Resources

Annual Surveys

• Pacific Northwest Honey Bee Survey: Each year the results are shared with participating beekeepers through beekeeping club presentations, newsletters, websites and journal articles as available. https://www.pnwhoneybeesurvey.com
• U.S. Honey Bee Health Survey: The survey takes an epidemiological approach to document honey bee diseases, pests, and pathogens. The survey monitors for the emergence of invasive threats to US honey bee colony health https://www.ushoneybeehealthsurvey.info

Bee Disease Diagnosis Services – FREE

• Bee Research Laboratory: Beltsville, MD. There is no charge for this service. They are only able to accept samples originating from the U.S. and its territories. Samples received of adult bees and beeswax comb (with and without bee brood) are examined for bacterial, fungal and microsporidian diseases as well as for two species of parasitic mites and other pests associated with honey bees (i.e., small hive beetle, Aethina tumida). https://www.ars.usda.gov/northeast-area/beltsville-md-barc/beltsville-agricultural-research-center/bee-research-laboratory/docs/bee-disease-diagnosis-service/

Education

• SnoKing Beekeepers Association. This is a local 501(c)3 group of volunteers working to bring bees, beekeepers and the general public together by sharing expertise, knowledge and understanding of bees and beekeeping. SnoKing provides students the ability to attend classes year-round using Zoom lectures and instruction. https://www.snokingbeekeepers.org/classes
• Scientific Beekeeping. Randy Oliver – First year beekeeping. “This page provides some quick step-by-step notes for your first year of beekeeping, written specifically for those starting with a nucleus hive or package bees purchased from me, but is generally applicable”. https://scientificbeekeeping.com/first-year-care-for-your-nuc/
• Project Apis m. Practical Video Library Resources for Beekeepers. https://www.projectapism.org/videos-1
• Washington State Beekeepers Association (WASBA). Non profit organization serving hobbyist and professional beekeepers in Washington State. https://wasba.org/

Local and Regional Honey Bee Resources

• U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. Top plants for your pollinator garden. https://www.fws.gov/story/top-plants-your-pollinator-garden
• Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation. Pollinator Conservation Resources: Pacific Northwest Region. https://xerces.org/pollinator-resource-center/pnw

National Honeybee Organizations

• American Beekeeping Federation. National organization providing education and advocacy for beekeepers. http://www.abfnet.org/
• Project Apis m. 501(c)5 non profit founded to support the best science to advance the beekeeping community. https://www.projectapism.org/

Podcasts

• Beekeeping Today Podcast – Presented by Betterbee. The podcast for the latest beekeeping news, information and entertainment for today’s beekeeper. Hosts Jeff Ott and Becky Masterman bring you conversations with beekeepers, researchers and industry leaders, helping you become a more informed and knowledgeable beekeeper. https://www.beekeepingtodaypodcast.com/

Queen Rearing

• Dadant. This article will discuss the basics of queen rearing, including common techniques and equipment used by beekeepers.https://www.dadant.com/learn/queen-rearing-methods-and-equipment/
• Kamon Reynold. Kamon has an down to earth approach showing you the basics of queen rearing. Check out his two YouTube Videos: Backyard Queen Rearing Part 1 and Grafting Queens for Beginners! Queen Rearing Part 2.
• Randy Oliver. Small-scale Queen rearing article and excellent PowerPoint presentation. https://scientificbeekeeping.com/small-scale-queenrearing/ and https://scientificbeekeeping.com/scibeeimages/Small-scale-queen-breeding-copyrighted.pot

Regulatory and Legal Considerations

• Washington State Department of Agriculture. Apiary Registration. All beekeepers, backyard or for a business, need to register their hives each year. All money collected helps fund research projects with the Washington State University and other entities. Registration is due by April 1 each year. Your current registration expires December 31. https://agr.wa.gov/departments/insects-pests-and-weeds/insects/apiary-pollinators/apiary-reg-and-laws
• Washington State RCW. Chapter 15.60 RCW: Apiaries. https://app.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=15.60
• City of Bellingham Municipal Code 7.12.060. Keeping animals in the city – General regulations – Penalty. https://bellingham.municipal.codes/BMC/7.12.060
• City of Burlington Title 17 Comprehensive zoning ordinance. https://burlingtonwa.gov/DocumentCenter/View/5451/17_Title_17_Final_Adopted_5-15-2023_Clean

Tools

• BeeMD. An interactive diagnostic tool assisting North American beekeepers in identifying & addressing honey bee health issues, including pests, diseases, & unusual behaviors.
  https://idtools.org/thebeemd
• Honey Bee Health Coalition – Tools for Varroa Management
  https://honeybeehealthcoalition.org/resources/varroa-management