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WVBA members were encouraged to complete a web-based survey document in a continuing effort to define overwintering losses/successes of backyard beekeepers in Oregon. This was the 17th year of such survey activity. I received 442 reports from Oregon beekeepers keeping anywhere from 1 to 49 colonies; Willamette Valley members sent in 41 surveys, twenty-four more than last year, double the average return for past 6 years = 20%. Maximum colony number was 22 colonies. Overwint

It has become obvious that we cannot reduce the stress that varroa mites cause to our honey bee colonies by starting our mite control in the fall. Although it is the dispersal (phoretic) mites feeding on colony adults or reproducing mites in capped pupae cells that we control, the real issue is that mites enable the spread of the deformed wing and paralysis viruses that lead to colony death. Most of you have had a chance to look at bees this spring. We MUST flatten the mite g

The pnwhoneybeesurvey is OPEN. Members of WVBA have been especially supportive of this annual survey of Oregon and Washington backyard beekeepers. Please participate before May 1st @ https://pnwhoneybeesurvey.com/survey/ . This will be the 17 th survey year. I have modified the survey so you can simply enter survival/loss this past winter and Fast Track avoiding responding to questions on management if you wish. For Oregon backyarders, the overall trend is essentially fl

The basis of honey bee winter survival lies in their ability to fo rm a winter cluster. The winter cluster is a precisely organized, dynamic structure that functions like a biological heating system. It is worker bees instinctively gathering together, centered around the queen and remaining brood. Ideally the winter cluster will form between boxes (in 2-3 box hive configurations). It moves upward as the season progresses to maintain contact with honey stores. This initial po