I had the pleasure of appearing on Ron Miksha’s podcast this week. Ron is a veteran
beekeeper and author. His book ‘Bad Beekeeping’ is the best book about being a
beekeeper that I’ve read. Ron is based in Calgary, and his show is one of the most
thoughtful corners of the beekeeping world. If you haven't listened yet, I'd highly recommend it.
What We Talked About
Our conversation ranged across three things I'm deeply passionate about right now:
The Bee Cube® our flagship product at Beekeeping Innovations. Ltd. We talked about why its design matters for hobbyists and commercial beekeepers, and what makes it different from traditional hives. We talked about the ability to use Bee Cubes® to make queens and nucleus colonies and why that’s an important part of helping to create a sustainable beekeeping industry in Canada.
Secondly, we talked about our new Be the Bee™ app that we are developing for
beekeepers to record and analyze their colony health and management data. Right
now, too much of what beekeepers know lives in notebooks or memory. Be the Bee™ is about giving that knowledge structure — so you can spot patterns, catch problems early, and make better decisions for your hives.
rounds up the latest news and research from the world of bees and beekeeping.
Whether you're a commercial operator or a backyard hobbyist, the science is moving fast, and I try to make it accessible. Subscribe if you want to stay in the loop.
Give It a Listen
Ron is a fantastic host — curious, warm, and genuinely knowledgeable. It was one of
those conversations that felt less like an interview and more like two beekeepers talking over a cup of coffee.
And while you're at it, subscribe, like, and follow the show. As Ron says himself: "We live or die by your adulation." You can find Ron on Apple PodcastsAbout Bees, Culture & Curiosity Podcast
Calgary was hit by a severe snowstorm this week, and we were grateful to have completed all of our winter preparations in the Bee Cubes® and traditional hives before it arrived. This season, we’re overwintering 7 Bee Cubes® and 20 traditional hives going into winter.
One of our Bee Cubes® houses our queen banking experiment, where we’re overwintering queen bees at scale. The remaining Bee Cubes® are being used to test different sensor and heating systems as part of our ongoing research into how technology can improve winter survival and overall hive health.
The Challenge of Canadian Winters
Honeybees are not native to Canada. The bees most commonly used here are Carniolan bees from Slovenia and Italian bees bred for the milder Mediterranean climate. Helping them survive a Canadian winter is an ongoing challenge especially given the persistent threat of Varroa mites, a parasite that is impossible to fully eradicate.
Winter losses in Canada often range between 30% and 50%, forcing beekeepers to rebuild their colonies each spring. To do so, many rely on imported bees from countries such as New Zealand and Australia.
A Turning Point for the Industry
This year, the Canadian beekeeping industry has taken a bold step by asking the federal government to ban bee imports from all countries except the United States. The reason: the emergence of a new and even more devastating parasite called Tropilaelaps, which is spreading internationally and poses a major biosecurity risk to Canadian hives.
While this ban would help protect our bees from new diseases, it also means we must build our own domestic capacityto replace approximately 45,000 imported bee packages and 300,000 imported queens each year. Many of these queens currently come from Chile, Italy, New Zealand, and Australia.
Testing for Varroa
The Role of the Bee Cube®
After two years of development, the Bee Cube® has proven to be a powerful tool for queen rearing and colony development. By controlling temperature, humidity, and ventilation inside the Cube, we can shield colonies from external weather fluctuations and help bees focus their energy on brood rearing and queen production.
We’re now working closely with government and industry partners to design a roadmap for a more self-sufficient, sustainable Canadian beekeeping sector, one that reduces our dependence on imported bees and supports the long-term health of honeybee populations across the country.
In 2025, we successfully produced several hundred mated queens with the help of queen-rearing experts Natalia and Nazar Pukshyn, who brought their deep experience from Ukraine and Poland to our Alberta operations. Most queens were used in our own colonies, but many went to Alberta beekeepers who gave excellent feedback on performance and reliability.
Honeybees are more than just tiny buzzing insects. They are nature’s tireless workers,
pollinating plants and supporting ecosystems that feed us all. But did you know that
learning about honeybees can unlock a treasure trove of knowledge and skills? From biology and environmental science to technology and sustainability, honeybees offer a unique gateway to education that’s both fascinating and practical.
The Buzz on Learning About Honey Bees
When we talk about learning about honeybees, we’re not just talking about memorizing facts. We’re talking about engaging with a living system that teaches us about cooperation, resilience, and innovation. Honeybees live in complex societies where every member has a role, from the queen to the worker bees. This social structure is a perfect example of teamwork in action.
Imagine a classroom where students observe a hive and see firsthand how bees
communicate through dances, share resources, and defend their home. This kind of
immersive learning sparks curiosity and critical thinking. It’s science in motion, right
before our eyes.
Moreover, honeybees are essential pollinators for many crops. Understanding their role helps us appreciate the delicate balance of agriculture and ecosystems. It also
highlights the importance of protecting these pollinators to ensure food security. This connection between bees and our food system makes learning about them incredibly relevant and urgent.
Honey bees collecting nectar from a flower
How Honey Bees Inspire Sustainable Practices
Honeybees are nature’s sustainability experts. Their ability to efficiently gather nectar and pollen while maintaining their hive’s health offers lessons in resource management and environmental stewardship. When we study honeybees, we learn how to balance productivity with conservation.
For example, beekeepers who adopt sustainable practices ensure their hives thrive
without harming the environment. This includes planting bee-friendly flowers, avoiding harmful pesticides, and using technology to monitor hive health. These practices not only protect bees but also promote biodiversity.
Incorporating honeybee education into agricultural businesses can lead to more
sustainable farming methods. By understanding pollination patterns and bee behavior, farmers can optimize crop yields while reducing chemical inputs. This synergy between bees and agriculture is a win-win for the planet and the economy.
The Role of Technology in Honey Bee Education
Technology is revolutionizing how we learn about and care for honeybees. Smart
apiary solutions, like those developed by Bee Cube®, use sensors and data analytics to monitor hive conditions in real time. This innovation allows beekeepers to detect problems early, such as disease or stress, and respond promptly.
Integrating technology into honeybee education provides hands-on experience with cutting-edge tools. Students and beekeepers alike can analyze data, track bee activity, and make informed decisions to improve hive health. This blend of biology and technology prepares learners for future careers in agriculture, environmental science, and tech development.
Moreover, technology helps scale up conservation efforts. By sharing data across
regions, researchers can identify trends and threats to honey bee populations. This
collaborative approach enhances our ability to protect these vital pollinators on a larger scale.
Bee Cube® at Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area
Practical Ways to Incorporate Honey Bee Education
So, how can we bring honey bee education into our daily lives and work? Here are some actionable ideas:
Start a School or Community Apiary
Setting up a small hive is a fantastic way to engage learners of all ages. It offers hands-on experience with bee biology, hive management, and environmental impact.
Use Digital Tools and Resources
Explore platforms like honey bee education that provide interactive projects and data for learning. These resources make complex concepts accessible and fun.
Integrate Bees into Curriculum and Training
Whether in classrooms or agricultural training programs, include modules on pollination, bee behavior, and sustainable practices. This knowledge is crucial for future farmers and environmentalists.
Promote Pollinator-Friendly Landscaping
Encourage planting native flowers and creating habitats that support bees. This simple step enhances local biodiversity and provides real-world examples for study.
Collaborate with Local Beekeepers and Experts
Learning from experienced beekeepers offers invaluable insights and mentorship. It also builds community connections around shared goals of conservation and education.
By weaving honey bee education into various settings, we nurture a deeper understanding of nature and our role in protecting it.
Learning about the bees with Laura and the Little Forest Dwellers
Why Honey Bees Matter More Than Ever
Honeybees face numerous challenges today, from habitat loss to climate change and pesticide exposure. Their decline threatens not only ecosystems but also global food security. This reality makes learning about honeybees not just interesting but essential.
By educating ourselves and others, we become advocates for these vital pollinators. We gain the knowledge to implement sustainable practices and support innovations that safeguard bee populations. In doing so, we contribute to a healthier planet and a more secure food future.
Bee Cube® will be at the forefront of this movement, with our plans to combine
advanced technology with sustainable beekeeping to protect honey bees. Smart apiary solutions empower beekeepers and agricultural businesses to monitor and improve hive health effectively.
Together, through education and action, we can ensure that honeybees continue to thrive and inspire generations to come.
Learning about honeybees opens doors to a world of discovery, responsibility, and
innovation. It’s a journey that connects us to nature’s rhythms and challenges us to be better stewards of the environment. So, why not start today? The buzz is waiting!
