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Insulating a Beehive
Since 1852, when Rev. Langstroth unveiled his movable frame hive, beekeepers have seen few changes to the original design. Wooden hives are popular for a number of reasons: it’s simple design allows for various configurations to meet the beekeeper’s needs, all-the-while providing an adequate shelter for the honeybees. One drawback for those hives made from…
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Robbing
Anyone who has witnessed an epic battle between honey bees at the entrance to a beehive understands the seriousness: it is intense! What is happening, and why? What are consequences – to the attacker and to the attacked? Does this behavior require intervention from the beekeeper? Most environments will experience nectar dearths – times of…
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Beehive Sensors – Technology Overview, part 1
In a previous article, I evaluated the concept of a “smart hive” and the benefits we, as beekeepers, could possibly gain by using the technology. In this article I provide an overview of my initial implementation of this concept. There are several products currently being marketed that provide off-the-shelf technology for a connected beehive. (This…
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Beekeeping Calendar
A beekeeping calendar provides the beekeeper with a planning and information tool: activities to consider in an effort to maintain a thriving apiary and when to watch for pests and diseases plus blooming plants and trees. Those of us lucky enough to live in Oklahoma understand our weather is another factor that must be considered:…
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Winterizing Your Beehive
Preparation for winter (“overwintering“) and winter management is critical to the survival of honey bee colonies. As a beekeeper, your apiary management strategy should be to help bees stay healthy, lessen the burden of winter feeding and reduce winter losses. The best-managed hives are ready for winter well ahead of the first frost in fall.…
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Integrated Pest Management
Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is an “effective and environmentally sensitive approach to pest management that relies on a combination of common-sense practices. IPM programs use current, comprehensive information on the life cycles of pests and their interaction with the environment. This information, in combination with available pest control methods, is used to manage pest damage…