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Billion Bees

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24.01.2022 Building activity... the 60 mm thick Cedar hive prolongs their building time. Here the bees seem very comfortable and definitely busy!

24.01.2022 Transfer going to our paulownia built hives!

22.01.2022 Years back, the drive to Melbourne was such a pain, with regular stops to clean the wind screen.. ~ https://e360.yale.edu//backyard-battle-helping-outnumbered

22.01.2022 We are working in close collaboration with this group, to create third generation native bee enclosures ~ http://www.brightdc.com.au/

22.01.2022 New to Native Stingless Bees..??? Or wanting to know more..??? Here is a great introduction..!!!... ~ https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=iSAHrhfw5Nw&feature=youtu.be ~

21.01.2022 It is such an irony - that we fuss about bio-security for honey bees, whilst the explosion in honey bee numbers is consuming food needed by our native bees and out myriad of other pollinators .. https://i.stuff.co.nz//native-bees--small-solitary-and-und

20.01.2022 The very first stainless-half-frame for out new boxes is assembled.. ~ https://www.facebook.com/groups/208055513133737/permalink/707806399825310/

20.01.2022 It's estimated that there are more than 2000 species of Native Bees in AUSTRALIA .. Many are uncategorised .. Here a common Leaf Cutter bee emerges from its nest.. ~ https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=159198699117880

20.01.2022 Hearty thanks to Dave Eggins (Bright Design Co.) who made these frames possible, for our new Paulownia boxes... Thanks also to Noakes Engineering at Peakhurst for making it easy to help our Native Bees with Laser Cutting of the two halves of the metal cages.. Entering production with gusto - we hope... ~ See more

19.01.2022 Austroplebeia Australis - Sydney Winter - (SloMo video) ~ In the coldest part of the Sydney winter, bees have been awoken from a typical cold Comatose state by artificial heating, within a different bee-box. (Not the BBBB - Billion Bees Bee Box)... ... In this particular quality box, a small heater (5W) has been inserted into the box via a small hole. The video shows the usual 'warm' activity. This particular box also has a thermal blanket wrapped around it, as it is 1/3 thinner than the BB hive. For this particular box, the blanket helps contain the available heat. If this is the effect of insulation on bee prosperity, one wonders how bees cope in 15mm ply or plastic enclosures. Within comments, are observations on bee response to the cold.. . What it shows is the importance of hive-box design, and the BB box is designed to more closely emulate a natural log, via it's much thicker 60mm highly insulating walls.. .. Billion Bees will continue to try to further improve box performance to the benefit of the bees themselves .. ~

19.01.2022 Busy enjoying a warm morning... this log was almost dead about 3 months ago when it was rescued.... now

18.01.2022 Only just saved from the firewood splitter, and showing the scars. This colony will need some TLC, for it to thrive... ~

18.01.2022 A New Hive.. An Exciting NEW material.. PAULOWNIA .. Especially designed for AA Bees, ... .. BASED ON the Waters Brothers design, we thank them and Nick Powell for the concept of vertical division via removable frames. Special thanks to Greg Pike who is adapting the Powell Frames to the dedicated box. And - thanks to the MEN'S SHED groups producing the finished boxes.. ~

15.01.2022 Yesterday Peter and myself upon inspecting all the hives, we noticed some needed help. Made a quick video to show you all..

15.01.2022 https://www.abc.net.au//conversati/toby-smith-rpt/12537042

15.01.2022 Quick check for the morning.... temp just about right for their daily outings! My therapy for the day:)

15.01.2022 Nice to see our natives enjoying a great day.. Peter educted this hive from one of his super strong colony to help build numbers. It literally had no more than 200 bees, as it was a rescue from Bega. It’s a much different story now!

14.01.2022 Rescue Success What if you get a call to rescue not 1, not 2 but 3 logs in a small area where firewood legend Corey has stumbled while working. The main one was a huge tree rotten and used as road block, the second and third were accidentally cut and left on the ground to see if they could self manage. Unfortunately upon inspection the big log had to be Transferred into a box as it was exposed to the elements. The second and third log was ok but again cut amongst the brood ...so we needed to bring back for further monitoring. We are seeing lots of great individuals taking the initiative to help these little wonders. We were so happy to be able to help. Will post more pics of progress within the next days!! The video shows the work Peter is undertaking by vacuuming the remaining bees. Slow work but very important to change the odds to the bees favour!

12.01.2022 The raw start of a new approach. A new box, made from an AUSTRALIAN pure plantation timber - PAULOWNIA.. .. This timber seems to tick ALL the boxes Highest Insulation of ANY timber..... No resins to contaminate. Termite resistant as there is no nutritional value within the wood. High relative strength. Super low weight.. Highest radiant heat protection of all known timbers making it least susceptible to bush fire radiant damage. Additionally, we are now excited to be working with a specialist to produce a laser cut plywood basket that will sit inside the new box , to support the bee structures.. .. It's very much a case of watch this space ~

12.01.2022 The three main species of Stingless Bees, 'kept' by carers are Tetragonula Carbonaria (TC), Tetragonula Hockingsi (TH), and Austroplebeia Australis (AA). .. Possibly the best one to molly-coddle and enjoy is the last one - Austroplebeia Australis. (AA) .. The other species TC and TH, have an annoying habit of doing all they can to block out light and so they quickly cover plastic observation windows with goop...... .. A great deal of time can be spent in just watching their actions.. ~ See more

11.01.2022 Now waiting for an official name:). Thanks Peter!

09.01.2022 Our first of the new batch of hive boxes is ready for better weather and then eduction from strong colonies.. ~

08.01.2022 How to help colonies that are missing lots of workers.. this one had no more than 50 bees.. please share to people that may find this helpful!!

08.01.2022 Tough little girls!!

08.01.2022 The first production batch of 10 boxes, waxed and ready for final assembly.. Then the bees..! ~

07.01.2022 Security is always an issue for a prized hive of Stingless Native Bees, but with BillionBees colonies, the sting is in the box. Deeply embedded behind the bee, is an RFID Microchip. A second security device is also used..... Like everyone, We care about our bees and prefer they stay where they are. ;-) ( Primarily - the chip will link to a data base and management program that will maintain details of development and propagation ) .. .

07.01.2022 Size does not matter!:)

06.01.2022 Last week the Cottens from Crescent Head reached out to donate a stingless bee hive that they found while chopping firewood. The nest was carefully transferred to an empty bee box that they had.. the following morning Peter came to assist to transfer the nest to our purpose built native bee hive. The bees within 7 days have done a great deal of work! Have provided a video of their new entrance. Again great work from the cottons for ensuring a safe relocation!

05.01.2022 An update on the transfer..

05.01.2022 Transferring from a tiny box to a BB Paulownia made hive.. Peter doing his magic!

03.01.2022 \./ Mid-flight Antennae Wipe \./ During a mating swarm, its important to get the decisions right & pull out the multi-skills. So sometimes it’s necessary to do ...the double-handed mid-flight antennae wipe! & this will help maintain your position, guide you with precision to the right girl and most importantly, keep you looking fresh... . The Australian stingless bee T.carbonaria uses antennal cleaning spurs to keep its antennae clean. They clamp one antenna tightly between a notch and a tibial spur, and pull it through. . ..::..\./..::..\./..::..\./..::..\./..::..\./..::..\./..::..\./..::..\./..::.. #keepitfresh #yearofthewipe #tetragonulacarbonaria

02.01.2022 https://www.facebook.com/groups/208055513133737/permalink/718908558715094/