Jan Lohman – Beekeeper and Advocate for Education + Save the Bee Board member
For over 30 years, Jan Lohman has been deeply connected to the world of bees. From her beginnings in Eastern Oregon to becoming a commercial beekeeper managing thousands of colonies, Jan’s journey has been a testament to hard work, passion, and a commitment to both bees and the environment. Become a Bee-Keeper A Legacy in […]
Meet Darcey Howard: Honoring Heritage and Cultivating a Path for Pollinators
Darcey Morgan Howard is a Save the Bee Board Member, food enthusiast, and advocate for sustainable practices. While her professional background in food and beverage marketing has led her to diverse roles, Darcey’s personal journey with Save the Bee stems from a deeply personal connection to traditional beekeeping through her father. This blend of his […]
Pollen, Nectar, Honey, and Bee Bread: What Honey Bees Eat
Honey bees are remarkable creatures. Their ability to communicate, adapt, and work together in a colony is unparalleled in nature. But these fascinating insects can’t do any of this without the proper nutrition. Like humans, bees need a balanced diet to thrive. And what they eat is intricately linked to their health and productivity as […]
Common Fungi Threatening Honey Bee Health
Honey bee colonies face threats from various fungal pathogens. Spores from fungi like chalkbrood, stonebrood, and nosema can infiltrate hives and wreak havoc if not controlled. Infected bees exhibit symptoms like body discoloration, odd postures, lethargy, and dysentery before dying. Left unchecked, fungi can decimate bee populations, weaken colonies, and severely impact honey production. How […]
Is this Bee Sick? A Guide to Common Honey Bee Bacterial Infections
Like viruses, bacterial infections pose a serious threat to honey bees. While bees have defenses against bacteria, large infections can overwhelm their immune systems. Learning about the most common bacteria, their transmission, symptoms, and prevention methods is key for beekeepers in supporting hive health. What are bacterial infections? Bacteria are single-celled microorganisms that are essential […]
Bee Aware: A Beginner Guide to Honey Bee Viruses
Honey bees are challenged by viruses that impact their health and survival. While bees have natural defenses, large viral loads can overwhelm their immune systems causing illness and death. Understanding common bee viruses, where they come from, and how to manage them is key for supporting hive health. What are honey bee viruses? Viruses are […]
Tiny Foes: Beekeepers and the Global Fight Against Varroa Mites
One of the biggest threats to honey bees worldwide is a tiny parasite called the Varroa destructor mite. This vampire-like mite devastates bee colonies by feeding on bee larvae and reproducing inside hives. Originating from the Asian honey bee (Apis cerana), the Varroa mite jumped to the European honey bee (Apis mellifera) in the 1950s. […]
The Vanishing Homes of Pollinators
Bees, butterflies, birds and beetles – our landscapes are filled with busy creatures that carry pollen from flower to flower. This allows plants to reproduce and bear the fruits, seeds and nuts that nourish wildlife and humans alike. Pollinators depend on specialized habitats to survive. Unfortunately, these habitats are disappearing across the country. What is […]
The Biggest Dangers to Honey Bees Today
While several newsworthy accomplishments have improved environmental conditions, honey bees have yet to show any growth as a result. From parasites to disease, honey bees remain in a never-ending battle against harsh environments. These are some of the biggest dangers to honey bees today that you should be aware of. Habitat Fragmentation The construction of […]
Honeybee Population Trends Over the Last Decade
As time has pressed on, several factors have led to the slow decline of honeybees. Although the support of these creatures and awareness of the dangers they face has increased, it has not always led to tangible benefits for the species. With valuable data from researchers at Utah State University, these are important topics to […]
