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Humans have depended on bees for thousands of years for food production. In our current civilization, 1 in 3 bites of the food we eat requires bees to get to our plates. However, bee populations are in trouble. Mite infestations lead to 50-100% death of bee populations when left untreated, and the mites carry viruses to other hives. Communities - including veterinarians - are being called to help with hive management so bee populations can thrive and continue the work they do for our plant species and food chain.
We've taken on bees to help increase populations and manage honey bee diseases. Unlike our other sanctuary animals, this will be an animal we breed and purchase to help them survive and reproduce.
Clover Hive
Clover Hive
Clover was a strong hive from April 2024 (when we first obtained the hive) until about August 2024 when they were getting ready to swarm and we split the hive. They had a dwindling population going into Winter of 2024, so we did all we could to support them by testing and treating for varroa mites, and supplementing food through winter. However, a small colony has a difficult time keeping their brood warm and getting food, even if the food is near them in the hive. Clover wasn't able to survive multiple weeks of cold weather, and we discovered the hive had died in Feb 2025, but we replaced it in Fall of 2025.
Thistle Hive
Thistle Hive
Thistle hive lost their queen in July 2024; we're unsure if we killed her accidentally during a hive inspection, or if the queen left with other bees in a swarm. They made a new queen in July 2024.
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