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Welcome to
THE BUZZ
What's the Buzz?
The Buzz is a beekeeping blog by Master Beekeeper, Christine McDonald.
Through these articles, I share my experiences and advice in a way that is concise and easy to understand. If you would like me to speak at an upcoming club meeting or event, you can learn more about my speaking engagements here. And if you've found this valuable and would like to buy me a cup of tea, you can do so here.
Bee well!
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Are beekeepers going bananas?
As fall rolls around, you may hear tell of beekeepers feeding over-ripe bananas to their bees. Many say that it helps with nutrition and...
rushingriverapiaries
Sep 27, 20232 min read
Deformed Wing Virus Case Study: A Cautionary Tale
Spotting deformed wings in a hive is one of the saddest and more worrisome things that can happen during a routine inspection. Spotting...
rushingriverapiaries
May 31, 20233 min read
Queen Cells in my Nuc!
Getting a nuc is exciting, whether you're a brand new beekeeper just starting out or a veteran expanding your apiary or replacing winter...
rushingriverapiaries
May 21, 20233 min read
Making Splits Q&A
Ahh, spring is in the air, the bees are flying, and holy &$^#@ is that a swarm cell already!? Making splits can help you grow your...
rushingriverapiaries
May 5, 20231 min read
To Flip or Not to Flip
Reversing boxes in the spring is a somewhat controversial move among beekeepers. In this article, I will explain the purpose of...
rushingriverapiaries
Apr 8, 20232 min read
Varroa Treatment Options
Chemical treatments for varroa mites are going to be a necessary part of mite management for most hives (unless extraordinary measures...
rushingriverapiaries
Mar 14, 20231 min read
Managing Varroa: Brood Breaks
Mites cannot reproduce in the absence of brood. Thus, allowing a brief brood break is an effective way to slow mite population growth in...
rushingriverapiaries
Feb 27, 20232 min read
Managing Varroa: Cultural Controls
Testing and treating for mites are essential. But beyond those essentials, there are a few actions that you can take to help slow the...
rushingriverapiaries
Feb 27, 20231 min read
Randy Oliver's Varroa Calculator
The varroa model that Randy Oliver has developed and graciously made available for beekeepers to use is truly brilliant. I found it both...
rushingriverapiaries
Feb 5, 20233 min read
Your Bee Equipment Order List
It's that time of year! Time to start preparing for the bee season ahead. Bees don't tend to wait around for their keepers to catch up,...
rushingriverapiaries
Jan 4, 20233 min read
Hive Placement
Step one in getting bees is deciding where to put them. Bees don't need a lot of space, but certain placements will help them thrive, and...
rushingriverapiaries
Dec 28, 20225 min read
A Year of Beekeeping Tasks
There really isn't much time off when it comes to beekeeping! This list of monthly beekeeping tasks will help keep you on track and out...
rushingriverapiaries
Dec 24, 20223 min read
Hive Top Insulation
After fantastic success with our new inner cover insulation last winter, we are doing it again with one small tweak. Watch the full video...
rushingriverapiaries
Nov 9, 20221 min read
Just Say No (to fall hive inspections)
This is not a how-to article. We could call it an opinion piece, but I hope that it provides a little more value than that. Let's say...
rushingriverapiaries
Oct 27, 20223 min read
Oxalic Acid Vapour as Fall Test & Treatment
By mid-September, we have finished our hive inspections for the year. We want to limit our disturbance of the hives and allow the bees...
rushingriverapiaries
Oct 13, 20222 min read
Four Ways to Strengthen a Weak Hive
A hive might be weak for any number of reasons. It is important to note here that I am referring to a HEALTHY hive of low population. ...
rushingriverapiaries
Sep 24, 20222 min read
No Empty Space
This might be rule #1 for winter survival. No, wait, treating mites is #1, which makes this #2. Anyway, it's important. You do not...
rushingriverapiaries
Sep 24, 20223 min read
Time of Day
You might prefer working your hives in the afternoon sun in a t-shirt and flip-flops, or in the cool morning air so your full suit...
rushingriverapiaries
Sep 18, 20222 min read
Using a Bee Escape Board
A bee escape board is the easiest and gentlest way to remove bees from the honey supers so that you can harvest honey. They are fairly...
rushingriverapiaries
Aug 21, 20221 min read
Harvesting Honey (Part 1)
The nectar flow is starting to wind down and it's time to get the honey off the hives and into your kitchen or extraction room. Here's...
rushingriverapiaries
Aug 12, 20223 min read
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