Island Beekeepers Remain Vigilant Against Risks
Nina Gordon preparing to check hives.
Nina Gordon preparing to check hives.
Tim Colon (of Island Bee Company) heating up his smoker.
Tim Colon (of Island Bee Company) heating up his smoker.
Tim Colon smoking a hive.
Tim Colon smoking a hive.
Tim Colon checking on a frame.
Tim Colon checking on a frame.
Nina Gordon pointing out an abandoned Queen cell.
Nina Gordon pointing out an abandoned Queen cell.
Nina Gordon checking for evidence of mites and beetles.
Nina Gordon checking for evidence of mites and beetles.
The Queen is in the top right.
The Queen is in the top right.
Bees entering one of Tim Colon's hives.
Bees entering one of Tim Colon's hives.
Nina Gordon in her beekeeping suit.
Nina Gordon in her beekeeping suit.
Bees flying around Nina Gordon's hives.
Bees flying around Nina Gordon's hives.
Bees flying around Nina Gordon's hives.
Bees flying around Nina Gordon's hives.
Nina Gordon checking on a frame.
Nina Gordon checking on a frame.
It's been a major success story for the beekeeping community on-Island, which has managed to thrive despite the best efforts of the varroa mite, which weakens bees and spreads disease amongst the colony. Before treatment and prevention methods were well-known on the Island, many small-scale apiarist were at the mercy of this tiny pest.