Beekeepers anywhere in Texas or neighboring states are likely to have opened a hive at some point and caught sight of a small dark beetle scurrying about like a minuscule rat across the inner cover. For the lucky beekeeper, a...
In today’s world there are a lot of circumstances that are affecting bee’s life cycles and habitats. Bees have been dying from a variety of factors including pesticides, drought, and habitat destruction. Bees are not only important for humans, but...
Beekeepers anywhere in Texas or neighboring states are likely to have opened a hive at some point and caught sight of a small dark beetle scurrying about like a minuscule rat across the inner cover. For the lucky beekeeper, a...
You can’t diagnose Varroa mites just by looking at a hive, but there are some pretty common warning signs that something might be going on. Things like deformed wings, uncapped brood, seeing mites on bees, or bees just acting a little “off” are all good cues that it’s time to stop and do a proper mite check.
These thieves of the day are more than just pests for sure. It's interesting to learn, that yellowjackets can soon follow a robbing frenzy. Nearing and during winter, nature's food resources are scarcer, and robbing can become a huge problem!...
By: Dodie Stillman, Master Beekeeper Austin Area Beekeepers Association, President Texas Beekeepers Association, Board of Directors Wolf Moon, Snow Moon; did you know that the full moon in March is referred to as the Worm Moon? I love the full...
Also read: What does a good vs bad brood pattern look like? A poor brood pattern can be caused by many things. Below I’ve outlined the common causes, and how to fix them: A failing queen- As queens age, they...
Utilizing Integrated Pest Management (IPM) for Varroa mite control takes the pressure off any single method by combining multiple strategies to improve overall success. From mite-resistant queens and brood breaks to drone trapping and knowing when chemicals really matter, IPM pulls the best from each approach to increase long-term success.
This is not a very uplifting topic for sure, but one of the most important skills in beekeeping is to learn from our mistakes, of which we all make many! The average annual hive loss rate is up to 44%....
By: Nanette Davis Beekeepers anywhere in Texas or neighboring states are likely to have opened a hive at some point and caught sight of a small dark beetle scurrying about like a minuscule rat across the inner cover. For the...
By: James Elam A healthy beehive is one of the cleanest and most well protected homes in nature. Housekeepers work around the clock to provide both safe and clean living conditions within the hive. Unkempt, non-hygienic colonies tend to be...
Small hive beetles can quickly become a problem, especially in the southern U.S. The key to preventing damage is feeding only as much pollen patty as your bees can consume in 7–10 days and monitoring beetle activity. Strong colonies usually keep SHBs under control, but weaker hives may need extra attention.
If you’ve ever walked out to find a dead hive and thought, what happened?—you’re not alone. Hive forensics helps you read the clues your bees left behind, understand what went wrong, and protect your colonies moving forward.
