FALMOUTH, Maine (NEWS CENTER) — We need bees to pollinate our plants. But bees are disappearing.
Colony Collapse Disorder is name that has been given to the sudden disappearance of bee colonies.
The bees are getting disoriented for some reason. They can’t find their way back to the hive and they eventually die. Some scientists now believe the bee disorientation could be due to a pesticide called Imidacloprid, a synthetic nicotine used in pesticides. Paul Tukey’s group, Safelawns. org is asking people to avoid pesticides that include Imidicloprid.
There are many organic alternatives in pest control now on the market. One of Paul’s favorites is Eco-Smart. The active ingredients are peppermint, cinnamon and sesame seed oils. All are considered food grade, and safe.
Paul says you still want to read the labels of the organic products and use the proper protection.
Story on CCD and Beekeeping Research in Oregonian July 2010
Interesting story on bees and “Colony Collapse Disorder” (CCD) in the Oregonian today. After my own initial concern about this issue I’ve grown to believe that much, if not most, of the press given to CCD is more hype and conjecture than objective fact and common-sense.
Following are some facts and reality about bees in general and the state of beekeeping in general in North America:
Bees live for about a month and then die, except for winter bees that slow down and cluster together over the winter months
Colonies increase and decrease in size dramatically through the course of even just one year
One hive of bees can be easily split into several new hives every year–bees can be easily increased to make up for winter losses
Winter losses are quite normal–I expect 10-20% loss in our area every year
Honeybees are not native to North America. As well, there are other pollination sources/possibilities.
Tracheal mites, wax moths, nosema and varoa mites are common. Non-chemical integrated management tools and processes can be used effectively to control the levels of these pests and diseases.
Even a cursory reading of beekeeping over 100 years ago in America reveal no less complexities with raising and keeping bees. It would seem common-sense that in our day of chemical spraying and long-distance pollination stresses to bees, that we’d see some losing more than average.
That’s my thoughts in a nut-shell. I’ve personally not experienced CCD over several years of beekeeping although I wouldn’t be surprised to see some losses like it any year. But, I do know that recovering from such a loss is both doable and incorporated into my yearly planning.
Got a call from a local mini-storage facility who had a massive swarm move in right next to their office. We piled the six kids in the rig and headed over.
Large honeybee swarm nestled in a maple tree
We hooked up the handy-dandy bee vacuum and put the boys to work.
This swarm was quite large — a prime swarm no doubt. We ended up filling two boxes with bees which is unusual. Didn’t spot the queen but we’re hoping she’s in there! Back at the ranch we needed a couple hive bodies to hold the girls. We’ll see how they fare tomorrow.
With the wet & cold Spring in the Northwest, swarm catching has been a bit sparse — until now! With temperatures in the 70′s and 80′s, we’ve noticed an uptick in calls from business owners, farmers, and home-owners asking for help with their “bee problem”. For us, swarms are an incredible benefit and it’s a joy to take them off your hands for free. Give us a call if you find a swarm in your yard or business in Sandy, Gresham or Boring! 503-970-8184
The Spring of 2010 is fast becoming a nightmare for some beekeepers in the Portland, OR area. Extended inclement weather and rainfall combined with winter losses, some are wondering if this year’s honey crop will be as bad as last year.
In 2009, many local beeks saw hive losses to disease and CCD, and low honey yield. On average, Oregon bees produce less than national numbers. But last year, it wasn’t uncommon for hives to produce little to none. We saw about a 2-3 gallon average per hive at most using standard practices.
So far in 2010, the early maple and raspberry nectar flow has been hampered with continous wet weather. Our bees normally would have been storing up honey already in brood chambers and some in honey supers. As of today, we’re having to feed some of our hives that are completely empty of nectar.
Fun to see a swarming article in the media talk about Jim Berlean… real nice beek in Portland. Article and video from Channel 8:
PORTLAND — It’s swarming season for honey bees in the Portland Metro area and problems were on the rise in local communties.
On Sunday, Janelle Gorsuch had about 20,000 unexpected visitors outside her Eastmorland home.
“I didn’t know what to think!” Said Gorsuch, who watched the bees form a hive on one of her Japanese maples, breaking two branches in the process. “My first thought was to get everyone inside until we figured out it was safe,” she said.
Gorsuch did what many in her situation have done: She called Milwaukie bee keeper, Jim Barlean…
One of my sons and two daughters accompanied me a couple weeks back as we tore open a wall and sucked out a lovely hive of bees. We were able to save some brood, much of the comb and fresh nectar that had been stored.
This hive was located in a wall about 10 feet up and was about six feet by 3 feet in size. Unfortunately, they had already swarmed due to lack of space in the wall.
