Valley Beekeeping Supplies

The provided text details the practical advantages of using screened bottom boards as a central tool for honey bee health and pest management. Author Ron St. Louis argues that these boards facilitate mite monitoring and improve hive ventilation while requiring minimal maintenance time. The source outlines a step-by-step process for using sticky trays to track Varroa mite levels, allowing beekeepers…

Before touching anything, find your laying queen to confirm she's in the hive. Destroying swarm cells without her presence can doom the colony. If she's gone, these cells are their only hope for a new queen. Always find her first! #Beekeeping #QueenBee #SwarmControl #HiveManagement #ProtectYourBees #honeybees #valleybeekeeping http://www.valleybeekeeping.com

A new provincial guide titled "Essential Practices for Ontario Beekeepers" has been developed through a partnership between government, academic, and industry experts. This publication establishes foundational management standards to address the rise of unreliable online advice and the risks associated with treatment-free beekeeping. Because honey bees interact with nearby colonies, the document promotes a community health approach to ensure one…

Managing your apiary's health in Ontario just got a new layer of complexity. You can no longer buy preventative antibiotics over the counter. A prescription is now required, and that means establishing a vet-client-patient relationship (VCPR). This video breaks down the 4 essential parts of a VCPR portfolio you need to present to your veterinarian to secure the treatments your…

This text explores economical methods for beekeeping enthusiasts to move developing queen cells without relying on expensive commercial equipment. Researchers from the University of Guelph tested various household items, such as coolers and hot water bottles, to find a budget-friendly way to maintain necessary temperatures during travel. The study reveals that these low-cost alternatives perform nearly as well as professional…

Tired of online beekeeping advice? Rely on science, not guesswork. This integrated pest management plan ensures effective mite control and prevents resistance through strategic chemical rotation. Protect your hive with proven methods. #Beekeeping #PestManagement #Honeybees #Apiary #SustainableFarming #ScienceInAction #honeybees #valleybeekeeping http://www.valleybeekeeping.com

This source explains that honey bee swarms occur as a natural reproductive process when a colony outgrows its hive, resulting in the queen and half the population seeking a new location. While the media often portrays these clusters as dangerous, the text emphasizes that swarming bees are actually quite docile and focused solely on relocation. Beekeepers are encouraged to prevent…

Want healthier bees and a stronger hive? Learn about the strategic brood break. It's a game-changer for managing Varroa mites and even helps you raise new queens and preserve local bee genetics. #beekeeping #beehives #VarroaMites #QueenRearing #NucBox #Apiculture #honeybees #valleybeekeeping http://www.valleybeekeeping.com

Beginning in late 2018, Ontario beekeepers are required to establish a formal professional relationship with a veterinarian to obtain prescriptions for antibiotic treatments. This new regulatory framework ensures that medication is used responsibly to prevent American foul brood, a destructive honey bee disease. To satisfy these requirements, apiarists must provide documentation regarding their colony registration, production goals, and standard operating…

Beekeepers, beware of American Foulbrood (AFB) – the most destructive bacterial disease for honeybee larvae. Its spores are incredibly tough, surviving over 35 years in equipment, honey, or soil. It's a silent threat waiting to infect new larvae. #Beekeeping #AmericanFoulbrood #BeeDisease #Apiculture #Honeybees #honeybees #valleybeekeeping http://www.valleybeekeeping.com