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I've been keeping this blog for all of my beekeeping years and I am beginning my 19th year of beekeeping in April 2024. Now there are more than 1300 posts on this blog. Please use the search bar below to search the blog for other posts on a subject in which you are interested. You can also click on the "label" at the end of a post and all posts with that label will show up. At the very bottom of this page is a list of all the labels I've used.

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I began this blog to chronicle my beekeeping experiences. I have read lots of beekeeping books, but nothing takes the place of either hands-on experience with an experienced beekeeper or good pictures of the process. I want people to have a clearer picture of what to expect in their beekeeping so I post pictures and write about my beekeeping saga here.Master Beekeeper Enjoy with me as I learn and grow as a beekeeper.

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Saturday, July 28, 2007

The Bald Faced Hornet is Back

I watched with dismay today as the bald-faced hornet systematically attacked and carried off bees to feed its young. The hornet swoops down and captures a bee. Just as quickly it flies up to the paper nest in which it lives high up in a tree above my deck. I'm sure the nest is located there to take advantage of the beehive restaurant.

Here's a face-on look at the lovely insect. I think the hornet looks menacing as I'm sure is nature's plan.

I never snapped a picture of the five bees I watched the hornet capture in the space of less than five minutes, but here the hornet has killed a yellow jacket.
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2 comments:

  1. Anonymous8:02 PM

    I have these bald faced hornets around my hives. I had no idea they might be killing bees to feed to their young. I thought they were hanging about hoping to sneak in and rob some honey.

    I've seen my bees drive them away. And even seen them tied into one in the grass fighting it, but didn't know it was because the hornet was actually trying to kill them. I'll definitely have to watch what is going on more carefully.

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  2. This is a great blog, Linda! I'm working on a post about the flower spider that's been nailing my honeybees in the recently blossomed borage. You might also enjoy my post entitled "Got Milkweed?" which chronicles the bee-related drama of that plant. It's a jungle out there!

    www.globalswarminghoneybees.blogspot.com

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