Beekeeping Information – Page 21

Beekeeping in Minnesota To keep bees in Minnesota, a beekeeper must get a permit from the city. The city requires that beekeepers have a fence around their hives, and it also has rules about notification methods. However, despite the rules, many people who are in the beekeeping business have no problem getting a permit. At the time of this article, the city has no restrictions on the number of hives and beekeepers. Two years after Minnesota legalized beekeeping, the number of permits issued to beekeepers shot up. That reflects an increase in interest among urban dwellers, and the willingness to go through the permit process. Quick Tips for Beekeeping in Minnesota Insulate your hives: The cold winters in Minnesota can be tough on bees, so make sure your hives are well-insulated to help keep them warm. Plan for a shorter season: Due to the colder weather, the beekeeping season in Minnesota is typically shorter than in other parts of the country. Make sure to plan accordingly and take advantage of the warmer months. Provide water: Bees need access to water year-round, so make sure to provide a water source for them, especially during the hot summer months. Monitor for pests and diseases: Varroa mites and other pests and diseases can be a problem for beekeepers in Minnesota. Regular monitoring and treatment can help keep your hives healthy. Join a beekeeping association: Joining a local beekeeping association can provide valuable resources, support, and education for beekeepers in Minnesota. Be prepared for swarms: Swarming is a natural process for bees, but it can be intimidating for beekeepers. Have a plan in place for managing swarms, including contacting a local beekeeping association or experienced beekeeper for assistance. Practice good hive management: Regular hive inspections, proper hive placement, and good hygiene practices can help keep your bees healthy and productive. Beekeeping in Minnesota In Minnesota, artisanal beekeepers are bringing fresh honey to the table and tapping into the intricacies of local flavors. Their products are popping up at a variety of local restaurants, cheese shops and farmers markets. But their populations are in trouble, ravaged by herbicides and pesticides. This spring, Minnesota became one of the few states to enact a law that prohibits labeling plants as beneficial to pollinators if they've been treated with pesticides. Honey bees and other pollinators play an important role in our ecosystems. But their numbers are on the decline due to an ongoing loss of habitat and an increased use of pesticides. Beekeeping is a hobby that can help restore these populations. In Minnesota, there are a number of resources for beginning beekeepers. From state fair exhibits to beekeeping classes, there are many options for those interested in learning more about the hobby. There are also a number of local beekeeping clubs and organizations that have been formed to support beekeepers throughout the state. These organizations provide training, resources and networking opportunities for people new to beekeeping. Another way to learn more about beekeeping is to attend a local university extension course. These classes offer both a lecture and hands-on component. During the class, students can get to know other beekeepers, as well as vendors who sell equipment, products and services related to beekeeping. These include beeswax cosmetics, honey wax candles and hive products. For the last few years, a growing interest in beekeeping has been seen in urban areas. This has included corporate organizations utilizing rooftop spaces as beekeeping sites. While the practice of keeping bees in cities has some limitations, such as a lack of room for hives and competition with wild bees, it is a growing trend that is gaining popularity around the world. The City of Minneapolis has recently started making it easier for people to keep bees on their property by providing a permit process. It also has a program that encourages farmers to grow more bee-friendly plants and reduce the amount of pesticides they use. A recent class at the Bell Museum of Natural History in Stillwater taught more than 200 aspiring beekeepers how to start their own colony. The two-day course was hosted by entomology professor Marla Spivak and scientist Gary Reuter. In addition to teaching classes, Spivak and Reuter are also active in research projects that involve bees. They have a lab at the University of Minnesota that is dedicated to studying bee diseases and behavior. Minnesota's Climate and Its Impact on Beekeeping Minnesota is known for its harsh winters, which beekeepers need to take into consideration. The state also has a lot of flowering trees and plants. Bees are crucial for pollinating flowers and helping plants produce fruit and seeds. But they’re also at risk because of a changing climate, according to a new report from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). The number of bees and other pollinators has declined by 20 percent in the last decade, and some species have already disappeared. In addition to a changing climate, many other factors have caused the decline of bee populations, including pesticides, viruses, parasites and habitat loss. That’s why the FAO has long been warning of the dangers posed by a disappearing bee population, and why it’s important to keep bees and other pollinators healthy. While scientists aren’t sure what the best way to soften the impact of climate change on bees is, there are a few things we can do. One is to find more diverse flowering plant species, which can help bees adapt. Other ways to help them include growing bee-friendly crops, expanding beekeeping training and access to safe treatment for sick bees. The next step is to educate people and communities about bees, their importance to our ecosystem and the role they play in our food system. This can be done through community science projects, phone apps and by implementing integrated pest management. Taking these steps is an important first step to protecting bees and other pollinators. The FAO reports that bees are vital for pollinating about 40 percent of the world’s fruits, vegetables and nuts. As beekeepers around the country are seeing, the bee population is declining and the price of honey is going up because of it. Fortunately, the FAO is doing its part to combat the problem with several initiatives, such as finding more climate-resistant bee species and encouraging farmers to use more native pollinators. Meanwhile, Minnesota is making a step in the right direction by limiting the use of some pesticides that have been linked to harming bees. The state’s governor recently ordered that farmers must prove they have a "real" threat of crop loss before using certain pesticides, which include neonicotinoids. This is the first time that a state has imposed such restrictions, according to Reuters. Starting Beekeeping in Minnesota When you start beekeeping in Minnesota, you will need to be aware of the state’s regulations. This includes how to obtain a permit, where you can keep the bees and how to handle them once they have been introduced to your property. You will also need to be familiar with how to properly maintain your bees and hive. This will include making sure that the queen is healthy and laying good eggs, that the bees are foraging properly, and that there are no signs of disease. To ensure the best possible bee health, you should take the time to inspect your hive frequently. This will allow you to identify the ages of fresh eggs, brood development, expansion of the queen’s comb, pollen stores and a variety of other indicators. The most common reason for a beginner’s first loss of a bee colony is to the parasitic mite, varroa (the mites caused the varroa-induced virus collapse in many beginning colonies). You will need to monitor your hive regularly for signs of varroa, treat the hive with a specialized varroa treatment product, and remove all frames containing varroa from the hive. Another common cause of bee colony losses is to the disease American Foulbrood. This is a highly contagious bacterial infection that can spread to neighboring hives and can lead to the death of the entire colony. As a new beekeeper, you will need to find a reliable supplier of honey and other natural bee food products that are suitable for your environment. This will help you to reduce the number of pesticides and other chemicals used in your beekeeping operations, as well as ensure that your bees are getting the best possible nutrition. Once you’ve found a supplier, you can then order the supplies that you need to get started. This includes a hive, protective clothing, a smoker, and other equipment. You can find a variety of beekeeping supplies on sale in Minneapolis. You will also find plenty of beekeeping clubs and organizations that can help you learn more about the bees, and how to properly care for them. Resources for Beekeepers in Minnesota Whether you're a small-scale hobbyist or a commercial beekeeper, there are many resources available to help you be successful. These include information on beekeeping, laws and regulations, and other helpful resources. Minnesota's climate and its impact on beekeeping vary by region, so it's important to explore your area's conditions prior to setting up an apiary. Local beekeeping organizations are a great resource for this information. Beekeepers should choose hives that are located on land that provides year-round access to forage sources, as well as good pollinator habitat. These areas are likely to have a mix of landscape plants such as clover, trees and grasses. Water is also an important consideration when selecting sites for apiaries, as it is essential to bee health and colony development. During periods of drought, supplemental feeding may be needed, especially during the summer months when a lack of floral resources can create stress on bees. In addition, bees are sensitive to pesticides, and any exposure to these chemicals can impact their health. Beekeepers should make sure that they understand the risks associated with using pesticides and take measures to minimize these risks. It is also important for beekeepers to consider the use of miticides and other chemical treatments as part of their overall hive management strategy. These are often used to control Varroa mites and other pests, and can be effective if applied correctly. When treating bees for mites, beekeepers should always follow the label directions. There are several options for miticides including thymol, oxalic acid and amitraz (formamidine). A beekeeper should also be aware of the potential for swarming in their area. Swarms are natural behavior for honey bees and occur when colonies exceed their hive capacity. During this period, the queen may leave the hive with a portion of the bees in order to find a new home. A swarm can be an opportunity to expand your apiary, but can also be a disaster. If you're experiencing a swarm, be sure to contact your local beekeeping organization to learn about resources for removing swarms. If a swarm is not removed, it can cause the colony to become infested with varroa mites and other diseases. Unlike in the city of St. Paul, beekeepers in Minneapolis are not required to obtain a permit. However, beekeeping is an increasingly popular hobby and is encouraged by the city's efforts to make its city property more pollinator-friendly. Using the latest technology, beekeepers are helping to solve the colony collapse disorder by studying bees and their colonies. If you are interested in getting a permit, the first step is contacting the Minnesota Hobby Beekeepers Association. A beekeeper in Minneapolis can apply for a permit, which allows them to keep bees on their property. If the permit is granted, the city will inspect the beekeeper's location and the method of notification. In the city of St. Paul, beekeeping is legal in zoning areas, but it is not allowed in residential zones. If you rent, you'll have to get permission from the owner of the property, as the city has a ban on beekeeping. The City of Minneapolis has not addressed beekeeping, but there are several exceptions. One of them is Inver Grove Heights. This small, rural town has a density of more than 200,000 people. Similarly, the city of St. Paul Park and Maplewood have no laws regarding beekeeping. As a result, it's difficult to determine the legality of beekeeping in the city. Inver Grove Heights has no specific beekeeping ordinance, but does allow beekeeping in the city. Invergrove Heights' municipal ordinance does not address beekeeping, but it does prohibit it on residential property. Nevertheless, there are similar laws in Maplewood and St. Paul Park, which may be a reason to limit the number of beekeepers in the city. Nonetheless, a beekeeper can expect to pay a high amount of taxes if they choose to start their apiary in such a city. An article in the Minneapolis Star-Tribune reported that the City of Inver Grove Heights does not have a beekeeping ordinance. The city has a similar ordinance in St. Paul Park. The University of Minnesota Extension Bulletin states that "Beekeeping in Minnesota is a minor industry that has a direct impact on agriculture and the local community." The article also listed several recipes that contain beekeeping honey in Invergrove Heights. The city of Inver Grove Heights is one of the few Minnesota cities to permit beekeeping, according to the University of Minnesota Bee Lab. A similar law in nearby Maplewood does not address beekeeping, but it does permit it in a zone that does. Those who are willing to follow the rules, however, are urged to seek legal counsel and follow state and local regulations. For example, a city's beekeeping ordinance may prohibit beekeeping in a densely populated area. Although beekeeping can be a fun and rewarding hobby, there are also some disadvantages. The practice of beekeeping is not as popular as some other hobbies, such as gardening. The Minnesota beekeeping ordinance is not very strict and will require beekeepers to follow the rules of the state. This is a definite plus, but it does have its limitations. If you are a newcomer to the hobby, the first step is to find a suitable place to set up your hives.