Queen’s Coast Apiary

22/07/2026

It’s been three months with my two hives and I have learned so much!

22/07/2026

It’s only been three months but I have learned a lot. Thank you for sticking around for the journey!

05/07/2026

What are your thoughts? Have you tried this?

Peer reviewed research published in 2025 has finally validated Urtica dioica (stinging nettle) as an effective weapon against the Varroa destructor parasite.

For decades, we have tried all sorts of natural remedies to fight this varroa problem, and somehow it seems that we've finally found something that actually works.

I usually question literally anything that doesn't come out of a lab analysis (and sometimes even that), but this study simply blew me away (Stinging nettle (Urtica dioica) as a potential control agent for Varroa mite (Varroa destructor) in honeybee colonies (Apis mellifera))

Let's see how the Stinging Nettle works against the Varroa.

Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry analysis has isolated the precise bioactive molecules responsible for this potent acaricidal activity.

The primary active components working within the plant are isopropyl palmitate and trans totarol alongside heavy octadecatrienoic fatty acids (I know this part is boring :) ).

The most intriguing aspect of this treatment is its dual capability to target parasites both on adult bees and inside the capped brood cells.

The biological math from these controlled trials shows that a 20% ethanolic nettle extract spray slashes the phoretic mite infestation on adult workers by 88.93%.

That is huge.

When applied as a dried plant smoke, the volatile aerosols pe*****te deep into the comb matrix and destroy 94.82% of the mites reproducing under the sealed wax caps.

You should know that while hard treatments like formic acid can achieve a 100% mite knockdown, they simultaneously inflict a massive toxicological tax on your colony.

Formic acid treatments severely compromise bee physiology by spiking cellular oxidative stress and increasing adult worker mortality (if it's not dosed right, which usually isn't).

I believe the real magic of stinging nettle lies in the fact that it achieves comparable mite suppression while being completely natural and risk free (at least for now, it seems to be risk free but I am sure it will be studied more in the future).

Malondialdehyde is the primary biomarker for lipid peroxidation, meaning that the nettle serves as a powerful antioxidant shield for the colony.

Let me explain what this means.

By suppressing this cellular rust, the treatment actively protects the bee's fat body tissue, which is where the mites are feeding from.

Basically, Nettle extract increased the activity of Glutathione S-transferase (GST), a detoxifying enzyme, in worker bees, which elevates their natural capacity to detoxify environmental poisons.

Nettle also acts as a protective antioxidant agent against oxidative damage for the colony.

The truth is that Nettle seems to be a highly efficient weapon against Varroa, but I'd like to see more studies on this topic before yelling Eureka.

If you enjoyed this article, I invite you to read the first chapter of my book.

You can find it in my bio 🙏

Thank you for reading 📖

I'd love to hear your thoughts on this topic 🧡
Please leave a like if you've found this interesting 🐝

Happy beekeeping and full barrels 🐝🍯

25/05/2026

https://youtube.com/shorts/jw6OnyZhtRo?si=YVho6uOzL8b722um

325K likes, 9.7K comments. "I’m not doing it to be mean"

26/03/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1DzCufdZUC/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Save the bees. Support local beekeepers. Grow pollinator-friendly flowers and plants. Use less pesticides and chemicals.

10/03/2026

Honeybees and other pollinators are some of the hardest-working creatures in our ecosystem. Every time a bee, butterfly, moth, beetle, or hummingbird visits a flower, they help transfer pollen between plants. That simple act allows plants to reproduce, produce fruit and seeds, and keep our landscapes thriving.

In fact, about 1 out of every 3 bites of food we eat exists thanks to pollinators! Fruits, vegetables, nuts, and many wild plants directly depend on them, and many other foods sources indirectly. Pollinators also help sustain the habitats that support birds, wildlife, and healthy soils.

But pollinators face growing challenges: habitat loss, pesticides, disease, and climate stress. The good news is that small actions in our own yards and communities can make a big difference.

Here are a few easy ways you can help support pollinators:

🌼 Plant pollinator-friendly flowers. Choose a variety of native plants and flowers that bloom from early spring through fall so pollinators always have a food source.

💧 Provide safe water sources (as pictured from our pollinator garden.) A shallow birdbath with stones, pebbles, or marbles allows bees to drink safely and climb out if they fall in.

🏡 Create habitat. Leave small areas of your yard a little wild, add flowering shrubs, or install bee hotels for native solitary bees.

🌻 Plant in clusters. Large patches of the same flower make it easier for pollinators to find and gather nectar efficiently.

🐝 Support local beekeepers and honey producers. Local honey and hive products help sustain small apiaries and healthy bee populations.

Every flower planted and every chemical avoided helps create a safer, healthier world for pollinators. When we care for them, they care for the ecosystems that feed and sustain us all.

🐝🌼

09/03/2026

🐝 Bee-Friendly Reminder!

As we head into planting and lawn-care season, it’s important to remember that not all plants and chemicals are safe for honeybees. Some beautiful plants can actually be toxic to bees, especially when nectar is scarce and they’re searching hard for food.

A few plants known to be toxic or problematic for honeybees include:
🌿Yellow jasmine
🌿Mountain laurel
🌿Rhododendron and azalea
🌿Angel’s trumpet
🌿California buckeye
🌿Titi (t**i tree)

Chemicals can be even more dangerous.
Things like:
☠️Lawn fertilizers mixed with pesticides
☠️Weed killers sprayed on blooming plants
☠️Mosquito control truck sprays drifting over flowering plants

Here are a few simple ways to help protect pollinators:
🌸 Choose bee-safe plants and native flowers
☠️Avoid spraying chemicals on blooming plants
🌅 Apply lawn products in the evening when bees are less active
💧 Consider natural or organic lawn care alternatives

Honeybees and other pollinators are essential to our food supply and ecosystems. Small choices in our yards and gardens can make a big difference. Let’s keep our landscapes beautiful and bee-friendly! 💛

08/03/2026

Our first two boxes. Two nucs coming in mid to late April. Wish us luck! 💛🐝