Honeybee colonies to struggle in ‘high demand’ season

As we get closer to winter, it can be quite a struggle for beekeepers raising honeybees.

The demand for honey increases around this time of year, and it also comes at a cost. According to a nationwide survey, nearly half of the honeybee colonies across the country died last year. KSNT 27 News spoke to local beekeeper Tim Urich, who said he loses at least 10% of his honeybees every fall. To help decrease that number, he uses an acid to prevent parasites like Varroa Mites from killing them.

The chemicals crystalize so that the mites fall off. But he said during this time, it’s best to cull the weaker bees.

“Losing a colony to the Varroa Mite or to a weak queen or just to starvation represents an economic loss to every beekeeper,” Urich said. “But I found that when colonies are weak its best to cull them this time of year and combine those bees with a healthy colony.”

He told 27 News when doing this, it will make predicting the spring harvest much easier.

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