Sticky Prick Bee Haven

09/01/2025

At Sticky Prick Bee Haven, we had the exciting opportunity to bring our live bee observation hive to Matisse Early Learning as part of our educational incursion. This hands-on experience introduced the children to the fascinating world of bees and the vital role they play in pollination and supporting plant life.

The children were able to observe live bees in action, safely contained within the observation hive, and gain a deeper understanding of how these incredible creatures contribute to our environment. To make the experience even more interactive, the kids had the chance to feel beeswax, explore the texture of pollen, and even taste raw honey straight from the hive.

Our educational incursion was a fun and memorable way for the children to connect with nature and learn about the essential work of bees in an engaging and sensory-rich environment. We’re proud to have been a part of their educational journey and to have shared the wonders of bees with the next generation!

05/01/2025

"🐝✨ Ever wondered about the incredible work happening inside a beehive? Here's a fascinating inside look at how the Queen Bee lays her eggs and how the worker bees tenderly care for the larvae and pupae! 🌟

From the moment the Queen lays an egg in a perfectly crafted cell to the nurturing efforts of worker bees feeding and protecting the developing brood, every step is a masterpiece of teamwork and nature's brilliance. 🍯💛

Dive into the hive and see how the future of the colony takes shape! 🐝👑 "

03/01/2025

Today I thought I would try finish another observation bee hive . This is number 7 to my collection . I use these for demonstration, markets and school incursions . It's a 8 frame observation bee hive and once I finish another bee colony will live in this permanently and I can close them up safely and take any place I'm doing my business . 80% completed not long now

02/01/2025

happy new year followers🎉
We look forward in setting the new year off right with a few of our favourite market locations, can’t wait too see everyone there!

29/12/2024

"Hang in there, busy bees 🐝✨ New Year's is just around the corner – let's make it sweet as honey! 🍯🎉" Will be Buzzing into 2025 shortly

26/12/2024

🌼🐝 A Lesson from the Hive: Caring for Our Own 🐝🌼

Bees never cease to amaze me. Did you know that when a queen bee is injured or struggling, the worker bees rally around her, doing everything they can to help her recover? They clean her, feed her, and even try to revive her if she’s unwell. It’s their instinct to protect and support their leader, ensuring the hive's strength and survival.

This small act of unity and care reminds me of the power of community and compassion in our own lives. Imagine if we looked out for each other the way bees do—offering help when someone is down, no matter their role or status. 🫶

Next time you see a bee buzzing around, take a moment to appreciate the incredible lessons these tiny creatures bring to our world. Let’s all strive to care for our hive—our family, friends, and community. 💛🐝

23/12/2024

-Yanchep markets on Sunday-
We hope all our customers who may have been impacted by the stress of the two rocks fires and were unable to make it are all safe and well and we look forward to seeing you all next time.

21/12/2024

- Kingsway markets today -
Come visit us at the markets to grab a quick Christmas gift and check out the other stands before the weather starts to heat up 🍯

19/12/2024

These incredible girls will soon be off to their new hives . Each of these canisters contains a freshly mated queen bee, identifiable by her distinct yellow or red dot, along with her dedicated attendants—her daughters, the worker bees.

At the very end of each canister, you’ll notice a soft candy-like substance, similar to icing sugar. This candy acts as a barrier, and once the worker bees consume it, they’ll be able to free themselves. The purpose of this candy is fascinating—by allowing the workers to gradually break through, the queen’s pheromones and the scent of her worker bees mix, much like body odor. This scent transfer ensures that when the worker bees emerge, they recognize and accept the queen as their own, solidifying their bond as a new colony. It's an essential process in helping these queens integrate with their new families!

18/12/2024

What an Incredible Year It’s Been!
As 2024 comes to a close, we’re reflecting on what has been nothing short of an amazing journey. This year, we’ve had the privilege of attending over 200+ markets and 7 major events, all while sharing our passion for bees and the golden honey they make possible.
We’ve jarred countless amounts of your favourite honeys, bringing a little taste of nature into homes not just across WA, but all around the world.
None of this would have been possible without you, our incredible customers. Your unwavering support, loyalty, and love for what we do mean the world to us. You are the heart of our small business, and we are endlessly grateful for your trust and enthusiasm.
As we look to 2025, we’re thrilled to announce some exciting additions to our honey collection—new signature honeys, lovingly crafted with the same dedication and respect for our bees that inspire everything we do.
Before the year wraps up, we’re finishing strong with 6 markets this weekend.Saturday - Kingsway Markets , Mt Claremont Farmers Market , Summer X Salt Markets and Sunday - Stirling Farmers Market , Freo Farmers Market , Christmas at the Park Yanchep . It’s the perfect chance to come say hello and stock up on your favourite honeys—perfect for sharing with friends and family over the holiday season.
From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for being part of our journey this year. We wish you a Merry Christmas and a joyful holiday season filled with love, happiness, and of course, honey! 🐝
Here’s to an even sweeter 2025—see you all in the new year!
Warm wishes,
Sticky Prick Bee Haven

Leanne & Roy (Spud) Murphy

17/12/2024

We want to take a moment to express our heartfelt gratitude to all our wonderful customers who have supported Stickyprickbeehaven markets every week and choose to purchase our honey. Your enthusiasm and commitment to our products not only help us thrive but also contribute to the preservation of our precious bees and their habitats. We are truly thankful for your trust in us and for being a part of our community. Your support inspires us to continue our mission and bring you the best of what nature has to offer. Thank you for being such an essential part of our journey!🍯

14/12/2024

Hey Followers
If your attending Stirling Farmers Market theres been some big changes on the layout .but you'll find our stall out the back row .
We are on row 9 Number 52 .

14/12/2024

Great discovery by Dr ken Walker on our Australian native bee
A world’s first discovery about an Australian “marsupial” bee by Dr Ken Walker.

Australia’s “Marsupial” bee - a world first. It is known that female bees carry mites on their body. While these mites are on the bee, they are in the non-feeding dormant stage called hypopial nymphs. Once the female bee has provisioned her brood cell with damp pollen, she sealed up the cell. This is a bit like putting a damp sock into a sealed, plastic container- it soon goes mouldy with fungus. Now, before the female seals her brood cells she scrapes a few of the dormant, hypopial mites into the brood cell. The rise in humidity inside the sealed brood cell, stimulates the dormant mites to wake up, complete their development and mate but importantly, they eat the fungus inside the brood cell which keeps they brood cell clean. Female furrow or Lasioglossum bees generally carry their mites on the dorsal surface of the first segment of the abdomen or metasoma. In some bees, they provide a sticking pad for the mites to attach. This mite carrying area is called an acarinarium. In some Lasioglossum bees, the acarinarium is a bare, raised boss in the middle on the basal area of the first segment and it is usually surrounded by hair. The hypopial mites have a**l suckers which they use to clamp their body to the acarinarium and they arrange themselves in a fan like array. This is all known and documented. I can now add a new piece of information to this puzzle. I have found a Lasioglossum species, Lasioglossum (Ctenonomia) picticorne, in which the male transports the mites on the underside of his abdomen and presumably transfers the mites during mating to the dorsal surface of the females’ first abdominal segment. I have checked with bee colleagues around the world and this is the first record of a male Lasioglossum bee carrying mites. The male has developed a “pouch” or “invagination” or “fold” underneath abdominal segment three in which the mites sit. The mites line up in rows inside this male pouch with their legs pointing outwards. We do not know what stimulates the mites to transfer from the male to the female. The images show: (top left) a female bee with an arrow showing where the mites sit on her dorsal surface; (bottom left) a male bee with an arrow showing where the males carry the mites; the acarinarium with a bare, raised boss on the dorsal first segment of the female without mites (top right) and with mites (middle right); and finally, the male bee with mites jam packed inside his “marsupial pouch” (bottom right). We learn new aspects of animal behaviour every day

14/12/2024

Today at 🐝

07/12/2024

Big shout out to my newest top fans! 💎 Susan Omodei, Gill Bardsley, Jodi Robinson, Meredith Smith, Suzanne Kirby Ervin Craparo

Drop a comment to welcome them to our community, fans

07/12/2024

Looking for the perfect Christmas gift for honey or bee lovers?
Come visit us at the markets every Saturday and Sunday (schedule will be posted weekly) too pick up a little gift for your loved ones or even yourself!. ☀️

Photos taken today at .markets and 🍯

06/12/2024