Entries by MBK Northwest Ohio Beekeeper
When a Beekeeper Gifts You a Jar of Honey
When a Beekeeper Gifts You a Jar of Honey There is something unmistakably personal about being handed a jar of honey directly from a beekeeper. It is not just another sweetener pulled from a grocery shelf; it is a handed gift that carries the work of thousands of bees, the care of a human steward, and the […]
More on the Honeybee Vaccine From Dalan Animal Health
The video features a long-form conversation between beekeeper and educator Bob Binnie and two representatives from Dalan Animal Health, the company behind the world’s first approved honey bee vaccine. The discussion ranges from deep skepticism about the word “vaccine” to detailed explanations of how the product works, what it costs, and how it might fit […]
The Year the Hives Went Silent: Inside 2025’s Massive Honey Bee Die‑Off
Honey bee colonies in the United States suffered some of the worst losses on record in 2025, with scientists warning that commercial beekeepers could see 60% to 70% of their hives wiped out in a single year. What began as an alarming projection at the start of 2025 ended up looking increasingly accurate as winter […]
Beyond the Alchemy: How Honeybees Sustain Our World and What We Can Do to Protect Their Magic
Building on the enchanting exploration in “The Alchemy of Honeybees: Transforming Bee Work From Nature’s Nectar into Earth’s Lifeline”, where honeybees are celebrated as nature’s alchemists—turning simple nectar into golden honey while weaving the vital thread of pollination through our ecosystems—let’s delve deeper into their indispensable role and the mindful actions we can take to […]
Tolento Coffee Infused Honey by MBK Launching Soon
This is a big moment for The Mindful Beekeeper community. Tolento™ Coffee Infused Honey by MBK is coming soon to CafeTolento.com, and it brings together mindful beekeeping and craft coffee in every jar. Introducing Tolento™ Coffee Infused Honey Tolento™ Coffee Infused Honey starts with thoughtfully sourced coffee beans that are either fair trade or Rainforest […]
What do honeybees do during an Ohio winter?
When northwest Ohio’s corn and soybean fields turn brown and frost glazes the bare trees, many creatures prepare for the long cold months ahead. Some migrate south, like certain birds. Others hibernate underground. But what about honeybees? These tireless pollinators don’t take a tropical vacation, and they don’t truly hibernate either. If you’ve ever wondered […]
What is a Winter Cluster?
A winter cluster is the way a honeybee colony stays alive when temperatures drop too low for bees to fly or forage. Instead of heating the whole hive, the bees form a tight ball of workers around the queen and any brood, keeping just that cluster warm enough to survive. How a winter cluster […]
Oxalic Acid Treatments for Varroa Mites: A Powerful Tool for Northwest Ohio Beekeepers (Including Winter Treatments)
Varroa destructor mites remain the #1 threat to honey bee colonies in Northwest Ohio. From Fulton and Henry Counties to Defiance, Seneca, Paulding, Putnam, and Lucas County, nearly every beekeeper battles these parasites every year. One of the most effective, affordable, and bee-friendly tools we have against Varroa is oxalic acid — especially when used […]
