Nathaniel Haddon of the Vaca Valley 4-H Club, Vacaville, is only nine years old, but he already knows more about honey bees than many adults do. He readily names the three castes: queen bee, worker bee and drone.

View Article

Article

Rest in Peace, Pollinator Partner

March 3rd, 2016

We lost our Pollinator Partner today. Xena the Warrior Princess, a 16-year-old tuxedo cat that we rescued from the pound, crossed the Rainbow Bridge today in a local veterinarian's office. We had her 16 years, or if cats have staff, we were her staff for 16 years.

View Article

Article

Are Culex Mosquitoes Potential Vectors of the Zika Virus?

March 2nd, 2016

Scientists throughout the world targeted the Zika virus, transmitted by the yellow fever mosquito, Aedes aegypti, at a major symposium today in Recife, Brazil, epicenter of the Zika virus outbreak.

View Article

Article

When Varroa Mites Hitch a Ride

March 1st, 2016

Those blood-sucking varroa mites (Varroa destructor) are considered the No. 1 enemy of beekeepers. In powerful numbers and weakened colonies, they can overwhelm and collapse a hive. We remember seeing a varroa mite attached to a foraging honey bee one warm summer day in our pollinator garden.

View Article

Article

Almond Field Days in Zamora and Lost Hills: And You're Invited

February 29th, 2016

So you want to learn more about almond pollination, integrated crop pollination, blue orchard bees, navel orangeworms, wildflower plantings and solarization for wildflpwer planting success. You're in luck.

View Article