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Twenty -two WVBA PNWhoneybeesurvey respondents supplied information about some managements they utilize for the PNW loss survey www.pnwhoneybeesurvey.com Respondents could select multiple options and there was always a none and other selection possible. One of the 22 survey respondents had over 20 colonies and had a heavy loss (68%) and as an outlier was removed from the analysis. This reduced average loss to 22% for analysis. Feeding The remaining 21 checked 59 feeding op

In August a beekeeping word that comes to mind is robbing. If not already done, we might rob our bees in August, when we harvest surplus honey. If we take too much, colonies might not survive winter. Other robbers are out there too - bees from other colonies might rob a colony. Skunks and/or yellow jackets might rob our bees and weaken colonies not allowing for overwintering. Perhaps a male bear, seeking to fatten up for hibernation, might destroy our colony to fest on brood

Rich had asked that I speak at the WVBA June picnic before it was cancelled due to the heat wave. I was going to discuss two new reports. Here is that information. New HBHC report on treating varroa mites The Guide to Varroa Mite Controls for Commercial Beekeeping Operations lays out a vision that addresses the risks of mite resistance created by off-label pesticide use. The threat of widespread resistance to useful miticides, like amitraz, poses a serious threat to the lo

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 12 th year of such survey activity. I received 368 responses from OR backyarders, keeping anywhere from 1 to 40 colonies; Willamette Valley members sent in 22 surveys, 6 more than last year, reporting on 168 fall colonies. Overwintering losses of WVBA respondents =29 %, the 2 nd best record of OR

The PNW honey bee survey is now open extending to end of April. WVBA members had been consistently participating but last year only 16 individuals reported on 88 fall hives. But those 16 had great news to report – the WVBA club report had the greatest survival of all the bee clubs with only a 19% loss. I ASK PLEASE complete a survey again this year. Survey can be completed in only 5-10 minutes. Go to https://pnwhoneybeesurvey.com/survey To examine past survey results look f