Welcome to the Blackwater Beekeeper Association Website

We are focused on Pollinators...primarily the Western Honey Bee

We serve Horry County along with parts of Georgetown and Marion Counties in South Carolina on the Coastal Plain

You will find great information on this site that will help you understand the value of pollinators and their image on our environment.

This information is updated regularly to provide you with insight on issues related to pollinators and the management of Honey Bee colonies.

Enjoy and Learn

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We get many calls for swarm removal. Most BBA members will remove a swarm a no cost to you.

 It is our mission to help protect honeybees and educate the public.

We want you to know that many people cannot identify a honey bee population. So above are pictures of various pollinators (all bees are pollinators of sorts) to maybe help you.

This will give a better understanding of whether the issue is with a honey bee population or a problem with another kind of bee. Many of the other bees build paper nests...honey bees do not. So please identify the bee you actually have so you know what control method you need before you call us.

We cannot help you with eliminating or removing other types of bees. It is not our mission. There are professional pest removal companies that can do that job for you.

Ever Notice that That Some Honey Crystallizes (becomes grainy and forms a compact opaque mass in the jar)

Is It a Sign The Honey Is No Longer Any Good?

Understand...It's a sign that the Honey is actually the real deal...

Crystallization of authentic honey is a natural process and proof that it is real. There are two major components of honey, Fructose and Glucose. The normal water content of honey is between 17 and 18%, Fructose and Glucose are inertly unstable and over time will precipitate into small crystals. This precipitation changes the honey from liquid to a semi solid. The lower the moisture content apparently the faster the rate of change for liquid to solid.

Honey made from different plant sources will crystallize at different rates because of their high glucose content. Wild flower honey usually will crystallize maybe within 8 months of harvesting depending on the flower varieties.

The factors that will impact the chances of crystallization are time, temperature (cooler temperature increase crystallization) and degree of filtration (finely filter honey tends to crystallize slower).

Crystallization can be reversed by warming the jar to approximately 100 degrees. Higher temperatures will destroy the enzymes stripping the honey of its health benefits. Never put the honey in the Microwave...never. Microwaving kills ALL the emzymes.

So if local honey crystallizes...it's the real deal. 🐝

Looking For a Local Raw Honey Supplier?

Local Beekeepers are nearing the time of seasonal harvest as the local nectar flow declines. Harvest usually happen around mid June each year.

Blackwater Beekeeper Association is primarily composed of Local (Horry, Marion, Georgetown counties) Beekeepers who harvest honey from local flowers in our coastal plain region. These are generally small producers who harvest honey approximately mid to late June of each year.

Many BBA members bring honey to our monthly meeting where you can purchase your needs. All meeting are free to attend if you want to learn about issues facing beekeepers and pollinators. Members may also offer honey for sale at local farmers markets, roadside stands or BBA events promoting local honey. The BBA logo at a table helps ensure it is locally produced.

If you need it sooner...

Click on the "Business Directory" Tab above then click search

A list of local BBA beekeepers who sell local honey will appear. Simply contact them and if they have it available make arrangements to pick it up have it delivered.



Did you realize that the number #1 enemy that does the most damage to our natural pollinators is not other larger insects not birds but Man.

Man destroys natural habitats of pollinators for our housing. Man destroys food sources by producing genetic modified plants that do not need pollination. As bad as that is...such actions do not destroy a healthy thriving colony of honeybees or kill healthy solitary pollinators.

In our zeal to have beautiful flowers and garden produce... that is without damage from various insects or diseases... we actually harm our pollinators.

The use of highly effective powder insecticides sprayed on flowers creates situations where foraging pollinators unknowingly bring the chemical back into their colony or nest in contaminated pollen and it is incorporated into the brood food effectively killing the young larvae.

Highly effective systemic insecticides (such as Neonictinoids) are translocated into the nectar of the flower creating a similar situation.

Fortunately, the use of these chemicals is usually isolated to suburban areas and farm land. However, especially for beekeepers in those areas such product use can be devastating with total colony losses.

The use of pest control chemicals is necessary to avoid disfiguring of flowers and destruction of fruits and vegetables.

To help reduce damage to our pollinators use only liquid contact insecticide, never powder types, and avoid systemic insecticide totally.

Apply only in the evening and never on the flowers.

We all must do our part to protect and encourage our local pollinator populations. Remember...the pollination role they perform cannot be replaced by human inventions.

As we enter into summer if your organization has an interest in Pollinators...we can help inform you about their benefits and issues facing them in our changing environment here in Horry and surrounding counties of South Carolina.

We only ask that you give us enough time to secure a BBA speaker, (2 weeks minimum notice), have at least 10 people in the audience, and allow at least 30 minutes for the presentation and questions. An experienced BBA member can offer your organizations members insights into pollinators. BBA does not charge for this opportunity. However, donations for support of this service to BBA are greatly appreciated.

The best way to contact us is through our local phone number 843-310-2188.

Honeybees are not the only pollinators that need protection and encouragement. Solitary Bumblebees, butterflies, moths and a variety of small but amazing creatures perform work (plant pollination) that cannot be duplicated (at the scale) by man.

You and I can help with simple but important steps that make a difference. Consider the above recommendations.

Thank you in advance