2018 WVBA Loss Report

With the most recent PNW honey bee survey, the 10th year of such survey activity I received 303 responses from OR backyarders, keeping anywhere from 1 to 50 colonies; Willamette Valley members sent in 34 surveys, 10 more than the previous year, reporting loss/survivorship of 153 fall colonies. Overwintering losses of WVBA respondents was 55 […]

2018 WVBA Loss Report Read More »

2018 WVBA Loss Report

With the most recent PNW honey bee survey, the 10th year of such survey activity I received 303 responses from OR backyarders, keeping anywhere from 1 to 50 colonies; Willamette Valley members sent in 34 surveys, 10 more than the previous year, reporting loss/survivorship of 153 fall colonies. Overwintering losses of WVBA respondents was 55

2018 WVBA Loss Report Read More »

Swarm trapping

At the April WVBA meeting Morris Ostrofsky gave lots of practical information, most from his own experience, on how to capture swarms via swarm traps. If you’re looking to increase your number of colonies, consider setting out one or more swarm/bait boxes, an inexpensive means of starting additional colonies. Swarm traps can bring the swarms

Swarm trapping Read More »

Swarm trapping

At the April WVBA meeting Morris Ostrofsky gave lots of practical information, most from his own experience, on how to capture swarms via swarm traps. If you’re looking to increase your number of colonies, consider setting out one or more swarm/bait boxes, an inexpensive means of starting additional colonies. Swarm traps can bring the swarms

Swarm trapping Read More »

2018 winter loss/survivorship survey now open

Last year, 334 OR/WA backyarder beekeepers returned April surveys on overwintering colony losses/survivorship, and management such as colony feeding, sanitation and Varroa control efforts. There were only 24 WVBA respondents included in the OR report, 4 fewer than the previous year. A specific report for WVBA is posted on the website:  http://pnwhoneybeesurvey.com/ Colony loss levels

2018 winter loss/survivorship survey now open Read More »

2018 winter loss/survivorship survey now open

Last year, 334 OR/WA backyarder beekeepers returned April surveys on overwintering colony losses/survivorship, and management such as colony feeding, sanitation and Varroa control efforts. There were only 24 WVBA respondents included in the OR report, 4 fewer than the previous year. A specific report for WVBA is posted on the website:  http://pnwhoneybeesurvey.com/ Colony loss levels

2018 winter loss/survivorship survey now open Read More »

Our Bee Hive

Beekeepers are familiar with the saying ‘keep the bees out of the trees’? Today we say this referring to keeping bees in hive boxes in the spring, avoiding them swarming to end up in a nearby tree. Despite our best efforts, capturing swarms from trees remains part of spring bee activity.  There is another meaning

Our Bee Hive Read More »

Our Bee Hive

Beekeepers are familiar with the saying ‘keep the bees out of the trees’? Today we say this referring to keeping bees in hive boxes in the spring, avoiding them swarming to end up in a nearby tree. Despite our best efforts, capturing swarms from trees remains part of spring bee activity.  There is another meaning

Our Bee Hive Read More »

What in the BEE WORLD?

Heard the expression ‘A picture is worth a thousand words’? Here is a picture (SEE BELOW)  that may be worth a thousand questions. Photo from web source Pinterest (and most recently seen in Cowlitz WA Beekeeping newsletter). To begin with Why? Why two levels? What is problem this is attempting to solve? How does the

What in the BEE WORLD? Read More »

What in the BEE WORLD?

Heard the expression ‘A picture is worth a thousand words’? Here is a picture (SEE BELOW)  that may be worth a thousand questions. Photo from web source Pinterest (and most recently seen in Cowlitz WA Beekeeping newsletter). To begin with Why? Why two levels? What is problem this is attempting to solve? How does the

What in the BEE WORLD? Read More »