Start Beekeeping – Page 4 – Wise Beekeeping

Beekeeping in Oregon If you've ever wanted to start a hive of honeybees for beekeeping in Oregon, you may be surprised to learn that there are more than 500 species of native bees in Oregon. Many of these species may play a major role in the state's $6 billion agricultural industry, but you might be even more surprised to learn that not all of them are properly cataloged. Fortunately, the Oregon Bee Atlas was created to help increase our understanding of these insects. This project is part of the Oregon Bee Project, whose goals are to protect pollinators and increase habitat. Beekeeping in Oregon In Oregon, if you are considering starting a beekeeping business, you need to know what your bees need to thrive. While most beekeepers don't work on large industrial farms, others do so as a hobby. A beekeeper's job includes collecting resources, maintaining the hives, and harvesting honey and other produce. Beekeepers are responsible for the biodiversity of the state, and they may have other duties as well. The state's beekeepers association can provide assistance with disease control, marketing, legislation, and minor problems. It is affiliated with the American Honey Producers League. Bee inspectors are appointed by some counties, and the names of these individuals can be obtained from the Extension Service. Beekeepers in Oregon can contact these individuals for assistance. Taking the time to read up on a few facts on beekeeping is essential, and it will help you avoid problems later on. While honey bees produce a lot of honey, most Oregonians don't want to take the time to collect the nectar. In Oregon, there are also dozens of native species of bees. Although the native bees are generally short-tongued, the long-tongued honey bees have a longer tongue than their counterparts. The late-summer season is a prime time for honey bees to mate, and the most likely time for these to do so is after bee-attractive crops have finished blooming. Historically, people in the state have commented about the absence of honey bees in the territory. According to one story, a settler in the Oregon Territory was offered $500 for bringing two hives of live bees west across the Applegate Trail. This was in 1846. When winter hit, the wagons had not yet made it across the mountains, so the bees likely died of starvation, dysentery, or lack of ventilation. Beekeeping books Among the best beekeeping books for Oregon are those that teach the art and science of beekeeping. Some of the most popular beekeeping books for Oregon are Beekeeping for Dummies, Harvesting Honey and Other Bee Products, and The Way to Be a Beekeeper. All of these books offer step-by-step instructions and photos of queen bees, tools, and equipment. There are also several other helpful books for Oregon beekeepers, including those written by renowned beekeeper Laurence Packer. This book covers the history of beekeeping as well as bee biology. It is a good starter guide, but it does not cover all of the specialized aspects of beekeeping. The book is divided into six parts, which covers several topics. The book contains information on bee biology, how to choose a hive, and wintering and getting ready for spring. It also includes 10 fun things to do with bees, and a beekeeping dictionary. It even contains coupons for beekeeping supplies. The history of beekeeping and the types of bees you can raise in your backyard are provided in a Beekeeping book. Bees can be difficult to keep, so it's best to purchase one that covers the process of hive management in a step-by-step manner. There are several books available that will teach you everything you need to know about bees. For beginners, beekeeping books for Oregon will explain the history of beekeeping and the types of bees, mites, predators, and the cycle of hive growth and prosperity. Oregon is home to many migratory beekeepers, who take thousands of hives and transport them to blossoms all year round. Beekeepers must feed their hives throughout the year, including the winter. Buying a queen When you start your beekeeping adventure, you'll probably be wondering, "Where can I buy a queen?" First of all, don't buy a queen based on price. Queen bees can vary in price depending on location and breeding program. For example, breeder queens artificially inseminated with drone semen can cost hundreds of dollars, which is probably way beyond the budget of your average beekeeper. Instead, consider buying an open-mated queen from a reputable breeder. These open-mated queens have already mated with the drones in your area. Beekeepers in Oregon can buy a live queen in a variety of ways. Using a mail order service is an excellent option, but beware of scammers. Buying a live queen can be risky, and you may not be able to get a queen bee when you need one. You can order your queen bee from a local supplier, but be sure to ask about shipping and quarantine policies. To buy a queen in Oregon, you should check the colony for larvae at the proper age. Check for dark frames that have many well-fed larvae. Mark these frames for later recovery. Place them back in the hive. The youngest larvae are just bigger than an egg and curling upward. The most important thing to remember is that the queen is only useful during the summer when the bees are laying thousands of eggs a day. While bees can make queens on their own, some beekeepers prefer to introduce new genetics into their beeyard. This can lead to a healthier, more productive hive. It is also important to purchase a young queen. A healthy, productive colony requires a queen that is young and productive. You can also purchase an empty hive body if you have a lot of unused honey in the hive. Controlling swarming Swarming is a common problem among beekeepers. This is because the worker bees may be unaware that there is a queen in a cell and may hold her captive, or they may be destroying nectar or pollen. The workers may also be aware of the amount of pollen and nectar entering the hive, and this can cause the swarm impulse to decline. There are several ways to control swarming, depending on the primary goal. It's important to understand what triggers the swarm impulse and how to change it before the swarm erupts. One of the most effective methods involves rearranging combs and adding additional drawn comb. Another method involves reversing brood chambers. If the swarm impulse is triggered by empty drawn comb, the workers will remove the queen cell and continue to build brood comb. The first method is to feed the bees pollen. This method can be used when the swarming period is short. Feeding the bees in the spring is critical to building up an adequate colony. The goal is to have your bees at peak strength during the period of highest nectar flow, which is usually short in our area. A weak colony may not have the necessary energy to store nectar for the winter. The second method is to work with law enforcement and with the OSBA to determine how best to handle the swarming problem. If the swarm is caused by a skunk, the beekeeper should take appropriate measures to prevent the nuisance situation. If the swarm is caused by a skunk, the beekeeper must install a skunk exclusion device. After that, the beekeeper should evaluate the amount of defense the bee is capable of defending itself. Managing European foulbrood Managing European foulbrood for beestaking in Oregon means taking precautions to reduce its risk. The infection may be difficult to detect, but it does appear on combs. The best method is to use sugar syrup, which simulates nectar flow, to stimulate the production of new brood. The addition of this brood will create more opportunities for nurse bees to tend to the brood while the sick ones will be neglected. Consequently, the number of diseased larvae in the hive will decrease. Beekeepers may detect a sour or sulfurous smell when opening a hive. These odors may be caused by two types of foulbrood: American and European. The latter is a secondary infection that occurs in conjunction with Melissococcus plutonius. Despite the distinctive smell of each type, it can be difficult to differentiate between them. However, if you are able to recognize a specific odor, this may be indicative of either European foulbrood or American foulbrood. Another way to distinguish European foulbrood from American foulbrood is by performing a rope test. This involves sticking a twig into a brood cell, stirring up the contents, and removing it slowly. If the twig is ropey, it means that the larvae were killed by the bacteria in the cell. The dead larvae are then removed by adult sisters. If you suspect your bees of having European foulbrood, a test for it can be done easily. Vita offers a complete kit with everything you need for the test. This kit includes an extraction bottle, glycerin, and instructions. It costs around $13 for the kit, but you can buy a cheaper version online or from a local beekeeper.