========================================================================= Date: Tue, 14 Jul 1998 18:35:07 EDT Reply-To: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology Sender: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology From: Christopher Slade Subject: BEES GETTING MEAN Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII Content-transfer-encoding: 7bit HELLO PLAYMATES, I HAVE NOTICED TWO CIRCUMSTANCES THAT HAVE NOT BEEN MENTIONED IN THE CORRESPONDENCE SO FAR IN WHICH THE TEMPER OF A COLONY OF BEES MAY DETERIORATE. THE FIRST IS THAT IT IS A LOT EASIER TO PUT BAYVAROL STRIPS INTO A HIVE THAN TO TAKE THEM OUT AGAIN. YOU CAN USUALLY DO THE FORMER WITHOUT GLOVES BUT THEY ARE DEFINITELY ADVISABLE FOR THE LATTER. DOES THE SAME APPLY TO APISTAN? THE SECOND IS THAT TEMPER SEEMS TO DETERIORATE PRIOR TO SWARMING, EVEN BEFORE QUEEN CELLS ARE STARTED. IS THERE ANY CORRELATION BETWEEN TEMPER AND THE AMOUNT OF QUEEN SUBSTANCE CIRCULATING WITHIN A COLONY? CHRIS SLADE ========================================================================= Date: Tue, 14 Jul 1998 18:44:37 -0400 Reply-To: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology Sender: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology From: John Partin Subject: Re: Getting mean Content-Type: Text/Plain; Charset=US-ASCII Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7Bit MIME-Version: 1.0 (WebTV) If bee got mean on hot humid days here they would stay mad. john ========================================================================= Date: Tue, 14 Jul 1998 15:55:33 -0700 Reply-To: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology Sender: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology From: Andy Nachbaur Subject: Re: hives - on the body In-Reply-To: <199807140412.VAA18570@mx1.thegrid.net> Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" At 06:47 PM 7/13/98 -0400, you wrote: >Certain times of year my nose drips more than my sweaty forehead...Gross, but it happens. I got to 2nd this observation. Its really bad when bending all day in the bees and I long ago put it off to the long term effects of bee stings. I have reached the point in life that I don't like suffering for long so when this happens to me as soon as I get home I reach for one of those over the counter super duper snot pills. (cheep no name decongestants/antihistamines) Works for me and a box of 25 will last a season or more. Now if I could just find something to keep my glasses from getting wet other then a sanitary napkin tied to my brow I would almost be fit company for tea at Grandmothers. One problem that old beekeepers don't have is anyone using our veils, mine for sure as the last time I really needed it I found the wire had rusted out. ttul, the OLd Drone http://beenet.com (c)Permission is given to copy this document in any form, or to print for any use. (w)OPINIONS are not necessarily facts. USE AT OWN RISK! ========================================================================= Date: Tue, 14 Jul 1998 21:00:56 -0500 Reply-To: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology Sender: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology From: BILL HUGHES JR Subject: Boil Weevil Eradication Program Hi to list, Tennessee is going to spry from planes ULV Malthion on every acre of cotton in the southwestern part of the state. I have no colonies directly in cotton fields but some are extremely close. The distances vary from 50 yards with trees in between to one mile. They will spray up until October. My question is how much loss should I expect. Moving all of my 100 hives is out of the question because I have no place to move them that cotton is not within foraging distance. Thanks, Bill Hughes Brighton, TN ____ Bill Hughes Bent Holly Honey Farm Brighton, Tennessee USA ========================================================================= Date: Wed, 15 Jul 1998 00:26:24 -0700 Reply-To: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology Sender: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology From: Andy Nachbaur Subject: Calif. Bee Pictures Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" Hi Bee Keepers & Friends, Brian Ferguson has sent me some pictures he just took of some of his bee's in the SAGE with some of the many wild flowers now blooming during the sage flow thanks to the extra good rains that GOD provided us. They are special in that few commercial beekeepers who has been around as long as Brian has is all that anxious to share details of operating 12,000+ hives as all beekeepers are potential competition for a ever dwindling pasture around here and for sure if one rotten apple would steal your bees by the truck load dozens would steal your locations and think nothing of it. Brian has 5,000 hives in alfalfa pollination that will soon be moved to the Sage and Wild Buckwheat, (not the Buckwheat from NY that tastes and smells like the AFRO-worms worked it over, but it does cure cancer at least according to paid for added value research purchased with honey producer tax money). His is the kind of Wild Buckwheat honey that when you eat it and close your eyes you can taste old fashioned honey in the comb. And of course Wild Buckwheat has a premium market the world around without any hype other then its so good to eat spread on bread and dig in. It will cure a sweet tooth and add something pleasant to an empty belly. Who needs all this high price BS (bee science) about honey that should be confined to the trash rack with the latest on OJ and flying saucers at your local super market check out stand. If we can't sell our honey as Honey a natural sweetener made by our bees then we all should give it up because no amount of half truths and lies will make all these claims for its magic properties come true. Honey makes life more pleasant as a sweetener but it does not extend life or protect it from disease no matter how much money the National Honey Board gives to any university to say it does. But I guess lie's and half truths are in fashion today just look at our US President who says nothing but has hired guns who say it for him that "oral sex is not sex" and its OK for the President to take advantage of any woman because he's the president and he can lie about it. In any case all are welcome to view the pictures and you will find them at the : http://beenet.com/bnews.htm ttul, the OLd Drone (c)Permission is given to copy this document in any form, or to print for any use. (w)OPINIONS are not necessarily facts. USE AT OWN RISK! ========================================================================= Date: Wed, 15 Jul 1998 07:28:38 PDT Reply-To: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology Sender: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology From: Ernest Gregoire Subject: Re: slatted racks and hive staples... MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII I use staples also, but I use 9/16 inch staples shot into the wood with a staple gun. The staples are thin easy to remove and don't hurt the wood too much. I use about 5 or 6 on a side, stapling the slatted rack to the bottom board as well as the slatted rack to the brood chamber. Those little staples work well, and I use them on all sides and edges where two seperate parts meet. de AA1IK, Time the accursed enemy of man, cursed by youth for going to slow Ernie Gregoire and by the old for going to fast. R.R. 1, Box 221, South Rd. Beekeeper Canaan, NH. 03741 Fly fisher & tier, Promise Keeper. E-mail address: gregoire@endor.com packet address: AA1IK@WA1WOK.FN43FE.NH.USA.NA ------------------------------------- 07/15/98 07:28:38 ========================================================================= Date: Wed, 15 Jul 1998 16:59:03 -0400 Reply-To: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology Sender: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology From: Al Needham Subject: Re: Boil Weevil Eradication Program On Tue, 14 Jul 1998 21:00:56 -0500 BILL HUGHES JR writes: >Hi to list, > >Tennessee is going to spray from planes ULV Malthion on every acre of >cotton in the southwestern part of the state. Bill: I suggest that you sacrifice a couple of hives using a Roman Type Catapult to see if you can hit a couple of those cruddy spray planes. Seriously ....... For those of you who have faith that the human race is superior to all other life forms, I submit this malathion spraying as contrary evidence. A few years ago they sprayed this area with some substance like malathion that wiped out bees, bumblebees and all other soft and hard bodied types of minature life. We were assured that this would not happen by the bureaucratic state administrators. To this day, I have not seen the restoration of the large numbers of bumblebees that I used to see and 'hear' buzzing the many blooming hydrangeas on my property. I think I am beginning to sound like Andy :-) . I sincerely hope that you don't lose many of your hives Bill ! Al, ....................................................................... <"Mailto: awneedham@juno.com" > Scituate,Massachusetts,USA The Beehive-Educational Honey Bee Site Visit The Beehive Book Shoppe http://www.xensei.com/users/alwine _____________________________________________________________________ You don't need to buy Internet access to use free Internet e-mail. Get completely free e-mail from Juno at http://www.juno.com Or call Juno at (800) 654-JUNO [654-5866] ========================================================================= Date: Wed, 15 Jul 1998 21:12:35 GMT+0200 Reply-To: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology Sender: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology From: Garth Organization: Rhodes University South Africa Subject: Re: Bees and wasps Hi Rich and All We have a number of wasps here in SA and with our latest super warm winter (the winter has had a higher average dialy temp than the summer average with temps being about 8 C above normal throughout the day) they have multiplied dramatcally and are hammering my hives. As a result I have placed little sticks with a split reed on top of them near the hives. In the split read I have placed some contact poison. when the bee robbers land on the stick to scout out and wait for a bee to attack they die. It is terrible to do this I know, but I feel seeing as the warm weather is a result of my species intervention killing the result is a natural course to follow. Keep well Garth Garth Cambray Camdini Apiaries Grahamstown Apis mellifera capensis Eastern Cape Prov. South Africa Time = Honey After careful consideration, I have decided that if I am ever a V.I.P the I. may not stand for important. (rather influential, ignorant, idiotic, intelectual, illadvised etc) ========================================================================= Date: Wed, 15 Jul 1998 09:34:33 -0400 Reply-To: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology Sender: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology From: Steve Davis Subject: Re: hives - on the body MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Andy, You make me fill like a sissy. When I don't have a bee veil on, the girls like to sock it to my eyes and lips. A problem I wish I had with my own kind. Steve >One problem that old beekeepers don't have is anyone using our veils, mine >for sure as the last time I really needed it I found the wire had rusted >out. > >ttul, the OLd Drone >http://beenet.com > ========================================================================= Date: Wed, 15 Jul 1998 09:20:27 -0400 Reply-To: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology Sender: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology From: Bill Truesdell Subject: Re: Boil Weevil Eradication Program MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Bill, Depends on when they are spraying. If in the evening, after the bees are in the hive, you will probably experience little loss. If the bees are directly sprayed in the field, then they will be killed. Malathion is a fairly benign spray compared to most. But it is highly toxic to bees when directly sprayed on them. It is not a powder, so the bees will not carry it back to the hive but will usually die in the field. Powdered or micro-encapsulated insecticides are deadly to bees because they are carried back to the hive as *pollen* and kill the brood as well as the bees, including the queen. If the bees are in the hive when the fields are sprayed, they will be fairly well protected. It is direct spraying of the bees outside the hive that harms them. So if you know the spray schedule, pen them up for the day by screening the entrance and exits. Give them ventilation so they do not overheat, but keep the lid on to prevent spray from entering the hive. Malathion, even though it is highly toxic to bees can be fairly safe to the same bees if applied correctly, which is evening or night spraying and, for extra insurance, keep the bees penned up the next day. It has also been reported here that it is a good idea to videotape the sprayer with a date and time stamp in case you have claims against them later because they did not spray when and where they said. Bill Truesdell Bath, ME BILL HUGHES JR wrote: > Hi to list, > > Tennessee is going to spry from planes ULV Malthion on every acre of > cotton in the southwestern part of the state. I have no colonies > directly in cotton fields but some are extremely close. The > distances vary from 50 yards with trees in between to one mile. ========================================================================= Date: Wed, 15 Jul 1998 08:36:23 EDT Reply-To: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology Sender: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology From: David Green Subject: Re: Boil Weevil Eradication Program Comments: cc: NHJV32A@PRODIGY.COM Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII Content-transfer-encoding: 7bit In a message dated 7/15/98 12:27:23 AM Eastern Daylight Time, NHJV32A@PRODIGY.COM (Bill Hughes) writes: << Tennessee is going to spry from planes ULV Malthion on every acre of cotton in the southwestern part of the state. I have no colonies directly in cotton fields but some are extremely close. The distances vary from 50 yards with trees in between to one mile. They will spray up until October. My question is how much loss should I expect. Moving all of my 100 hives is out of the question because I have no place to move them that cotton is not within foraging distance. >> Bill, Get a copy of the label immediately! -Also a copy of your relevant state pesticide laws. You might be able to get this on the internet. The federal law should be available at the EPA. Both state and federal laws apply, but enforcement is usually left to the states. You will find that application not in accordance with the label directions is illegal. You will also find that the Malathion label forbids application while bees are foraging in the application area. This means that, when the cotton blooms, they must know when bees are foraging (although this doesn't seem clear to applicators who don't want to know). This is the law, and they must obey it. They will likely seek to evade it, but it is the clear law. The responsibility for protecting the bees belongs to the applicator, who MUST obey label directions. I would contact them, and offer to help them monitor the hours when bees forage. You have the monitor hives. Cotton pollen is easily spotted on returning foragers, and can be observed, even from inside a closed pickup. Around here, if the weather is hot, the bees work cotton from daybreak until late morning, then gather water. As soon as no cotton pollen is observed, it is safe to begin spraying. In cooler weather, the bees start a bit later, and continue longer in the day. If they spray, while bees are working the blossoms, many field bees will drop. Your hives will get weak, and have to use up honey reserves to raise additional bees. They may store away contaminated pollen, to have brood and young bees poisoned later, even in winter, when whole hives may die of this. They will prefer to notify you when they are going to spray, and tell you, you must protect the hives. This of course is a way to circumvent the label directions, and to pass on the cost of protection to you. If you confine the bees in hot weather, so that they can spray illegally, you will also have losses from the confinement. And no feral bees or bees that are owned by those who do not get notification will also be protected by their alternative to the label directions. You are going to have to stand firm. If they refuse to monitor and adjust application hours to the times bees are not in the field, let them know they will face prosecution for pesticide misuse. Your state pesticide regulators SHOULD help you, but are likely to be quite reluctant. The camcorder is the next step. Record the applications, and the bees foraging at the same time. This makes a case the regulatory agency cannot refuse to prosecute, because it is dropped into their hands, already complete. Keep copies of all tapes. Our South Carolina regulatory agency refused to do any significant enforcement, until I started giving them tapes. I also filed a civil rights claim against the head of the agency for damages, for his refusal to enforce the law, which amounts to a seizure of personal property by a government agency without compensation. Remember that public officials are legally protected in any act that they do in an official capacity, except for civil rights violations, which may come against them personally. I may have bees at 10 or 20 locations on any given day, that may be exposed to cotton pesticides. Even if I did have unlimited vehicles with water tanks and employes to be at the bee sites before daybreak and even if I could confine the bees, why should I be responsible for the labor, netting, fuel, motel bills, etc, since I did not CHOOSE to use an environmentally hazardous material. The applicator chose this, and he is rightfully and legally responsible for safe use, though compliance with label directions. And if the head of the agency permits the evasion of pesticide labels through beekeeper notification, he is seizing my property without compensation. After this we had some citations. One applicator was fined $1500. You have been given an opportunity to do a good work for our pollinators -- a moral obligation. If you buckle under and go chasing to each bee yard to "protect" your bees only, you will find it impossible, and you will not help the whole situation in the end. If you insist on compliance with the labels, you will protect all pollinators. Once applicators realize they must obey the law, bee poisonings will dwindle. You have one final tool to protect the bees. Once it is clear to the applicators that bees are foraging in the application area; if they apply anyway, they are in WILFUL violation, which is a criminal matter. You can go to any local magistrate and swear out a warrant for the applicator's arrest for wilful criminal misuse. In general, when you see an application, and bees are foraging, get a record on video, but file to to your regulatory agency as a suspected violation, until you can determine what material is being applied and get a copy of the label directions. Not all agricultural chemicals are hazardous to bees, and those that are not, do not have any specific directions regarding bees. Some are fungicides, defoliants, etc. Also remember, if the cotton is not yet in bloom, or is post bloom, the label instructions do not apply, as there won't be foraging bees. Also, note that the location of the hives is irrelevant, the label refers to the *foraging* bees, not the bees at home. MAKE SURE THE APPLICATORS KNOW THAT THE BEES HAVE THE LEGAL "RIGHT OF WAY"........ Please, Bill, don't "wimp out" like a lot of beekeepers. Wimpy beekeepers (and some of our bee research and extension people as well) are a major reason why we still face so much misuse-caused bee losses. Pollinator@aol.com Dave Green Hemingway, SC USA The Pollination Scene: http://users.aol.com/pollinator/polpage1.html or http://www.pollinator.com/ Jan's Sweetness and Light Shop (Varietal Honeys and Beeswax Candles) http://users.aol.com/SweetnessL/sweetlit.htm ========================================================================= Date: Wed, 15 Jul 1998 17:43:06 -0700 Reply-To: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology Sender: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology From: Andy Nachbaur Subject: Re: Boil Weevil Eradication Program In-Reply-To: <199807150427.VAA11215@mx1.thegrid.net> Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" At 09:00 PM 7/14/98 -0500, you wrote: >Tennessee is going to spry from planes ULV Malthion on every acre of >cotton in the southwestern part of the state. >will spray up until October. My question is how much loss should I >expect. Moving all of my 100 hives is out of the question because I >have no place to move them that cotton is not within foraging distance. Hi Bill, Its always hard to answer these kind of questions as it makes me feel like someone selling a dyeing cancer patient a pre arrange funeral. As to the question of what loss to expect I would if I were you not only expect NO loss I would insist on it. When birds, bees, fish, people or any non target species is damaged by any regulated chemical applied by anyone it is in itself an unlawful use and act, and you should have every expectation of full re numeration regardless of your own interests if you own the property damaged. You should not care what chemical it is or how it is used as long as it does not damage your property, or injure your personal well being. The above is easy said but now you have some obligations to document your own loss. At one time this was impossible for the ordinary person but today it is much easier if you follow some easy rules which include an assessment of the actual condition of your bees before the loss. Get your local friendly bee inspector to come out and make a 100% inspection of all your hives right now before the loss would be one step you could take. It is not necessary to let it be know why you are doing this other then looking for pests, or disease. Maybe its time to search your hives for the Killer AFRO wax beetles. Make a note of their condition as to number of bees, brood and laying queens. Don't worry if they are in sorry shape now and improve between now and the end of October you will not have to pay for the cotton spraying. I would have and use a video camera, if you don't have one now is the time to get one. I once paid for a new Camera in one hour in a pesticide damage situation that just could never happen but few experts can explain away pictures that show dead bees. Always have someone with you when taking samples or pictures and if you can it should be someone without an interest in your bees or personal welfare unless they work for the Welfare Department or something. If you have loss take samples of fresh killed bees and all the pollen you can find. I would even put on a pollen trap in every yard now just to have something that is easy to analyze for chemicals. You can label and freeze any samples and again it is better to have a disinterested party take and store the samples if you can, in any case have a witness along with any film exposed or samples taken. If there are any public schools within a few miles of your bees and the crops sprayed take plant samples and always identify your bee yards by the distance from the closest school if you can. Churches, public parks, fishing holes would be a 2nd choice if you lack schools. Pesticides can be detected on most plants especially ones with a waxy coating on the leaves or plants closely related to animal forage plants such as clovers. Samples need not be big, I have used a old ticket punch that cuts out small disks from the plant leaves like a leaf cutter bee and they worked great as long as you get a hundred or so. Anyway if you are going to do this you should get with the lab that will run the samples to see what their requirements are. I would stay away from any government labs or send duplicate samples to a private lab for obvious reasons. If you do all the above I can guarantee that the word will get around and you will be the most hated beekeeper in your area but you may find that your bees will not be damaged if they are not burned up from fire escaping from the cross burning in your bee yards. But if you never had a friend in the pesticide business you would not suffer from it as for the most part they do not make good friends anyway. Here in California the Bee Cops are also the Pesticide Regulators and sleep in the same bed with the chemical industry so we have lost lots of bees. Anyone who has been in the bee business has replaced all of their hives once every twenty years because of the regulated use of pesticides and some more. Its always a case of the value of the bees vs the value of the crop being protected. Considering that its the same with the poor people who work on the farms what can we expect anyway. The last time someone deliberately sprayed a crew of farm workers picking tomatoes here they took his licence away for 90 days....the next winter when its too foggy to even find the air field let alone spray crops like there were any to spray in the winter. The only good thing about crop dusters is they don't live very long, if they pesticides don't kill em the crash does. Years ago we had a old beekeeper who used to shoot at them when ever they flew over his bees which all were kept around his home. They complained to the authorities and the next night the old plane burned up. Never could prove who did it but a five gallon honey can was found in the cockpit of the burned out plane. They did haul the beekeeper off to the funny farm. He had a good rest on the county and returned a new man with a special sparkle in his eyes which lasted I am told until he moved off to better bee pasture in Heaven. I learned a lot from this crazy old Russian bee man, and a lot more about the law and the bravest and dumbest thing I ever did was to drive my old pickup straight down the road one day that was being used in violation of the law for a crop duster landing strip. I was never so shocked in my life and relieved to see that plane take the briar ditch, and I never realized just how big those old crop dusters were until seeing this one coming down the highway right at me and to see it in the ditch still brings a smile to my face. The pilot got out and ran over to me screaming and yelling about my family roots and how he would get me and my bees. But I went to the state house the next day and that was the last crop duster to ever use a public road in our county and I could not tell the difference in my bees as they were killing them anyway or I would have not been in a frame of mind to do something so stupid. You see he also complained to the local bee pesticide cops and told them how close I had come to being killed and made my case for me at the state house as that was the reason crop dusters and cars don't use the same roads plus the fact the duster's was not paying any gas tax to support the damage being done to the roads anyway. Now the bad news. MALATHION itself is not a good bee killer, or even a good boil weevil killer, but repeated applications will increase the damage done to honeybees matters not how carefully done. Ultra Low Volume is just using less water or carrier so that more pure insecticide can be loaded in the sprayer reducing the cost. There is some BS about how bigger the drops are or is it smaller and they do less damage but it is BS. More acres can be treated with each load, more loads can be sprayed and that's the reason its used, it the money that talks. The bad news about this is that it makes it X times more toxic if birds, bees, fish, or your kids are exposed to it. But it is cheaper to use. In ending I would say ULV MALATHION can be used without bee loss. (I read that in some of their advertisements.) Don't believe it. I would also say that there are chemicals that are even worse as small amounts of them will cause your hives to die out next winter but at the time of application no big loss will be seen, at least with the malathion you should be able to see and document the loss at the time it is used. Bees get very aggressive during exposure to malathion and many other chemicals at the time they are exposed so have your smoker and veil handy before going into your bee yards. I wish you luck, I hope when all is said and done you can report back that your bees were not damaged and everything worked out great. Sorry for turning this post into a book, the bees make me do it. Between now and then if I were you I would get in touch with ALgore the environmentalist as most of these state programs are political favors being paid back by state and federal agricultural regulators to chemical company's, applicators, or farmers and really have no real benefit as they seldom reduce the target pest and the crop suffers the same damage with or without them and sometimes more because of them, such as a reduction of honeybees in cotton can reduce the seed yield by 15%+. ttul, the OLd Drone (c)Permission is given to copy this document in any form, or to print for any use. (w)OPINIONS are not necessarily facts. USE AT OWN RISK! ========================================================================= Date: Wed, 15 Jul 1998 21:46:29 EDT Reply-To: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology Sender: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology From: David Adams Subject: Re: World Sugar News Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII Content-transfer-encoding: 7bit Thanks Garth It is nice to get some inside info into things such as this from other areas of the little world we live in. I feed alot in the winter so to get an early build up for citrus in fla.USA , so cheap feed would be a good thing. Thanks again David Adams ========================================================================= Date: Thu, 16 Jul 1998 01:44:57 -0400 Reply-To: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology Sender: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology From: Conrad Sigona Subject: Re: hives - on the body In-Reply-To: <199807152215.SAA20520@newport.ntcnet.com> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII > You make me fill like a sissy. When I don't have a bee veil on, the girls > like to sock it to my eyes and lips. A problem I wish I had with my own > kind. I wouldn't have believed a few years ago how much of a bee's temperment could be a matter of breeding. I am using the ARS-Y-C-1 Carniolan. They are without a doubt the sweetest bees ever. They almost refuse to sting. It's only if I'm really stupid, like catching one under my fingers, that I get stung. They have remained calm even without smoke (I use little to none), even in bad weather, and even when queenless. Strangely, although I'd read that swarms don't usually sting, when I tried retrieving one of my swarms, the ones that fell down on me, and not into the box, stung me good. Although I might appear to be a brave guy when I visit my own bees without a veil, I'm sure I've become lulled into letting down my guard and will someday be killed if I visit a neighbor's hives without smoke on a rainy day. Conrad Sigona conrad@ntcnet.com ========================================================================= Date: Wed, 15 Jul 1998 18:44:34 +0200 Reply-To: drs@kulmbach.baynet.de Sender: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology From: "Dr. Reimund Schuberth" Subject: Re: Too many wasp MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit > If I put out wasp traps will the bees be attracted also? Yes in some cases, when you use just a simple sugar solution. Better add some drops of of vinegar, which repells bees but not wasps. Sincerely Reimund ____________________________ Beekeeper in Germany (Bavaria) Queen Rearing of Carniolan Bees Insemination Station ____________________________ ========================================================================= Date: Thu, 16 Jul 1998 00:41:13 -0400 Reply-To: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology Sender: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology From: David Williams Subject: feeding syrup MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable I'll preface this statement with my qualifications in the area. I have a = Ph.D in analytical chemistry with a minor in biochemistry. That said, it's my understanding that bee's have invertase in their = stomach which inverts sucrose (table sugar) to fructose and glucose. = Inverted sugar is sweeter than sucrose. Hence, it is impossible for = bees to store the syrup that I feed them as sucrose syrup. The bee's = may store the syrup that I feed them, but it will be modified/inverted = and sweeter than the syrup that I feed them. With that in mind, I have no hesitation to continue to feed the bees = syrup as long as they take it. =20 Yours, Dr. Dave ========================================================================= Date: Wed, 15 Jul 1998 20:42:41 -0700 Reply-To: jcbach@yvn.com Sender: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology From: JamesCBach Subject: ULV Malathion MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1 Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Bill Hughes asks some good questions about this product being used on cotton and David Green makes some excellent points in response and gives some good advice. Also remember what bees are doing at this time of the year. They are fanning air through the hives to ripen honey and keep the hive cool. Malathion applied by aircraft and on occasion by ground rig may be drawn throughout the hive by fanning bees in hot weather. A light wind will carry the spray to an apiary close to the field. Also consider that cooler air moves down slope and hives even on pallets have entrances close to the ground. I have seen colonies of bees in hives with upper entrances move up in the hive to avoid sprays flowing down slope through a shallow draw or grade. The bottom part of the cluster was killed but the upper part survived due to their efficient movement of air through the upper entrance. The line between live and dead bees in the hive was at the level of the top of the draw. James C. Bach jbach@agr.wa.gov jcbach@yvn.com ========================================================================= Date: Wed, 15 Jul 1998 22:20:17 EDT Reply-To: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology Sender: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology From: "Ralph W. Harrison" Subject: Country Living Magazine Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII Content-transfer-encoding: 7bit There is a nice article by list member Faith Andrews Bedford in the August issue ofCountry Living Magazine. It deals with how she became interested in bees when she was young and her pursuit of becoming a beekeeper. A very nice article. Well done Faith! Ralph Harrison Western CT Beekeepers Association ========================================================================= Date: Thu, 16 Jul 1998 11:41:21 +0100 Reply-To: mpym@hive.netkonect.co.uk Sender: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology From: Madeleine Pym Subject: Re: Bees and wasps MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Garth, Isn't there a risk of killing bees that land on the sticks, or of bees tracking the poison in to the hive with them if they have contact with it and killing other bees. I am often tempted to try and set up some sort of bait for the wasps (other than jam pots for them to drown in) but am too worried that what harms the wasp will harm the bee. Wasps are just beginning to pester my bees and they make me hopping mad... In any other situation I value the fact that all predatory or scavenging insects have their place - just not in my apiary. I haven't ever come across a good suggestion for dealing with them bar narrowing all hive entrances, particularly on weaker colnies or nucs, and not leaving anything around that is an easy meat so to speak. What has anyone else got to say about this. It certainly isn't something an old .22 could take care of (that's if I had one - only ever saw them in the movies). In my case I can't track down the nest and destroy it because it will be in a neighbours roof or something like that. Last year I could see the flight path clear as day, but there wasn't anything to about it, short of standing there all day stamping on the pests. Madeleine, London, UK ========================================================================= Date: Thu, 16 Jul 1998 12:54:49 GMT+0200 Reply-To: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology Sender: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology From: Garth Organization: Rhodes University South Africa Subject: Re: getting mean Hi All Chris mentioned that before swarming bees get angry. This is for a number of reasons. In our bees here, and this will apply for most bees I am sure, as bees become older they are more aggressive. Hence after a dearth they can be rather ratty as the hive populations average age has drifted towards a higher number of weeks. A young hive population is conversely less aggressive. Often people say if the bees have lots of honey they are cross. This I have found to be rubbish as I have had hives of aggressive lineage that had four supers ful with two brood boxes of brood and they were no less aggressive than when they only occupied one brood box. However, many will have noticed that a honeybound hive is more aggressive, especially just before it swarms. Thereafter it is very peaceful. Also, a failing queen willl cause the pop to age, but a failing queen who fails pheremonally will cause the workers to develop ovaries and then aggression goes down (laying worker syndrome). Keep well Garth Garth Cambray Camdini Apiaries Grahamstown Apis mellifera capensis Eastern Cape Prov. South Africa Time = Honey After careful consideration, I have decided that if I am ever a V.I.P the I. may not stand for important. (rather influential, ignorant, idiotic, intelectual, illadvised etc) ========================================================================= Date: Fri, 17 Jul 1998 08:39:39 +0000 Reply-To: peter@airborne.co.nz Sender: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology From: Peter Bray Subject: Re: feeding syrup In-Reply-To: <01BDB052.85214980@ppp14.valuu.net> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII Content-transfer-encoding: 7BIT > That said, it's my understanding that bee's have invertase in > their stomach which inverts sucrose (table sugar) to fructose and > glucose. Inverted sugar is sweeter than sucrose. Hence, it is > impossible for bees to store the syrup that I feed them as sucrose > syrup. The bee's may store the syrup that I feed them, but it > will be modified/inverted and sweeter than the syrup that I feed > them. In practice, honey always has some sucrose in it. Various regulations allow up to 10% in some specialized cases (acacia). If the invertase inverted all the sucrose, why would there always be some left? Prevailing plant, weather, soil and geographic conditions will alter the composition of the natural nectar and hence we get a wide range of variation in the outcome of honey produced from different plants/regions etc. A good example is the addition of Boron in the soil has shown to have an effect on the quanitity of Fructose in clover (t. repens) nectar (but I can't rememer whether it is more or less [fructose]). It would appear that the invertase inverts some but not all of the sucrose and the higher the amount of sucrose, the more that is left over once the "honey" is ripened. If you feed sugar (sucrose) syrup and intend selling your product in a market that regulates the amount of sucrose allowed in honey, you do so at your peril. Regards Peter Bray ---------------------------------------------------------------- Airborne Honey Ltd., PO Box 28, Leeston, New Zealand Fax 64-3-324-3236, Phone 64-3-324-3569 peter@airborne.co.nz ========================================================================= Date: Thu, 16 Jul 1998 16:30:00 -0400 Reply-To: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology Sender: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology From: Greg Hankins Subject: Fall in Pennsylvania? Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" I have a daughter moving to Bethlehem PA in mid August. She'd like to keep a hive in the small garden behind her townhouse. I'm in NC and suspect the bees might be better moved in the spring but know she'd like to have them as quickly as possible. Can I expect any kind of a fall flow in her area should we go ahead and move them? Anyone have contact info for a beekeeping group in the area? Thanks, Greg ______________________________________________________________ Greg Hankins Montgomery Packaging ghankins@ac.net Troy, North Carolina Voice: (910)576-0067 Fax: (910)576-0367 ========================================================================= Date: Thu, 16 Jul 1998 12:08:32 EDT Reply-To: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology Sender: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology From: Faith Andrews Bedford Subject: Re: A story about beekeeping Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII Content-transfer-encoding: 7bit Hi all - Just thought you'd like to know that my column in this month's County Living magazine (the Kids in the Country column) has a story entitled "Sweet Dreams" which tells of how I became a beekeeper. The August issue is on the stands now and has a cover with a bed all done up in white linens on it. I am hoping that it will encourage more people (they have a readership of 11 million) to think about keeping bees and to let children get involved. For those of your who read it and say "Huh?" about the endbar about bees in trouble, I have to disavow all responsibility. Well, actually, I was able to sort of save it at the last minute. My copy editor, Tom Claire, did not tell me that he was going to add such an end bar and, therefore, did not ask who he should call. He found a biology professor at Cornell (not an entomologist) who he interviewed. Originially the endbar quoted this fellow as saying that backyard beekeepers did not use medication on their bees because it was too expensive. He further said that the way to help honeybees was to buy more honey. I told the editors that that had to be changed......or they would find their mailbox full of angry letters. Well, the "buy more honey" part stayed in but I was able to slip in the real concern about loss of honey bees, i.e. loss of pollination, and add a note to encourage people to write to their congressmen and women. Only then did I allow my initials to be put at the end of the side bar. If you wonder where I got the "fun facts", I found them on the internet and from Adam Finkelstien (Thanks, Adam) and used the best, most awe inspiring ones. Honey Board folk, thanks for your web site, I mentioned it. We were up in Virginia this weekend to take off our honey. We had a dismal year. We lost two out of four hives and the two remaining only produced three supers total. But it is delicious. Hope it will take a blue ribbon at the fair. All best, Faith Andrews Bedford, Tampa and Ivy, VA ========================================================================= Date: Thu, 16 Jul 1998 14:20:38 EDT Reply-To: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology Sender: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology From: David Green Subject: PETA Fantasies Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII Content-transfer-encoding: 7bit As the "Pollinator" in many internet groups, I occasionally get letters such as the following one. I have removed the name of the originator..... << Hi Pollinator, (name and address here), Master Gardener....my daughter is a vegetarian and received this from PeTA,animal rights people. I tried to convince her that this is not the case but didn't do well. Hearing from someone in the bee business I hope will. I told her this was biased and not what you and the other beekeepers do. Thank you for your time and input.>> The PETA people play fast and loose with the facts, and they use some pretty charged emotional language to "prove" their point. They discredit themselves in so doing. Let me say that beekeeping is not a highly profitable endeavor nowadays, and we are all struggling to survive. One of the things that holds us (besides the hope of better times) is a love of our charges -- our warm and fuzzy friends. I literally get sick when I see my bees suffering from an illegal pesticide application on a nearby farm. And I also get high while watching them pollinate an orchard or a field of melons. I got sore at another beekeeper one time, when he was letting his bees starve out in the spring. The bees were climbing up the outsides of the hives and falling off, dying on the ground. A little feed would have saved them; he didn't care. (Maybe I should have reported him for inhumane treatment of his animals.) This kind of beekeeper is an exception, and he did not survive in the business. The bees are our livestock, why should we be cruel or kill them. They are our livelihood. There is no excuse for cruelty. When they are sick, we medicate them, unless it is impossible, and we must destroy one hive with a contagious disease for the good of all. If the PETA people get their way, and no one keeps bees, who do you think will pollinate our food crops? Honeybees can no longer live in the US without care, a keeper is needed to protect them from introduced diseases and parasites. We try to help them recover when they are poisoned by an illegal pesticide application, and feed them when they would starve, because of clearcut logged forests and sanitary, hedgerow-free farms. There are only 1600 full time beekeeping enterprizes left in the USA. Most of these are family enterprizes. Since we have few feral (wild) honeybees left, and only about half the number of hives we had a generation ago, the services of these beekeepers is critical to the pollination of our crops. Actually they are doing a far better job of pollination nowadays, with a lot fewer bees, because they migrate. Like the combines moving north across out central section with the seasonal harvest, beekeepers start in the south in late winter and move northward as the season progresses, pollinating many of our orchards and veggie fields in the process. Many tractor-trailer loads of bees move up and down Interstate 95 near me, each spring and fall. Contracts for crop pollination provide a greater share of commercial beekeeper income than honey nowadays. So tell the PETA people to quit biting the hand that feeds them. Here are some more specific comments: <> Ho, ho! Tell that to my banker! <> Pretty emotional language..... My queens are mated naturally, as are most of the queens raised in the USA. A few that are used in research or for breeder queens that must have carefully controlled genetics, are artificially inseminated. The queen is put to sleep first, and gently, carefully inseminated. The use of the word "rape" inplies violence, assault, and this is sure not the case here. I have heard of beekeepers clipping wings in byegone years, as a means to prevent swarming, but I doubt the practice is common today. It didn't work then and it wouldn't work now. <> That is the choice of the bees. If they have full bellies, they are unlikely to kill workers -- or the new queen. If they are in a period of dearth, they might. But requeening is deliberately done where there is a good nectar flow to avoid unnecessary death. When a failing queen must be replaced at a time when there is little feed, beekeepers generally feed the bees to get better acceptance. <> This is one of the few "facts" that has some truth to it. But it has been forced on us by changing times. I used to leave a full super on each hive for their winter feed (and supplement it, if necessary, in the spring with additional frames of honey). Today, we must remove all honey supers when we treat for parasitic mites in the fall. This is so that no honey will ever be contaminated. I have no place to store hundreds of full supers to put back later on the hives, when the treatment is over. If I try to store full supers they get full of bugs and mice. So I extract the honey. Then I feed the bees corn syrup through the winter. The bees stay healthy; they do not die from the mites. Here in South Carolina, there are no significant sources of nectar in the winter, but plenty of pollen. The bees, who have plenty of syrup with pollen to fill out their nutritional needs, seem to happily thrive on this change. Whatever makes my bees happy makes me happy! <> I guess, if you are going to tell a lie, make it a big one! I have a lot of money invested in my equipment, and I will not willingly allow any of it to be destroyed, unless it is contaminated with contagious disease. Why would anyone destroy tens of thousands of dollars worth of useable equipment? Unfortuately vandals do this for me, every now and then, and the pace seems to be increasing. I may have bees in a hundred locations at any one time, and cannot guard them all. Maybe the vandals have been listening to PETA, or the the "killer bee" hype from the media....... Sometimes anti-bee groups get laws passed prohibiting beekeeping in a whole area, which makes a nice empty ecological niche for uncontrolled Africanized bees to fill. <> I always do whatever I can to salvage my bees that are damaged by pesticide misuse. It costs me a lot of money to do this. I also do everything in my power to bring the misuser to justice. <> The bees will punish beekeepers who handle them rough. The odor of crushed bees sets off the hive and massive stinging can result. I can't say this never happens, but it is not the rule with any beekeeper with common sense. New beekeepers who are terrified are the ones most apt to handle bees clumsily. << To produce a pound of honey, bees must get pollen from 2 million flowers and must fly more than 55,000 miles.(7) Honeybees returning to the hive from a pollen-seeking expedition "dance" in figure eights to "map out" a route for other bees to follow. These dances "encode information about the distance and direction of a target that can be miles away from the nest," said Thomas D. Seeley of Cornell University.(8) >> Ain't it great that bees are willing to do this! They are always happiest if they have work to do. So I try to keep them happy, trucking them around to various nectar and pollen sources, and feeding them when there aren't any. <> In the "good ole days" that PETA refers to, the *unlucky* hive that was due for harvest was subjected to burning sulfur to kill the bees and brood. Maybe the PETA folks ought to see the puking, dying bees that result from sulfuring. Nowadays honey can be harvested without killing the hive. Modern beekeeping has greatly reduced the suffering....... <> Yes, there are lots of good sweeteners, but we don't hear many reports of folks who get relief from arthritis, allergies, etc., from all these others.... My customers often tell me they got health benefits from our honey. The loss of our pollinators is one of the most important environmental issues of the day, though most folks don't know that yet. Whether from poisoning our bees, or driving beekeepers bankrupt, we are on a downward slide that could well lead to famine in America, if it continues. Our beekeeping systems probably aren't perfect, especially by PETA standards; there are a few really lousy beekeepers. But the emotionally charged condemnation of all is an exercise in fantasy. And anyone who thinks that wild bees can accomplish our food crop pollination (let alone pollinate the seeds and berries that help feed birds and other wildlife) is living in an ivory tower. I used to be sympathetic to PETA. After all, the Scripture tells us that a godly man is kind to his beast..... But they have hardened into an extremist position, and they do some pretty unethical things to accomplish their goals (like tying up a beekeeper's 800 number to drive him out of business). My bees are free to leave their hives and return to the wild anytime they choose. Fortunately they seem to recognize how good they have it, and usually choose to stay in the accomodations I provide. Last spring I noticed a swarm hanging on a low limb and went to put them in a hive. They apparently had already selected a hollow tree out somewhere in the woods, and when I set the box under them, they left en masse to go to their chosen home in the woods. I watched them, wishing I could tell them that they carried their own death with them. We control the varroa mites, but we cannot exterminate them. So this swarm left with a few mites, that in a season, or maybe two, at best, they would die of these mites. I wanted to tell them that they were better off under my care. But they were not receptive; they were off to do their own thing. So I sadly said goodbye. (I think there is a sermon in there, somewhere.) Pollinator@aol.com Dave Green Hemingway, SC USA The Pollination Scene: http://users.aol.com/pollinator/polpage1.html Jan's Sweetness and Light Shop (Varietal Honeys and Beeswax Candles) http://users.aol.com/SweetnessL/sweetlit.htm ========================================================================= Date: Thu, 16 Jul 1998 17:09:11 EDT Reply-To: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology Sender: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology From: "(Thomas) (Cornick)" Subject: Sugar/Sucrose/Feeding Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII Content-transfer-encoding: 7bit If you feed your bees while honey supers are on the hive then what you sell is a hoax and brings discredit to all beekeepers. Is that your intention? ========================================================================= Date: Wed, 15 Jul 1998 18:34:56 +0200 Reply-To: drs@kulmbach.baynet.de Sender: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology From: "Dr. Reimund Schuberth" Subject: Re: Should I unite MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Yes you should. It's better to overwinter a strong hive than two week one. Put a sheet of paper on the queenless hive and make a few cuts into the paper with a knife or s.th. like this. Then put the hive with queen above. After one week you can observe the bees carrying small pieces of paper out of the hive entrance. After this one can reorganize the frames and prepare the bees for overwintering. Sincerely Reimund _______________________________ Beekeeper in Germany (Bavaria) Queen Rearing of Carniolan Bees Insemination Station _______________________________ Alan Sharratt schrieb: > Hello. > I am a novice Beekeeper and have two hives which are just three old weeks > after acquiring 2 swarms, this evening I inspected the hives and have > discovered that one of the hives is queenless , no brood comb just stores of > honey and pollen, the other has brood. I do not think that either hive is > particularly strong just covering 5 brood > frames in each hive. Should I unite the hives or introduce a Queen into the > Queenless hive. > Alan. ========================================================================= Date: Thu, 16 Jul 1998 07:35:04 -0700 Reply-To: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology Sender: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology From: Andy Nachbaur Subject: Re: feeding syrup In-Reply-To: <199807160952.CAA12445@mx1.thegrid.net> Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" At 12:41 AM 7/16/98 -0400, you wrote: >That said, it's my understanding that bee's have invertase in their = >stomach which inverts sucrose (table sugar) to fructose and glucose. = >Inverted sugar is sweeter than sucrose. Its true bees can invert sucrose but it will in time use them up. Its better to feed sugar that is already a inverted sugar and not burn your bees out. >Hence, it is impossible for bees to store the syrup that I feed them as sucrose syrup. The bee's >may store the syrup that I feed them, but it will be modified/inverted and sweeter than the syrup that I >feed them. Yes this also is true it becomes a super saturated solution of sugar syrup. The bees will mix it with nectar from flowers blooming in your area. >With that in mind, I have no hesitation to continue to feed the bees syrup as long as they take it. This is OK with me but it could be less expensive to buy honey for your table and to feed your bees as after you feed your bees all this sugar anything you remover from your hive will be OK for you to eat but it will not be legal to sell it as "Honey" or "Pure Honey" as it will remain a product not unlike manufactured sugar syrup that you can buy for a fraction of the cost of honey ready to eat. It would be interesting to see how much sugar syrup one hive will take. I am sure it would be in the hundreds of gallons and compare that to what you could recover which would be a small percentage of what they would take in and could even approach zero. Good Luck, ttul, the OLd Drone http://beenet.com ========================================================================= Date: Fri, 17 Jul 1998 01:03:05 +0300 Reply-To: jtemp@xs4all.nl Sender: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology From: Jan Tempelman Organization: Home Subject: Re: feeding syrup Comments: To: peter@airborne.co.nz MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Peter Bray wrote: > A good example is the addition of Boron in the soil has shown to have an effect > on the quanitity of Fructose in clover (t. repens) nectar (but I can't rememer > whether it is more or less [fructose]). more on suger, nectar, honey on http://www.xs4all.nl/~jtemp/sugar.html greetings from "bad beeweather Holland", jan ------------------------------------------------- home of the drone frame method. de darreraat methode ------------------------------------------------- http://www.xs4all.nl/~jtemp/index3.html Jan Tempelman / Ineke Drabbe | mailto:jtemp@xs4all.nl Sterremos 16 3069 AS Rotterdam, The Netherlands Tel/Fax (SOMETIMES) XX 31 (0)10-4569412 ------------------------------------------------- ========================================================================= Date: Thu, 16 Jul 1998 22:19:58 -0400 Reply-To: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology Sender: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology From: Greg Zujus Subject: Hive Move It has become necessary for me to immediately move one of my hives to another yard. My problem is that there is a large cluster of bees on the landing board and adjacent area every night. Does anyone have a method of moving hives such as this while retaining the exterior cluster ? ____________________________________________ Greg Z Mystic, Ct GJZ@MSN.com ========================================================================= Date: Fri, 17 Jul 1998 00:26:10 -0500 Reply-To: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology Sender: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology From: BILL HUGHES JR Subject: Boil Weevil Eradication Program Thanks all for responding. Yesterday I had a meeting with the BWEP bee and environmental coordinator and the USDA representative and took them by most of my locations that are close (under 100 yards) from cotton. They said that they would place monitors near my colonies to monitor for pesticide drifting. And will call me the night before spraying. If I have any problems they want me to contact them and they will correct the problem. BWEP said that most of the colony losses in other eradication areas have been due to drifting. The USDA man said that the spraying will not be done if the winds are above 12 mph. Also that the planes will be equipped GPS so that they will have a detailed map of all spraying. (a cover their rear plan). The spraying will take place every 5 days until mid September then every 7 days until a killer frost or the cotton has been defoleated. Now to Andy Nachbaur's suggestion that I contact Al Gore. When I turned 21 in 1969 I was proud to be able to vote aganist Al Gore's father twice, once in the primary and in the general election. I am happy to say that year we threw him out office where he has been drawing a fat pension ever since. So this should suggest my feeling about Al Jr. Thanks to evey one again for their suggestions and I will keep you informed of this project. Bill Hughes Bent Holly Honey Farm Brighton, Tennessee ____ Bill Hughes Bent Holly Honey Farm Brighton, Tennessee USA ========================================================================= Date: Thu, 16 Jul 1998 20:28:01 -0700 Reply-To: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology Sender: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology From: Andy Nachbaur Subject: Re: Hive Move In-Reply-To: <199807170310.UAA22903@mx1.thegrid.net> Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" At 10:19 PM 7/16/98 -0400, you wrote: >It has become necessary for me to immediately move one of my hives to >another yard. My problem is that there is a large cluster of bees on the >landing board and adjacent area every night. Does anyone have a method of >moving hives such as this while retaining the exterior cluster ? Get an early start, take a clean garden sprayer and extra water. Gently spray the bees on the outside of the hive, repeat as necessary until they go in. Save some water to spray them before unloading. You still will need to smoke them but they should be able to use the water to cool the hive enough to not hang out on the porch. This also works to some extent with bees that are aggressive in the heat and you want to inspect them. ========================================================================= Date: Thu, 16 Jul 1998 23:48:20 -0400 Reply-To: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology Sender: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology From: Ted Fischer Subject: Re: Sugar/Sucrose/Feeding MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit (Thomas) (Cornick) wrote: > > If you feed your bees while honey supers are on the hive then what you > sell is a hoax and brings discredit to all beekeepers. > Is that your intention? This is absolutely true. Therefore honey supers must *never* be in place when feeding bees. The same holds for Apistan or any medication. All beekeepers should follow this elementary rule, or as quoted above, bring discredit upon all. Ted Fischer Dexter, Michigan USA ========================================================================= Date: Fri, 17 Jul 1998 04:44:58 +0100 Reply-To: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology Sender: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology From: Computer Software Solutions Ltd Subject: Hive move Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" Hello Greg >It has become necessary for me to immediately move one of my hives to >another yard. I would smoke the bees to drive them in, and then insert what we call here 'foam rubber' into the entrance to seal the hive. You may have to use a travelling screen to ensure that the bees can breathe, especially if you are moving them a considerable distance. Sincerely Tom Barrett 49 South Park Foxrock Dublin 18 Ireland e mail cssl@iol.ie Tel + 353 1 289 5269 Fax + 353 1 289 9940 Latitude 53 Degrees North Longitude 6 Degrees West of Greenwich ========================================================================= Date: Fri, 17 Jul 1998 23:29:03 +1200 Reply-To: peter@airborne.co.nz Sender: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology From: Peter Bray Subject: Pollen, Microscopes and video cameras MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII Content-transfer-encoding: 7BIT We do quite a lot of pollen ID work with a microscope and would like to clip images from our m'scope - on the cheeeep of course! Anyone know a source of video camera's (or info) that can be mated up to a capture card? Anyone been up this track? TIA Peter Bray ---------------------------------------------------------------- Airborne Honey Ltd., PO Box 28, Leeston, New Zealand Fax 64-3-324-3236, Phone 64-3-324-3569 peter@airborne.co.nz ========================================================================= Date: Fri, 17 Jul 1998 07:29:59 -0800 Reply-To: berorchs@televar.com Sender: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology From: Robin Bergh Subject: stencils MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit a friend is looking for stencils of bee skeps, hollyhocks and foxgloves. does anyone know where i might find them? ========================================================================= Date: Fri, 17 Jul 1998 07:49:47 -0700 Reply-To: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology Sender: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology From: Andy Nachbaur Subject: Re: Boil Weevil Eradication Program In-Reply-To: <199807170707.AAA15410@mx1.thegrid.net> Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" At 12:26 AM 7/17/98 -0500, you wrote: >Thanks all for responding. Yesterday I had a meeting with the BWEP >bee and environmental coordinator and the USDA representative and Hi Bill, Sounds like you are doing more then most beekeepers get the chance to do. I still would document the condition of my bees before any loss and I would get pictures of as many of these government men who are working near or in your bee yards as by their interest they are acknowledging what they are doing is putting what you do at risk and your bees at risk or they would not be doing it as you are not a chemical man or cotton grower. If you do have a big loss you will be surprised how fast they disappear and how fast their mission will change. (They will swear they were only trying to demonstrate to you that what they are doing could cause you damage and you should have protected yourself.) The idea that bee loss is from drift is an example of they way they think and putting the blame on someone else and something they don't control. If you have a loss it will be because of the chemical they are using drifting or not and their program that I repeat will NOT do what they say it will and that is "eradicate" anything but your bees and beneficial insects, fish, birds, and harm people. They will be back next year with another program. >... So this should suggest my feeling about Al Jr. If only us good beekeepers and friends ran the government this country would indeed be in better shape and our bees would be safer but they don't and it sometimes become's necessary to work with people you would not necessarily want in your home or around your kids. Sucking up to ALgore or any other government official must be looked at in the light of protecting your bees from government sponsored damage, both are repulsive to most normal people. BTW, how are your bees doing now anyway? It would be a good idea to find a copy of "Babies Names" and name all your hives like you would your children. This is much more impressive to a jury in court when the other side tries to put a low value on your bee hives as a whole when you know that the loss of one is just like losing a family member. I would use biblical names if I lived in your area. ttul, the OLd Drone http://beenet.com/bnews.htm (c)Permission is given to copy this document in any form, or to print for any use. (w)OPINIONS are not necessarily facts. USE AT OWN RISK! ========================================================================= Date: Fri, 17 Jul 1998 14:46:18 -0400 Reply-To: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology Sender: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology From: rmedders Subject: Re: NC Museum Hi All, In reference to the question to if there are any North Carolina beekeeping museums, I searched and only found this site, its an insect museum, but if you keep reading this museum has 71,000 specimens of Hymenoptera. Its sounds pretty interesting. Since I'm only about 30 minutes away from Raleigh, maybe I'll go check it out myself. Anyway, hope this is helpful. http://www2.ncsu.edu/ncsu/cals/entomology/FACILITY/museum.html >Is there a beekeeping museum in North Carolina? Thanks. >Tim Channell >El Paso, Texas Kind Regards, Sherry Medders beekeeping.guide@miningco.com http://beekeeping.miningco.com ========================================================================= Date: Fri, 17 Jul 1998 18:19:21 -0500 Reply-To: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology Sender: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology From: Billy Whitener Subject: A Nachbar for President MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit I nominate Andy Nachbar for president!! ========================================================================= Date: Sat, 18 Jul 1998 00:24:55 +0300 Reply-To: jtemp@xs4all.nl Sender: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology From: Jan Tempelman Organization: Home Subject: Re: Pollen, Microscopes and video cameras Comments: To: peter@airborne.co.nz MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-2 Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit I do some photografie on pollen see http://www.xs4all.nl/~jtemp/pollen98.html my casio cost "only" 225,- US$ the camera directly attached to the microscoop and later on.. connected direkt to the computer Peter Bray wrote: > > We do quite a lot of pollen ID work with a microscope and would like to clip > images from our m'scope - on the cheeeep of course! > > Anyone know a source of video camera's (or info) that can be mated up to a > capture card? Anyone been up this track? > > TIA > Peter Bray > ---------------------------------------------------------------- > Airborne Honey Ltd., PO Box 28, Leeston, New Zealand > Fax 64-3-324-3236, Phone 64-3-324-3569 peter@airborne.co.nz -- ------------------------------------------------- home of the drone frame method. de darreraat methode ------------------------------------------------- http://www.xs4all.nl/~jtemp/index3.html Jan Tempelman / Ineke Drabbe | mailto:jtemp@xs4all.nl Sterremos 16 3069 AS Rotterdam, The Netherlands Tel/Fax (SOMETIMES) XX 31 (0)10-4569412 ------------------------------------------------- ========================================================================= Date: Fri, 17 Jul 1998 13:36:58 -0400 Reply-To: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology Sender: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology From: "Dr. Gerald L Barbor" Subject: Re: Hive Move Greg, Just pick them up an move them at night with as little disruption as possible. If not too many are hanging out they can be smoked back in, but you won't lose many if you just pick up the whole thing. I did move one recently where I left a large cluster on the blocks, and I placed a nuc there to collect the bees and rejoined them at the new location the next night. I have even moved hives in this rural area on an open trailer with clusters hanging outside and they stay pretty well, even onthe front surface. With a closed truck it's a piece of cake. Jerry in Pa. _____________________________________________________________________ You don't need to buy Internet access to use free Internet e-mail. Get completely free e-mail from Juno at http://www.juno.com Or call Juno at (800) 654-JUNO [654-5866] ========================================================================= Date: Fri, 17 Jul 1998 20:13:40 -0700 Reply-To: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology Sender: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology From: Tony Dixon Subject: Re: Making Wax Foundation Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" >>I am interested in obtaining information on equipment available for making >>home made wax foundation. You can find equipment for making wax foundation and a lot of other interresting stuff at the French bee equipment supplier ETS THOMAS FILS. They have an on line catalogue at: http;//ourworld,compuserve,com/homepages/Apiservices/thoma_ fr.htm Hope this helps. Tony Dixon ========================================================================= Date: Sat, 18 Jul 1998 15:56:22 GMT+0200 Reply-To: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology Sender: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology From: Garth Organization: Rhodes University South Africa Subject: Re: Wasps Hi Madeleine and All I recently recounted my system gleaned from an old tropical beekeepeing handbook of dealing with bee pirates (preadcious insects), wherebye a t shaped stick is placed near the hive and poison placed on the stick. Madeleine, you mentioned a fear that the bees may track this poison into the hive. This is not a problem as the bee wolves/pirates always sit about 1.5 meters away from a hive, hence bees never land on the t bar. If they did, they would die as well as contact poisons are nasty. I am however personally loathed to use such devices as I am fortunate on keeping my bees on pastures at present that have not seen a pesticide in ten years. The lands are part of a nature conservancy which a group of farmers use for farmin venison (Kuda/bushbuck etc) and hence not even dips have been used on the animals. The last time pesticides were used were to control a minor locust swarm, but I am told that should a swarm ever be found again the local authorities will be using a fungicidal spray which only kills locusts in future. Hope that helps allay your fears. Keep well Garth Garth Cambray Camdini Apiaries Grahamstown Apis mellifera capensis Eastern Cape Prov. South Africa Time = Honey After careful consideration, I have decided that if I am ever a V.I.P the I. may not stand for important. (rather influential, ignorant, idiotic, intelectual, illadvised etc) ========================================================================= Date: Sat, 18 Jul 1998 16:10:15 GMT+0200 Reply-To: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology Sender: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology From: Garth Organization: Rhodes University South Africa Subject: Re: Feeding Bees and sugar syrup Hi All Just a word of caution when considering feeding bees sugar syrup. I recently had this idea where I figured I would set up a comb factory, with ten hives on constant feed set to draw comb. It worked fine for about two weeks and then began to fizzle out with the bees not drawing comb anymore at all. I suspect that they used up some supply of another compound probably harvested from flowers and needed in wax production. Nevertheless they began to really use a lot of sugar. One morning I was standing and watched their flight paths outside the hive and noticed that a large number of 'drops' were falling from the bees. This is normal to see on flight paths and is probably often due to bees colliding and 'droping their load' and so on, but in this case is was much worse and I suspect the bees were now unable to proccess this sugar further and were removing it from the hive, as they do water that accumulates at the bottom sometimes. They just drink it up and spit it out a few meters away from the hives. With any enzyme system there is often a need for co-factors and special trace elements to make up the active sites in the enzyme structure. I know nothing about the structure of bee invertase's, but am sure that sugar feeding over prolonged periods leads to the bees becoming run down and probably to the invertase becoming less effective to the point where bees would drink the nectar, be unable to do anything with it and eventually be forced to leave the hive and dump it. Keep well Garth Garth Cambray Camdini Apiaries Grahamstown Apis mellifera capensis Eastern Cape Prov. South Africa Time = Honey After careful consideration, I have decided that if I am ever a V.I.P the I. may not stand for important. (rather influential, ignorant, idiotic, intelectual, illadvised etc) ========================================================================= Date: Sat, 18 Jul 1998 16:21:48 GMT+0200 Reply-To: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology Sender: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology From: Garth Organization: Rhodes University South Africa Subject: Re: Moving hives, tips from africa Hi All As regards how to move a hive, on this continent we have nasty bees, so bees outside the hive are not welcome. Here is how I do it (especially with my more hybrid hives which are more aggressive). This is a technique I gleaned from an old textbook. Place an empty super on top of the beehive the day before moving. Tape it on with packing tape. Any surpluss bees will hang inside on the top of the inner cover. To move: Come up to the hive. At night bees are sensitive to foot falls so tip toe. Smoke the entrance six times with strong white smoke. Smoke around the lid, lift it and smoke through the hand hold of the inner cover. (note of they have clustered under the hole, it is important to smoke a few more times to get some smoke into the actual hive body) The bees will now not notice for two hours that they are being moved. Why smoke them at night? Well bees are sensitive to carbon dioxide presence. Smoke dulls their ability to sense CO2. So, if you did not smoke them, they would get excited and begin running around. Soon they would raise their own CO2 levels. You have plugged the entrance, so it cannot get out. They panic and raise the hive temperature by as much as ten degrees killing the brood and making the frames much weaker and more likely to sag. So, I just smoke them, load them on the truck (bakkie as we call them) and move them at night. I wear shorts and a tea shirt and for twenty hives recently picked up a total of two stings - and this was moving hives without the entrance being plugged. The two stings were when I stuck my fingers into a hive entrance to remove propolis so that the bees, on better forage would not lose too much time. Keep well Garth Garth Cambray Camdini Apiaries Grahamstown Apis mellifera capensis Eastern Cape Prov. South Africa Time = Honey After careful consideration, I have decided that if I am ever a V.I.P the I. may not stand for important. (rather influential, ignorant, idiotic, intelectual, illadvised etc) ========================================================================= Date: Sat, 18 Jul 1998 18:51:45 EDT Reply-To: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology Sender: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology From: Christopher Slade Subject: Re: BEE-L Digest - 15 Jul 1998 to 16 Jul 1998 Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII Content-transfer-encoding: 7bit Madeleine Pym asks about wasp traps. Wasps are attracted to fallen or rotting apples or to bird - pecked ones on the tree. Bees are not. Try using cider, the nectar I am quaffing as I type, in wasp traps. Chris Slade ========================================================================= Date: Sat, 18 Jul 1998 13:28:43 EDT Reply-To: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology Sender: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology From: "(Thomas) (Cornick)" Subject: Re: Hive Move Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII Content-transfer-encoding: 7bit Quick and dirty moving screen. On a empty super place some window screen Above this place a queen excluder. Remove the inner cover and place this arrangement on top. This gives a super full of cluster space and room for air. Free screen is always available where screens are repaired- lots of good clean used screen gets thrown out every day. A scrap of foam rubber in the entrance is about as easy as it gets. Tom in CT ========================================================================= Date: Sat, 18 Jul 1998 12:53:24 -0700 Reply-To: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology Sender: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology From: beeman Organization: Honey Ridge Apiaries Subject: ants MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Hi all, did anybody find out if cooking oil will kill ants?? mites??? is it safe to use in the hive??? ========================================================================= Date: Sat, 18 Jul 1998 20:45:13 PDT Reply-To: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology Sender: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology From: Ernest Gregoire Subject: Combining/Queen in upper or lower and why? MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII Hello Gang, I am combining hives this weekend. I plan to leave the stronger hive on it's own stand, and place a newspaper between it and a weaker hive's brood chamber. Both hives are single brood chambered now. The queen in the weaker hive will be dispatched as it's BC is placed on the newspaper. I plan to use a double screen board for ventilation on the upper until the bees finish reading the newspaper. I will give them a couple of weeks to rearrange the furniture,( brood and honey ), and then requeen with Carniolans. My question is this: Which brood chamber should the queen be in at the time of combination? Upper or lower? Why? de AA1IK, Time the accursed enemy of man, cursed by youth for going to slow Ernie Gregoire and by the old for going to fast. R.R. 1, Box 221, South Rd. Beekeeper Canaan, NH. 03741 Fly fisher & tier, Promise Keeper. E-mail address: gregoire@endor.com packet address: AA1IK@WA1WOK.FN43FE.NH.USA.NA ------------------------------------- 07/18/98 20:45:13 ========================================================================= Date: Sat, 18 Jul 1998 22:31:35 -0400 Reply-To: beekeepr@bellsouth.net Sender: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology From: Frank Humphrey Subject: Re: getting mean In-Reply-To: <199807161119.HAA12110@mail4.bellsouth.net> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Every year about this time My bees start getting mean. We are at the beginning of a dearth and they become very protective of the stores or their nest or whatever it is just a fact of life. I have Buckfast, Italians, Carolinians and some other swarms of mixed lineage. Come September, those same colonies will be docile again just the were 3 weeks ago. Why? Because there will be nectar coming in and they will be to busy to be defensive. Frank Humphrey beekeepr@bellsouth.net ========================================================================= Date: Sun, 19 Jul 1998 00:08:47 -0600 Reply-To: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology Sender: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology From: Teresa Garcma Subject: Re: ants MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1 Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable beeman, I sometimes use used car oil to control ants, but not IN the hive: The=20 hives are on bases and the bases are in oil cans. This way the ants=20 cannot reach the hives. Dr. Rodriguez uses oil for controlling mites, but he prefers, as far as=20 I understand, only "Food Grade Mineral Oil". I don=B4t think it damages=20 the bees because grease patties are currently used, and it sounds=20 logical that oil controls external mites, for it does so in the=20 "superior" species. Tere ========================================================================= Date: Sun, 19 Jul 1998 10:55:40 +0100 Reply-To: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology Sender: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology From: Computer Software Solutions Ltd Subject: Living with varroa Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" Hi All As an Irish beekeeper whose country has now fallen victim to the mite, I am reading up as much as I can on the subject, to better control it in my colonies. I recently came across the following paragraph in varroa Study Notes, and I was wondering if anyone has come across any information on what at first sight appears to be a promising research route.? 'Kairomone Research. The pheremones of drone brood are being studied in France with the objective of providing artificial lures to attract the mites and then kill them off.' (I understand that a kairomone is a pheremone which benefits the receiver of the message eg the gravid female varroa mite.) In Ireland we are now waiting anxiously for the appearance of the mite in our colonies. I am organising varroa floors for my hives, am actively uncapping and checking drone brood, and I will carry out Bayvarol tests on my colonies when the honey has been removed shortly. (Bayvarol is the only medicament authorised in Ireland). This I believe to be a fairly standard approach, and I would welcome comments on it. I fear that those beekeepers who ignore varroa, should ponder these lines from the Ancient Mariner (with thanks to Samuel Taylor Coleridge). Like one, that on a lonesome road Doth walk in fear and dread, And having once turned round walks on, And turns no more his head; Because he knows, a frightful fiend Doth close behind him tread. Sincerely Tom Barrett 49 South Park Foxrock Dublin 18 Ireland e mail cssl@iol.ie Tel + 353 1 289 5269 Fax + 353 1 289 9940 Latitude 53 Degrees North Longitude 6 Degrees West of Greenwich ========================================================================= Date: Sun, 19 Jul 1998 13:18:31 -0400 Reply-To: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology Sender: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology From: Chuck Alridge Subject: Freeville Member Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" About a month ago I asked the list a question about queen excluders. A list member from Freeville NY responded, Thanks for the info it helped a lot. Could this member contact me again off the list. Thanks Chuck ========================================================================= Date: Sun, 19 Jul 1998 13:30:58 EDT Reply-To: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology Sender: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology From: "(Thomas) (Cornick)" Subject: Re: Fall bloom Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII Content-transfer-encoding: 7bit Earlier in the season I believe in the inner cover section of Bee Culture some discussion was made about spring and summer being compressed into one month with all the trees and flowers here and gone. Right now in CT it looks as if sumac is allready done and along the roadsides goldenrod is in bloom as well as some aster. Where ever the bees are currently foraging the nectar coming back is light green in color I have yet to identify the source but perhaps a mixture of sumac and purple loosestrife. I wonder what will be left in the fall to fatten up the brood boxes but I think I am the answer- good thing sugar is currently pretty cheap. Tom- New London County CT ========================================================================= Date: Sun, 19 Jul 1998 18:51:33 +0100 Reply-To: parker@airtime.co.uk Sender: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology From: Chris Parker Subject: Beekeepers in Portland area ? Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable I'd like to enquire if there are any beekeepers on this list in the Portland, Oregan area ? =A0=A0 Chris Parker Bath Beekeepers ========================================================================= Date: Sun, 19 Jul 1998 15:41:10 +0000 Reply-To: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology Sender: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology From: Richard Bonney Subject: Re: Fall bloom MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit > Right now in CT it looks as if sumac is allready done and along the > roadsides goldenrod is in bloom as well as some aster. > I wonder what will be left in the fall to fatten up the brood boxes Here in Western Massachusetts goldenrod normally starts coming into bloom in mid-July. It is starting here now. During the period mid-July to mid-August the bees do not work the goldenrod. Have you seen the bees on the goldenrod in your area yet this year? Dick Bonney rebonney@javanet.com ========================================================================= Date: Sun, 19 Jul 1998 17:48:57 EDT Reply-To: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology Sender: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology From: "(Thomas) (Cornick)" Subject: Re: Fall bloom Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII Content-transfer-encoding: 7bit In a message dated 7/19/98 4:23:48 PM Eastern Daylight Time, rebonney@JAVANET.COM writes: > Have you seen the bees > on the goldenrod in your area yet this year? Just wasps on goldenrod when I checked this afternoon- the bees I have seen working were on mostly clover and residential gardens. I have seen some on purple loosestrife and find japanese knotweed to lay in some weight in August. Tom in CT ========================================================================= Date: Sun, 19 Jul 1998 19:58:04 -0400 Reply-To: lacelle@sympatico.ca Sender: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology From: Paul Lacelle Subject: Nucs MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Am going to split a couple of hives up into nucs to increase my hives for next Spring.Does anybody have any information about wintering hives indoors?I will be making four frame nucs in deep supers with a divider seperating them? -- ************************************************* * Paul & Debbie Lacelle * * Cedar Hill Canadians * * ICQ # 7693824 * * visit us at http://www3.sympatico.ca/lacelle * ************************************************* ========================================================================= Date: Sun, 19 Jul 1998 22:29:11 EDT Reply-To: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology Sender: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology From: George W Imirie Subject: Re: Should I unite Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII Content-transfer-encoding: 7bit Alan: This is 5 days late, but I just returned from the week long EAS meeting.. This is mid July, and putting a new queen in a queenless colony would be very foolish and probably fail to survive the winter. Unite the two, by putting the queenrite hive on a single sheet of newspaper on top of the queenless colony. Since both of these were swarms, late in the season, now a dearth, you must feed 1:1 sugar syrup continuously through about September and the 2:1 sugar syrup to do two things: provide winter food and encourage queen egg laying to get young winter bees. Don't overlook killing BOTH mites before winter: Menthol treatment in August to kill the Tracheal mite, and Apistan strips in September to kill the Varroa Mite. I don't know your location so I am guessing at these dates. Ask someone local or write back to me. George Imirie - 65 years of Maryland beekeeping ========================================================================= Date: Sun, 19 Jul 1998 20:36:14 EDT Reply-To: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology Sender: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology From: George W Imirie Subject: Re: Fall bloom Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII Content-transfer-encoding: 7bit tom: If it pleases you, add some green vegetable coloring to the sugar! Ha Ha. I just don't know why so many beekeepers would accept the fact that that sugar is a MUCH BETTER winter food than honey. Less disease, much less fecal matter, less necessary dilution for brood food in January and February. Sorry you were not at EAS - wonderful TEACHING and LEARNING conference. We had 410 registered members and ? locals and "fence climbers". Great weather. Hope to see you next year last week in July in Tennessee near Oak Ridge where I BUILT THE ATOM BOMB back in 44-45. I met Herb Butz (the midnitebee) - nice guy! Menthol in about 2 weeks! George Imirie ========================================================================= Date: Mon, 20 Jul 1998 13:09:21 +0100 Reply-To: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology Sender: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology From: Bill Parker Subject: ALLERGY to BEE STINGS Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Dear Learned Friends & Fellow Beekepers, As a beginner to bee-keeping I am writing seeking further information and reassurance on the subject of allergic reactions to bee stings. Having completed a Beginners Course over the winter months through the local BKA, I now have 3 colonies of bees in Nationals in my home garden. Before acquiring any bees, I was stung once on the hand by a colleague's bees and with the exception of the initial pain, there was no other reaction - within a couple of hours there was no visual evidence or discomfort. Since then, I have been stung about 15 times (within about 3 months). With the first of these stings (5 to 10), the reaction was the same i.e. there was none. However, in the last week I have been stung 3 times (on separate days), once on the thigh, once on the back of my hand in the soft fleshy bit between finger and thumb and lastly on the arm. On each occasion, I have developed inflammation and swelling which appears to be worse on each occasion than the one previous. After the initial sting, a small raised "doughnut" appears around the sting, which disappaears within a couple of hours. Then the area swells and is inflamed and this condition remains for 2 to 3 days. Is this condition normal or is it possible that I am developing an allergy to bee stings? What is the most appropriate action to take? Is it possible that this could develop into a severe allergy and the risk of anaphylactic shock? Unfortunately, the literature I have available describes the possible reactions to bee stings and the risk in a few people of severe allergies, but not the circumstances I describe above, where I originally suffered no reaction but now do. I guess what I'm looking for is advice and reassurance, because the last thing I wish to do is give up this fabulous hobby. Bill Parker Adstock, Buckingham, Bucks, UK ========================================================================= Date: Mon, 20 Jul 1998 09:58:36 -0500 Reply-To: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology Sender: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology From: "Thomas D. Harker" Subject: Re: ALLERGY to BEE STINGS In-Reply-To: <199807201320.IAA14468@rock.icd.com> Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" At 01:09 PM 7/20/98 +0100, you wrote: >Since then, I have been stung about 15 times (within about 3 months). >With the first of these stings (5 to 10), the reaction was the same i.e. >there was none. > >However, in the last week I have been stung 3 times (on separate days), >once on the thigh, once on the back of my hand in the soft fleshy bit >between finger and thumb and lastly on the arm. On each occasion, I have >developed inflammation and swelling which appears to be worse on each >occasion than the one previous. Bill, A few comments from a 2nd year novice.... For keeping only three hives you are getting stung too much. I also have three. Last year I was wearing gloves for "protection" and smoking my hives heavily and I received many stings like you. Many of them were caused by my pinching and crushing bees. This year I gave up the gloves and I smoke lightly or not at all. I wear long pants, a t-shirt, and usually a bee veil. I have only had two stings all year and both were on the same hive when I neglected to smoke it first. The first was earlier this year and in the back of my hand while I was lifting a full deep super loaded with honey off a queenless hive. I couldn't remove the stinger until I had carefully set the super down and most of the poison was pumped into me. My hand swelled up along with part of my fingers, wrist and lower arm. I felt like Popeye. The second sting was Saturday night when I opened the same hive to add a second honey super. I didn't have time to smoke and had no protective clothing on. I saw the bees were angry as there were many guards on the inner cover keeping earwigs away from the honey. When I removed the inner cover, the guards all took flight and one stung me in the back of the head when he became tangled in my hair. This did hurt but it did not swell up much more than about an inch in diameter. The swelling is mostly gone today. By using less bee protection, I am now much more sensitive to bee attitudes. I can feel them crawling on my fingers, hands, arms, etc. and I don't crush any. They seem better behaved and I have lost my fear of them except when they get tangled in my hair. :-) And I get a lot less stings. Tom - 3 hives - northern Illinois, USA. ========================================================================= Date: Mon, 20 Jul 1998 11:49:15 EDT Reply-To: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology Sender: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology From: Aaron Morris Subject: Last day on the web page, act fast! MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7BIT Just got back from EAS (what a conference!) to discover that today is the last day for the feature article at: http://www.albany.edu Surf quick or you'll miss it! Aaron Morris - I think, therefore I bee! ========================================================================= Date: Thu, 16 Jul 1998 10:02:27 -0400 Reply-To: "Glen B. Glater" Sender: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology From: "Glen B. Glater" Subject: cool honey-related factoid ---------------------------------------------------------------------- The Learning Kingdom's Cool Fact of the Day for July 15, 1998 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- What bird leads other animals to food? ---------------------------------------------------------------------- The greater honey guide bird of eastern Africa (Indicator indicator) loves to eat honey but it can't open bees' nests by itself. So when it finds one, it goes looking for an animal called a ratel, or honey badger (Mellivora capensis). The bird calls out loudly, attracting the badger's attention. Then it flies toward the bees' nest, making sure the badger is following. On arriving, the badger tears open the nest with its strong claws, and badger and bird both feast on honey, beeswax, and bee larvae. The honey guide bird also knows about another species of creature that loves honey: humans! African tribesmen follow the birds for the same reasons. The scientific name of the honey badger starts with "mell-", a Latin root meaning "honey". For another great word with this root, see today's Cool Word: http://www.cool-word.com/archive/1998/07/15.html More about honey guides and badgers: http://www.geocities.com/~brockwatch/2melliv1.html http://www.geocities.com/~brockwatch/2melliv2.html Today's sponsor: Soleil Software What is small, and brown, and has a BIG BLUE TONGUE? You'll find this and many other fascinating animal facts in Soleil's Web World -- and you could win free software! Click on an animal and learn all about it in Spanish, French and English. Then test your knowledge in the Animal Puzzler. Soleil Software publishes "World Learning" software which introduces children to the world's languages, cultures and wildlife. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Cool Fact of the Day list membership: 25,987 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To subscribe, visit http://www.tlk-lists.com/join/ To unsubscribe, visit http://www.tlk-lists.com/change/ To become a sponsor, visit http://www.tlk-lists.com/sponsor/ ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Copyright (c) 1998, The Learning Kingdom, Inc. http://www.LearningKingdom.com ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ************************************************************** Midnight Networks 200 Fifth Avenue * Waltham, MA 02451 Glen B. Glater Principal Sales Engineer Phone: (781) 890-1001 Fax: (781) 890-0028 mailto:glen@midnight.com http://www.midnight.com/~glen Midnight Networks WWW page http://www.midnight.com -------- Midnight Networks is hiring! -------- Come check out our job opportunities http://www.midnight.com/jobs.html mailto:resume@midnight.com ========================================================================= Date: Sat, 18 Jul 1998 11:54:35 -0700 Reply-To: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology Sender: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology From: Andy Nachbaur Subject: Re: Moving hives, tips from africa In-Reply-To: <199807181453.HAA29996@mx1.thegrid.net> Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" At 04:21 PM 7/18/98 +0000, you wrote: Der Mr. Garth, It is with great regrets that we are not able to publish the information provided on "Moving Afrikaner Bee's in Africa". Our editorial policy is one in which we expand the negative and leave out the positive and as your story has little negative it has bee rejected for publication in our prestigious journal and the AP,WP and CNN... MSNBC may be interested if you would change your paper to say yor bees are spreading AID's and "killing" ten of thousands in the East Sudan and you are the source for "killer" bees for the American CIA and don't forget the Yellow Rain attacks in Nam. Furthermore I must inform you that if you desire a grant to continue your higher education you must deliver your grant requests with ideas on how you and everyone in your neighbor hood are just about stung to death each time your bees take off for the days work. Please refer to the American Plan (check the bee journals) to develop a "killer" grant request you will note that each and every request must start with a description of the "bees crawling out of the hive and dyeing", this is to avoid the concerns of the public with bees dyeing in the hive and causing the honey to go off. You will also note that today the AFRO-Beetles are attacking America and are predicted to kill off the 10% of the bee's left in the woods and do ten billion pounds damage to the rest of the crippled bee industry. It would be good to HYPE this in any request for grants or press releases from your branch as we could use some of Unckle Sam's money to study these problems at their roots here in Africa. Thank you for your consideration, O.FF DaWall, editor en chief "Killer Bee & Worm Journal" >As regards how to move a hive, on this continent we have nasty bees, >so bees outside the hive are not welcome. >So, I just smoke them, load them on the truck (bakkie as we call >them) and move them at night. I wear shorts and a tea shirt and for >twenty hives recently picked up a total of two stings - and this was >moving hives without the entrance being plugged. The two stings were >when I stuck my fingers into a hive entrance to remove propolis so >that the bees, on better forage would not lose too much time. (c)Permission is given to copy this document in any form, or to print for any use. (w)OPINIONS are not necessarily facts. USE AT OWN RISK! ========================================================================= Date: Mon, 20 Jul 1998 15:07:23 -0400 Reply-To: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology Sender: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology From: Apiservices Subject: Thomas - Beekeeping equipment MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1 Tony Dixon wrote: >You can find equipment for making wax foundation and a lot of other >interresting stuff at the French bee equipment supplier ETS THOMAS FILS.= >They have an on line catalogue at: > >http;//ourworld,compuserve,com/homepages/Apiservices/thoma_fr.htm The right address is: http://www.beekeeping.com/thomas Gilles Ratia Webmaster of the "Virtual Beekeeping Gallery" ========================================================================= Date: Mon, 20 Jul 1998 15:59:36 EDT Reply-To: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology Sender: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology From: Greg J Zujus Subject: Re: Hive Move Tom, After i place this contraption on do I put the hive cover back on also ?? >On a empty super place some window screen >Above this place a queen excluder. >Remove the inner cover and place this arrangement on top. >This gives a super full of cluster space and room for air. Will the bees use this space insted of the landing board ? _____________________________________________________________________ You don't need to buy Internet access to use free Internet e-mail. Get completely free e-mail from Juno at http://www.juno.com Or call Juno at (800) 654-JUNO [654-5866] ========================================================================= Date: Mon, 20 Jul 1998 15:05:00 +1200 Reply-To: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology Sender: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology From: Lewis Subject: Leaf cutter bees and rose leaves MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1 Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable Lately a leaf cutter bee has been making its nests in various small pipes that I have around the house. Several times I attempted, with out success, to follow the bee to find out what kind of leaves that it has been using. However, I believe I found the answer. While pruning some of the trees in my compound I noted that the leaves of one of the rose bushes were missing pieces of appropriate shape. I suppose the next question would be =93what kind of pollen does it collect?=94. John Fiji ========================================================================= Date: Mon, 20 Jul 1998 17:14:52 +0000 Reply-To: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology Sender: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology From: Richard Bonney Subject: Re: Last day on the web page, act fast! MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Could you be a little more specific? All I see is a general page with no lead to a feature article. Feature article on what? ========================================================================= Date: Mon, 20 Jul 1998 17:40:13 -0400 Reply-To: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology Sender: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology From: Ian Watson Subject: Re: Last day on the web page, act fast! MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit >Just got back from EAS (what a conference!) to discover that today is >the last day for the feature article at: > >http://www.albany.edu What is the direct link to the article? Ian Watson realtor@niagara.com real estate agent gardener baritone beekeeper---> 14 colonies ========================================================================= Date: Mon, 20 Jul 1998 14:32:25 -0500 Reply-To: lawrence@the-link.net Sender: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology From: "Lawrence W. Thompson" Subject: Re: Last day on the web page, act fast! MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Aaron, What is the article about and where may one find it? Using the address (URL) below netted me nothing. Is the article still on the web site? Thanks, Lawrence Aaron Morris wrote: > today is > the last day for the feature article at: > > http://www.albany.edu ========================================================================= Date: Mon, 20 Jul 1998 18:19:03 -0400 Reply-To: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology Sender: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology From: James Lindstrom Subject: Re: ALLERGY to BEE STINGS MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Bill Parker wrote: > > Dear Learned Friends & Fellow Beekepers, > > As a beginner to bee-keeping I am writing seeking further information and > reassurance on the subject of allergic reactions to bee stings. > > Having completed a Beginners Course over the winter months through the > local BKA, I now have 3 colonies of bees in Nationals in my home garden. > > Before acquiring any bees, I was stung once on the hand by a colleague's > bees and with the exception of the initial pain, there was no other > reaction - within a couple of hours there was no visual evidence or > discomfort. > As a novice, first year beekeeper I was amazed to discover that I have a bad reaction to bee stings. One or two stings did me no harm, aside from some swelling and itching, but a couple of weeks ago, due to my own lack of precautions, i received 6 stings at one time. Horrible experience. Body flushed red, full body itching rash, hands and feet swelled, couldn't walk so much as hobble, lips swelled up, trouble swollowing and breathing, chills (in 80 degree F weather. I was functional the next day. I have no intention of getting rid of the bees. it's just a matter of being care and using my gear. Others can get by without the gloves and veil, I can't. As long as I use them, I'm fine. But if I screw up and get more than 6 stings, I'm headed for the emergency room (or the grave)! Jim Lindstrom Oak Forest, PA ========================================================================= Date: Mon, 20 Jul 1998 20:22:07 -0400 Reply-To: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology Sender: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology From: Midnitebee Subject: news article/update MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Greetings! I just got back from EAS'98 and have much to publish..will have photos and featured articles from the conference. In the meantime..."Management of Queens for Maximum Potential" is the latest article by George Imirie. A partial list of the article:communication,quality queen,mites,pheromones(varies),etc. location:http://www.cybertours.com/~midnitebee Herb Holly-B Apiary P.O.Box 26 Wells,Maine 04090-0026 http://www.cybertours.com/~midnitebee ========================================================================= Date: Mon, 20 Jul 1998 16:20:02 -0700 Reply-To: robert@objectdata.com Sender: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology From: Robert MacKimmie Subject: Re: ALLERGY to BEE STINGS ... Content-Type: text/plain Mime-Version: 1.0 (NeXT Mail 4.2mach v148) To save people misery from multiple bee stings, let me repeat my experience that Benydry, or a generic equivalent, will reduce the swelling and redness -- even make hives go away to the point of regaining comfort. As a new beekeeper, after an experiencing an outbreak of hives, I was almost immediately back to no gloves/always a veil almost immediately. Benedryl reduced the discomfort of bee stings, so again I am taking it all in stride. Garth mentioned in a private email that when he reached a certain number of stings, additional stings beyond that wouldn't worsen his reaction. Anaphylactic shock is a very different issue. From what I understand, you don't gain sensativity to the point of going Anaphylactic. My big suggestion especially for beginning beekeepers -- do yourself the favor or reducing the reaction and discomfort by taking Benedryl when stung if you have a reaction. There is nothing heroic about suffering. I have been stung several times since my hives outbreak and I have only suffered swelling once from a very good sting. I continue to work my way towards the 200+ stings per year for several years to gain my lessened reaction. My bee mentor made the comment that it was the person stung only 10 times a year that has the biggest problem. Reduce your reaction, robert@objectdata.com ========================================================================= Date: Mon, 20 Jul 1998 18:15:13 -0600 Reply-To: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology Sender: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology From: "Richard H. Glassford II" Subject: Newbee questions Comments: cc: glassman@utah.uswest.net MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Hello, I have a couple of questions about bee behavior. I just can't find answers to these questions. MANY THANKS IN ADVANCE. 1. I have provided two 9 5/8 brood chambers for my hives. Each chamber has 10 frames. They also have a queen excluder separating the supers. I have at least one 9 5/8 super on each hive. My fist nuc I picked up April 25 has two supers. One completely full of honey. For the past three or four days in the late afternoon many bees will come out and fly around the landing board (4 or 5 p.m.) Many more are flying around in circles above the hives. Each hive has plenty of room (one full super to draw). I can only think of two possibilities. I am sure there are more but I am very limited in my knowledge. One, they want to swarm. Two, new bees are getting themselves aquatinted with the surroundings as they prepare to become field bees (there is pollen coming into all the hives). One of the hives has already swarmed about a month ago and I did not have room for another hive so I put the swarm back with the hive. They have been doing well. 2. Is it the worker bees that decide if the colony is to swarm ? If this is true, once the workers begin to make queen cells how is the information communicated to the resident queen that its time for her to leave. 3. If a hive swarms and the brood chambers are packed with honey but above the queen excluder there is plenty of space will they move the honey up into the supers to provide room for the queen to lay. Will she lay in comb where bees have already emerged? 4. I know that there are many VARIABLES to my next question. I am looking at starting a small honey business. I am wondering how much money is made for every hive in the field. I am looking for just an approximation. Thanks for all your help. I enjoy reading the beelist. Rich Utah, Zone 5 ========================================================================= Date: Mon, 20 Jul 1998 22:35:31 -0400 Reply-To: beeworks@muskoka.net Sender: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology From: David Eyre Organization: The Bee Works Subject: Re: Fall bloom MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII Content-transfer-encoding: 7BIT Date sent: Sun, 19 Jul 1998 20:36:14 EDT Send reply to: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology From: George W Imirie Subject: Re: Fall bloom To: BEE-L@CNSIBM.ALBANY.EDU > tom: If it pleases you, add some green vegetable coloring to the sugar! Ha > Ha. > I just don't know why so many beekeepers would accept the fact that that sugar > is a MUCH BETTER winter food than honey. Less disease, much less fecal > matter, less necessary dilution for brood food in January and February. Sorry > you were not at EAS - wonderful TEACHING and LEARNING conference. We had 410 > registered members and ? locals and "fence climbers". Great weather. Hope to > see you next year last week in July in Tennessee near Oak Ridge where I BUILT > THE ATOM BOMB back in 44-45. So, once again the writer is ambiguous in his writing. Are you saying that sugar is or is not a better winter food than honey? Are you sure you were at the same EAS that we went to.Great weather? It rained almost continously from Tuesday night right through till the Friday morning, only saw the sun for a few moments late on the Friday! So now we know who to blame for the monstrous mistake (Atomic bombs). Strange, your name is not listed in the official perpetrators of that particular obscenity. ******************************************** The Bee Works, 9 Progress Drive, Unit 2, Orillia, ON, Canada. Phone- 705-326 7171. Fax 705 325 3461. North American agents. E.H.Thorne(UK)Ltd. Ventilated Hives and Equipment David Eyre... Owner http://www.muskoka.net/~beeworks ********************************************* ========================================================================= Date: Mon, 20 Jul 1998 22:24:42 EDT Reply-To: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology Sender: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology From: "(Thomas) (Cornick)" Subject: Re: Hive Move Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII Content-transfer-encoding: 7bit In a message dated 7/20/98 6:01:05 PM Eastern Daylight Time, gjz2@JUNO.COM writes: > Tom, > > After i place this contraption on do I put the hive cover back on also ?? > > >On a empty super place some window screen > >Above this place a queen excluder. > >Remove the inner cover and place this arrangement on top. > >This gives a super full of cluster space and room for air. > > Will the bees use this space insted of the landing board ? > > The cover stays off until you remove the super and screen. This just keeps cooped up bees from cooking during the move. If you are only going a couple feet just pick the hive up and go. ========================================================================= Date: Mon, 20 Jul 1998 22:35:27 -0400 Reply-To: beeworks@muskoka.net Sender: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology From: David Eyre Organization: The Bee Works Subject: Re: Should I unite MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII Content-transfer-encoding: 7BIT Date sent: Sun, 19 Jul 1998 22:29:11 EDT Send reply to: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology From: George W Imirie Subject: Re: Should I unite To: BEE-L@CNSIBM.ALBANY.EDU > Alan: This is 5 days late, but I just returned from the week long EAS > meeting.. This is mid July, and putting a new queen in a queenless colony > would be very foolish and probably fail to survive the winter. This has to be the worst piece of advice from this source I have seen to date. Not knowing the area can be a problem, but to advise some one that it's too late to requeen (mid July) is ridiculous. I was also at EAS giving a talk on 'Northern Queens' and would advise newbies to requeen up to middle of Sept even as far North as we are. > I don't know your location so I am guessing at these dates. If you are new to this list, we have always requested you note your area if you want specific advise. ******************************************** The Bee Works, 9 Progress Drive, Unit 2, Orillia, ON, Canada. Phone- 705-326 7171. Fax 705 325 3461. North American agents. E.H.Thorne(UK)Ltd. Ventilated Hives and Equipment David Eyre... Owner http://www.muskoka.net/~beeworks ********************************************* ========================================================================= Date: Tue, 21 Jul 1998 13:23:32 GMT+0200 Reply-To: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology Sender: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology From: Garth Organization: Rhodes University South Africa Subject: Re: Killer Bee and Worm Journal Hi Andy and All Thanks for that great bit of humour about the bee science industry!! I personally aggree fully with you that there is a stong tendency among bee scientists to use silly superlatives to get a piece of the little research grant given to social insects every year anywhere in the world. Thats why I have avoided becoming part of the established south african bee science fraternity, as there is so much infighting that the little bit of research data which gets out is not worth the time and stress put into it. I gather it is so for much of the rest of the world too. To all other people out there who favour a carreer in bee science, I think the thing is too look at the beehive as a product not a mystery. And most of the bee research done up to present could have been done for a fraction of the cost if bees were seen as a collection of cells and not as a collection of insects. Keep well Garth Garth Cambray Camdini Apiaries Grahamstown Apis mellifera capensis Eastern Cape Prov. South Africa Time = Honey After careful consideration, I have decided that if I am ever a V.I.P the I. may not stand for important. (rather influential, ignorant, idiotic, intelectual, illadvised etc) ========================================================================= Date: Tue, 21 Jul 1998 07:49:42 -0400 Reply-To: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology Sender: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology From: Bill Truesdell Subject: Re: Fall bloom MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit I recently posted a response to a question about protecting bees from pesticide during cotton spraying. My post was what I read in an extension service pamphlet and was wrong. Dave and Andy both posted excellent responses which I learned from and have filed for future use. Neither attacked me. For me, that says more about them than any endorsements from others. A helping hand should not be a slap in the face. Bill Truesdell Bath, ME David Eyre wrote: > So, once again the writer is ambiguous in his writing. Are you saying that sugar > is or is not a better winter food than honey? > Are you sure you were at the same EAS that we went to.Great > weather? It rained almost continously from Tuesday night right through till the > Friday morning, only saw the sun for a few moments late on the Friday! > So now we know who to blame for the monstrous mistake (Atomic > bombs). Strange, your name is not listed in the official perpetrators of that particular obscenity. ========================================================================= Date: Tue, 21 Jul 1998 08:27:01 EDT Reply-To: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology Sender: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology From: Aaron Morris Subject: Proper use of Amitraz Comments: To: Attila31@AOL.COM MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7BIT Attila31@AOL.COM asked about the "proper use of Amitraz". I don't know, I never used it. My suggestion would be to follow the label instructions (if you can find a label to read). Incidently, Amitraz was not "reapproved" it never expired. At EAS, Dr. Shimanuki stated that it is still registered under its old license which never expired. Bad news is that the holder of the license (Bayer?) is not interested in re-releasing the product - Once burned, twice shy. Aaron Morris - I think, therefore I bee! ========================================================================= Date: Tue, 21 Jul 1998 08:38:49 -0400 Reply-To: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology Sender: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology From: Midnitebee Subject: Ambiguous? MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Greetings! > I was also at EAS giving a talk on 'Northern Queens' and would advise >newbies to requeen up to middle of Sept even as far North as we are. George seems to rely on his past experiences as a Manhattan Project "originator"..do not know why he does that....atomic energy is a very useful tool ..from what I have read and seen on the "History Channel", those people who were working on this project ,did not know the exact extent of the final outcome..maybe we should ask the American Veterans ,if this was a good project.. Weather at EAS?...yes,there was rain and fog at times,humid,also..so what?..the conference was held indoors. George was riding in his "Rascal" machine..fluorescent lights and all the beehavers and beekeepers that were talking to him , surely made him feel the "weather" was great. Requeening?..yes.at times I requeen in the fall..what happens if the queen is not excepted or is inferior in quality?..might be too late to re-establish a quuenless hive....is this not so? I prefer to requeen in the spring. Ambiguous?..aren't we all at times guilty of this "phenomenon"?..I know I am. I have been to several workshops at the EAS...there were two or more people selling their "wares" to justify their topics...i.e.,queens,nucs,Ross Rounds,Stoller spacers,Hogg cassette,etc. I have spoken to several sellers about their products..amazing to hear their ideas about a competitors products,not always on a positive note! Snake oil?...you have try their products and decide if it is good for you.. sugar/honey feed?..I use both for a food supply in the winter for the bees.. Herb Holly-B Apiary P.O.Box 26 Wells,Maine 04090-0026 http://www.cybertours.com/~midnitebee ========================================================================= Date: Tue, 21 Jul 1998 09:33:20 EDT Reply-To: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology Sender: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology From: Aaron Morris Subject: Missing feature article MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7BIT Apologies for the missing feature article on the University at Albany home page. The article was featured for the week that I attended EAS and was changed yesterday afternoon soon after I announced it to the list. My 15 minutes were up and I only enjoyed a minute. However, it can be found in the UA archives at: http://www.albany.edu/feature98/aaron/ Advance acknowledgements of some misinformation attributed to me (in quotes no less), especially the maxillary(?) gland. It's a case of what I said vs what they wrote. Aaron Morris - thinking fame is fleeting but nice while it lasts! ========================================================================= Date: Tue, 21 Jul 1998 09:52:38 EDT Reply-To: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology Sender: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology From: Aaron Morris Subject: Charles Frederic Andros announced API-WEEKEND MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7BIT The following submission to BEE-L came in from Charles Frederic Andros. From: "Charles Frederic Andros" Subject: API-WEEKEND! API-WEEKEND "Tracheal and Varroa mites have decimated bees in New England. American Foulbrood disease is on the increase as dead hives are being robbed. However, with timely measures, beekeepers can control these pests and SAVE THE BEES! In order to orient beekeepers to the latest methods, Charles Andros, former NH+VT Apiary Inspector, will hold a workshop from 1-3:30 PM on Saturday, July 25, at the Paul Harlow Farm on Route 5 in North Westminster, VT, 1/2 mile north of the I-91 Exit 5 ramp. Look for the "BEE" sign. Topics of discussion: taking off and processing honey and wax, treatment of mites and foulbrood, wintering nuclei, queen evaluation, and making propolis tincture. Bring a veil, if you have one, as we shall be opening some colonies. The cost is $20 per person, kids free. Pre-registration is required. Email: lindena@sover.net. Phone: 603-756-9056." "You have probably heard of the use of bee venom for arthritis and multiple sclerosis. In Romania, all of the bee products are used for a multitude of diseases and conditions, and to promote health and beauty, with excellent results. On Saturday, July 26, from 1-4 PM, internationally-renowned apitherapist Dr. Stefan Stangaciu, MD, L.Ac., from Constanta, ROMANIA, will present a seminar on use of bee products and other natural products for treating the above diseases plus cancer, cardiovascular, liver, pulmonary, stomach, and kidney diseases, etc. Charles Andros, local producer of honey, pollen, propolis, bees, and beeswax, will explain some of the uses of bee products for health and beauty. Then you will know why beekeepers have the second-longest life expectancy, after orchestral conductors! After 4 PM, Stefan will attend those desiring apitherapy counseling those who are prepared with their current medical analysis related to their disease(s) and a list with their symptoms and/or complaints. After the counseling, the clients will receive from Stefan an api-phytotherapy "prescription" and other advice related to their diet, etc. Donations will be gratefully accepted for this non-medical advice. The seminar will be held at The Orchard School on Old Settlers Road off Route 123 in East Alstead, NH, 03602. The cost is $40 per person. Pre-registration is required. Email Charles Andros at lindena@sover.net, or call 603-756-9056." ========================================================================= Date: Tue, 21 Jul 1998 11:34:53 EDT Reply-To: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology Sender: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology From: Victoria McDonough Subject: Rookie Question Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII Content-transfer-encoding: 7bit Hello All, I am a beginning hobbyist beekeeper. This is my second summer. I have two hives that managed to produce some honey last year and survive the winter. With my small success I doubled my operation and now have four hives. One of the hives in my back yard had been doing very well until about four weeks ago. I use deeps for the brood and had two full brood supers with a very nice brood pattern. I put on two shallow honey supers with drawn comb. Two weeks later (two weeks ago) I checked the hive and didn't see anything going on with the honey supers. I checked the top brood super and did not find any eggs or grubs only capped brood. I also noticed the empty cells were being filled with nectar. This was the situation in both boxes. Additionally, I found approximately eight queen cells in different parts of the hive. Some of the queen cells were in the middle of the frames looking like pictures and illustrations I have seen of succession cells. Then I found cells on the bottom of some frames looking like swarm cells. No queen to be found (but I rarely find the queen anyway). All queen cells were capped. I put a frame from a different hive in with capped brood, open brood and eggs and closed it up. Two weeks later, which was this past Sunday, I checked again. Still no eggs, seems like lots of drones and the only capped brood was on the frame I added two weeks before. I added another frame with eggs, open brood and capped brood. My question is if there is a virgin queen or a recently mated queen will the bees make a queen from the eggs I gave them? In addition, any speculation on what is going on would help. I don't know what happened to the old queen, she seemed to be doing so well. There is always a possibility I accidentally killed her, as I am still rather clumsy handling my bees. Thanks Vickie Green Harbor, MA ========================================================================= Date: Tue, 21 Jul 1998 13:21:18 EDT Reply-To: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology Sender: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology From: Alan Sharratt Subject: Re: Should I unite Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII Content-transfer-encoding: 7bit Yes I agree I should of give my location, how can I expect any sound advice from anybody who does not know the location of the my Bees. My location is the North West of England between Liverpool and Manchester. Alan ========================================================================= Date: Tue, 21 Jul 1998 15:34:53 -0700 Reply-To: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology Sender: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology From: Andy Nachbaur Subject: AFRO BEETLES coming soon to your area? Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" The dreaded AFRO Beetle is on the march now having ate it way through beehive in six Florida counties it has just finished off three hive in Charleston county South Carolina, on it way north? If you find your bees have absconded and the honey is running out the hive entrance you may be the first on your block to have the AFRO Beetle. You can follow all this activity by reading the BEENEWS and much more like who's back yard attracted a swarm or who was attacked by the "killer" bees. All this information is not made up by this editor but is real life drama from Newspapers world wide and provided to you at no cost other then your time at: http://beenet.com/bnews.htm We also pass on the less then political correct bee information WHEN we can find it but this last few years there has been more dramatic bad bee news then the positive kind we would like to see, so bee it, we all need to know what others are writing about us, good or bad, and that is what the BEENEWS site provides you. If you have some news that others might want to know such as a positive story about beekeeping or honeybees then E-Mail it to me at: andy.nachbaur@calwest.net On the positive side with the bad weather we all seem to be experiencing from El Nino & now La Nina it is interesting that many bee keepers report better honey crops then expected earlier or last year but in total its still to early to predict much more then the commercial crop may be spotty in the US. If you do have honey to sell it may be wise to check around before selling it to one buyer. ttul, the OLd Drone http://beenet.com ========================================================================= Date: Tue, 21 Jul 1998 22:14:16 -0400 Reply-To: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology Sender: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology From: John Partin Subject: FORCED SUPERCEDURE Content-Type: Text/Plain; Charset=US-ASCII Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7Bit MIME-Version: 1.0 (WebTV) I know when you requeen by forced supercedure there has to be a honey flow on, I would like to know if you can do it by heavy feeding when there is no flow on. john in florida ========================================================================= Date: Tue, 21 Jul 1998 19:27:51 -0400 Reply-To: bbashaw1@nycap.rr.com Sender: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology From: Authorized User Subject: Re: feature article correction MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1 Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Address to feature article had a typo!!! Should be www.albany.edu/tree-tops/docs/feature98/aaron/index.html Sorry! ----------