Did you know that California produces more than 80 percent of the world’s almond supply? There are currently about 1.3 million acres of almond trees in California, and the farmers who grow these trees depend on bees to pollinate their crops. Every year, beekeepers from all over the country send about two million beehives to… Continue Reading
You probably already know that nicotine is bad for humans, but did you know that it can also harm bees? Neonicotinoid pesticides, which are derived from nicotine and have been commonly used since the 1980s, were designed to eliminate harmful pests. However, recent research has found that the pesticides can also compromise the immune system… Continue Reading
Honey bees may be named for the sweet concoction they make from the nectar of flowers, but this isn’t the only food our favorite pollinators store in their hives. In addition to honey, bees also create a partially-fermented food called bee bread as well. While honey provides bees with plenty of carbohydrates for energy, bee… Continue Reading
Earth Day 2019 is just around the corner, and on Monday, April 22 we’ll be hosting a pollinator pop-up event in Ghirardelli Square to celebrate the occasion. From 3-7 pm, visitors can learn about the importance of bees and how honey is made from our resident master beekeeper Spencer Marshall. The pollinator pop-up will also… Continue Reading
If bees could talk, what would they say? Quite a lot, as it turns out. They don’t talk in words or sentences like we do, but through an intricate dance, and researchers at Virginia Tech have figured out how to understand it. Honey Bee Communication Humans are the only species with a… Continue Reading