Why would you want to feed feral bees?

It really started out as a crazy idea formed from wanting bees and hearing about catching swarms at bee educational events. I had been attending events for 5 years and was finally in a place where I could try out my crazy ideas!!! 

Cut to the end and it turns out that your feral bees are actually more resistant to diseases and pest than those reared by someone who treats for diseases and pests. The reason they are more resistant is that they went through the natural selection process when diseases and pests emerged. Susceptible colonies seccumbed to the tests/diseases and resistant colonies survived. The fact that the bees thrive in the climatic and geographic conditions where they were found means you don't need to treat with chemicals for them to survive! This is story of the beginning of my beekeeping journey which started in the fall of 2016.

Check out Where?, Why?, and How?? for more details.

If you are interested in purchasing Heart of Texas Honey, which is produced from the feral populations I harvested, go to Heart of Texas Honey . 

First Feeder

This was my first attempt - a boardman feeder on top of a plastic cup, inside a moat to keep the ants out. I did attract bees but kept experimenting. See How?? for more details of the journey and the results!

Newly Hived Swarm Moving to a Permanent Location

Year one - look at how white those bee suits are - and how freshly painted the hives! And WOW, the transportation is very sophisticated! Spring 2017

Heart of America Honey

Heart of America Honey is also from locally adapted swarms in the area where it is harvested. We currently have hives in Missouri - the heartland of America.  

Heart of Texas Honey

The honey adventure started in central Texas. The heart of Aggieland in Bryan/College Station Texas. Heart of Texas Honey can be purchased through: 

First Swarm Deciding

February 11, 2017 - Swarm lands on box and spends a couple of days deciding if they want to stay. This is the last box I put out after I had exploited all the locations which should have been more optimum according to the experts. I had one more box, I was tired and I dropped it on this metal stand. Ironically, it was the first box to attract a swarm.