Mueller Honey Bee

10/31/2026

Melittin. The pain signaler and most studied peptide.

🐝🔬 Melittin: A Powerful Peptide in Honey Bee Venom

Did you know that melittin makes up approximately 40–60% of the dry weight of honey bee venom? This small bioactive peptide is attracting scientific interest for its potential antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer properties.

🧬 What makes melittin so interesting?

Researchers are studying how melittin interacts with cell membranes and influences biological processes. Its potential applications include:

🐝 Antimicrobial research: Investigating its activity against various bacteria, including antibiotic-resistant strains.

🐝 Biofilm research: Studies have explored its ability to inhibit bacterial biofilm formation and affect established biofilms.

🐝 Lyme disease research: A 1997 study investigated melittin's direct effects on Borrelia burgdorferi, the bacterium responsible for Lyme disease, in laboratory conditions.

🐝 Cancer research: Scientists are examining its effects on cancer cells and its potential role in targeted drug delivery.

🐝 Inflammation research: Studies are exploring how melittin influences inflammatory signaling pathways.

🔬 The science is fascinating! Researchers continue investigating how this naturally occurring bee venom peptide might contribute to future therapeutic developments.

📚 Selected research articles:

• Zhang et al. (2024). The Current Landscape of the Antimicrobial Peptide Melittin and Its Therapeutic Potential. Frontiers in Immunology.
Read the research

• Mirzaei et al. (2023). Antibiofilm Effect of Melittin Alone and in Combination with Conventional Antibiotics. Frontiers in Microbiology.
Read the research

• The Antimicrobial Agent Melittin Exhibits Powerful In Vitro Inhibitory Effects on the Lyme Disease Spirochete (1997). Infection and Immunity.
Read the study

🐝 Every bee venom compound has a story worth exploring!

Shared for educational purposes only. Research is ongoing, and laboratory findings do not necessarily establish effectiveness in human clinical treatment.

10/31/2026

Had a student reach out today to see if he could observe my Honey bees to finish his school project. Super happy to help him out.

10/30/2026

Here is the link to the article being addressed in this post: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/403664296_Sensitivity_of_current_Tropilaelaps_mercedesae_monitoring_methods_in_Apis_mellifera_colonies

If you are still relying on an alcohol wash or a powdered sugar shake to monitor your apiary for new parasites, you are effectively running blind against the next major biological threat.

To be honest, I could never wash my bees into alcohol and effectively kill them just to see if there is an infestation inside the hive.

There are other methods that can prove that, but that's not the topic for today.

A definitive study published in Scientific Reports in April 2026 (scroll to the bottom to see how you can find the study) has exposed a massive vulnerability in the widely adopted diagnostic defense systems.

The team evaluated how sensitive our current monitoring practices are at detecting the invasive mite Tropilaelaps inside bee colonies.

The major concern uncovered by this research is that the standard tools used globally to manage Varroa are shockingly ineffective at catching Tropilaelaps.

The data shows that the alcohol wash and the powdered sugar shake failed miserably, yielding detection sensitivities of only 38.5% and 34.6%, respectively.

Because Tropilaelaps mites spend almost their entire life cycle hidden inside capped brood cells and move with incredible speed on adult bees, a standard jar wash will completely miss low-level infestations.

The study proved that the only method with a 100% success rate for detecting the presence of this parasite is the bottom board sticky trap.

Worker brood cell uncapping came in second with a 92.3% sensitivity rate, while the frame bump test managed only 73.1%.

I strongly think that continuing to rely on a sugar shake or alcohol wash for general parasite screening is a form of structural blindness that will leave your yard completely unprotected.

A negative result from an alcohol wash or a sugar shake no longer guarantees a clean, healthy hive (who would have guessed).

You must immediately integrate bottom board sticky traps and targeted brood uncapping into your regular inspection routine to have any hope of catching an invasion early.

I believe that treating Tropilaelaps with the same diagnostic protocols as Varroa is an executive error that will cost you your entire workforce.

The science has drawn a clear line in the sand, and your monitoring strategy must adapt before the parasite arrives to exploit your blindness.

If you enjoyed this article, I invite you to read the first chapter of my book (You can find it in my bio 🙏)

For all the paid members who keep my lights on and my dream of making worldwide beekeeping education available for free, I wish to thank you from the bottom of my heart 🧡

Happy beekeeping and healthy winter bees 🐝❄️

Source: Sensitivity of current Tropilaelaps mercedesae monitoring methods in Apis mellifera colonies

10/29/2026

Hive alive gifts for the CMACC Conference Nov 6-8. Thanks Brad Hole !

10/28/2026

What temperament of bees should you requeen?

10/28/2026

Who do I get to see next month in Northern Georgia? Super excited to share in this great event!

10/28/2026

Tell me how you really feel.

10/27/2026

The outside box is fully stocked with elderberry syrup! It's been moving much faster lately! Boost those immune systems!

10/27/2026

I am currently screening and training a new beekeeper to take over management of two apiary locations in Silver Lake and Tallmadge. These are not my personal hives.
The apiaries typically have a combined total of 10–15 colonies each year. I highly recommend that the person live within 30 minutes of the locations, as this position requires regular weekly visits, attention to detail, and considerable communication and coordination with the property owner.
The beekeeper needs to be available to address issues as they arise, including potential swarms or other concerns that may require prompt attention. Essentially, you would be the point person for these colonies throughout the beekeeping season.
You set your own hourly rate and work independently. You are responsible for visiting the apiaries, managing the colonies, reporting your findings after each visit, tracking your hours, and submitting invoices. Payment is made by direct deposit within 30 days.
I have managed these colonies on and off over the past 8–9 years, so I can provide guidance and training to support the transition.
Please feel free to reach out with any questions!
Email your letter of interest, experience and pay rate to: [email protected]

10/27/2026

Time to invest in new equipment.