Recent Posts

1

Any and Every Thing / Re: Mosquito Massacre Bucket Challenge

« Last post by Bakersdozen on June 25, 2025, 10:07:44 am »

I wondered the same. I have #8 on hand for closing off entrances to hives. The dunks are supposed to be safe for honey bees, dogs, etc. because the key ingredient is Bti.  I have several non-food grade buckets around but no lids.
I couldn't even water my tomatoes last night without being bit several times.

2

Any and Every Thing / Re: Mosquito Massacre Bucket Challenge

« Last post by The15thMember on June 24, 2025, 01:47:09 pm »

Well, #8 is what I call "honey bee fence".  So that would keep out honeys and any bees or other bugs bigger than that.  The question is, can it be smaller than that?  How small can it be that mosquitos will freely fly through it?  Because I'd want to keep as many other insects out of it as possible, so the smallest size that would let easily mosquitos through would be what I'd want.  I don't know if #10 or #12 hardware cloth would work.  I also don't know if you can find the smaller sizes locally.  I only have one hardware store in my area that carries #8.     

3

Any and Every Thing / Mosquito Massacre Bucket Challenge

« Last post by Bakersdozen on June 24, 2025, 12:01:48 pm »

In our area we have a company called Mosquito Joe. If you have them in your area you will know about them and that their backyard fog kills indiscriminately.
Here is a better solution.
https://homegrownnationalpark.org/mosquito-bucket-challenge/
If using hardware cloth to cover the bucket, any suggestions on what size? We want to keep the bees out but let the mosquitos in.
It's a simple idea that anyone can do.

4

Bees and Kids / Re: Pollinator Week Celebration

« Last post by The15thMember on June 22, 2025, 07:31:13 pm »

Technically it is not a heat stroke unless you lose consciousness. But I was on my way! 

5

Bees and Kids / Re: Pollinator Week Celebration

« Last post by Bakersdozen on June 22, 2025, 06:27:54 pm »

Wow! Doesn't that describe heat stroke?
It can hit you before you know what's going on.

6

Bees and Kids / Re: Pollinator Week Celebration

« Last post by The15thMember on June 22, 2025, 06:05:12 pm »

It's always miserable when it's hot out and you just have to power through.  I was close to heat exhaustion one day last summer when I was working in the bee yard.  I started to feel light-headed, and my body stopped sweating.  It was no fun.  I'm much more proactive about my hydration now if I know it's going to be hot out. 

7

Bees and Kids / Pollinator Week Celebration

« Last post by Bakersdozen on June 21, 2025, 12:43:21 pm »

We spent a HOT day promoting Honey bees at a local event promoting pollinators, nature, and a healthy planet. In total there were over 600 attendees. The majority were bus loads of elementary grade students. It's always fun, but a challenging time. Because of the heat, my grandson, age 15, got sick about an hour after we started. He has helped me for the last 3-4 years. My husband was absolutely miserable and cranky. He has health issues. The pace and large groups challenged me. Several times I got light headed and struggled to speak loudly. We left an hour before the end after the last school bus went through. Some of the children were red faced and miserable too.
I need a new game plan for next time.

These pictures were taken early in the day.

https://ibb.co/wFF18023
https://ibb.co/0Vt4WrmJ
https://ibb.co/sp2VTG0z
https://ibb.co/ks3KKHK4
https://ibb.co/Gr1M7tg

8

Bee News / Apiary Inspectors of America Beekeeping Survey 2024-2025

« Last post by Bakersdozen on June 20, 2025, 06:44:23 am »

https://apiaryinspectors.org/US-beekeeping-survey-24-25?fbclid=IwY2xjawLCGTVleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFaR3p0SUJtS1V5bWxkelhsAR5Ccu10Y1LCzCnQZ9fgpwRaI7c5uTDngFa5aRMiczqpuoi_4Me24yqVd01tXw_aem_cceHudnv8IJGstME-1uiLA

Results reveal a loss of 55.6% with commercial beekeepers being hit the hardest.

9

Honey, Bee Forage; Nectar & Pollen Sources / Program to evaluate forage surrounding your apiary

« Last post by Bakersdozen on June 02, 2025, 10:14:13 pm »

https://pollinators.psu.edu/bee-health/beescape#Tools,-Graphs-&-Features-71333
Penn State College of Agriculture developed Beescape to help beekeepers, gardeners, etc. assess the value of their surrounding landscape. The program works on a computer or your phone. There is no app to download. By entering the address of the apiary you can see up to a 5 mile radius on a map. There is also a breakdown, by percentage, agricultural use, water, forest, etc. There is also another chart to breakdown the quality of floral sources by seasons. It's pretty cool.

10

Bee News / Re: Having a bad day

« Last post by iddee on May 31, 2025, 04:48:59 pm »

Yep, funny how a dumb reporter will write about something he knows nothing about without questioning the garbage he receives. A truck will hold approx. 500 hives, not 7000 as one article stated. 500 hives at a strong 50,000 is 25 million, not 250 million.