Moving from Treatment to Treatment-Free
DISCLAIMER: The blog below is generally created from the research and instruction provided by the UK BIBBA association. This is not my research. All credit is given to BIBBA who are helping beekeepers better understand how we can improve our Varroa management practices. What is Varroa Resistance (VR)? There have been several terms used to […]
Layens Spring Inspections
Whether you’re getting into your Layens hive to check for “proof of Life” or something a little more, I’ve tried to outline below the basic steps and conditions I follow when getting into my hives early in the spring. Everything is location specific so assure you know your local conditions and expected weather prior to […]
Winter Torpor and CO2 Hypoxia
DISCLAIMER: The blog below is generally created from the research listed in the “Referenced Material” section. This is not my research. All credit is given to these studies and researchers who are helping beekeepers better understand how we can improve our management practices. What is Torpor? Torpor is a natural evolutionarily developed state of reduced […]
Winter Insulation Calculated for Southwest Ohio
DISCLAIMER: The blog below is generally created from the research listed in the “Referenced Material” section. This is not my research. All credit is given to these studies and researchers who are helping beekeepers better understand how we can improve our management practices. You may already have seen a presentation by Etienne Tardif of North […]
Honey Bees: Pain, Stress, Aggression and Disease Resistance
DISCLAIMER: The blog below is generally created from the research listed in the “Referenced Material” section. This is not my research. All credit is given to these studies and researchers who are helping beekeepers better understand how we can improve our management practices. Scientific consensus suggests that while bees lack the neurological structures for subjective pain as […]
The Varroa Treatment Adherence Issue
DISCLAIMER: The blog below is generally created from the research listed in the “Referenced Material” section. This is not my research. All credit is given to these studies and researchers who are helping beekeepers better understand how we can improve our management practices. Treatments, treatments, treatments Based on guidance about Varroa, a beekeeper might begin […]
Hive Insulation Research Sources
Hive insulation, where to put it, how it works, and how long to keep it on the hive have been growing questions recently and likely being asked now more than ever for multiple reasons: Annual fall and winter losses are climbing especially in the United States, significantly impacting commercial beekeepers and pollination work. Treatment companies […]
Combination Effects of Varroa Treatments and Pesticides on Honey Bees
DISCLAIMER: The blog below is generally created from the research listed in the “Referenced Material” section. This is not my research. All credit is given to these studies and researchers who are helping beekeepers better understand how we can improve our management practices. In our often over medicated world, we often find ourselves having discussions […]
Nest Temperature Control
DISCLAIMER: The blog below is generally created from the research listed in the “Referenced Material” section. This is not my research. All credit is given to these studies and researchers who are helping beekeepers better understand how we can improve our management practices. Based on the size of a honey bee colony, the homeostasis (steady […]
Microplastics in Our Hives and Honey Bees
DISCLAIMER: The blog below is generally created from the research listed in the “Referenced Material” section. This is not my research. All credit is given to these studies and researchers who are helping beekeepers better understand how we can improve our management practices. Microplastics (MPs) are tiny plastic particles (or fibers) that have become widespread […]