Health & Pests
Does Peppermint Deter Wax Moths?
David writes: Have you had any results from putting mint near your hives to prevent wax moths? While I have heard of folks suggesting mint could be a deterrent to …
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I Saw Wax Moth Larvae! Now What?
I think I saw wax moth larvae on one of my frames. I am new at beekeeping so I was unprepared to address the problem when I opened the hive and saw the larvae. Any suggestions on what to do?
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Are My Bees Too Hot?
Dave writes: I’m new to beekeeping. My bees seem hot in this 90+ weather, they are bearding a lot. What are your suggestions for keeping them cool? I have a screened bottom and …
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Chalkbrood Disease in Honey Bees
Of all the disease names, chalkbrood paints the most vivid picture. Even if you’ve never seen chalkbrood symptoms, white chunks of mummified brood are hard to mistake for anything else. …
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Nosema Disease in Honey Bees
Nosema is a serious disease of honey bees caused by a microsporidian. A microsporidian is a type of single-celled fungus that reproduces by spores. The nosema organisms live and reproduce …
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American Foulbrood: the Bad Brood is Back!
American Foulbrood is a bacterial apiary disease that spreads between hives. And it has the potential to wipe out the entire industry.
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How Do I Get Rid of Yellow Jackets in My Beehive?
Jacinta Mattsen Hartwig writes: I had yellow jackets move into my new hive, how do I get rid of them and reuse my hive. There were no bees in it …
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Using a Beehive Inspection Checklist
The only way to know exactly what is going on in a beehive is to actually take a peek inside. This can be intimidating, especially to a new beekeeper, but …
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How to Help Bees During Spring Rain and Storms
Spring rain is a welcome sight to a homesteader who is busy sowing seeds and planting crops. However, those same spring rains can turn into devastating storms that often leave …
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Installing a New Queen Bee to Change Genetics
Changing genetics (and achieving diversity) can be achieved by installing a new queen bee or “requeening.” Is this the solution to better overwintering in the Northeast?
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