Countryside Magazine Contributor, Author at Backyard Beekeeping

Top 10 Reasons for Starting Beekeeping

December 21, 2022 · Countryside Magazine Contributor · Beekeeping 101

Honeybees do not necessarily require the management skills of a learned beekeeper for optimum results. Here are the top 10 reasons to start beekeeping.

Let’s Talk About Dead Bees

December 9, 2022 · Countryside Magazine Contributor · Health & Pests

Like many beekeepers, we’ve lost bees. Losing bees is never easy, and there can be many causes.

What Causes Colony Collapse Disorder in Honeybees?

December 9, 2022 · Countryside Magazine Contributor · Health & Pests

What is colony collapse disorder (CCD) and what causes it? Maurice Hladik tackles this confounding question.

Winterizing Beekeeping Equipment

October 25, 2022 · Countryside Magazine Contributor · Hives & Equipment

Winterizing beekeeping equipment, while the hive sleeps, avoids problems when the weather warms up.

How to Make Beeswax Candles

October 4, 2022 · Countryside Magazine Contributor · Honey & Beeswax

While there are many wonderful beeswax uses, cappings wax can make the most divine beeswax candles.

Why We Need to Protect Native Pollinator Habitat

September 26, 2022 · Countryside Magazine Contributor · Plants & Pollination

Regardless of whether we live a rural lifestyle, an urban one, or something in between, our existence and continuance of the world as we know it is dependent on an ecosystem of small insect pollinators and native pollinator habitat that most people rarely notice.

What To Know As Spring Unfolds Into Summer

May 27, 2022 · Countryside Magazine Contributor · Beekeeping 101

If April is the beekeeping equivalent of planting time, then May is when our efforts start to germinate.

What Happens When the Queen Bee Dies?

May 1, 2022 · Countryside Magazine Contributor · Health & Pests

Raising honeybees is a challenge. One day your hive looks good and a few days later you wonder if it’s going to live.

Starting Beekeeping: Find a Beekeeping Mentor

May 1, 2022 · Countryside Magazine Contributor · Beekeeping 101

Mentoring is a traditional way for beekeepers to teach people starting beekeeping about tending bees. However, finding a mentor, someone who is both knowledgeable about hive management and interested in teaching you, can feel difficult, especially if you don’t know anyone who keeps bees in your area.