Beekeeping takes a lot of training and mentorship. In many states, the place to learn the finer points of this trade is in state Master Beekeeper programs. We hear about the Oregon program through its annual field day. Oregon Master Beekeeper Program web page
The northern giant hornet was detected in British Columbia and Washington in 2019. This publication outlines the identification, life cycle, and predatory habits of the northern giant hornet (Vespa mandarinia) for ...
Ellen Topitzhofer, Chris Hedstrom, Priyadarshini Chakrabarti Basu, Andony Melathopoulos, Silvia I. Rondon, Gail Langellotto, Ramesh Sagili |
Sep 2022 |
Extension Catalog publicationPeer reviewed (Orange level)
Growers of specialty seeds in western Oregon rely on beekeepers to provide bees to pollinate their crops. Growers and beekeepers formed a Bee Protection Protocol to strengthen their mutually beneficial relationship. ...
Success in pollination, honey production and other aspects of a beekeeping business depends on honey bee health. Strong, thriving colonies require many inputs from the beekeeper, including feed (carbohydrates and protein), medications and new queens when necessary.
Ellen Topitzhofer, Carolyn Breece, Dan Wyns, Ramesh Sagili |
May 2020 |
Extension Catalog publicationPeer reviewed (Orange level)
Woodenware for a typical honey bee colony includes vertically stackable boxes with removable frames, a bottom board, lid and a queen excluder. The most common design is Langstroth equipment. Langstroth colony ...
Ellen Topitzhofer, Carolyn Breece, Dan Wyns, Ramesh Sagili |
May 2020 |
Extension Catalog publicationPeer reviewed (Orange level)
When developing a business plan for a commercial beekeeping operation, a beekeeper must plan for honey production. Even if other income sources, such as pollination or nucleus/package/queen sales, are expected to be ...
Ellen Topitzhofer, Carolyn Breece, Dan Wyns, Ramesh Sagili |
May 2020 |
Extension Catalog publicationPeer reviewed (Orange level)
Pollination services and honey production are the primary revenue sources for a beekeeping business based in the Pacific Northwest. Those starting a beekeeping operation should focus on two to three revenue sources ...
Ellen Topitzhofer, Carolyn Breece, Dan Wyns, Ramesh Sagili |
May 2020 |
Extension Catalog publicationPeer reviewed (Orange level)
Dr. Ramesh Sagili, Associate Professor-Apiculture at Oregon State University. He works with stakeholders in the bee industry, the public through Extension, and students to help create a healthy and sustainable environment for bees. ...
This publication gives beekeepers a brief overview of yellowjacket wasps, a common threat to honey bee colonies. Included are details about yellowjacket identification, life cycle, and behavior. It also offers ...
This publication outlines guidelines for best practices for beekeeping in residential areas. It outlines the steps residential beekeepers can take to operate their bees in nuisance-free manner.
Andony Melathopoulos, Ralph (Mike) Rodia, Jennifer Larsen, Ramesh Sagili |
Feb 2018 |
Extension Catalog publicationPeer reviewed (Orange level)
The small hive beetle is an invasive and damaging pest of honey bee colonies. This card will help people identify the beetle and distinguish it and its larvae from similar-looking beetles and larvae.
Knowing the levels of Varroa mites in your apiary and understanding the effects of their presence will enable you to make an educated decision on your treatment plan. This video demonstrates two methods for ...
Knowing the levels of Nosema in your apiary and understanding the effects of its presence will enable you to make an educated decision on your treatment plan. In this video, we demonstrate how to process a ...
Ellen Topitzhofer, Carolyn Breece, Ramesh Sagili |
Jun 2016 |
Extension Catalog publicationPeer reviewed (Orange level)
Knowing the levels of tracheal mites in your apiary and understanding the effects of their presence will enable you to make an educated decision on your treatment plan. In this video, we demonstrate the dissection of a honey bee worker for tracheal mite infestation.
Ellen Topitzhofer, Carolyn Breece, Ramesh Sagili |
Jun 2016 |
Extension Catalog publicationPeer reviewed (Orange level)
Although no significant damage has been reported from this pest in Oregon and it is not clear whether this beetle can thrive in this state, the beetle has been a menace in many states and poses a threat ...
An overview of how a variety of wild and managed bees and their pollination activities are affected by pesticide application. Provides guidelines for how beekeepers, growers, and pesticide applicators can work ...
Louisa Hooven, Ramesh Sagili, Erik Johansen |
Mar 2016 |
Extension Catalog publicationPeer reviewed (Orange level)
An overview of mason bee basic biology and life cycle, and detailed descriptions of what is needed to start keeping mason bees, including desirable plants, nesting sites and types of nests, and caring for the ...
Brooke Edmunds, Richard Little, Ramesh Sagili |
Feb 2016 |
Extension Catalog publicationPeer reviewed (Orange level)
This publication describes how commercial and backyard beekeepers can minimize colony losses through such best management practices as establishing nucleus colonies, which can provide quick resolution for many beekeeping problems.
Ramesh Sagili, Carolyn Breece, Karessa Torgerson, Harry Vanderpool |
Oct 2015 |
Extension Catalog publicationPeer reviewed (Orange level)
In this publication, commercial growers who rent honey bees for pollination and beekeepers who provide pollination services will find information on honey bee colony strength evaluation, average number of colonies ...
A new study provides valuable insights into pollen abundance and diversity available to honeybee colonies employed in five major pollinator-dependent crops in Oregon and California.
Honeybee researchers in OSU’s College of Agricultural Sciences found detrimental effects in honeybees exposed to Transform and Sivanto, which are both registered for use in the United States and were developed to be more compatible with bee health.