand why you do what you do.
Why is that important? Well, failure to understand why may have caused the predicament that bees are going through right now.
Had we taken the time to observe the diverse needs of the bees, perhaps the state of California wouldn’t need to import bees from other states when the almond trees are in bloom.
Had we taken the time to understand the cycle of the varroa mite, perhaps we wouldn’t have created these pesticide-resistant vectors.
Couldn’t we have taken a little more time to understand the effect pesticides have on friendly insects? CCD wouldn’t automatically conjure up images of dead colonies.
Instead, it would still stand for Census County Division or any one of over 100 different meanings of that same acronym.
That said, it’s not all doom and gloom, guys.
Beekeeping isn’t just a feel-good activity. The products from the hive are extremely beneficial, some even help to pay the bills.
It’s also known to be a great stress reliever because it helps you commune with nature. There’s so much for the beginner and a few nuggets for the experienced as well.
My goal is to answer your questions and keep you updated when new questions arise.
I do have to warn you that bees can create an obsession in you. It’s almost an addiction once you get started.
Everything you look at falls under two categories: Bee friendly or bee enemy.
I think it’s a very healthy addiction, and I hope it spreads. This isn’t just for beekeepers, it’s for bee enthusiasts. The world needs more bee friends than it does beekeepers.
Bees exist in the wild, and we have the same responsibility to them as we do to our whales and polar ice-caps. Every little bit helps.
Bees have so many secrets that studying them is like reading a murder mystery.
Even when disaster strikes, you’re transfixed and can’t help but turn the page and learn more.
Unlike the novels, however, we are always looking for a happy ending.
I look forward to walking this journey with you.
All the best,
Annie