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Beekeepers this time of year are excited to dive in for a first inspection of the spring. It’s common to find that some hives in your apiary didn’t survive the winter. Don’t be too discouraged by this because it’s statistically normal to lose some hives, even with the best of beekeeping practices. But, it’s helpful […]
In my previous two blogs (here and here) I addressed the concern that Varroa mites bring to beekeepers. I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again (from experience) – choosing to not manage the Varroa mites in your hives will lead to a dead hive. It might take a couple years, or it might […]
Varroa mites are the kryptonite of beekeeping these days. Keeping their numbers in our hives to a minimum is key to successful hive management. In my previous blog I described how I count the mites in my hives using a random sample. Now the question becomes – how many mites is too many? As with […]
The Varroa Mite is a major factor (if not THE major factor) to the decline in honey bees. This little tiny mite causes many problems. They spread diseases, weaken the immune systems of the bees, and can even cause deformities like shriveled wings. It can be nearly impossible to completely eradicate mites from our hives, […]
In the video below, Gretchen Anderson explains how you can make your chickens’ dust baths better for fighting lice and mites.
Spring has sprung! We got lucky here in Boise, Idaho this past week with a few sunny days in the 60s – perfect for the first inspection of the spring. I was happy to find that two of my three hives are alive and well! Those odds are pretty good. 1. The first one I […]
Hives that survived through the new year were likely low on Varroa mites going into the cold season. On the contrary, I’ve noticed that hives with high Varroa levels going into winter often die before the new year. So, pat yourself on the back if your hives are still alive right now! You can tell […]
Autumn is here! This signals a drastic change for beekeepers, as we are less able to effectively inspect our hives. Cooler temperatures are the culprit of this and I am often asked “what temperature is too cold to inspect a hive?” The short answer is – somewhere around 60 degrees or warmer. But there’s a […]
Honey bees are known to be quite hygienic. They take care to ensure that their hive is clean. Nearly all hives are experts at removing foreign substances from their home – debris, non-welcomed insects, etc. Some hives even go as far as to remove problematic substances that could cause disease to take hold of their […]
One of the most frequently asked questions I receive is – “Is beekeeping easy?” The short answer is NO. Sorry to crush some dreams here. But stay tuned, because it gets better! The long answer involves much more than one word. When I have time to answer this question more thoroughly I will explain to […]
The weather this time of year in our area can be finicky – one moment it is cold and rainy and then suddenly the sun breaks through the clouds and a warm 70-degree day is upon us! This is Idaho in May – the time of year when my iPhone weather app gets constant use. […]
Needless to say, I was pretty bummed out about losing one of my two hives over winter. It sucks to lose a hive! Especially after caring for it, giving it extra TLC, and watching it thrive for so long. But, such is the life of a beekeeper. I always tell newbies (or is it new-bees?!) […]
Your Name: Your Phone Number: Your Email Address: Which Class Will You Attend? April 18, 2014 6 p.m. – TWIN FALLS D&B SupplyApril 21, 2014 6 p.m. – CALDWELL D&B SupplyApril 22, 2014 6 p.m. – BOISE D&B Supply Register for Chick Training About the Chick Training D&B Supply is teaming up with Nutrena to […]
