insects Archives - Backyard Beekeeping

Plants that Attract Predatory Insects

May 20, 2026 · Backyard Beekeeping Contributor · Plants & Pollination

Support a variety of pollinating insects, including those that parasitize and predate garden pests, by planting plants that attract predatory insects.

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. Finding dead bees is never easy, and there can be many causes. Laura Tyler discusses losing bees.

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.

A List of Plants That Attract Bees

February 28, 2022 · Countryside Magazine Contributor · Plants & Pollination

For thousands of years, bees have been helping feed people, but now in the face of an onslaught of chemicals and disease, they’re in need of a helping hand. One course of action you can take is growing plants that attract bees.

Which Bees Make Honey?

November 19, 2021 · Rusty Burlew · Beekeeping 101

While not all bees make honey, there are many species that do—perhaps hundreds.

Why Honey Bees Dying in the Hive Should Be Investigated

November 4, 2021 · Janet Garman · Health & Pests

Honey bees dying while you learn to care for the colony and hive is disappointing. It is important to look into the cause of honey bees dying to avoid it happening again.

5 Tips for Starting Beekeeping

December 14, 2019 · Countryside Magazine Contributor · Beekeeping 101

Will you utilize the most commonly used hive style, the Langstroth beehive or do you fancy yourself a top bar or Warre beekeeper? For protective equipment, you could use a veil, a jacket with vail, or a full body bee suit – which works for you? Location of your hive can impact your bees based on sun exposure (summer v. winter), wind exposure, accessibility, proximity to neighbors, and so on.

How Disease Can Cause Bee Population Decline

February 1, 2019 · Countryside Magazine Contributor · Health & Pests

With movable frame colonies, beekeepers discovered pests and diseases that they only superficially knew about. Honeybees, like any other animal, are subject to the frailties of this sometimes pale existence.