Beekeeping and Honey Bee Consultation

Practical beekeeping experience, supported by scientific training.

Jeffrey Lee, Ph.D., combines advanced scientific training with decades of direct experience managing thousands of colonies for pollination, bee production, and honey production. He earned his doctorate in organic chemistry from Duke University and has kept bees for more than four decades, starting with his first two hives at age 13.

This background allows Jeffrey to approach honey bee questions from both a practical and a scientific angle.

Consultation and bee-supply services

Services include:

• Supplying live bees to university, laboratory, and private researchers for controlled experiments
• Answering scientific questions related to bees, beekeeping, and bee products
• Technical and product-development consultation for private companies, drawing on both organic chemistry and apiculture
• Educational talks, seminars, and presentations about honey bees for academic and professional audiences

The scope of each project depends on its goals. Some questions can be handled by phone or video call, while larger projects may call for an on-site visit or ongoing technical support.

Scientific and research experience

Beyond running a commercial beekeeping business, Jeffrey has supplied live bees to researchers for controlled experiments and provided scientific input on bee-related projects. His chemistry background has also drawn interest from private companies. Jeffrey brought the professional perspective of both a commercial beekeeper and an organic chemist to the development of a miticide for controlling mites in honey bee colonies.

Together, these experiences give Jeffrey an unusual blend of laboratory-level scientific knowledge and real-world familiarity with bee behavior, colony management, transportation, pollination, and honey production.

Educational presentations

Jeffrey is also available for select talks and seminars on honey bees and professional beekeeping, geared toward academic and research audiences. Topics may include:

• The annual cycle of a commercial beekeeper
• Moving bees for crop pollination
• Honey bee behavior and colony organization
• Producing varietal honey
• The relationship between agriculture and managed honey bees
• The practical realities of maintaining large numbers of colonies
• Scientific research involving honey bees

Presentations can be tailored for universities, agricultural organizations, and other academic or research groups.

Request a consultation

To inquire about a consultation, please provide:

• Your name and organization
• The purpose of the consultation
• A brief description of your question or project
• Your location
• Whether you'd prefer a phone, video, or on-site consultation
• Your preferred timeline

Consultation fees vary depending on the subject, preparation involved, travel, and project length.