Wednesday, September 18, 2013

Bees and Wasps Far and Near

The honeybees at Edmonds Community College (where I teach English) have their own Facebook page now. While looking at some recent posts, I found a link to Facebook page for another honeybee program at a Seattle-area school, Green River Community College.

The Edmonds CC page also offered a link to a recent Seattle Times story about the large amount of wasps people have spotted in the area lately. While wasps are also pollinators, they unfortunately will attack honeybees (as well as people, as we all know too well!).

If you ever are seeing a lot of yellow/black/gold insects and aren't sure what they are, this page from Colorado State University has some useful information about distinguishing types of wasps and bees.

Friday, September 6, 2013

Looking Good

Our bees still seem to be happy and healthy. We see them in the yard enjoying the flowering herbs especially. They like our fennel plants quite a lot.

We realized this year that we want to start planting more flowers that bloom later into the summer/fall. Maybe some mums and asters? Please let me know if you have suggestions.

Last year the nectar flow dried out at this time of year, so I know Trish is keeping an eye out this year to see if she wants to supplement their diet with some bee tea.