Varroa Mites Are Lurking
Varroa mites cause the death of more colonies than most people admit – here I discuss a summer mite check, if only for peace of mind.
varroa control
Learning from Nature
At the recent autumn convention of Cheshire Beekeepers’ Association, Professor Tom Seeley talked about ‘Darwinian beekeeping’. I had doubts but wanted to hear the great man speak. His many years of studying honey bees, particularly those living in the wild, have surely got to be of interest to anyone keeping bees. Pros and Cons Seeley … Read more
Four Apiaries and a Wedding
I feel pretty good about how things have gone as I head towards the end of my beekeeping season. There have been some ups and downs, but I’ve learned new things and made progress as both a walrus and a beekeeper. This is my first blog post since the marriage of Eldest Child. It has … Read more
Virgins etc.
I stumbled upon a fantastic resource for beekeepers concerning the monitoring and management of Varroa mites by the Honey Bee Health Coalition. There is some comprehensive guidance, including videos plus a neat decision tool to help decide whether to treat and what the treatment options are. A few of my colonies contain a full comb … Read more