Monitoring Beehives for Mites
Monitoring Beehives for Mites If a beekeeper experiences colony loss, it may be due to the varroa virus-infected mites inside the hive. Mites are the cause of colony loss 90% of the time, and even if mites are not observed on the bees, varroa mites are lurking. When mites are in the free-moving phase of…
Read MoreHow Do Bees and Other Animals Respond to the Solar Eclipse?
How Do Bees and Other Animals Respond to the Solar Eclipse? Next Monday, a total solar eclipse will pass over North America. A solar eclipse at this time of year is sure to bring new information on how living things, specifically bees, birds, and plants, respond to this daytime darkness. Those familiar with bees and…
Read MoreThree Critical Things Beehives Need to Survive This Summer
Three Critical Things Beehives Need to Survive This Summer This summer is sure to bring some extreme temperatures and break some records. Anyone involved in the beekeeping process should take note; these simple steps can help beehives stay cool this summer. Keeping bees happy and producing honey includes giving them a break from the prolonged…
Read MorePoisoned Bees, Colony Collapse Disorder, and Absconding: A Beekeeper’s Reality
Poisoned Bees, Colony Collapse Disorder, and Absconding: A Beekeeper’s Reality Experiencing poisoned bees is a reality for most beekeepers who have been in the field for a while. When bees appear in large piles, dead in front of the hive, this is a sign that those bees have been poisoned. In the last several years,…
Read MoreWelcome Home! Discovering More About Bee Nesting Styles
Welcome Home! Discovering More About Bee Nesting Styles Bees, whether social or solitary, build nests. There are various places where one might discover bee nests, and bees are quite resourceful when it comes to the many materials they collect and put to good use when making their homes. Bees use five different styles of nesting,…
Read MoreWhat Is Absconding in Beekeeping?
What Is Absconding in Beekeeping? It is crucial for beekeepers to acknowledge that even though bees are incredibly resilient and adaptable, they are also sensitive and will leave when unhappy. Although foraging and swarming are natural behaviors that involve bees leaving the hive and are good signs for beekeepers, absconding is not standard or a…
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