Yes, bees can and will sting other bees; whether defence or attack, they’re not afraid to turn their barbed stingers on their own species. But what leads a bee to sting another bee, and what happens to the bee afterwards? Let’s look closer at the deadly side of an intra-species conflict and get the full …
Yes, a beekeeper will likely get stung while caring for their bees, and it’s not just reserved for beginners; even seasoned beekeepers get stung occasionally. But this shouldn’t put you off beekeeping; it’s a beautiful hobby that can do wonders for your local flora. So, let’s jump into the hive to find out why beekeepers …
Do Beekeepers Get Stung By Their Bees? (The Painful Truth) Read More »
Are you looking for some great bee gifts for men? Look no further; at Revive a Bee, we’ve carefully scoured the internet to bring you all the best bee-themed gifts for him. Let’s dive straight in with our favourite accessory for any bee lover out and about on their adventures. Bee Revival Kit Is your …
8 Of The Best Bee Gifts For Him (Buzzing Gift Ideas) Read More »
At Revive a Bee, we’re massive champions of buying and consuming honey from your local area. There are so many reasons to pick raw local honey over processed alternatives that we just had to share. Let’s look at ten reasons why getting your golden deliciousness from as close by is a good idea. *Extra reading …
Believe it or not, up to 70% of bee species live underground! While most of us think of nests hanging in trees, thousands of species of bees live a completely different life. Let’s meet some species of bees that make subterranean burrows their home and learn more about their fascinating lives. Miner Bees As its …
Which Bees Live In The Ground? (5 Ground Nesting Bees) Read More »
Bees use a combination of techniques to defend themselves from predators, including: Now let’s take a closer look at how each is deployed to fend off larger insects and predators. Stinging Defense Bees are armed with a formidable weapon, their stinging mechanism. A modified ovipositor female bees use for egg-laying is located at the posterior …
How Do Bees Defend Themselves? (A Fascinating Guide) Read More »
Attracting a swarm of bees to your new hive is easier said than done. But large honey bee swarms are looking for a new home every spring. Let’s look at some surefire tips to ensure a successful swarm season. What Is A Bee Swarm? Swarming is natural behaviour amongst honey bees when they reproduce and …
How To Attract A Swarm Of Honey Bees To Your Hive (The Easy Way) Read More »
Colony Collapse Disorder is still a mystery amongst beekeeping and scientific circles. But this isn’t much good if you’re trying to find out how to fix CCD, but thankfully we know enough to help. We’ve created a helpful guide that’ll help you understand, diagnose and treat CCD to the best of your ability. What Is …
Yes, bees poop, poo, and defecate, just like us humans; it’s an essential bodily function for removing waste from the body. Now we know the simple answer, let’s dive into the fascinating world of bees and their ingenious waste management methods. How Do Bees Poo? Like us, defecating is essential to bee life, but it …
Want a quick breakdown of what bees eat on a day-to-day basis? Most bee’s diets consist of nectar and pollen. Nectar provides a valuable source of carbohydrates, while pollen gives bees all the protein they need to grow and thrive. That’s the simple answer, but there’s so much more to discover about how these interesting …
Are you seeking simple and effective ways to keep bees at a respectful distance without causing them any harm? Well, you’ve come to the right place. In this guide, you’ll find actionable steps to help you to enjoy the outdoors and coexist with our buzzing friends. Let’s dive straight into our list of tips to …
How To Keep Bees Away Without Hurting Them – A Simple Guide Read More »
No, only female bees are capable of stinging, and even among female bees, only bees from the honey bee, bumble bee and solitary bee families sting when threatened. This may seem like a basic bee fact but the truth is much more complex. So with the short answer out the way, let’s take a closer …
No, a wasp’s sting has a smooth surface that allows it to dislodge after each consecutive sting. This is very different from a honeybees barbed stinger which can lodge in human skin and cause irreparable damage when the bee tries to escape. Now we know the short answer let’s take a deep dive into why …
Do Wasps Die After They Sting You? (Stings Explained) Read More »
A dying bee may have tattered wings and can be seen writhing on the ground. A tired bee, on the other hand, may appear slower and more lethargic but will still have intact wings and respond to external stimuli. *Important tip – If you’re not sure if your bee is dying or tired the best …
There are a tonne of books about bees available if you’re interested in learning more and reading about them. These books cover everything from their biology and behaviours to the dangers they face and how we can protect them. Understanding bee behaviours and the difficulties they experience is fundamental to our survival because bees are …
Read About Bees: 36 Books about Bees Available on Amazon Read More »
Insects are fascinating creatures, their intricate behaviours and interactions have been studied by scientists and entomologists alike, revealing a complex and intricate world of insect warfare. One of the most obvious and interesting battles in the insect world is the ongoing war between wasps and bees. So let’s take a deep dive into the undergrowth …
As a website focused on providing valuable information about the natural world, we often receive questions about the relationship between bees and flowers and one that always comes up is ‘do bees kill flowers when they collect nectar and pollen?’. No, bees do not kill flowers. In fact, bees are really important pollinators for flowers, …
Bees face a number of natural predators in their nests and on their foraging trips. From birds and mammals to insects and arachnids, there’s really no end to the potential dangers and predators that bees might come across. As gardeners and nature enthusiasts, it’s fascinating to understand the complex relationships between bees and their predators …
Bees are essential pollinators that play a crucial role in maintaining our ecosystem’s balance but they aren’t free from danger. Unfortunately, these fuzzy flyers are also a favourite food of many predatory insects. While it may seem unfair, the truth is that insects eating other insects is just a part of nature’s cycle and that …
Welcome to the fascinating world of beekeeping! As a (slightly) experienced beekeeper, I know that starting out in this hobby can be overwhelming, especially when it comes to choosing the right supplies. There are so many options, from bee suits and hives to tools and accessories, that it can be difficult to know where to …
Did you know a single bee can visit up to 5,000 flowers in one day? Spring is not just a time of renewal for us; it’s a lifeline for these buzzing workers. As they emerge from hibernation and search for food, they must find the best flowers to get the energy they need to build …
If you’re a beekeeper, you probably know your bees are vulnerable to diseases and pests. Part of keeping them healthy and productive is quickly identifying the most common bee illnesses and taking preventive measures to protect your hives and colonies. Let’s take a look at the most frequent diseases affecting honeybees (apis mellifera) today and …
The Most Common Bee Diseases & How to Prevent Them Read More »
Do you want to make sure your garden is thriving? Are you looking for natural, sustainable ways to help it flourish? Then it’s time to look into the amazing benefits of bee pollination. From creating stronger and healthy plants to providing essential nutrients in the soil. Not only that, but you’ll be playing an important …
The Amazing Benefits Of Bee Pollination In Your Garden Read More »
Are you passionate about beekeeping? Have you ever dreamed of starting your own beekeeping business but didn’t know how? If so, then this post is for you! Here, we’ll look at all the steps required to launch and manage your new beekeeping venture. We’ll cover everything from setting up the hives to organizing marketing campaigns …
How to Start Your Own Beekeeping Business (Easy Guide) Read More »
Beekeeping has become incredibly popular in the last decade. From beekeeping education to awareness around the plight of bees, there are more and more people choosing to keep their own colony at home. So to get you started on the right foot we’ve created our definitive list of beginner tips for soon-to-be beekeepers. Join a …
This rather small species of bumblebee can be found in a wide range of habitats across the United Kingdom. Appearance The heath bumblebee is characterised by its distinctive yellow collar, yellow-banded abdomen and pure white tail. It has a small, short, rounded face that’s as long as it is wide. Apart from its smaller size …
The Bombus hortorum, also known as the garden bumblebee, is a species of bumblebee that is native to Europe. These bees are important pollinators for a variety of plants, including fruits and vegetables, and are known for their distinctive yellow and black striped pattern. They’re considered as one of the ‘big 7’, one of seven …
There are approximately 250 different species of bumblebees across the world with varying sizes, colours and patterns and they can be found in every country except Australia and Antarctica. With so many different species of bumblebee in the genus Bombus, it’s often hard to tell which species you’re observing. We’ve detailed some of the most …
The leafcutter or leafcutting bee is a fascinating species of bee belonging to the genus Megachile which also includes resin bees and mason bees. *This subset belongs to the much larger Megachilidae cosmopolitan family made up of solitary species. Leafcutter bees have gained their name due to their very unique behaviour of leaf cutting. This …
If you’re a beekeeper in the UK you’re probably considering how to manage your colonies over winter. A healthy honeybee colony should be able to produce all of the honey stores it needs for the colder months without any human intervention. However, weather conditions and external factors like parasites can lead to your bees not …
If you have eczema, it can be difficult to find a moisturizer that works for you and doesn’t aggravate your condition. Enter beeswax, the perfect solution to help treat and prevent dry skin for people with eczema. Let’s take a closer look at the intrinsic link between beeswax and eczema and how you can use …
The term mining bee refers to a group of bee species belonging to the genus Andrena. In the UK, there are 67 species of mining bee, including the tawny mining bee, ashy mining bee and Clarke’s mining bee. What Do Mining Bees Look Like? Identifying mining bees away from their nests can be tricky. With …
Looking for the best seed bombs to turn your garden or wild place into a thriving wildflower area? Seed bombs are clay balls packed with seeds and compost. You can throw them on your lawn or garden to start growing a beautiful range of native plants. It’s an easy and fun way to start gardening …
If you’ve ever found yourself in a situation where you’re eating honeycomb and wondering, is this actually doing me any good? I’m here to tell you that it’s both delicious and good for you. Not only are the tiny hexagonal cells full of delicious golden goodness, but they also have serious health benefits. Due to …
We’re mad about bees here at Revive a Bee! With awareness around bees increasing every year, we’re seeing more and more people start to incorporate bees in their clothes, home decor and even wallpaper! With all this buzz about bees, we wanted to share some of our favourite bee products and what we love about …
Bees are a crucial part of our ecosystem. They pollinate our crops and wild plants, which helps keep the environment healthy and provides a wide range of habitats for other insects and nails. Bees also produce honey used by humans as a food source and for a range of medicinal purposes. Let’s take a deep …
The early bumblebee sometimes referred to as the early-nesting bumblebee, Latin name Bombus pratorum is a widely spread species visible in many areas across the UK. This relatively small species of bumblebee gains its name for being one of the first bumblebees to appear in early spring, feasting on early blooming flower varieties. What do …
We love all insects here at Revive a Bee, so we wanted to list some of the best bug hotels to bring your garden to life and help a wide variety of bugs and insects find their new homes. A bug hotel is a predominantly wooden structure that acts as a residence for various insects, …
The Best Bug Hotels For Wildlife In Your Garden 2023 Read More »
Bees are one of the most important pollinators in the world, but they’re also often misunderstood. Bees live in colonies, and each colony has a different life cycle. Honeybees, bumblebees and solitary bees all have their own ingenious methods and techniques for surviving a chilly winter. So how do bees survive a long winter without …
We all see bees when we’re out in the garden or going for a walk. While these furry little flying creatures buzz around so fast it’s hard to see what they’re actually doing, but thanks to science we now have a much better understanding of bees and how they behave. Bees are flying insects and …
You’re in the supermarket, and you happen to be wandering down the spreads and jams aisle. The honey section greets you like a candy store, with images of bees flitting between hives, flowers blowing in the wind and happy beekeepers leaning on rustic hives. But all is not well; marketing has well and truly infiltrated …
One of the best things about summer is that you can stock up on local honey. And you’d think one of the best ways to store your local honey is by freezing it. But does freezing your honey work, can honey be frozen? We’ll walk you through everything you need to know about freezing your …
Have you ever observed honeybees wiggling their bums in a form of a strange dance-like motion and wondered what they’re doing and why? Well look no further, we’ve gone ahead and found out exactly why bees wiggle their bums and the myriad of reasons they might do it. Let’s take a closer look at our …
While beekeepers’ primary focus is the care and well-being of their colonies and hives there is the matter of actually making honey. There’s a common misconception that beekeepers have a building or room dedicated to harvesting honey. This is actually false, as most amateur beekeepers harvest and process their honey in their own home kitchens …
The Tree bumblebee, Latin name Bombus hypnorum of the genus Bombus is a species of bumblebee present across parts of Europe and Asia. Despite its fast spread across mainland Europe and the UK this species is still not currently found in the Mediterranean or large swathes of Eastern Europe. What do Tree bumblebees look like? …
The White-tailed bumblebee, Latin name Bombus lucorum is a species of bumblebee common across the United Kingdom and Europe. The term White-tailed bumblebee is a cover-all for three species of bumblebee with nearly indistinguishable characteristics. These three taxa are: B. lucorum – White-tailed bumblebee Bombus magnus – Northern white-tailed bumblebee Bombus cryptarum – Cryptic bumblebee …
As we head towards colder months and the temperatures begin to drop the amount of insect activity in your garden or wild area starts to dwindle. Honey bees set about preparing themselves for winter by huddling in nests or seeking cosy, protected spots to hibernate. But what about their slightly less popular counterpart the wasp …
Where Do Wasps Go In The Winter? (Surviving The Chill) Read More »
It’s early June here in the UK, and wasps are already visiting picnics and pub lunches. While individual wasps are really no more than just a nuisance, an entire nest is a different story, particularly if it’s located on your property. Wasps’ nests can house up to 10,000 wasps in extreme cases. While these concentrations …
When Do Wasps Die Off & What Happens To The Nest? Read More »
Yes, if bees are unable to leave the hive to collect water they are at risk of overheating. Signs of overheating include bearding (huddling in large numbers outside the hive), increase activity to collect and deposit water in the hive or in extreme cases melting honey and wax. Keeping bees in warmer climates comes with …
Bees spend their days busily buzzing from flower to flower, collecting resources to return to the nest or hive. They use various techniques to quickly identify potential sources of pollen and nectar, land and extract the precious prize. Regarding flowers and bees, not all flowers are equal; some will contain significantly more forage, while others …
