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Return to Brookfield Farm's Bees & Honey Page
K Brothers Pollination & Honey : Pasco, WA
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The delicate fragrant taste of Star Thistle Honey contrasts the plant from which it is created. The source of this light,
subtle honey is one of the most noxious weeds in the west: a thorny flower that can wipe out wildlife habitat, reduce biodiversity
and kill a horse.
The plant originated in Africa and Eurasia. In the 1800's it arrived in California hitch-hiking on alfalfa seeds. Ten
years later it was found near Seattle. Today it covers millions of acres in the United States, specializing in pastures,
rangelands, and hot, dry disturbed areas.
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Efforts are under way to eliminate this invader, but until then, the
one benefit we can enjoy is Star Thistle Honey, if a beekeeper can find untreated stands. Stan Kolesnikov of K Brothers Pollination
and Honey knows where his bees can find this destructive plant's delicate nectar from which they create delightfully delicious
honey in a chemical free environment.
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| Stan Kolesnikov : K Brothers |
No pesticides are ever used in the hives.
Fumadil B is only used when the bees are producing honey which people will eat. Fumadil B is the primary treatment used
against both types of Nosema (apis and ceranae): microscopic, fungal parasites that kill many bees throughout the world.
To combat varroa mites, K Brothers utilize a combination of essential oils and other natural treatments. K Brothers is truly a family affair. Stan works the bees with his bother and brother-in-law while
his sister does the books. Beekeeping runs in this family. His father and uncle were
beekeepers in Uzbekistan. When Stan was in his 20’s he started keeping bees here in the U.S. while
working with Lynn Haitt, of Haitt and Son’s Honey Company. Lynn has now retired and has handed the reins over
to Stan. Stan is clearly
up for the issues facing of today's beekeepers. Stan has a firm commitment to natural treatments and figures one
of the most enjoyable aspects of beekeeping is "the challenge of keeping the bees healthy and alive."
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