Bees, Wasps & Hornets

Finding out how much honey a hive can really make is exciting – and a little confusing. One backyard beekeeper might harvest a few jars, while another pulls off multiple full supers. That swing is normal. Honey production depends on nectar in your area, weather, colony strength, pests, and how you manage space and swarming.

You are seeing fewer bees because many species are losing the basics they need to survive: safe places to nest, diverse flowers from spring through fall, and protection from chemicals and disease. The phrase endangered bees can be confusing because it covers very different insects – managed honey bees, wild bumblebees, and thousands of solitary

Bee stings are one of those outdoor surprises that can turn a calm afternoon into a moment of panic. The big question behind most searches is simple: do bees die after stinging you? Sometimes yes, but only for a narrow slice of the bee world. This guide explains which bees die, which can sting more

Finding a bee on your flowers is great – until you need to know what it is. A honey bee and a bumble bee can look similar at a glance, but they behave differently, nest in different places, and carry different risks around homes. This guide breaks down the easiest ways to tell them apart

Finding yellow jackets around your patio, trash cans, or siding can turn a normal afternoon into a stressful one fast. To get rid of yellow jackets, you need two things: the right ID (they are wasps, not bees) and a plan that matches the nest location. This guide walks you through safe, practical yellow jacket

If you’re wondering how to start beekeeping, the safest path is simple: learn your local seasonality, start with two colonies, and plan from day one to monitor and manage Varroa mites. Most first-year problems are not mysterious – they come from starvation during comb-building, poor queen performance, or mites left unchecked until late summer. This