Caldwell County Agline

What should beekeepers do to prepare for a hurricane?  First, move bees from low-lying areas particularly those prone to flooding. Second, make sure they are on sturdy hive stands that are not top heavy or prone to tipping--they will go over with heavy wind. Third, it would be helpful to tie the entire hive together with twine, rope, or a strap, particularly so that the lid doesn't blow off. A heavy brick or cement block can help, but a strap would be best. Finally, place an entrance reducer in the hive entrance to minimize water being blown inside the hive, but be sure to allow for proper ventilation for the bees particularly if the weather is still warm.

While the above is fairly intuitive for most beekeepers, what happens following a hurricane can be as important. Specifically, mosquito abatement programs are common after big storms, and insecticide spraying can pose a real danger to bees. To reduce the risk from spraying, register your hives with the NCDA&CS (www.ncagr.gov/plantindustry/plant/apiary/index.htm). Registration is voluntary, but they can only contact those beekeepers that they know. Second, we have a comprehensive web site devoted to recommendations for protection of bees from pesticide spraying (our web server is currently down, but if you go to our homepage entomology.ncsu.edu/apiculture, click on the 'Extension' then 'Information & FAQ' links, you will see the 'Pesticide spraying' link that will lead you to it). Much of the same information can be found in the current Ag Chemicals Manual.

The small hive beetle is a problem for beekeepers in western NC.  This month's issue of  the Agricultural Research magazine has a soultion.  It uses the beetle's own biology to bring its demise.  To read more on this new techology go to "A Trap for the Small Hive Beetle",  for more beekeeping info visit the NC State's Apiculture homepage.