Won't You Teach Some Bee Love?

We are really on a winning streak with our speakers.  Dr. Becky Masterman from the U of M joined us on October 20 for a super informative and lively conversation.  

Becky manages the UMN Bee Squad http://beelab.umn.edu/BeeSquad/.  The Bee Squad provides education for hobby beekeepers and programming for people and organizations that want to support bees.

The Magic Equation

Becky has heard from many people who want to support bees but not be beekeepers, maybe public attitude is shifting as people finally realize that pollinators are responsible for 1 in 3 bites of our food.

 So it really is up to people like us to educate others about bees.

Increasing Public Concern

+

Increase in Beekeeping

=

Opportunity to Educate the Public and Help Beekeepers

The next important area of education is this: 

All you have to do is ask Bob Sitko, our Master Swarm Catcher Coordinator about Bee and Wasp confusion.  Bob received 72 bee swarm calls this summer and 3 times this amount for wasps.  For Bobs sake!  Let folks know the difference!  Print this photo and carry on your person!

Wasp Facts:  

Wasps eat other insects, so can be considered beneficial.

Wasps will be gone after 2 hard frosts.

Wasps will be interested in your sugary drinks in the fall, when they need food.  Consider drinking water.

Remember this?

On one day in September 2013 in Minneapolis, three bee colonies within 1 mile of each other   showed signs of a pesticide kill.  The UMN Bee Lab and Bee Squad with the MDA collected samples from each colony and found that Fipronil, which is highly toxic to bees, was found in all samples.  http://npic.orst.edu/factsheets/fipronil.html#wildlife.  

Since 2006, 30% of commercial honey bee colonies die annually.  For the hobby beekeeper, it's more grim...47% losses were reported in 2013.  These numbers are from an overwintering loss survey.  Please take part in this very important survey at http://beeinformed.org.  ATTENTION BEEKEEPERS:  Take notes and keep records from your beekeeping.  The Bee Lab can use this data, and the more data the better.

In a nutshell....the problem is the 4 P's.

Pathogens

Parasites

Poor Nutrition

Pesticides

Marla's Big Bee Bummer

If you haven't seen Marla Spivaks TED talk, watch and share.  If you have seen it, watch again!

Other Random Things from Meeting

• Bees really like full sun.  The Bee Squad's Minneapolis rooftop hives all made it through the winter.
• The Bee Squad is tending bees on the Town and Country Golf Course.  They are thriving and the golfers are really into it.
• Becky is a big fan of formic acid.
• Change out your foundation at least every couple of years.  Wax and pollen hold LOTS of pesticides.
• AND WHO KNEW THIS???  Don't use organic sugar to feed your bees!  Organic sugar is not refined, and the bees can't break it down.  Everyone can learn something new at bee club!

Until next month.....