Jared Barnes, Ph.D.’s Post

💦 Bees can’t fly if wet or too cold. Without forager bees bringing food in, there wont be any to feed the eggs, which substitute as a source of protein eggs and young bees need for development. © #HoneyGirlGrows If the queen hasn’t gone into a winter pause and stopped laying, and the available nectar isn’t sufficient to feed the eggs/babies, the hive goes into crash mode. Bees only live 5 short weeks, so every day matters. Also, larger hives regulate heat easier, so smaller hives have lower chances of survival. Beekeepers must know how much and which (pollen/nectar) foods each hive has/lacks stored in the pantries (wax combs), to know IF, and how to feed for survival. Some coastal California #BeekeepingTIPS : ❄️ We use a custom-made screened inner cover layered with a mold-resistant insulator to prevent icy condensation from dripping on the clustered bees inside. This also prevents mold in the hive. ❄️ Bees regulate cold extremely well. Insulating a hive in the warm end of our state can kill it, even with lows in the 40s. Instead, we add a top feeder box and feeder with the aforementioned insulation at the top only. We add a 1” thick lucite rain awnings that extend beyond the front, side and back of the hive to keep water and mold off of the equipment. ❄️ The screened Freeman BeetleTrap Bottom Board by from @ArbicoOrganics (ships free) is the only with a deep-dish tray you can fill with Food-Grade (only) diatomaceous earth to absorb moisture. If you dip to the 40s more often, fill the tray with mineral oil to retain heat. Any other cardboard/screened bottom will force your bees to work SO much harder/burn more calories (food) to stay warm. ❄️ Leave honey; Hives can go through 60+ pounds of honey in winter (6+ full frames of honey). ❄️ Don’t break the cluster (divide, pull a frame, lift a box, or open bees). Never inspect near/below 60F - just cracking the lid can kill ALL of your brood. 👑 🥶. Good luck beekeepers! 💪 . Learn something? Leave me a, “🐝.” . #HoneyGirlGrows #MasterGardener #ChefGarden #GardenDesign #PollinatorGardening #RegenerativeBeekeeping #MasterBeekeeper

IMPORTANT FOR BEES. POSITIVE SIMPLE ACTIONS. Okay folks as we seem to be heading in to some warm dry weather we need to talk about #bees and #water. BEES NEED WATER! Given that they can collect water, their nectar based diet and their ability to generate large amounts of water metabolically during flight #bumblebees are less prone to dehydration/desiccation than most terrestrial insects. However they still need safe access to water. Research suggests that bees locate sources of water by smell rather than sight. Water is a source of essential #nutrients for bees and this explains their preference for ‘dirty’ water sources containing organic matter, algae etc. Indeed #honeybees have the ability to and will change their preferred source of water to an alternative in order to compensate for nutrient deficiencies in their diet at various times of the year. Honeybees prefer sodium-rich water for most of the year but in autumn as pollen supplies lessen they prefer water which contains magnesium, calcium and potassium - micronutrients found in pollen! Bees also source water on plants. Plants expel excess water and/or nutrients through small openings on leaves and stems through a process known as guttation. So where do you come in I hear you ask? Well during warm weather especially it is vital to ensure that you provide water for the #wildlife and bees in your garden/yard/outside space. It is important though that this water is supplied in a manner that is safe for bees. Bees can’t lift off when they land in water and their wings get wet. They need to be able to climb onto something with a gradual slope. They need to be able to access the water you supply in a safe manner. So please ensure that water left out is in a shallow container and has pebbles/small stones or similar in it to allow safe access and an exit if the bee happens to land in the water. Please also ensure to keep the water topped up daily and don’t be afraid if the water is ‘nature’ dirty. Also please be vigilant about other water sources in your patch which may be dangerous for bees. Buckets of water, watering cans and paddling pools/swimming pools are places where bees get in to trouble and die. So empty or cover these wherever possible and check periodically for ‘floating bees’. If you do see a floating bee don’t immediately presume she is dead! Fish her out as soon as possible and get her to a flower. It is amazing how often a seemingly ‘lost’ bee will quickly recover when given the chance to dry out and access to flower nectar or a 50/50 white sugar and water mix. So to recap: the wildlife in your garden needs water too. Especially during the summer. If you are hot and thirsty chances are the bees are too. So as you reach for some liquid refreshment remember to top up our #wild friends too. And be considerate and vigilant around the sources of #water you provide and keep in your garden/yard. Please pass this on. Thank you. Share to your network for the bees! 🙏🏼🐝

(USA 01.09.23) ASPARAGUS: Tropical Storm Hilary pushes prices up on asparagus. Overview of asparagus supplies in the U.S. market, complemented by charts from Agronometrics. Original published on August 31, 2023. AGRONOMETRICS USA: Market Performance Analysis for the Fresh Produce Industry with Data-driven decisions to increase returns. Through their In Charts articles they use data to tell original stories that are moving the industry. ----- [AG: AGRONOMETRICS AUSTRALIA? Unfortunately, our fresh produce industry representatives in Australia lack the courage to deliver meaningful information, leaving our growers uninformed about market dynamics. Embracing real-time data-driven narratives is essential, and it's time for our industry representatives to step up and act. By providing relevant, freely and easily accessible information, our growers can gain insights into market dynamics, consumer preferences, supply chain efficiencies, and more. This data-driven approach enables informed decision-making, market monitoring, production adjustments, optimized distribution, and risk mitigation. Transparent communication based on data-driven narratives is severely lacking, hindering trust and collaboration within our fresh produce industry. Overcoming this deficiency will benefit all stakeholders and contribute to the growth and sustainability of our fresh produce industry. The absence of essential information poses a significant threat to profitability, food security, and sustainability. Post-farm gate operators (wholesalers, traders, merchants and our major fresh produce retailers all included) take advantage of growers' unawareness and exploiting the supply chain knowledge gap for their financial gain. This perpetuates an unfair system that hampers our hardworking growers. Bridging the information gap is crucial to empower our growers, level the playing field, and promote overall industry growth and competitiveness. By arming growers with knowledge, we can foster a fair and thriving fresh produce industry in Australia.] ----- https://lnkd.in/gEsVfQ5p

Odorous house ants are considered nuisance pests due to their presence indoors and their ability to contaminate food. While they do not pose significant health risks or cause structural damage, their large colonies and persistence in seeking food sources can make them an annoyance. 1. Odor when crushed: Odorous house ants derive their name from the strong, unpleasant odor they emit when crushed. The odor is often described as similar to rotten coconuts or blue cheese. This odor serves as a defense mechanism to repel predators. 2. Colonies and nesting: These ants typically form large colonies consisting of multiple queens and numerous workers. They commonly nest outdoors in soil, mulch, or leaf litter, but they can also establish satellite colonies indoors, especially in moist areas such as kitchens or bathrooms. 3. Food sources: Odorous house ants are omnivorous and have a diverse diet. They feed on a wide range of food sources, including sweets, fruits, meats, and dead insects. They are also attracted to sugary substances and can infest food storage areas or spillages. 4. Foraging behavior: Odorous house ants follow well-defined foraging trails, often along edges and baseboards. They are known to travel in large numbers, and their trails can extend from their nests to food sources, both indoors and outdoors. 5. Seasonal activity: Odorous house ants can be active throughout the year, although their activity tends to increase during the warmer months. They are most commonly seen foraging for food in spring and summer, especially after rain or during periods of high humidity. Don't let these pesky pests ruin your day. Keep your home or business ant-free. Contact us today to learn more about our ant control services! #bugzero #antcontrol #pestmanagement #homepestcontrol #odoroushouseant #pestproblems #propertydamage #contaminatedfood #antextermination #pestsolutions #homeinfestation #pestfreehome #missouri #Springfield #CapeGirardeau #mo

Odorous house ants are considered nuisance pests due to their presence indoors and their ability to contaminate food. While they do not pose significant health risks or cause structural damage, their large colonies and persistence in seeking food sources can make them an annoyance. 1. Odor when crushed: Odorous house ants derive their name from the strong, unpleasant odor they emit when crushed. The odor is often described as similar to rotten coconuts or blue cheese. This odor serves as a defense mechanism to repel predators. 2. Colonies and nesting: These ants typically form large colonies consisting of multiple queens and numerous workers. They commonly nest outdoors in soil, mulch, or leaf litter, but they can also establish satellite colonies indoors, especially in moist areas such as kitchens or bathrooms. 3. Food sources: Odorous house ants are omnivorous and have a diverse diet. They feed on a wide range of food sources, including sweets, fruits, meats, and dead insects. They are also attracted to sugary substances and can infest food storage areas or spillages. 4. Foraging behavior: Odorous house ants follow well-defined foraging trails, often along edges and baseboards. They are known to travel in large numbers, and their trails can extend from their nests to food sources, both indoors and outdoors. 5. Seasonal activity: Odorous house ants can be active throughout the year, although their activity tends to increase during the warmer months. They are most commonly seen foraging for food in spring and summer, especially after rain or during periods of high humidity. Don't let these pesky pests ruin your day. Keep your home or business ant-free. Contact us today to learn more about our ant control services! #bugzero #antcontrol #pestmanagement #homepestcontrol #odoroushouseant #pestproblems #propertydamage #contaminatedfood #antextermination #pestsolutions #homeinfestation #pestfreehome #missouri #Springfield #CapeGirardeau #mo