Feeding Fall Colonies

     Feeding bees in the fall is unquestionably a way to make the  difference whether a colony survives overwinter or not. When colonies are light on food stores, feeding a heavy sugar syrup or not extracting capped honey can improve winter survival. It is the best management option to insure the proper fall configuration and

Feeding Fall Colonies Read More »

Feeding Fall Colonies

     Feeding bees in the fall is unquestionably a way to make the  difference whether a colony survives overwinter or not. When colonies are light on food stores, feeding a heavy sugar syrup or not extracting capped honey can improve winter survival. It is the best management option to insure the proper fall configuration and

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WVBA Winter losses

At the March and April WVBA meetings I distributed paper copies and directed members to a web-based survey document as a continuing effort to define overwintering success. This was the 7th year of such survey activity. I received 230 responses from OR backyarders, keeping anywhere from 1 to 50 colonies; Willamette Valley members sent in

WVBA Winter losses Read More »

WVBA Winter losses

At the March and April WVBA meetings I distributed paper copies and directed members to a web-based survey document as a continuing effort to define overwintering success. This was the 7th year of such survey activity. I received 230 responses from OR backyarders, keeping anywhere from 1 to 50 colonies; Willamette Valley members sent in

WVBA Winter losses Read More »