** Hot weather 90+ has the bees "hanging out." Back to the 60's in the coming week.
*** The Hive House is going strong. I keep taking frames of brood out and put them in needy hives--this allows some control of the nucs.
**** BEE HABITAT
See a copy of what has been given to county/township planners for their consideration. Much can bee done for pollinators with very little effort. Let me know what you think of this concept.
HABITAT FOR POLLINATORS GOAL:
- Create more “pasture” for pollinators in Marquette County.
- Pollinators, from honey bees to butterflies, are responsible for pollinating food plants. One out of every three bites of food is thanks to a pollinator.
- Pollinators have been in sharp decline throughout the United States. They are facing increased pesticide use, disease, and LOSS OF HABITAT.
- Much more habitat can be created WITHOUT increased funding by simply changing the way we care for public and private land.
- Road ways provide crucial habitat for pollinators especially here in the North Country. In many areas roadways get the most sun so that is where the wild flowers readily bloom. Each mile of un-mowed roadway (4 feet on each side) creates 1 acre of pollinator habitat. In Marquette County, this would mean approximately 1,300 additional acres of habitat.
ACTION:
Local Governments:
- Change mowing schedules along public roads.
- Delay mowing on roadways until at least the end of August or next best case the end of July.
- Maintain clear vision areas as necessary at any time.
- Delay mowing on roadways until at least the end of August or next best case the end of July.
- Maintain plant growth beyond the 4 foot “normal” mowing strip by mowing only in 2-3 year cycles.
- Mow yards at homes and facilities every other scheduled time.
- Increase the height of the mow.
- Create a “no mow” border around yards and facilities. Ideally this would be planted with pollinator-friendly and/or native plant species.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:
For more detailed information on managing roadsides for pollinators:
- http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/roadsidesforwildlife/index.html
- http://www.xerces.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/roadside-guidelines_xerces-society1.pdf
- https://www.environment.fhwa.dot.gov/ecosystems/documents/pollinators_BMPs_in_highway_ROW.pdf
All of the above links can be easily accessed at www.upbees.weebly.com.
LOCAL CONTACTS:
Michelle Landis
Superior Beekeeping Club/906-250-2511 or [email protected]
Joel Lantz/Beekeeper/906-942-7106 or [email protected]
The Federal government is paying people to plant pollinator friendly plants and the rest of us cut it down. It makes good common sense to change how this all works. Let’s put Marquette County at the forefront of bringing back our pollinators.