Blog

Each month our Bee Informed Blog highlights current news, science, and research related to solitary bee conservation, food insecurity, and sustainability.1. Murder hornets given new common name by entomologists(Associated Press) The invasive hornet found in Washington state that has been referred to as the Asian giant hornet or murder hornet has a new name.Washington state Department of Agriculture officials said Monday that the Entomological Society of America (ESA) has adopted “northern giant …

With extreme summer temperatures sweeping North America, shipping trucks, mailboxes, sheds, and garages can quickly feel like ovens! While bees are hearty insects, extreme temps can impact their survival.Here are a few things to keep in mind this summer: Once our bees leave our facility, we cannot regulate the temperature of the cocoons. Extreme temps and shipping delays may affect your bees. If you know your leafcutter bees are scheduled to ship during a heat wave, please consider changing you …

Each month our Bee Informed Blog highlights current news, science, and research related to solitary bee conservation, food insecurity, and sustainability.1. Native Bees Climb Social Ladder(County News) A native bee which nests in tree-fern fronds is helping scientists understand how life developed to be social and altruistic — and how bees evolved to purposefully hatch sterile young, a fact which defies Darwin’s natural selection theory.The Australian bee Amphylaeus morosus only recently made th …

Pollinator Week is an annual celebration in support of pollinator health that was initiated and is managed by our friends at Pollinator Partnership. It is a time to raise awareness for pollinators and spread the word about what we can do to protect them. The great thing about Pollinator Week is that you can celebrate and get involved any way you like! Popular events include planting for pollinators, hosting garden tours, participating in online bee and butterfly ID workshops, and so much more.Vi …

With the highly anticipated change in season comes all the signs of summer we have been waiting for. The urge to complete spring cleaning, fixing up the garden, opening the windows for the first time in months and the less enjoyable visitors – pests. With more and more knowledge about the importance of reducing chemicals in our home and the role insects play in our ecosystem, it’s easy to feel stuck between using chemical pesticides or living with unwanted pests in your home. The good news is, t …