Not native honeybees and native bumble bees are often the first bees that people think of because they are big and easy to spot. But there are thousands of other, lesser known species of native bees. Ground nesting bees, whose name comes from the fact that they dig holes in the ground to raise their … Read more
As interest in urban farming and homesteading grows, more and more people are looking into beekeeping. With proper setup and care, it’s entirely possible to keep a small honey bee colony right at home. An in-home beehive can provide homeowners with their own fresh honey, wax, and the benefits of local pollination. If you’re new … Read more
As a Los Angeles resident, I’ve had my fair share of encounters with bees Coming across a buzzing hive on your property can be an unnerving experience. But bees play a critical role as pollinators in our ecosystem So whenever possible, it’s best to relocate bees humanely rather than exterminate them. In this article, I’ll … Read more
Grey and black bees are some of the most commonly seen bee species in backyards and gardens. With their distinctive coloration, these bees stand out against brightly colored flowers as they go about their important work pollinating plants. While it can be tricky to identify the different types of grey and black bees at first … Read more
We could hear a buzzing sound all the way down the hill! We found her by stumbling from flower to flower. A gentle bumble bee among our flower pots. She’s one of the most important pollinators for crops as a native bee species. Join us as we compare the honey bee vs bumble bee in … Read more
Bees are the most important pollinators in our ecosystem but have developed a reputation for being scary. Some bees don’t even have stingers, so they don’t bother people much. Bees are more interested in doing their job. Carpenter bees are a problem because they can really “carve” into wood. They do this on decks, porches, … Read more
Getting stung by a bee is quite painful, thanks to the venom the bee injects. This leads to the question – if a bee has already died can its stinger still hurt you? The short answer is yes, you can technically still get stung by a dead bee under certain circumstances. Here’s an in-depth look … Read more
Bumblebees have a fascinating social structure centered around a single queen. But what sets her apart from the masses of workers in the colony? Let’s explore the unique traits and roles of queen and worker bumblebees Appearance The most noticeable difference is size. Queen bumblebees have larger, elongated abdomens compared to the more compact workers. … Read more
For daytime creatures like bees, the setting of the sun marks a dramatic shift in their daily rhythms and activities. But what exactly do bees get up to once night falls? Understanding how bees spend their evenings provides fascinating insight into their natural behaviors adapted for survival. Let’s explore what goes on after dark inside … Read more
It looks like yellow banded queens and workers are the same, but the queen is bigger (length to 0 8 inches versus 0. 6). The front of the thorax and the second and third abdominal segments are yellow. The fifth segment also has some hairs that are yellowish brown. The head, legs, and most of … Read more