Bush #bee #hives are dying & #beekeepers challenged as #treatment-resistant #varroa mites spread.

#Genetic #testing has confirmed that some of the #parasites are #mutating.

Beekeepers are being urged to rotate chemical treatments to slow the pace of resistance. #auspol #apiarists

https://www.abc.net.au/news/rural/2026-03-04/varroa-mite-treatment-chemical-resistance-bees/106409956

#Apiary

One for the #Apiarists here.

For many years we have had a bee colony living in our roof space, entering and leaving via the soffits. They are Irish bees (very dark body colour - almost black).

They have never caused us any problems so we've let them be(e). We also feel that more isolated colonies like this may help to preserve the native bees as they are less likely to get mite and diseases that can easily wipe out many hives that are in close proximity to one another.

We are in the process of tidying the loft and so have finally managed to see the nest from the inside. It's quite beautiful.

A question: What is the acorn-like structure in the second picture? It is quite separate from the nest so may not be bee-related at all. I wondered if it was a queen cell, but it looks the wrong shape.

#Mastodaoine

Any #BeeKeepers out there with tips to get foam out of #honey when heating it for de-crystalization?

#apiary #Apiarists

grocery shopping for #honey … three dollar bottle … five dollars … hmm … FORTY DOLLARS!

Any intel on this? Is this the best honey on Earth? Is it sustainably produced in amazing ways? I’ve never seen this before. Genuinely curious.

Anyway I bought a six dollar bottle of local honey.

#NewZealand #BeeKeeping #Apiarists