All About Beekeeping & Flowers That Attract Bees

Various plants produce pollen as part of the reproductive process. Not all plants are capable of self-pollinating. Some plants are fertilized by the wind carrying the pollen their way. Other plants depend on pollinators, like bees, to carry pollen from plant to plant. After the plant is cross-pollinated by either wind or insects, it's able to make new seeds that will become another plant.

Bees are a vital part of the pollinating process for many flowers and plants. Pollen is rich in vitamins, minerals, and protein. As the bee moves from flower to flower they collect the pollen they need from themselves and their hives. Along the way, they also cross-pollinate various flowers, plants, trees, and even crops. Bees are vital to the production of food crops like apples, blueberries, and strawberries. It's estimated that bees are responsible for around fifteen billion dollars in farm revenue each year as they cross-pollinate these crops and help farmers produce more fruit to sell.

Beekeeping Information & Resources

• Beekeeping - Honey Bees: Beginner beekeepers should start by figuring out a budget for attaining the bees and all the things they will need.

• Beekeeping Basics: How to Raise Honeybees in Your Backyard: Bees need sun and access to water in order to be healthy.

• Beekeeping Basics: Urban or suburban beekeepers need to consider being good neighbors by preventing issues that would impact their neighbors, for example by taking steps to prevent their bees from swarming.

• Information for Beekeepers: Some states require backyard beekeepers to obtain licenses for their hives.

• The Guide to Beekeeping for Adults and Kids: Movable hive frames are preferred by modern beekeepers in the United States and the United Kingdom.

• Honey Bees and Beekeeping: There are many different types of honey bees.

• Everything You Need to Know About Keeping Bees and Producing Your Own Honey: Finding other beekeepers is vital for those new to beekeeping.

• Information for Beekeepers: Florida is one of the states that requires beekeepers to register their hives.

• Pick the Perfect Location for Your Beehive: Hives do best when they face the southeast.

• The Ultimate Guide to Beekeeping for Beginners: A beekeeping suit is a must-have for all beekeepers.

Disease & Pest Recognition

• Disease Management and Guidelines for the Honey Bee: Parasites present a danger to healthy beehives.

• A Quick Reference Guide to Honey Bee Parasites, Pests, Predators, and Diseases: Ants and mice can destroy beehives.

• Honey Bee Diseases (PDF): Cleaning used equipment helps prevent the spread of disease.

• Honey Bee Parasites, Hive Pests, & Bee Diseases: Varroa mites are the biggest threat to bees.

• Beekeeping 101: Common Bee Pests and Diseases: Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD) is every beekeeper's worst nightmare.

• A Sustainable Approach to Controlling Honey Bee Diseases and Varroa Mites (PDF): Bees that display hygienic behavior are less likely to fall victim to varroa mites.

• First Multi-year Study of Honey Bee Parasites and Disease Reveals Troubling Trends: Varroa mites spread viruses from hive to hive.

• What Beekeepers Should Know About Bee Mites: The United States currently has two parasitic types of bee mites that are endangering colonies.

• How Disease Can Cause Bee Population Decline: American Foulbrood Disease (AFB) infects larvae younger than 54 days old.

• Varroa Mites and Associated Honey Bee Diseases More Severe than Previously Thought: Even very well cared for hives can fall victim to varroa mites.

Bee Research Labs Around the World

• Bee Lab: The University of Minnesota works to conserve bees and promote diversity.

• Honey Bee Research and Extension Lab: Along with research, the lab at the University of Florida works to educate beekeepers.

• The Honey Bee Research and Extension Program: Oregon's honey bee lab also offers certification as a master beekeeper.

• The Dolezal Bee Research Lab: The impact stressors have on the health and life of bees are studied at this lab.

• Native Bee Inventory and Monitoring Lab: The identification of different types of bees includes making a detailed drawing of each type of bee.

• Honey Bee Research at the University of Alberta: Hygienic selection is one of the things studied at this Canadian lab.

• Welcome to the UC Berkeley Urban Bee Lab!: The lab has identified the different types of bees that call the Bay Area home and the types of flowers and plants they prefer to feed from.

• The Smith Bee Lab at Auburn University: Reproductive shifts in honey bee hives are a real concern for those who study the insects.

• Behavior, Ecology, and Evolution (BEE) Lab: The Australian lab studies issues relating to bees including their genes and mating habits.

• Pollinators of Southern British Columbia: A Canadian University studies the bees that call British Columbia home.

Flower Gardening for Bees and Other Pollinators

• Draw Pollinators Like Bees, Birds & Butterflies to Your Garden: Plants rich in nectar attracts bees, hummingbirds, and butterflies to a garden.

• Gardening for Pollinators: Gardens should have plants that bloom at different times of the year, versus plants that all bloom at once.

• Best Flowers for Bees: Bee balm is the single best plant gardeners can use to attract bees and other pollinators.

• Planting a Bee Garden: 12 Flowers for the Bees: Chives are favored by gardeners because they are useful in the kitchen as a fresh herb, but are also a favorite of bees as a food source.

• Perfect Plants for Pollinators: Black-eyed susans have lovely yellow blooms, are easy to grow, and provide an important food source for bees.

• Top 23 Plants for Pollinators: Attract Bees, Butterflies, & Hummingbirds!: Some gardeners work to have their space become a Certified Wildlife Habitat.

• How to Build a Pollinator Garden: Butterflies, like most pollinators, prefer to feed in sunny spots.

• 20 Beautiful Flowers That Attract Bees and Other Pollinators: People find these plants lovely, and pollinators think they are tasty, making them a win-win for gardeners.

• Attracting Pollinators to the Garden: Trees and shrubs are an important part of attracting pollinators to a yard.

• How to Create a Beautiful Pollinator Garden for Butterflies and Bees: Bees love brightly colored flowers.