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How Often Should I Test for Varroa Mites?
I would like to know when I should start testing for varroa mites. And then what schedule should I follow for the following months?
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Why are There Dead Bees in Front of the Hive?
There are lots of dead or dying bees in front of the hive. Several hundred per day for the last 2-3 weeks. Some are dead; others are ‘shivering,’ weak, unable to fly, maybe walking a little.
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Should I Perform Beehive Inspections with Supers On?
As a general rule, I try not to go into the brood boxes when the honey supers are on. There are a few reasons for this. Here are three reasons.
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Can a Coniferous Forest Support Honey Bees?
Forests generally do not support bees very well, especially not coniferous forests. Honey bees like to be near sunny areas with many flowering plants that can provide various pollen and nectar sources.
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How Long Should I Feed Bees in Spring?
When a hive is starting out in the spring, do the forager bees consume and share some of the nectar they gather with the “house” bees and store the rest that they don’t need for their survival? And is that the reason that
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How do I Configure My Top Bar Hive?
If your top bar hive opens on the side (cold-way configuration, like a Langstroth), putting the empty brood frames right in the center will work fine.
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When Should I Perform the First Mite Check and Treatment?
A key time for getting a jump on varroa is when the colony is broodless, since any mites present will be in a phoretic state rather than hiding inside capped brood.
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Why Did My Newly Installed Bees Make a Queen Cell?
Mary writes … Today was inspection day and I found what appears to be a queen cell … yikes!
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Will Spraying Dandelions Harm Bees?
My son is thinking of spraying 2,4-D for the dandelions — how safe is it for the bees? All the bees died this winter.
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Will Wax Moths Come up Into the Hive From the Screened Bottom Board?
Will wax moths come up into the hive from the screened bottom board? I’ve cleaned up some deadouts and would like to leave them set up, the freezing during the winter should have killed eggs or larvae in the comb. I’ve closed off the entrances with window screen.
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