April 2026

Commercial beekeepers, pay attention. Your approach to managing colony health is changing due to new federal antibiotic regulations. We'll break down what this means for your operation and ensure your apiary is ready. #Beekeeping #ApiaryManagement #AntibioticRegulations #ColonyHealth #CommercialBeekeeping #honeybees #valleybeekeeping http://www.valleybeekeeping.com

American Foulbrood (AFB) is a highly destructive bacterial disease caused by Paenibacillus larvae, which primarily targets and liquifies honey bee larvae. The pathogen is particularly dangerous because it produces resilient spores that can remain infectious for decades and survive extreme environmental conditions. Beekeepers identify the infection through physical signs such as sunken hive cappings, a "ropey" larval consistency, and dark…

Finding your queen bee can be tough, but a dab of paint makes her stand out. This simple color code, based on the year she's born, helps beekeepers track leadership and hive health. Always use water-based, non-toxic markers to keep her safe! #Beekeeping #QueenBee #Honeybees #Insects #Agriculture #Nature #honeybees #valleybeekeeping http://www.valleybeekeeping.com

Expert Les Eccles identifies weather conditions, pesticides, import standards, and hive management as the primary drivers behind significant honey bee queen failures. Excessive rainfall and poor flight conditions frequently prevent queens from mating effectively, leading to low sperm counts and the development of unproductive drone-laying colonies. The text emphasizes that chemical exposure further complicates queen health, often necessitating the expensive…