Hive Management: Treating Mites, & Thwarting Robbers
In a previous post we reported that we’d uncovered a tremendous Varroa mite infestation in the largest of our bee hives, the Salvia hive. It was clear this colony was in jeopardy. Treating Mites There was some evidence of hygienic behavior in these bees, as...
Varroa Management: Drone Brood Sampling & Removal
In our last bee post we noted that despite the outward appearance of our large swarm colony hive, which seemed to be thriving, that the colony in fact was coping with a significant, and potentially deadly infestation of Varroa mites. Even though the hive currently...
Hive Health: Varroa Monitoring
It’s no secret that honey bee populations have been struggling to survive in recent years. Hypotheses abound in regards to the causes of honey bee decline, and it’s likely that no single factor will prove to be responsible, but it’s clear that the...
Hive Inspection: Calm Bees, and Queen Cups
The weather this spring has been a little off, and less than ideal for bees. The temperatures have been below normal, days often overcast, breezy, and late season rains have thrown hives all over northern California for a loop in recent weeks. We attended an all day...
Hive Inspection: Grumpy Bees, and Drifting Populations
We swore we wouldn’t inspect the hives all at once again, but after a temperament shift in the apiary this weekend we felt compelled to see what was going on with the bees. On Saturday Mr. Curbstone was on the receiving end of some rather agitated guard bees. ...
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