Navigating Almond Pollination and Preparing for the Varroa Mite Challenge

Hello, fellow bee enthusiasts! It's Mark, The Bush Bee Man, here again. I'm excited to share with you our latest adventure into the world of almond pollination, the largest movement of livestock in Australia. It's that time of the year again when the sun is shining, the bees are buzzing, and we're all running wild with excitement.

Almond Pollination: A Dance with Nature

Almond pollination is a fascinating process. However, it has its challenges. As soon as we unload our buzzing ladies, the weather often turns for the worse. But hey, that's just part of the job, right?

Varroa Mites: The Unwelcome uests

In the midst of all this, we're also preparing for the arrival of some unwelcome guests: varroa mites. These tiny pests pose a significant threat to our bees. Through my research, I've found that one of the most effective ways to treat them is to reduce or eliminate brood production. However, achieving a complete brood break in South Australia's climate is a challenge.

A Tale of Two Sites

To explore this further, I decided to compare two of our sites: a cold winter site and a warm winter site. The goal was to see if the colder site would naturally slow brood production, giving us an advantage in managing the mites. However, the results were not as expected. Both sites had significant brood production, and the colder site even had fewer frames of bees ready for almond pollination.

The Future of Beekeeping

The future of beekeeping is uncertain, especially with the arrival of varroa mites. The cost of managing these pests could significantly increase, impacting both commercial and backyard beekeepers. However, it's crucial that we all work together to navigate these challenges. After all, we share a common love for beekeeping.

In the end, we're all just trying to navigate this complex world of beekeeping. Whether you're a commercial beekeeper or a backyard enthusiast, we're all in this together. So, let's continue to learn, adapt, and grow together in this incredible beekeeping journey.