bees
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Bee kill on the agenda
Mount Alexander Shire Council’s use of chemicals to kill a swarm of bees at Castlemaine’s botanical gardens will be discussed at tonight’s council meeting. The council in November received a petition containing 17 signatures from people concerned about its use of chemicals to kill the bees at the gardens on October 19 last year. The…
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Idea the bee’s knees
Claire Moore hopes to help solve the global problem of bee decline from her own backyard in Kyneton. She aims to breed genetically diverse bees in Australia to combat several industry threats and her plans have seen her named a Victorian finalist for the 2019 AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award. “I want to create better genetics…
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Abuzz for new microscope
Honeybees will be put under the microscope to give diseases like nosema and American foulbrood the buzz-off in the Macedon Ranges. Woodend Bee-Friendly Society has acquired a new compound microscope that will be key in early disease detection to minimise impacts to local hives and agricultural ventures. WBFS bio-security officer Paul Green said nosema had…
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The buzz on honey
Buying honey from local beekeepers and reading the label are both good ways to ensure you’ll get pure honey, local beekeeper Peter McDonald says ahead of this Sunday’s beekeeping field day at Harcourt. The adulteration of honey has made national news headlines in recent days following a study by Macquarie University researchers that found a…
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Don’t panic, call a beekeeper!
Spring is a busy time for beekeepers as this is the time of year when honeybees swarm. Castlemaine beekeeper Daniel BeeShepherd from the Castlemaine Bee Sanctuary recommends that if people see a swarm of bees that they stay calm and contact a beekeeper. “Seeing so many bees in once place can be very intimidating but…