MSU Apiculture Extension Webinars
Upcoming WebinarS
DETROIT IS THE PLACE TO BEE!
Thursday, August 27th at 7pm EDT
Ever wonder who is pollinating the fruits and veggies on urban farms? What bees visit the flowers in our cities? MSU and Detroit Hives invite you to learn about the bees that thrive in the city. Sarah Scott from OSU will give an overview of the bees you are likely to find in your garden, what roles these bees play in pollination and food production, and how to encourage more to move into your neighborhood. Dr. Kelsey Graham will highlight the wool carder bee - a unique pollinator with some crazy antics. Join us as we get to know the bees that thrive in the city!
Past Webinars
Pollinator habitat: making every acre the best it can be
Resources:
- Michigan Pollinator Initiative's list of resources on planting for pollinators
- Project Wingspan
- Let Pollinator Partnership know if you're interested in becoming a Project Wingspan Seed Collection Volunteer by filling out this form! https://tinyurl.com/Wingspan-volunteer.
- To see Pollinator Partnership's list of target plants and sign-up as a Potential Seed Collection Location please fill out the online form here: https://tinyurl.com/PWseedsite
- To learn more about P2's habitat survey and find out if your lands qualify for participation in Project Wingspan, visit this page: https://www.pollinator.org/wingspan/survey
- To discover Pollinator Partnership's many other resources, projects, and programs, check out https://www.pollinator.org/
- Bee Friendly Farming is good for farmers and for pollinators. Find out more at www.pollinator.org/BFF
- Bee and Butterfly Habitat Fund
- Link to Pollinator Habitat Tip videos as well as past webinars that provide more granular details about habitat management. http://www.conservationblueprint.com/videos/
- Link to apply for free pollinator seed mixes through The Bee & Butterfly Habitat Fund: https://beeandbutterflyfund.org/habitat-programs/seed-a-legacy-program
First-Year Colonies: Getting Ready for Bees
Watch the webinar recording of First-Year Colonies: Getting Ready for Bees
Supplemental materials:
- Should You Keep Bees? article
- List of recommended resources for beekeepers
- Video on purchasing bees
- Article on establishing a honey bee colony
- Instructions for lighting a smoker
- Article on feeding honey bees
First-Year Colonies: What to Do When the Bees Arrive
Supplemental materials:
- List of recommended resources for beekeepers
- MSU Extension video on installing a nuc
- MSU Extension video on installing a package
- University of Minnesota video on installing a package
- How to open a plastic bee bus package box video
- University of Minnesota video on inspecting a new colony
- Article on establishing a honey bee colony
- Instructions for lighting a smoker
- Recommendations for maximizing wax production
- Article on feeding honey bees
Established Colonies: Early-Season Management
Supplemental material: MSU Bee Blog (subscribe for updates), especially the Early Spring Management post
Established Colonies: Preparing for Swarm Season
Supplemental material: Swarms: the biology and control of swarms in northern states article
Michigan Beekeeping: Questions & Answers Webinars
These webinars were intended for all small-scale beekeepers, regardless of whether their colonies are new or overwintered/established.
Recording from Q&A webinar held on June 3rd, 2020
VARROA Webinars
keep bees alive: Why did my bees die?
Supplemental material: Why Did My Bees Die? handout
keep bees alive: understanding varroa risk
Supplemental material: Varroa Mite Monitoring handout
Keep bees alive: making a plan for varroa
Supplemental material: Keeping Your Bees Safe from the Varroa Mite handout