We have been following your adventures of beekeeping for a while. You made us want to get into it. We haven't yet, but it is one of our goals. We have been prepping for them by planting more flowers and by choosing organic alternatives for keeping the bad bugs away from our garden. I'm sure we will have lots of questions for you when the time comes. Thanks for sharing!
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if you plan on Bees this spring, right now i would start treating the ground beneath where you are going to put your hives. The way I do this to buy the cheapest liquid laundry detergent at the family dollar. Mix one measurement of soap
(whatever that lid holds) to one gallon of water. I usually mix up 4 or 5 gallons at a time. drench the ground all around the hive site 18-24 inches out. Repeat this every other week when its dry and once a week if its rainy.
What this does is stop the brood cycle of the Small Hive Beetles (BAD NEWS) and will give you a head start combating them!! The soap goes into the ground and will not effect the grass or bees!
I was not aware of these small hive beetles. We will have to get a spot picked. What would be considered a good spot? We have open areas, wooded areas and a pond.
Great question!
First off, ask around and see if SHB are a problem in your area. Most likely they are. They like dark, damp, mulchy spots.
Put hives in the sun or a spot that gets partial sun.
Put their front door in a spot where their flight paths don't intersect with usual human walking paths.
If your in a colder climate, face the front door (bee entrance) south so they can benefit from the suns warmth on those cold days.
That's great info. From what I see online they are in our area. I think I may know of a good spot for them. I will keep you updated!