Blog
Solitary Bees in Greenhouses — Pitfalls and Advice
If you have a greenhouse, pollination can be a struggle. After all, 1/3 of the food we eat is dependent on pollinators, and without them, you'll be pollinating your greenhouse plants by hand with a paintbrush. So, it's no wonder that many of our bee raisers ask us if they can raise mason and leafcutter bees in greenhouses, high tunnels, and hoop houses.Bumble bees have historically been the bee of choice for many mid to large size greenhouse growers. However, recent research suggests that cavity
…
Jun 7th 2022
Bee Informed: The Insect Apocalypse, Tracking the Invasive Giant Hornet, and A Vision For More Sustainable Farmlands
Each month our Bee Informed Blog highlights current news, science, and research related to solitary bee conservation, food insecurity, and sustainability.1. The loss of insects is an apocalypse worth worrying about(Vox) Perhaps you don’t think much about the value of dung beetles. But without them crawling around farms, stables, and wild savannas today, the world would be pretty, er, shitty. What about the importance of small, mosquito-like flies called midges? Without them, there’d be no chocol
…
Mar 25th 2022
Bee Informed: New Bee Species Added to Oregon Database, Bee Art Through Time, and Garden Photographer of the Year Winners
Each month our Bee Informed Blog highlights current news, science, and research related to solitary bee conservation, food insecurity, and sustainability.1. Hundreds of new native bees species added to Oregon database(OPB.org) The Oregon Bee Atlas just got bigger. In an update announced this month, the largest bee and plant database in the state added hundreds of new native bee species that were discovered all over Oregon.The atlas was created because of a lack of information available abou
…
Feb 24th 2022
Bee Informed: Another Win for Pollinators, Air Pollution Impairs Bees Ability to Smell Flowers, and To Plant or To Let it Grow
Each month our Bee Informed Blog highlights current news, science, and research related to solitary bee conservation, food insecurity, and sustainability.1. New Jersey Enacts Groundbreaking Neonic Legislation(NRDC) New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy signed into law A2070 (Calabrese)/S1016 (Smith), which prohibits most outdoor non-agricultural uses of harmful neonicotinoid pesticides. An outpouring of scientific evidence points to neonics as a leading cause of bee losses; a threat to birds, other wi
…
Jan 27th 2022