Register with Jackson County Vector Control to protect your bees from aerosol spraying for mosquitoes if you live in Jackson County. This is an important step for beekeepers within city limits as well as those out in the county. To register, call 541-826-2199 or use the Contact Us page on the […]
Contributed by Ellen Wright It seems that whenever a community discusses urban beekeeping, the overriding concern is the fear of being stung by a bee, and the possibility that the sting might be deadly. The data on the true risk of a deadly allergic reaction to an insect bite gives overwhelming […]
Contributed by Dewey Caron This has been a mild, dry winter for our bees. Let’s hope it continues [BUT we had a saying in Vermont, my birth state, ‘When March comes in like a Lamb it goes out like a Lion!’ ]. With this mild weather, I am sure most […]
There are a number of efforts underway to help restore the pollen and nectar smorgasbord that bees require.
Contributed by Dr. Dewey Caron It was great news to hear of the State Tax Court victory for bees in Jackson County. SOBA president John Jacob, whose apiary was the one in question on LeRoy & Nancy Whedes’ Rogue River property, called the decision “…. good for beekeepers, pollinators, landowners, […]
In our November meeting, John mentioned that he has been concerned that we may be breeding resilience out of our bees. In particular he mentioned that breeding to reduce the amount of propolis that bees collect may be a mistake. One of the speakers at the 2014 Oregon State Beekeepers […]
Karessa Torgerson spoke at our December 8th meeting outlining the five most common beekeeper mistakes. Karessa is owner of Apicurious (www.api-curious.com), an EAS Master Beekeeper, co-founder of Nectar Bee Supply (www.shonnards.com/beekeeping), and board member of Tree Hive Bees (www.treehivebees.com). She serves on the Oregon Master Beekeeper committee and teaches and […]
Honeybees, Jackson County, and the Oregon Department of Revenue: A Saga Contributed by SOBA President John Jacob of Old Sol Bees Honeybees are the backbone of our modern agricultural economy. Essential pollination services are provided to growers of key cash crops such as nuts, berries, tree fruits, and innumerable seed […]
Contributed by Dewey Caron How much surplus honey have your bees stored this year? Our active storage season is over or about over by this time. I hope you are thinking about exhibiting your honey in the State Fair Honey Show (deadline online August 7th). At the very least plan […]
contributed by Dr. Dewey M. Caron The middle week of June is our set aside for special recognition of pollinators. Governor Kitzhaber has proclaimed the middle week of June 16th to 21st as Oregon Pollinator Week. Several events are planned to recognize honey bees including a queen rearing course in […]
An unprecedented and devastating bee kill occurred this past month at the end of the almond bloom. Affected beekeepers, the Pollinator Stewardship Council (info@pollinatorstewardship.org) and the American Beekeeping Federation (www.abfnet.org), plus representatives of EPA, met Monday, March 24 in Los Banos, California to discuss the pollinator losses. 75 beekeepers attended […]
Contributed by Dewey M. Caron Beekeeper interest in Treatment-Free beekeeping has never been stronger. Electing not to treat bees or seeking to move toward treatment free is a possible option in our colony stewardship. Bee colonies in the wild experience heavy losses. Our hives, with mites, viruses and other “issues,” […]
