Bee loss update

The first posting on WVBA winter losses reported loss of 122 colonies = 46 % average loss, slightly lower than the statewide loss of 48%, which equals the highest for OR backyarders. The 46%loss was the highest WVBA level of the previous 4 years and 9.5% above the 4 year average.  The trend is sloped […]

Bee loss update Read More »

Bee loss update

The first posting on WVBA winter losses reported loss of 122 colonies = 46 % average loss, slightly lower than the statewide loss of 48%, which equals the highest for OR backyarders. The 46%loss was the highest WVBA level of the previous 4 years and 9.5% above the 4 year average.  The trend is sloped

Bee loss update Read More »

Our Reluctant Spring

I hope your bees are OK despite our cool, wet spring weather. If you overwintered colonies from last year, PLEASE don’t forget to send in a survey to www.pnwhoneybeesurvey.com to report winter losses/survivorship and your managements for the past season. Survey is open until end of April. March and April can be ‘challenging’ months for

Our Reluctant Spring Read More »

Our Reluctant Spring

I hope your bees are OK despite our cool, wet spring weather. If you overwintered colonies from last year, PLEASE don’t forget to send in a survey to www.pnwhoneybeesurvey.com to report winter losses/survivorship and your managements for the past season. Survey is open until end of April. March and April can be ‘challenging’ months for

Our Reluctant Spring Read More »

PNW HONEY BEE SURVEY OPEN FOR WVBA MEMBERS

In the 2017-2018 beekeeping season, 303 Oregon & 104 Washington backyarder beekeepers participated in the April survey that measures the health of our regions honey bee colonies. The survey tool also measures the local honey bees survival/losses with the highly diverse management variables such as the feeding, sanitation and Varroa sampling/control of individual beekeepers! These

PNW HONEY BEE SURVEY OPEN FOR WVBA MEMBERS Read More »

PNW HONEY BEE SURVEY OPEN FOR WVBA MEMBERS

In the 2017-2018 beekeeping season, 303 Oregon & 104 Washington backyarder beekeepers participated in the April survey that measures the health of our regions honey bee colonies. The survey tool also measures the local honey bees survival/losses with the highly diverse management variables such as the feeding, sanitation and Varroa sampling/control of individual beekeepers! These

PNW HONEY BEE SURVEY OPEN FOR WVBA MEMBERS Read More »

TOOL USE

As beekeepers we employ a variety of tools. Smoker, Hive tool, frame holders, etc etc. When I prepared the Honey Bee Health Coalition  guide on managing varroa we called the guide a tool – an educational aid to combat our most serious bee pest.   Just a few decades ago, tool use was among the

TOOL USE Read More »

TOOL USE

As beekeepers we employ a variety of tools. Smoker, Hive tool, frame holders, etc etc. When I prepared the Honey Bee Health Coalition  guide on managing varroa we called the guide a tool – an educational aid to combat our most serious bee pest.   Just a few decades ago, tool use was among the

TOOL USE Read More »