(USDA/ARS) — Deformed Wing Virus (DWV), one of the leading causes of honey bee colony losses, is much more genetically diverse in the United States than previously thought, according to a study published by Agricultural Research Service (ARS) scientists in PLoS Biology. The diverse lineages of this virus are all equally bad for bees, and they make it more complicated to …
New Tool Improves Beekeepers’ Overwintering Odds and Bottom Line
TUCSON, ARIZONA (ARS – September 18, 2019) — A new tool from the Agricultural Research Service (ARS) can predict the odds that honey bee colonies overwintered in cold storage will be large enough to rent for almond pollination in February. Identifying which colonies will not be worth spending dollars to overwinter can improve beekeepers’ bottom line. Beekeepers have been losing …
Growing the Mexican Sunflower Attracts Pollinators
Cathy Isom has a few tips, as well as the importance of growing the Mexican Sunflower. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. The Mexican sunflower is an annual flower that has many names. It’s also known as the Bolivian sunflower, tree marigold, golden flower of the Incas, Japanese sunflower, and just Tithonia. Butterflies, bumblebees, hummingbirds, and other pollinators …
Home Remedies for Bee Stings
At one time or another, you will be stung by a bee. Cathy Isom gives you some home remedies for bee stings. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. The basics for treating any sting is to make sure you remove the stinger as quickly as possible. In most cases, you can use the edge of a credit card …
How to Build a Do-It-Yourself Bee House
Everyone know how important bees are for pollinating our plants. Cathy Isom checks out the bees living arrangements by letting you know how to build a do-it-yourself bee house. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. One way to help the honeybee population, or by simply bringing more pollinators into your yard, is not only growing things that will …
Growing Catnip for Your Furry Friends
Cathy Isom has covered a lot of plants for your garden. Today, she has a few reasons why you should be growing catnip for your furry friends. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Catnip is one of 250 species in the mint family. It’s known by many names, including Catswort, Catmint, Field Balm, and Nep, just to name …
Wasps are Beneficial Insects for Your Garden
No one likes to have them around their homestead, or farm. Cathy Isom discusses how wasps are beneficial in your garden. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Wasps have a bad wrap because their stings hurt. With the more than 30,000 species of wasps around the world there are 3 types of wasps that are most commonly encountered …
Which of the Five Common Breed of Honeybees is Best for You?
Cathy Isom has covered many different areas of raising and care of bees. In todays program, she tells you about five breed of honeybees, and a little about finding the common breed of honeybee that is right for you. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. When it comes to honeybees, there are more than just one species and …
Helping Defend Your Bees Against Bee Predators
Cathy Isom remains with her series on bees by giving you a few great tips about how to help defend your bees against bee predators. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. The way bees defend themselves is impressive, however, sometimes, they need our help against bee predators. Here are some ways to help give him a helping hand. …
How Bees Defend Themselves from Predators
In this part of her series on raising bees, Cathy Isom lets you know about how bees defend themselves. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Honeybees tend to take excellent care of themselves, however, unlike most animals we care for, we have very little control over what happens when a busy bee leaves its hive in pursuit of …