Nosema, a destructive effect caused by fungi known as Nosema apis and Nosema ceranae, can have a significant impact on beehives if left unaddressed. While Nosema apis is generally a benign parasite in European honey bees worldwide, it can cause severe damage without timely intervention. These spore-forming parasites attack the mid-gut lining of bees, which is responsible for producing digestive enzymes …
What are Varroa Mites? Recent research has revealed new insights into the impact of Varroa mites on honey bee colonies. Contrary to previous assumptions, it has been discovered that Varroa mites feed on the fat body of honey bees rather than their haemolymph. This feeding weakens the bees and ultimately leads to their death. Parasitized bees have lower body mass and …
As a beekeeper, wax moths can be a real nuisance. While they don’t necessarily harm the bees themselves, wax moths can cause significant damage to beehives and honeycombs. In this blog post, we will discuss what wax moths are, how to recognize them, and tips for dealing with them in your hives. What Are Wax Moths? Wax moths are small insects that …
Oxalic acid vaporizers are a crucial tool for beekeepers to maintain healthy and productive hives. Oxalic acid, a natural compound found in many plants, can be used to control varroa mite infestations in bee colonies. However, administering oxalic acid to bees can be challenging, and requires specialized equipment like an oxalic acid vaporizer. In this article, we will discuss the …
Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD) has plagued beekeepers since 2006 when it was first reported. In the fallout from CCD, around the time it was first chronicled, adult honeybees simply started disappearing from their hives. Very few dead bees could be found in or around the hives, and high colony losses ensued. This perplexed beekeepers, as the queen and brood (immature bees), …
Honey bees are fascinating creatures that display remarkably complex (and well-coordinated) social behaviors, all in the service of protecting and promoting the vitality of the hive. One of the ways that honey bees practice good "public health" is by social distancing to slow the spread of disease, much in the same way that humans have been encouraged to socially distance …
You invest a ton of time and energy into building, maintaining, and harvesting honey from your beehives – so the last thing you need is for an animal to get into them and ruin all your hard work. From mice to bears to wasps, marauding animals can wreak havoc on, and even destroy, your beehives. Some of these animal vandals eat …
Applying a treatment for Varroa mites after the honey harvest in fall is one of the best ways to keep levels of these pests under control during the winter. In most areas, Varroa mite populations tend to increase in hives over the summer months and hit a peak just as honeybee colonies are laying eggs and raising brood for the winter. …