Articles

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 16 th year of such survey activity. I received 250 reports from Oregon beekeepers keeping anywhere from 1 to 49 colonies; Willamette Valley members sent in 173 surveys, four more than last year but three below average return for the past 6 years = 20.5%. Overwintering losses of WVBA respondents =

The pnwhoneybeesurvey remains OPEN until April 30 th .  Please participate  @ https://pnwhoneybeesurvey.com/survey/  .  This will be the 16 th year. I have modified the survey so you can simply enter survival/loss this past winter; select Fast Track to pass around questions on management if you wish. The 19 WVBA members so far responding (3 below average of 22 last five years) to the 2024-25 survey report a 16.5% winter loss level, well below the 10 year WVBA average winter

The pnwhoneybeesurvey is OPEN. The 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 16 th 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 flat

The stretch of winter without bees can feel lengthy. We readied our colonies in the fall for the long lean months of cold, and then had to leave them to do what they do. Do you see the winter months as a much deserved reprieve from the physical labor of bees and other outdoor work?  Has your attention turned to reading and contemplating about bees? Are you anticipating the arrival of catalogues with beekeeping equipment and botanical offerings? Are you patiently waiting for s

Have you thought about treatment-less beekeeping? Dead Bees Don’t Make Honey by Theresa Martin (2024. Little Wolf Farm, ISBN 979-8-9902757-0-6, available from Amazon) is best explained by its subtitle 10 tips for Healthy Productive Bees. This newest of practical paperbacks is an extremely well written guide to help ensure success with bee colony care using the natural history of bees. Author Theresa Martin is a 6 year beekeeper from Kentucky. She started with 2 colonies and