Home Sweet Bees

06/12/2025

It's about that time of year when beekeepers are extracting their first honey of the season. Not all honey is the same, here are some differences between spring and fall honey: https://www.homesweetbees.com/beekeeping/2025/6/11/honey-types

Spring v. Fall Honey Some beekeepers are starting to extract spring-collected honey, If you're looking for local honey, you should be able to find some at your local farmer's markets and honey outlets. Spring-extracted honey and fall-extracted honey can differ significantly in color, ta

05/04/2025

The calls have started to come in. So what do you do if you have a bee swarm? Here are some tips on staying calm and who to call.
https://www.homesweetbees.com/how-to/2025/4/28/how-to-respond-to-bee-swarm

What to Do (and Not Do) When You See a Bee Swarm The calls have started. Homeowners are finding globs of bees hanging from tree limbs and the side of their houses. It's swarm season, when bees coming out of winter are out of room and splitting colonies into two. Here are some things to consider i

02/25/2025

Honored to see that my beekeeping blog is ranked 13th out of 70 other similar blogs: https://bloggers.feedspot.com/beekeeping_blogs/

70 Best Beekeeping Blogs ⋅ 1. PerfectBee ⋅ 2. Dadant News ⋅ 3. Bee Culture Magazine ⋅ 4. The Apiarist Blog ⋅ 5. Scientific Beekeeping ⋅ 6. Bad Beekeeping Blog ⋅ 7. Beesstyle ⋅ 8. American Bee Journal.

02/25/2025

It's almost the end of February when beekeepers may face colony losses. There are a number of reasons why bees die mid to late winter: https://www.homesweetbees.com/beekeeping/2025/2/19/why-bees-die-late-winter

Why Bees Die Late Winter By February and March, the worst of the cold is usually over, yet many beekeepers find their colonies have died. No matter how long we’ve been keeping bees, it’s never pleasant to realize a colony didn’t make it. Don’t let it go to waste, learn from what you see. Her...

01/16/2025

Winter is a good time to read and take classes, especially if you want to keep bees. Here are some suggestions on how to get started with beekeeping: https://www.homesweetbees.com/how-to/2025/1/5/hl3f5jps5z2g5eij4lp3slcicus4nx

How to Learn Beekeeping Keeping honey bees is a fascinating, rewarding and yes, sometimes frustrating hobby. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you get started: 1. Research and Education Learn the basics of beekeeping by attending local beekeeping courses, joining a beekeeping club and

12/15/2024

If you're a beekeeper you also have an interest in gardening. Here are some of my personal favorite gift ideas that you should be able to find locally for those of you who like the last minute shopping rush:
https://www.gardeningcharlotte.com/fall/2024/12/7/gardener-gift-ideas
ideas

Gardener Gift Ideas It can be challenging to find gardening gifts in December. If you live in a part of the country where the gardening season ends in October, most local gardening centers close down until maybe February when early plants come in. The following are some of my best gardener gift i

12/08/2024

Are you wondering what gift to give to beekeepers? Here's a list of some of the most practical and fun gifts for beekeepers: https://www.homesweetbees.com/q-a/2024/11/30/shi1lzzru4z7v6u50qjjgb3iutacu5

“Charlotte I really enjoy your blog and have a question. My wife is a new beekeeper and I have no idea what to get her for Christmas. Any suggestions?” — Harold Beekeeper Gift Ideas Beekeeper Gift Ideas for all occasions! Since I've been getting so many requests for beekeeper gift ideas, he

10/13/2024

After October 11, 2024 dinner and lecture, some of us snuck over to the University of Nebraska at Lincoln Entomology building to see Dr. Judy Wu-Smart's office. From left Christine Richards, Judy Wu and Joli Winer. (You'll have to ask Joli about her fancy wheels!)

10/13/2024

After a busy day October 11, 2014 at the Great Plains Master Beekeeping Governing Council annual meeting, the partners met at a Lincoln, Nebraska restaurant so they could also watch Great Plains Master Beekeeping's Hap-Bee Hour with Michele Colopy discussing growing leadership through advocacy. Great full day of work and camaraderie!

10/13/2024

Beekeeping state association presidents from six Midwest states and partner representatives met in Lincoln, Nebraska October 11, 2024 for the Great Plains Master Beekeeping Governing Council annual meeting. The day included discussing the Great Plains Master Beekeeping mission and vision as well as planning for the certified master beekeeping program's future.

10/13/2024

The first annual Great Plains Master Beekeeping Open Teaching Award was presented October 11, 2024 by Open Teaching Apiary Co-Chair Becky Tipton to Great Plains Master Beekeeping Vice Chair Chuck Dailey.
Along with his wife Sandy, Chuck raises 6,000 pounds of non-treated produce valued at $125,000 for church pantries in Indiana with the help of a nearby teaching apiary.
Chuck also holds in person beekeeping classes, holds tours of apiary hives and tests Great Plains Master Beekeeping students.
Congratulations, Chuck!

10/13/2024

Congratulations to Great Plains Master Beekeeping Project Coordinator Daisy Warnick for receiving the first annual Spirit of Great Plains Master Beekeeping award.
The award recognizes an individual (or team) who exemplifies the GPMB spirit of teamwork, partnering and working together. Daisy demonstrates the best in a cooperative spirit.
The award was a miniature 3-D printed hive with a custom cover Daisy can keep on her desk.