Ask the Expert
Should You Feed Native Bees?
Should you feed native bees? Josh Vaisman explains the whys and why nots.
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Can I Make Mason Bee Homes out of Bamboo?
I want to make mason bee homes. I plan to try drilling a wood block, but also try bamboo. Since moisture is an issue with bamboo, has anyone tried drying the bamboo out in a low temp oven? Do they have suggestions about how long and at what temperature to dry the bamboo?
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How Many Frames of Capped Brood is Optimum in a Double Deep During Summer?
Tyler from Montana writes: How many frames of capped brood is the optimum in a double deep during summer?
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How Long Should I Feed Bees in Spring
Add to Favorites Bill asks: Last year you told me to feed the bees until June because I was starting out with a completely new Top Bar hive, with no …
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How Many Days After Requeening Should I See Eggs?
After eight days, you should see eggs by now, even if it took the workers two or three days to release her. A queenless colony can go about 21 days before the workers’ ovaries begin to develop.
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What Pollinator Would Be Good for a Botanical Garden?
We are looking for a pollinator for a huge indoor botanical garden. We will need to find a pollinator that will be able to pollinate plants 365 days per year and will not be dangerous for the tourists.
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What Does a Caught Swarm Need to Thrive?
I just caught my first swarm by placing a deep hive body on top of a very active swarm on a low brush pile. When I got the deep back to the yard, I installed a frame feeder and a top feeder as well as a pollen patty. I inspected the hive yesterday afternoon, and it is packed out with bees (maybe 5-6 lbs ).
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The Poisoning of Bees on Sunflower Crops
Do you have any info regarding the poisoning of bees on sunflower crops?
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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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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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