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What Bees Want

Beekeeping as Nature Intended

ebook
1 of 1 copy available
1 of 1 copy available

Bee populations are plummeting. The solution? Give them what they need to live naturally, and they'll handle the rest.

Susan Knilans and Jacqueline Freeman are in love with bees. So in love that they observe their bees—their work, communication, seasonal activity, and more—for hours each day. And with observation came realization: when bees are allowed to live as they would in nature (with smaller hives, no chemicals, freedom to swarm, and little-to-no human interference), they will thrive. Accordingly, Knilans and Freeman have spent decades perfecting the revolutionary practice of preservation beekeeping, guided by the simple question, "What do the bees want?"

A surprising page-turner, this instructional book tells the story of their successes and failures, demonstrating what was learned along the way. Sharing preservation beekeeping's key tenets, the authors provide concrete, simple ways to implement their approach, from finding the right hive location to honing observation skills. This preservation manifesto is a vital addition to any beekeeper's library, imparting all the joys of a beekeeper's life.

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    • Library Journal

      January 1, 2022

      Beekeepers and beekeeping instructors Knilans (Animals as Teachers & Healers) and Freeman (Song of Increase) discuss the practice of "preservation beekeeping" or "natural beekeeping," where the bees' needs (not the beekeepers') are prioritized. Knilans begins by chronicling what she learned during her early days of keeping honeybees, which involved multiple failed hives. The second part of the book is an overview of preservation beekeeping, in which domesticated bees are housed in conditions that mimic as closely as possible how they would live in the wild. It covers bee biology, choosing and locating hives, acquiring bees through swarms and bait hives, bee language, plantings and water features for bees, and what to do when a queen dies. The authors advocate a low-chemical approach and not disturbing the hives (backed with research) and discuss the hours of pleasure they receive from observing the activities of hives, their mystical connection to their bees, and how the bees have impacted their lives. At the end of the book are resources and appendices on species protection and Darwinian beekeeping. VERDICT An informative, captivating look at natural beekeeping useful for backyard beekeepers and anyone fascinated by bees; however, not for those looking to maximize honey production.--Sue O'Brien

      Copyright 2022 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

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  • English

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