Join the OC Beekeeping Mentorship! We talk about real issues along with proactive care and prevention.
Recent research from Dr. Kaitlin Deutsch at Cornell University has confirmed that unmanaged honey bee colonies contribute to pathogen spillover, spreading viruses into the broader pollinator community. If you’re not treating for mites—whether in managed or AHB colonies—you are actively contributing to the spread of the diseases mites carry and pass on to honey bees, bumble bees, and other native pollinators.
The most Award winning honey is also the best tasting honey. Great for the Holidays! You can order at
hapahoneyfarm.com
A portion of the Proceeds go to educating young beekeepers and more...
Grady shows us the KNOCK REV Test for Sothern CA beekeepers. This was the test used in the early days of Africanized Honey Bees (AHB) or scutellata-hybrids (Afriicanzed bees).
Bee Science with Gavin Gibson. A 14 year old beekeeper that was granted a very, very exciting Intership at a CA University. Filling test samples for Gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). That's the machine used to tell you exactaly what's on the suface of this bee.
A quick interview with the boys of Hapa Honey. They are the officail Beekeepers Centennial Farms, located at the OC Fairgrounds.
Yes, Queen Bees can feed themselves. Watch this one push other bees out of her way. I love this Girl!
Queen Spotting with a 14 year old beekeeper.
Beekeeping In SoCAl. Spring has Sprung
Breaking the Cold Barrier: Mastering Winter Beekeeping like never before! Keep bees thriving in freezing temps. Get ready to be amazed as we not only keep them alive, but also build brood in these extreme conditions. You asked for it, and we delivered - Conquering winter beekeeping together!"
I saw a post from a new beekeeper who just put it all out there, I'm a local beekeeper,do you want me to keep bees on your property, adopt a hive program ... all good intentions.
Dear Potential Beekeeping Enthusiasts,
I truly appreciate your interest in beekeeping, and I share your enthusiasm for fostering a harmonious relationship between humans and bees. However, I must express some concerns, particularly when it comes to beekeeping in Southern California, where we have a significant population of Africanized Honey Bees (AHB).
While I'm sure your intentions are admirable, it's crucial to emphasize the importance of experience when dealing with our local feral bee population. These bees can become defensive, even aggressive, especially when relocated into a managed hive. This poses risks not only to the property owner but also to their pets and neighbors.
Certainly, there are opportunities for homeowners to enjoy the presence of bees in their yard, but it must be approached ethically and responsibly. Beekeeping is an art that requires skill and knowledge, especially in our region. Therefore, it's not advisable for novice beekeepers to undertake the responsibility of introducing bees into a backyard setting, particularly if their motivation is driven solely by social media attention.
As someone considering the introduction of bees into their yard, I urge you to ask potential beekeepers several important questions. The objective is to get you the property owner enough credible information to make a decision that you are comfortable with:
How long have you been practicing beekeeping? Experience is paramount.
Can you provide references attesting to your capability and responsibility as a beekeeper? If not, it might be best to seek assistance elsewhere.
What type of bees do you manage in your hives, and where do you source your queens?
How frequently do you conduct hive checks, and what are your protocols in the event of aggressive behavior from the bees?
If a beekee
Get ready, Spring is in sight.