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Cooking with Honey. Sweet and Savory Recipes from Our Vegas Bees Cookbook
Bring the taste of the hive to your kitchen with sweet and savory recipes from the Vegas Bees Cookbook, crafted with love and local raw honey straight from our rescued beehives.
Let Honey Sweeten Up Your Kitchen Adventures
Not only do we love to save the bees, we love to eat!
Roll up your sleeves, tie on that apron, and let’s get cooking.
From cozy, comforting classics to dishes that’ll steal the show at your next gathering, we’re whipping up recipes that bring people together.
Our secret ingredient? Pure, raw honey straight from the hive. It’s the heart of every dish we make—adding depth, sweetness, and a touch of wild magic to every bite.
These recipes are simple to make, big on flavor, and guaranteed to make your kitchen buzz with good vibes.
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Here's What's Cooking at Vegas Bees
The Bear In The Garden: Why You Should Never Wear Black Around Bees.
If you are wearing black, dark brown, or even red, you might as well be wearing a giant neon sign that says, "I am here to steal your honey." Why should you never wear black around bees? Because bees evolved to view large, dark figures as natural mammalian predators like bears and skunks. Wearing black triggers their hard-wired defensive instincts to protect their hive. To understand why bees hate the color black, we have to look through the eyes of a bee and travel back thou
Bee Swarm Removal Guide for 2026: What U.S. Homeowners Must Know
Every spring, millions of homeowners across the United States witness one of nature's most dramatic spectacles: the honeybee swarm. From the backyards of Las Vegas, Nevada to the suburbs of Atlanta, Georgia, bee swarms appear on fences, tree branches, mailboxes, and eaves, often without warning. Why Do Honeybees Swarm in Spring? Bee swarming is the honeybee's natural method of colony reproduction. As temperatures rise between March and June, a thriving hive can grow to 40,000
Should I Run Away From Bees? Sometimes Yes, and Sometimes, No.
There is no single answer to this question, and that gap between "run" and "don't run" is exactly where most people get stung. The right move depends entirely on your situation: what kind of bee it is, how many there are, how close you are to a nest, whether you've disturbed one, and whether you're allergic. Our guide covers every scenario with facts, not guesswork. Listen to the Article: Know What Species You're Dealing With Not everything that stings is the same, and the ru
Bee Season 2026 in Las Vegas Has Just Begun!
Surviving (and Understanding) Bee Season 2026. Late February into March is exactly when the Las Vegas Valley really wakes up. Our temperatures start climb, the beautiful desert wildflowers start to bloom, and our buzzing little neighbors come out in full force. If you’ve noticed massive clouds of bees swarming right now, you aren't imagining things. Spring has sprung, and bee season is officially in full swing. Let’s talk about what’s actually going on, why it looks so inten
Popular Beehive Types Explained: Langstroth, Warre, Flow, Top Bar, and Apimaye.
Which Beehive Is Best? A Practical Guide from Real-World Use. I get asked about beehives all the time. New beekeepers want to know which hive is best. Homeowners see something online and wonder if it’s a good product or something they should not consider. Experienced beekeepers are often curious whether switching styles would actually improve their bees or just complicate things. I’ve worked with bees long enough to know that no hive is perfect. Every hive design is a set of
The Beekeeping Data Hub: Hive Failure and Colony Loss Statistics (2026 Edition)
Keeping bees in the desert, especially in a place like Las Vegas, means playing a high-stakes game where the environment, pests, and biology collide. At Vegas Bees , we believe that the more you know, the better you can care for your girls. We aren't just looking at why hives fail; we are looking at the hard statistics from 2024 through 2026 to help you stay ahead of the curve. The Beekeeping Data Hub: Hive Failure and Colony Loss Statistics (2026 Edition) In the world of ap
When Bees Swarm, Is It a Sign? Ancient Beliefs and Modern Truth.
Why Bee Swarms Have Always Felt Supernatural. Listen to the Article: A swarm doesn’t look normal. It looks like a living storm. A swirling, chaotic force that appears out of nowhere, gathers into a pulsing mass, and then moves as one body like it has a mind. Today, we understand what a swarm is. It’s reproduction. It’s a colony splitting and their survival. But for most of human history it may have been a mystery. A swarm wasn’t “biology.” A swarm was a sign. And depending on
The 3 Places Bees Hide That Homeowners Never Check.
Bees are Masters at Finding that Perfect Place to Build a Nest. The call comes in around 11 AM on a Tuesday. Another homeowner in Henderson just discovered what they thought was a small bee problem near their air conditioning unit has turned into a full-scale colony that's been growing in their attic void for three months. The removal quote? $1,800. "I had no idea they were even there," she tells me, her voice breaking. "How could this have gotten so bad?" I've been removing
Why We Don’t Kill Wasps at Vegas Bees.
Why Humane Wasp Removal Is the Only Option. At Vegas Bees, we don’t harm wasps. We relocate them. Period. That decision came from experience and a hard look at what actually works in the long run, and also, it's simply the right thing to do. We hope we can change people into putting down the wasp spray for good, and teaching why our company will never pick it up. Listen to the Article Here: The Truth About Wasps Most People Never Hear Wasps have one of the worst reputations i
Honey Bee Removal Statistics 2025-2026
When someone discovers bees on or inside their home, panic usually comes first. Facts come second. This page exists to flip that order. I put these honey bee removal statistics together to answer the most common questions homeowners ask using real data, not assumptions. How often are bees actually honey bees? How large are structural colonies? When do most removals happen? And is live removal really becoming more common? These numbers reflect what is happening across the Unit
Our Guide to Varroa Mites and Protecting Your Hives.
If you keep bees, you are also, unfortunately, a mite manager. The Varroa destructor mite is widely considered the single greatest threat to honey bee health globally. For us in warmer climates like Las Vegas, where brood rearing can happen nearly year-round, understanding this enemy is critical to your colony's survival. Our guide covers everything you need to know about the Varroa mite, from its vampire-like biology to the most effective ways to detect and treat it. Listen
Managed vs. Feral Bees: The Real Truth Behind Survivor Genetic
The beekeeping world has a new religion, and its prophet is the "survivor bee." You know the pitch: somewhere in the woods, there's a magic colony that laughs at Varroa mites. No treatments, no losses, just pure Darwinian superiority buzzing away in a hollow tree. If you could just capture those genetics, maybe buy a $400 queen from someone who claims to have them, your mite problems would vanish. It's a beautiful story. It's also mostly Bullcorn. Listen to the Article Here:
The Science of the Swarm: Statistics, Trends, and Survival Data
A honeybee swarm is one of nature’s most misunderstood spectacles. While it looks like a chaotic cloud of stinging insects, it is actually a highly organized, data-driven reproductive event. This guide breaks down the numbers behind the swarm to help homeowners, researchers, and beekeepers understand what to expect. Population Dynamics: The Anatomy of a Cluster A swarm is a "colony in transition." The size of the swarm dictates its success rate and its likelihood of survival.
Do You Dream of Becoming a Beekeeper? Why Keeping Your Own Beehives Is Worth It.
Why You Should Start Beekeeping. A Guide to Your First Backyard Hive I can't remember the first time the idea crossed my mind, but I have asked myself many times over the years... What if I kept bees? Not as some daydreaming fantasy, but as something real, living, and humming in my own backyard here in Las Vegas, Nevada. If you have ever caught yourself daydreaming about becoming a beekeeper, I want to tell you something honestly: that dream is worth listening to. Beekeeping
What Is Bee Bread? It's the Fermented Fuel Behind Healthy Beehives.
We’ve already walked you through honey, propolis, and royal jelly in past articles. But there’s one hive product that completely changes how you understand bees once you really see it. It is called bee bread , also known as perga . Those cells packed with dense, colorful, slightly glossy material are not raw pollen. It is a controlled fermentation process that honey bees have perfected over millions of years. In the Mojave Desert, it is the difference between colonies that su
Guide to Bee Removal in Las Vegas
Everything Answered About Bee Removal in Las Vegas Living in Las Vegas means embracing the desert climate with year-round sunshine. But it also means sharing our environment with thousands of bee colonies that thrive in Southern Nevada's warm weather. While bees play an important role in our ecosystem, they can pose serious risks when they establish hives near homes, businesses, or high-traffic areas. Understanding when and how to address bee infestations safely is essential
Live Bee Removal and Relocation vs Extermination.
Las Vegas Homeowner's Guide to Live Bee Removal vs Extermination. Discovering bees nesting in your Las Vegas home is stressful. Whether they're coming through your water spigot, buzzing inside your walls, or clustering near your doorway, you need a solution fast. But the decision you make next matters more than you might think, not just for the bees, but for your property, your wallet, and the Las Vegas environment. This guide will help you understand the critical differences
What to Do If You Find a Beehive on Your Property
We've Spent Years Removing Bees From Homes. Here's Every Answer to the Question You're About to Google. It's 7:42 AM and my phone is ringing. "There are bees. Thousands of them. They're going into a crack in my brick and I don't know what to do and my kids can't go outside and..." Listen to This Article: I've had this conversation roughly 3,000 times. I know exactly where you are in this moment. You found bees somewhere they shouldn't be, you Googled something like "help I ha
How Long Does It Take Bees to Build a Hive After a Swarm?
When a swarm of honey bees takes off from their original colony, they’re racing against the clock. They’ve got their queen to protect, a stomach full of honey for energy, and one mission in mind: build a new home. So how long does it take bees to build a hive after they swarm? The short answer is about one to three weeks , but that depends on the weather, nectar availability, and the strength of the swarm. Let’s break down what actually happens in those critical first days, a
Bees and Christmas Through the Ages
The Connection Between Bees and Christmas When you think of Christmas, presents under a twinkling lit Christmas Tree probably come to mind... but bees? Believe it or not, bees have played a surprisingly significant role in Christmas traditions for centuries. Let's look into the connections between bees and the Christmas season. Beeswax Candles in Christmas Tradition Long before electric lights adorned our Christmas trees, beeswax candles illuminated the darkest nights of wint
Honey Makes the Perfect Christmas Gift for Anyone on Your List
Why Honey Solves the Problem of "Hard to Shop For" People. We used to get stressed around the holidays wondering "What do we give the people in our lives who seem to have everything?" What do we give to our coworkers? And especially the family member who insists they want nothing (you know who we're talking about). We always want the gift to feel thoughtful, but we don’t want to waste money on something that ends up forgotten in a junk drawer or re-gifted. That is exactly why
The Untold History of Presidential Beekeeping
The Founding Fathers and Beekeeping at the White House George Washington and Thomas Jefferson were more than just statesmen; they were land managers who understood that the success of a new nation depended on agriculture. But there was a silent workforce behind their estates, one that has recently returned to Pennsylvania Avenue. From the breakfast tables of Mount Vernon to the micro-brews of the modern White House, here is the buzzing history of America’s Presidents and the
Bees and Thanksgiving: The Pollinator Connection You're Missing
Every fall when we're out checking hives, we notice the shift. The bees aren't as frantic. They're not building like crazy or hauling in loads of nectar. They're just... tightening up. Sealing cracks with propolis, clustering tighter, being more protective of their stores. It's a different energy than summer, and honestly, it always hits around the same time we're thinking about Thanksgiving. What Bees Actually Do in Fall By late fall here in the desert, the hives are basical
Ancient Honey Hunters, Cave Paintings, & The Origins of Beekeeping
The Story of Bees in Prehistoric Art For thousands of years before humans domesticated bees, they risked their lives climbing cliff faces and navigating swarms to access one of nature's most precious resources: honey. The story of this dangerous relationship, and its evolution into organized beekeeping, is preserved in cave paintings, rock art, and ancient carvings across the globe. Listen to This Article: The Honey Hunters of Prehistoric Spain The Man of Bicorp: Humanity's O
Do Bees Hibernate? Understanding How Bees Survive Winter.
Do Bees Hibernate? Honey Bees: No. They do not hibernate. They stay awake all winter in a cluster, vibrating to generate heat and eating stored honey. Bumblebees: Yes (Queens only). The colony dies, and the new queens hibernate underground in a state called diapause. Solitary Bees: Yes. They overwinter in sealed nests as pupae or dormant adults. Listen to the Article: When temperatures drop and bees disappear, many people assume they're hibernating. The reality is more com
Bee Season in Las Vegas Is Coming to an End: What Homeowners Need to Know
Bee season in Las Vegas never stops abruptly. It winds down slowly as the desert shifts from its blooming months to a resource-scarce landscape. After spending years rescuing colonies across the valley, I’ve learned that the end of bee season isn’t just driven by cold weather. It’s driven by dwindling nectar. Understanding this transition helps homeowners make informed decisions and allows me to save colonies that still have a chance. Why Bee Season Tapers Off in the Fall As
Why Bees Are Throwing Out Drones as Fall Approaches.
Understanding Why Drones Get Ejected From The Hive. As fall arrives in Las Vegas, beekeepers witness drones, large male bees, being forcibly expelled from hives. While this appears harsh, it's actually a sophisticated survival strategy refined over thousands of years. Listen to This Article: What Are Drones? Drones are male honey bees with distinctive features: they're larger than workers with enormous compound eyes that often meet at the top of their heads, stockier barrel-s
What Colors Can Bees See & Understanding How Bees See the World.
If you've ever wondered "can bees see red?" or "what colors can bees see?", you're not alone. Bee vision is one of nature's most fascinating adaptations, and understanding how bees see can help you create better gardens, appreciate pollination, and learn about the hidden world of color invisible to human eyes. The short answer: No, bees cannot see red . But the complete story of bee eyesight is far more interesting than a simple yes or no. Listen to This Article: What Colors
Best Socks for Beekeepers: Real-World Gear Advice from Vegas Bees
The Unsung Gear of Every Beekeeper: Why the Right Socks Matter When most people picture a beekeeper, they think of veils, gloves, and suits. But few realize that what’s underneath all that gear, especially on your feet, can make or break a hot day in the bee farm. At Vegas Bees, we’ve learned that a solid pair of socks isn’t just about comfort. It’s part of your protection, endurance, and focus when you’re working hives in the desert heat. The socks we wear at Vegas Bees are
The Mystery of Bee Washboarding.
Bee Washboarding and What We Know About This Strange Hive Behavior We see bees washboarding in the warmer months here in Las Vegas, and it never fails to grab our attention. We love to watch dozens or even hundreds of workers moving back and forth in near-perfect unison on the front of the hive. It is so beautifully weird to see. They stroke the surface with their front legs and rock their bodies in a strange, hypnotic rhythm, creating a faint scratching sound like sandpaper
Bees in Space: Our Guide to NASA's Orbital Pollinator Experiments
Can Bees Survive in Space? Bees are essential to life on Earth, but what happens when bees leave the planet? Can they fly, build honeycomb, or even survive without gravity? Yes, bees can survive in space - but it's complicated. Can they fly? Sort of - they struggle initially, drifting and tumbling instead of controlled flight, but adapt over time. Can they build honeycomb? Yes - the 1984 mission proved bees construct perfectly normal comb in zero gravity. Bottom line : Bees
Are Bees Your Spirit Animal and Guide?
The Ancient Wisdom of the Bee Spirit Guide. Many people feel a deep connection to bees, sensing that they carry messages meant specifically for them. If you've found yourself repeatedly drawn to bees, noticing them in unexpected places, or feeling moved by their presence, you might be wondering: could the bee be your spirit animal? Listen to this Article: Understanding Spirit Animals The concept of spirit animals originates from various Indigenous traditions, where animals se
What to Do with the Honey Frames After Honey Extraction?
We've just finished extracting honey and are feeling relief and exhaustion. But the job isn’t over yet. Those sticky frames we've pulled from the extractor still need proper care before we can stash them away. What we do next can make the difference between clean, ready-to-go comb next spring, or a wax moth nightmare waiting (and it will) happen. At Vegas Bees, we’ve learned that post-extraction management can save hours of work later and keep your bees healthier long term. H
Yellow Jacket Nests: The Vegas Bees Complete Guide
Yellow jackets are social wasps that build elaborate paper nests, and understanding their behavior can help you coexist with or safely remove them when necessary. What Is in a Yellow Jacket Nest? Yellow jacket nests are architectural marvels made from paper-like material the wasps create by chewing wood fibers mixed with their saliva. Inside, you'll find hexagonal cells arranged in horizontal combs, stacked in tiers. These cells serve as nurseries for larvae and storage for f
Can Bees Smell Fear?
Understanding How They Sense Emotions and Movement. Bees do not literally “smell fear” the way movies might imply, but they are exquisitely tuned to chemical cues, alarm pheromones, vibrations, and changes in behavior. Those signals tell a colony when to relax, forage, or defend. Knowing how they sense the world lets you prevent escalation and work with bees confidently. Below I explain the science in plain language, then give step-by-step, seasonally practical actions you ca
Bees and Fertility: Folklore, Myths, and Ancient Beliefs.
How Bees Became Symbols of Fertility in Myths and Stories . For thousands of years, bees have been more than honey-makers. They’ve been sacred symbols of fertility, messengers of creation, and keepers of life’s sweetest mysteries. Across cultures and centuries, these pollinators have represented something profound: the power to create, nurture, and sustain life. We know personally when couples are trying to conceive, the wait can be heavy with emotion. Hope, disappointment, a
What Happens During a Honeybee Nectar Dearth.
Recognizing the Signs of Nectar Shortage in Your Apiary. When flowers dry up and the landscape turns brown, the hive’s behavior changes fast. As a beekeeper, I’ve learned to recognize the subtle and not-so-subtle signs of a nectar dearth long before the bees run out of food. Understanding what happens inside the hive during this stressful period is key to keeping colonies healthy and preventing chaos. What Is a Nectar Dearth? A nectar dearth occurs when flowering plants stop
How Do I Get Rid of Bees in My Birdbath?
A Beekeeper’s Guide to Doing It Safely and Ethically When people call us about bees swarming around their birdbath, we always start with one simple truth: bees aren’t there to bother you. They’re thirsty. They’re collecting water for their colony to cool the hive and feed brood. So the goal isn’t to “get rid of” them, it’s to redirect them safely. As beekeepers, we’ve dealt with this countless times. From backyard birdbaths to pool edges and dripping sprinklers, bees natural
Spiritual Meaning of Bees Flying Around You.
What Is The Spiritual Meaning of Bees Flying Around You? Us Beekeepers Have The Answers. When bees fly around you, many cultures and spiritual traditions see it as more than just chance. Because bees have been symbols of community, diligence, fertility, and divine order for thousands of years, their presence is often interpreted as carrying a message. Here’s how we frame it from our own perspective as beekeepers that work closely with honeybees every day. Listen to This Artic
Do Bees Have Brains? Facts About Honey Bee Intelligence, Memory, and Navigation
Let's Look Inside the Mind of a Honey Bee. As a beekeeper, I get asked this question all the time: “Do bees even have brains?” The...
Vulture Bees: The Meat-Eating Bees of the Rainforest
What Are Vulture Bees? Most bees live on nectar and pollen, but one strange rainforest species has evolved to thrive on carrion. Vulture...
Bees and Honey in the Old Testament Bible.
From My Hives to the Promised Land: Bees in the Old Testament. Bees and honey buzz through the pages of the Old Testament Bible as symbols of abundance, sweetness, and community. As a beekeeper I can’t help but smile at these images: watching bees returning to overflowing hives on a summer days make the promise of a “land flowing with milk and honey” feel vivid and real. But the Bible’s bee imagery wasn’t just poetic. Archaeology confirms that ancient Israelites practiced ser
Murder Hornets in the USA: What Really Happened from COVID to Now
Back in 2020, when the world was already on edge from the pandemic, another alarming headline began spreading like wildfire: "Murder Hornets Have Arrived in the U.S." The phrase instantly captured attention and stirred up fear. It sounded like something out of a murder hornets movie, and with everything else happening, people were ready to believe the worst. As a beekeeper, I paid close attention from the very beginning. Anything that threatens honey bees also threatens food
Beekeeping in Forested Areas: Lessons From the Woods.
Key Takeaways for Forest Beekeeping: Forests provide diverse forage but also introduce challenges like predators and dampness. Hive...
How Much Does Professional Bee Removal Cost and What Are You Really Paying For?
When bees move into your home or yard, the first question I usually hear is, “How much is this going to cost?” That’s a fair question,...
Why We No Longer Install Beehives in Backyards.
The Rise of Backyard Beekeeping in Las Vegas. Over the years, Pete and I have had several situations just like the one we faced...
What Happens During and After Bee Removal?
You Got Bees and Many Questions Hi, we're Betsy and Pete from Vegas Bees. When you call us, you’re often dealing with a stressful...
Top 10 Picnic Foods Yellow Jackets Love (and How to Keep Them from Crashing Your Party!)
Wondering The Real Reason Why Yellow Jackets Love Your Picnic? Your Snacks Are to Blame. A picnic or party in the park is on everyone's...
Why China’s Bees Are Thriving While America’s Are Struggling
The Unsurprising Contrast Between U.S. and Chinese Beekeeping. Key Takeaways: China’s secret weapon is diversity. By keeping both Apis...
Is Live Bee Removal Really Safe for My Family and Pets?
When bees move into your home or yard, your first concern is always safety. You want the bees gone, but you also want to protect your...
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