Hi this is Episode fifty eight of our beekeeping podcast, This week we are talking about wasps, Chinese beekeeping and swarms.
You can download the podcast directly HERE, or click on the play button above. Feel free to share it with your friends.
Welcome To the kiwimana buzz…
Hi, it’s Gary and Margaret here, We are beekeepers from the hills of the Waitakere Ranges in West Auckland, New Zealand. Our podcast is about beekeeping, Gardening and bit of politics about environmental issues. We also have been known to go off on tangents about other issues.
What’s happening at kiwimana
Gary
Catching our first swarms
Building Gear
TPPA protests this weekend on 8 November, some great info about the TPPA HERE
I was interviewed on the Treatment Free Beekeeping podcast, you can listen that show HERE
Margaret
Building Beginner kits, getting ready to fill them with bees.
Busy doing American Foul Brood (AFB) Checks for customers. You can book us HERE
Surprisingly simple reason millions of bees are dying
A report from the Washington post about bee decline and the possible cause being “neonicotinoids”. We are talking to Tom Theobald this weekend, a long time campaigner against this class of pesticide.
It was one of those mysteries no one cracked for years but gripped many: What’s killing all the bees? In Brevard County, Fla., nearly 12 million bees expired in 2011 in a great dying of almost biblical proportions. Then came news last year that 37 million bees – 37 million – had died that month at a Canadian beekeeping operation.
A study in France has confirmed what beekeepers already know that varroa mites spread diseases around a hive. This is causing diseases like deformed wing virus to be spread much quicker.
A PhD student, Fanny Mondet from the University’s Zoology Department and Avignon University in France, investigated the effect of the varroa parasite as it spread south after its arrival in New Zealand more than 10 years ago.
A great article about the massive amount of wasps that are taking over the environment in some areas of New Zealand. Scientists and researchers are working on solutions to kill the wasps in their nests using mites and toxins. Let’s hope these are bee safe?
German Wasp
A wasp attack on a single person can be deadly. But the invasive pests are also taking a much wider toll. The memory Janet Kelland retains of a wasp attack is the sensation of being on fire. “I was burning up,” recalled Kelland, a Taumarunui sheep farmer.
New, all-natural pesticide unveiled by scientists – and it won’t kill the bees!
News from the UK about a potentially safe pesticide made from spider venom which could be an alternative to neonicotinoids.
Good news on the honeybee front – a team of scientists in the UK have created a biopesticide made from spider venom and plant protein that may provide hope for the endangered pollinators. A study published in the research journal Proceedings of the Royal Societystates that the experimental, nontoxic biopesticide Hv1a/GNA is “unlikely to cause detrimental effects on honeybees.”
Bee aware – Central Otago beekeepers are giving nature and bees a hand
A good story from Mary-Jo Tohill about beekeeping in Central Otago with some great bee facts. Did you know that bees add $5.1 billion dollars to the New Zealand economy.
Photo courtesy of MARY-JO TOHILL/FairfaxCentral Otago beekeepers are giving nature and bees a hand. In the spring, beekeepers like Michael Vercoe of Alexandra are kept even busier than usual, putting hives out in Central Otago orchards to pollinate fruit blossom.
We answer questions from you guys about your bees or beekeeping.
We are finding that our bees are laying on top of the frames, so when we take the top super off it is usually stuck to the super below with larvae etc. Is this normal or are we doing something wrong. Thanks …Deb
What sort of quantity of AFB is there in this area and is it a significant problem in waitakere. What are the chances of it getting it within the coming year or two?…Chris
If you have a question, email [email protected] and we team will do our best to answer it.
Gary’s Video – Sunday Morning at kiwimana
Blog Post Coming Soon
We talked to a Cliff Van Eaton about his new book “Manuka The biography of an extraordinary honey” and Manuka honey. You can receive a 15% discount on his latest book by visiting:- www.exislepublishing.co.nz and type ‘kiwimana’ into the coupon code at the checkout.
We chat with Randy Oliver from California
Feedback from you guys!!!
The Bees Nees – Ink’s First Little One – 5 Stars – Great Britain
I would highly recommend this Podcast to all beekeepers. The format is very good and relaxed, in true Kiwi style! Gary and Margaret have covered a wide range of topics which will interest the novice and also more experienced beekeeper. I like the format, especially the slot about new bee news items and always enjoy hearing what is going on with the hives at Kiwimana HQ. The presenters have a good sense of humor and Margaret’s little tangents off piste” are amusing. They have interviewed some very interesting international guests but also local new beekeepers – Saturday, 4 October 2014
Love podcast – Bob02771 – 5 Stars – United States of America
I am a regular listener and look forward to new episodes. I enjoy all the guests. I like how Gary and Margaret pronounce the letter Z” Zed – Sunday, 12 October 2014
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Gary Fawcett
Gary is the web designer and chief Propeller-head at kiwimana. He enjoys designing products which solve problems and is passionate about saving the Bees and encouraging urban beekeeping. Gary loves to write about issues that affect the Bees and our environment. He is one of the hosts of the kiwimana buzz Beekeeping podcast.
2 thoughts on “Swarms Coming Out of Our Ears – KM058”
Beekeepers tend hundreds of hives work on a cliff side in Shennongjia nature reserve, Hubei province, China
That’s a big one for sure!
She she was, she has already filled a few boxes this season…Gary