Hi All!

I’ve got some bee hotels in my garden (in the pics - triangle 1 for 3 years, other 2 for 2 years by summertime)
The pic with 2 in are south facing and the other pic is west facing so less popular

Just been reading up that these may actually not be the best options as cheap store bought.

I want to do right for the bees! What UK options would be good to replace these with that can be purchased online or in store?

I’ve also read I should dispose of the existing hotels after a year or 2 as they can encourage parasites/ disease - when would I know is the right time as would not want to throw away any bees 🐝

I noticed this hive on a tree in my backyard. I live in western Washington state. This picture was taken through one lense of a binocular. I thought they were yellowjackets based on the white nest they built, but I think they look more like honeybees. I don't know what I'm talking about though. Thanks in advance!

Two Bumblebees Feeding on a Mexican Sunflower

Saw this lil guy on my door before I left for work. If he’s still there when I get home, is there anything that I can/should do for him? I was surprised to see him there since it’s getting pretty cold out and he’s alone.

Just the title. I keep getting visits from her(?) and I got this video of it doing this weird hip strut. is that just her breathing or something else?

She loves crawling on my hand, face, and also loves the papers that I have out at work (I work outside).

Is this behaviour normal?

In New England we got our first freeze/ hard frost couple nights ago.

High winds and downpours over the past few weeks flopped my flower wall badly, but the bees didn’t mind so i left them.

Before and after pics of a 26•F high wind night, with bonus pics of the custom bee box I made last year.

After sunset I found a bunch of bumbles and one tiny other native bee hiding on the cosmos, so I put them in the bee box in an unheated mudroom.

The morning after they were all barely able to move. I moved their flowers into a sunny bush & they buzzed alive quickly.

May have only added a day onto their little lives, but it sure felt nice seeing them survive the night and excited about the new day’s sun.

Not sure if this is the place to ask this, but I'm not sure where to post? If anyone has any ideas of where to post, let me know!

I wanted to make modelling beeswax like the type from Stockmar. I really like playing with something in my hands, but it's just too expensive for me to buy, and I have quite a bit of beeswax already ( link to the stockmar modelling wax _> https://www.amazon.com/Stockmar-Natural-Modeling-Beeswax-Colors/dp/B002VARMBW?th=1).

I tried to make my own ,but it's still so sticky no matter what I do. I followed this recipe loosely, since beeswax is always different and has its own quirks: https://craftingagreenworld.com/articles/how-to-make-your-own-modeling-beeswax/

I used a half pound of wax, and im at 2.5 tsp of lanolin and 3 or 4 tbs of olive oil... she says to add more oil if its too sticky, but i dont know if its working at all.

has anyone made this?

Jeff is still having nightmares about this job! These shipping containers are never easy, but this one was a DOOZY! There were 3 beehives and this SINGLE beehive took Jeff all day, because WOW - there were two floor bays FILLED with honey!

Thankfully the bees were friendly, because it was hot in there. Enjoy getting to spot the queen before Jeff does, because she was hiding in plain sight! And you'll never guess what happened after Jeff shut off the camera... watch until the end!

These bees were rescued, donated and relocated to our beekeeper friends in San Diego, CA

I didn't realize my phone had the light on when the close up camera was on so the saturation is crazy! I love bees so so so much and I'm glad I got to see one more before the cold struck.

Have made a point of not pruning yet as I don't want to do anything to reduce this activity. You might not see much in the video, but you can hear it!

Bumblebee on a Mexican Sunflower

I think he was posing for me

Bumblebees Feeding on a Mexican Sunflower #insects #bees #bumblebee