Hawkshaw Apiaries

02/08/2025

01/29/2025

I want to let everyone know that Honeybees loses in the US as of today are hitting an epidemic level. I am hearing from beekeepers across the country of losses in excess of 70% from many beekeepers. Almond growers are hearing from their beekeepers that they either will receive less hives then ordered or need to find others to fill their needs.
Why are bees dying so rapidly across the country is unknown at this time. However multiple stress factors are involved and the US agriculture research service is investigating to try to determine factors.
If you wish to help please contact the media and your congressperson and tell them to give more money for bee research. We also need the help of public opinion to get media coverage of the issue.
If your a beekeeper who has experienced or is experiencing losses contact your county FSA office a report your losses. Also Patty Sunberg and David HACKENBERG and Brett Adee are asking you give them your losses contact numbers so that they can try to compile more accurate numbers of losses to go to the USDA with to help get help more immediately for beekeepers effected.
Good luck and God Bless all of you.
James Doan

12/04/2024

Mites are produced by commercial operations. These places constantly produce queens and constantly treat with chemicals. No hive lasts more than a year. In fact when you buy packages the bees you get are after almond pollination. Theÿ are sold to hobbiest across the country. Most people start with bees because they have an idea they can do better. They buy a nuc or a package and that has mites. The bees die the next year they buy a nuc or a package with mites and the bees die. They usually give up. Mites can be eliminated if you can isolate your hives and keep them through the winter. Carbon dioxide knocks the mites off and a spring drizzle of O.A. kills the rest. There is no brood overwinter. Mites would not survive in the northern latitudes if it weren't for commercial beekeepers and the sale of nucs and packages that contain mites.