From MAILER-DAEMON Sat Feb 28 08:50:20 2009 Return-Path: <> X-Spam-Checker-Version: SpamAssassin 3.1.8 (2007-02-13) on industrial X-Spam-Level: X-Spam-Status: No, score=-86.8 required=2.4 tests=ADVANCE_FEE_1,AWL, MAILTO_TO_SPAM_ADDR,SPF_HELO_PASS,USER_IN_WHITELIST autolearn=disabled version=3.1.8 X-Original-To: adamf@IBIBLIO.ORG Delivered-To: adamf@IBIBLIO.ORG Received: from listserv.albany.edu (unknown [169.226.1.24]) by metalab.unc.edu (Postfix) with ESMTP id 068A949056 for ; Sat, 28 Feb 2009 08:44:21 -0500 (EST) Received: from listserv.albany.edu (listserv.albany.edu [169.226.1.24]) by listserv.albany.edu (8.13.8/8.13.8) with ESMTP id n1SDdDKL012145 for ; Sat, 28 Feb 2009 08:44:21 -0500 (EST) Date: Sat, 28 Feb 2009 08:44:18 -0500 From: "University at Albany LISTSERV Server (14.5)" Subject: File: "BEE-L LOG0406D" To: adamf@IBIBLIO.ORG Message-ID: Content-Length: 91604 Lines: 2099 ========================================================================= Date: Tue, 22 Jun 2004 00:00:36 EDT Reply-To: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology Sender: BEE-L@listserv.albany.edu From: Kathy E Cox Subject: Re: Beekeeping record program MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit In a message dated 6/21/2004 7:56:04 PM Pacific Standard Time, john@BLUEMOONFARM.COM writes: What information would you like to write down? * What information would you like to have on hand? # of frames of honey taken off, # of frames of bees and brood, stings from working the hives, mite levels, IPM treatments with dates, info on queen's brood raising, laying pattern, yr of queen, swarms from hive, wax production grade, and probably more that I can't think of right now! Thanks for asking. Kathy Cox, Bloomfield Bees and Bouquets Northern California, Italian, 50 hives www.kathycox.frankcox.net :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: -- Visit www.honeybeeworld.com/BEE-L for rules, FAQ and other info --- :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: ========================================================================= Date: Tue, 22 Jun 2004 07:04:32 -0400 Reply-To: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology Sender: BEE-L@listserv.albany.edu From: Patrick Subject: Re: Beekeeping record program In-Reply-To: <6.0.1.1.2.20040621213250.01aef748@mail.bluemoonfarm.com> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit > I am teaching a software design and documentation course at a nearby > university and in an effort to demonstrate the "proper" planning and > design > of a software program I am designing a Pocket-PC record keeper for > beekeepers. I plan on using the project for me to learn development, but > also to teach my students how to work with the world in designing their > applications. Do you plan to distribute it under a GPL licence? How about writing it in python so I can run it on my Zaurus? Check out www.mybeehives.com for "Beekeeping Notebook" ideas. Patrick :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: -- Visit www.honeybeeworld.com/BEE-L for rules, FAQ and other info --- :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: ========================================================================= Date: Tue, 22 Jun 2004 06:29:33 -0400 Reply-To: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology Sender: BEE-L@listserv.albany.edu From: Tim Vaughan Subject: Re: Beekeeping record program Here is a site which does something similar. http://www.mybeehives.com/beelog.php? op=add&hive_id=85&sid=87dd8f3b403ed5df162b1cc044f00312 :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: -- Visit www.honeybeeworld.com/BEE-L for rules, FAQ and other info --- :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: ========================================================================= Date: Tue, 22 Jun 2004 13:47:11 +0000 Reply-To: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology Sender: BEE-L@listserv.albany.edu From: david flathman Subject: Re: Beekeeping record program Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed excellent project, in the "queen rearing" book by laidlaw are 2 charts to record hive progress, they offer a that will help you track your hives. if this could be computerized, oh the possibilities. david Hello friends, I am teaching a software design and documentation course at a nearby university and in an effort to demonstrate the "proper" planning and design of a software program :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: -- Visit www.honeybeeworld.com/BEE-L for rules, FAQ and other info --- :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: ========================================================================= Date: Tue, 22 Jun 2004 17:00:13 +0200 Reply-To: Jorn_Johanesson@apimo.dk Sender: BEE-L@listserv.albany.edu From: Jorn Johanesson Subject: SV: [BEE-L] Beekeeping record program In-Reply-To: <6.0.1.1.2.20040621213250.01aef748@mail.bluemoonfarm.com> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Hello beekeeper friends! For a very long time and with a lot of beekeeping people involved (about 80), I have a working PC software with optional Palm OS < version 5 and symbolic Scanner support. I can't afford to bye a new compiler for other platforms, simply because this is a volunteer work free for small beekeepers, so if somebody wants to cooperate I will be very thankfull. I am a beekeeper myself, and originally this was designed for my own use. At that time I had about 300 hives. You will find all you need in this, special is a data out part of the software very improved. You can print out a hive note card, to help you collect data. This hive note card is originally the Danish beekeeper society card, and have been in use for more than 50 Years. If interested I have put it up on my web as a PDF file 7kb http://apimo.dk/hivenotepdf.pdf the new version 8.0.2.5 should work now. At least I have not heard of the opposite. Herein is included a hive visualisation part where you can add comment to the boxes. I will in next release also add the possibility to track boxes so that AFB treatment can be as efficient as possible. It is already prepared, but I still need to test it a bit. You are very velcome to steal what you can from my software, as long it is for the benefit of beekeeping. Best regards Jorn Johanesson The best and Only Multilingual software for beekeeping on the net. With integrated update facility hive note- queen breeding and handheld computer beekeeping software. home page = HTTP://apimo.dk e-mail apimo@apimo.dk > -----Oprindelig meddelelse----- > Fra: BEE-L@listserv.albany.edu [mailto:BEE-L@listserv.albany.edu]Pa > vegne af John Sturman > Sendt: 22. juni 2004 03:48 > Til: BEE-L@listserv.albany.edu > Emne: [BEE-L] Beekeeping record program > > > Hello friends, > > I am teaching a software design and documentation course at a nearby :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: -- Visit www.honeybeeworld.com/BEE-L for rules, FAQ and other info --- :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: ========================================================================= Date: Tue, 22 Jun 2004 11:20:38 -0500 Reply-To: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology Sender: BEE-L@listserv.albany.edu From: Brent Farler Subject: Beekeeping record program Comments: To: john@bluemoonfarm.com MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable Check out David Cushman's web site at http://website.lineone.net/~dave.cushman/newhome.html. He has examples of the BIBBA record cards (http://www.bibba.co.uk/) used for tracking hive characteristics and queen performance. Also, remember that if someone has a thousand or two hives it is important to understand yards and yard performance, queens and queenline performance, not really hive performance. =20 If you have the money to experiment, the Pocket PC can use an SD bar code scanning card. This would allow a bar coded hive id that would make the pocket pc more useful. Record keeping in a full bee suit with a thousand circling bees in hot weather is not necessarily what an analytical and thoughtful approach might dream up. Besides, with hands coated in propolis, honey, wax and dirt it gets hard to use a small instrument. The situation is even worse in the extracting room. These are all elements to consider in your design. =20 One beekeeper uses a system of a brick on top of the hive. In the middle ok, right front corner means this, left front corner means that and so forth. Others use a piece of chalk and write on the sides. =20 I have a pocket PC running version 2003, if you want me to review your work. =20 Brent Farler =20 =20 =20 >I am teaching a software design and documentation course at a nearby university and in an effort to demonstrate the "proper" planning and design of a software program I am designing a Pocket-PC record keeper for beekeepers >John Sturman =20 This message is for the designated recipient only and may contain = privileged, proprietary, or otherwise private information. If you have = received it in error, please notify the sender immediately and delete = the original. Any other use of the email by you is prohibited. :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: -- Visit www.honeybeeworld.com/BEE-L for rules, FAQ and other info --- :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: ========================================================================= Date: Tue, 22 Jun 2004 20:46:29 +0200 Reply-To: Jorn_Johanesson@apimo.dk Sender: BEE-L@listserv.albany.edu From: Jorn Johanesson Subject: Beekeeping record program In-Reply-To: <22E5911F48982A48B6E153C1F73CED7E3A2F68@AMRXM1113.dir.svc.accenture.com> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit > Emne: [BEE-L] Beekeeping record program > If you have the money to experiment, the Pocket PC can use an SD bar > code scanning card. This would allow a bar coded hive id that would > make the pocket pc more useful. I am using a Symbolic scanner for this, and combined with a practical wooden plate with the handheld placed using bur tape together with a used roller pen (empty from ink, and fastened to the plate with a wire) to tap with, is a working solution. The scanning device can also be used in the extracting room where the supers with barcode is passing a reader combined with a weight and thereby recording the honey harvest. I recommend that the most handheld data is obtained by tapping and as little as possible is writing. Best regards Jorn Johanesson maybe the best and Only Multilingual software for beekeeping on the net. With integrated update facility hive note- queen breeding and handheld computer beekeeping software since 1997 home page = HTTP://apimo.dk e-mail apimo@apimo.dk :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: -- Visit www.honeybeeworld.com/BEE-L for rules, FAQ and other info --- :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: ========================================================================= Date: Tue, 22 Jun 2004 19:36:15 +0000 Reply-To: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology Sender: BEE-L@listserv.albany.edu From: cass cohenour Subject: requeening Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed Hi everyone. I recently requeened a hive which had a poor performing queen. It took the queen three days to arrive. I had previously erradicated the poor queen upon ordering a replacement. I put the queen cage in the brood chamber after removing the cork from the candy end and punching a hole through the candy to make it easier for the bees to release the queen. Five days later, upon inspection the marked queen was still in the queen cage with some dead attendant bees blocking her escape hole from the cage. The bees in the hive were on the screen fanning the queen as they had already accepted her, so I popped the top off of the cage and laid it back down on the top bars of the brood frames. The queen then quickly escaped and took flight. I was really upset watching her fly away. Not wanting to have to wait for another queen to arrive, I took a few queen cells from an adjacent hive which once had a good queen in it which had died or vanished, and put them in the now truly queenless hive. It had been eight days since the last egg was laid in the hive and since I had introduced a new queen, the bees in the hive did not make any emergency cells and now all the larva was too old to do so. After waiting a few days, I reinspected the hive. To my joy, it appeared that a queen had hatched and tore the other queen cells down. After a closer inspection I discovered that the marked queen had returned to the hive and appears to be very healthy. I guess she absoloutly had to mate upon being released. Any one ever had a similar experience? _________________________________________________________________ Watch the online reality show Mixed Messages with a friend and enter to win a trip to NY http://www.msnmessenger-download.click-url.com/go/onm00200497ave/direct/01/ :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: -- Visit www.honeybeeworld.com/BEE-L for rules, FAQ and other info --- :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: ========================================================================= Date: Tue, 22 Jun 2004 16:21:40 -0400 Reply-To: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology Sender: BEE-L@listserv.albany.edu From: Aaron Morris Subject: Re: BEE-L: requeening MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" ccohenour@HOTMAIL.COM wrote, > The queen then quickly escaped and took flight. > I was really upset watching her fly away... > After waiting a few days ... I discovered that > the marked queen had returned to the hive and > appears to be very healthy. I guess she absoloutly > had to mate upon being released. The purchased queen returned to the hive, probably while you were retrieving the queen cells from the other hive. Unless you specifically ordered a virgin queen, she was already mated when she arrived and would not fly off to mate again as you wrote. If a queen flies off while a beekeepers errs in introduction (been there, done that), she really has nowhere to go and will attempt to enter a hive. I have seen cases where she enters the hive one is trying to requeen and I have seen cases where she enters a different hive (one that was queenright and certain death). The best advise if a queen takes flight during a botched introduction is to leave the hive open for a few (say 5) minutes and hope she returns, then quietly close things up and come back in a few days to see how things developed. Worst case is the queen will be lost, at which time you can then introduce cells or eggs from a different colony to tide the hive over. If you are concerned about the lineage of the new queen, providing eggs will tide the hive over while you order and await a new queen, which can be introduced when she arrives after tearing down any cells the bees may start from the interduced frame that had the eggs. Aaron Morris - thinking l'il Bo Peep! :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: -- Visit www.honeybeeworld.com/BEE-L for rules, FAQ and other info --- :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: ========================================================================= Date: Tue, 22 Jun 2004 23:13:35 +0100 Reply-To: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology Sender: BEE-L@listserv.albany.edu From: Robin Dartington Subject: Re: requeening MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit "I guess she absoloutly had to mate upon being released. Any one ever had a similar experience?" I doubt she flew straight to mate. She flew off because she was frightened by the sudden release. Frightened queens usually return to the open hive within a few minutes, sometimes resting on a nearby bush first. But you took two risks in your method of introduction - (1)removing the old queen so early, better to leave her in the hive caged to avoid the bees starting their own queen cells, (2) leaving the attendants in with the queen, better to remove all , leaving the queen just with candy, leaving workers delays the time she picks up the new hive scent. Robin Dartington :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: -- Visit www.honeybeeworld.com/BEE-L for rules, FAQ and other info --- :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: ========================================================================= Date: Tue, 22 Jun 2004 17:20:01 -0500 Reply-To: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology Sender: BEE-L@listserv.albany.edu From: Gary Plazyk Subject: Beekeeping equipment checklist Comments: To: Beekeeping Yahoo group , ISBA MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Hi! Here is the URL for an HTML version of my handout for the Illinois State Beekeeping Association meeting on 6/26/04: http://users.stans.net/gplazyk/bees/equipment.htm The entries and the ratings are strictly based on my personal experience, so they tend to reflect my personal bias, and might not be the same as yours. I agonized over the FAQ at the end; I have citations I could add for the sources of the statistics. Would people feel that would be necessary? Please let me know if you have any suggestions or comments! Thanks! Best regards, -Gary P. Gary Plazyk Fuzzy Bear Farm 18404 Garden Valley Road Marengo, IL 60152 815-568-7282 g_plazyk@ix.netcom.com http://profiles.yahoo.com/g_plazyk :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: -- Visit www.honeybeeworld.com/BEE-L for rules, FAQ and other info --- :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: ========================================================================= Date: Tue, 22 Jun 2004 23:09:56 +0200 Reply-To: Jorn_Johanesson@apimo.dk Sender: BEE-L@listserv.albany.edu From: Jorn Johanesson Subject: requeening In-Reply-To: MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit [mailto:BEE-L@listserv.albany.edu]På > vegne af cass cohenour > Sendt: 22. juni 2004 21:36 > Emne: [BEE-L] requeening > Any one ever had a similar experience? I once went home from my mating yard with some queens in their mating box. On my way home I turned in to a foreigner yard just to look and I have placed the mating boxes upon a hive. suddenly one escaped (Bad closed entrance) and I saw the queen take several turns around in the bee yard. after a short while she returned to the mating box from which she just escaped. this just showed to me that the queen have an excellent orientating ability. Best regards Jorn Johanesson maybe the best and Only Multilingual software for beekeeping on the net. With integrated update facility hive note- queen breeding and handheld computer beekeeping software. home page = HTTP://apimo.dk e-mail apimo@apimo.dk :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: -- Visit www.honeybeeworld.com/BEE-L for rules, FAQ and other info --- :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: ========================================================================= Date: Tue, 22 Jun 2004 21:49:38 -0500 Reply-To: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology Sender: BEE-L@listserv.albany.edu From: Peter Dillon Subject: Re: Barrier systems In-Reply-To: <00e401c45662$797040c0$d1382fca@oemcomputer> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii; format=flowed Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Trevor, Many thanks for the Barrier description. Must take alot of organisation and willpower to set up and maintain such a system. Several resulting points arise from the info supplied. 1. What has been the consequence on AFB occurrence in areas that have applied this method of containment? 2. If AFB is chronic, is it worth setting up a control such as this, when the relaxation of antibiotic use would usually allow AFB to raise its ugly head in a widespread and chaotic manner? It appears to me that many areas are so far down the systematic use of oxytet. just to control the apparition of AFB that it would be a huge risk to attempt to start such a procedure. Once on the antibiotic treadmill - it would be leg breaking to step sideways without a complete equipment change. Then in addition - if the rest of the surrounding beekeepers are continuing as usual, what is the point! Peter. :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: -- Visit www.honeybeeworld.com/BEE-L for rules, FAQ and other info --- :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: ========================================================================= Date: Tue, 22 Jun 2004 23:29:10 -0500 Reply-To: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology Sender: BEE-L@listserv.albany.edu From: Rob Green Subject: ISBA (Indiana) Summer Meeting Itinerary In-Reply-To: <200406230400.i5N40HQf027379@listserv.albany.edu> Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"; format=flowed This Saturday, June 26, the Indiana State Beekeepers Association is having their summer meeting. Members and non-members alike are invited. The location is Terre Haute, near the Illinois border and we hope to have a contingent come from out of state. The itinerary is listed here: http://www.hoosierbuzz.com/document/0406agenda.pdf :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: -- Visit www.honeybeeworld.com/BEE-L for rules, FAQ and other info --- :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: ========================================================================= Date: Wed, 23 Jun 2004 02:37:37 -0400 Reply-To: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology Sender: BEE-L@listserv.albany.edu From: Dick Allen Subject: Re: Electric Fence Voltage Since there has been some recent discussion on electric fences I thought this might be of interest: http://www.alaskastar.com/stories/061604/new_20040616002.shtml Regards, Dick Allen :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: -- Visit www.honeybeeworld.com/BEE-L for rules, FAQ and other info --- :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: ========================================================================= Date: Wed, 23 Jun 2004 09:22:25 +0100 Reply-To: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology Sender: BEE-L@listserv.albany.edu From: Dave Cushman Subject: Re: Beekeeping record program MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit Hi all Brent mentioned the BIBBA record cards The latest version of which is on http://www.dave-cushman.net/bee/bibbacard.html The link to Chris Slade's card on that page is non-working at the moment, but an old version of that page is available at http://website.lineone.net/~dave.cushman/chriscard.html The BIBBA card was mainly devised by Beowulf Cooper (40 years ago) from several existing record systems of a few keen breeders and there is a standardised code for making entries so that others can use the data and make valid comparisons. This code is the subject of the page I am working on at present and it will be available in a few days time. There are other record cards in The BIBBA system that can be used for collating the data from whole yards full of hives and these cards will be the subject of a future page. Many of the headings involved on the BIBBA card system are intended for assessment of suitability for breeding and may not be relevant if you leave that to chance or purchase 'ready made' queens. There is a simplified record system that uses only ten columns http://homepage.tinet.ie/~eduard/#Breeding%20Better%20Bees This was developed by Micheál Mac Giolla Coda in Ireland, Micheál is the chairman of the Galtee Bee Breeding Group http://www.gbbg.net/ Who are responsible for the breeding and refinement of Apis Mellifera Mellifera strains of bee that are of exceedingly high racial purity. This has largely been achieved by using this ten column system with judicious selection of good traits, coupled with ruthless culling of poor traits. This selection has been qualified by using morphometry (extensively) in conjunction with assessment of behavioural traits. Any or all of these systems can be analysed on a pocket PC or PDA using a simple spreadsheet application and the whole picture can be kept on a desktop PC for final assessment for possible breeding. Best Regards & 73s, Dave Cushman... G8MZY Beekeeping & Bee Breeding Website Email: cyberbeek@tiscali.co.uk or dave@dave-cushman.net http://website.lineone.net/~dave.cushman & http://www.dave-cushman.net :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: -- Visit www.honeybeeworld.com/BEE-L for rules, FAQ and other info --- :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: ========================================================================= Date: Wed, 23 Jun 2004 14:05:34 -0400 Reply-To: jkriebel@speakeasy.net Sender: BEE-L@listserv.albany.edu From: Jonathan Kriebel Organization: Veritec, Ltd Subject: Re: Beekeeping record program In-Reply-To: <001301c458fb$4c28e2c0$5864fea9@orac> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-2" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit "... Any or all of these systems can be analyzed on a pocket PC or PDA using a simple spreadsheet application and the whole picture can be kept on a desktop PC for final assessment for possible breeding...." I saw a software package for hive management in the Brushy-mountain Catalogue. Does anyone have a copy, or any experience with it? Rather than re-design a whole package, perhaps this would do. I was going to make up some tables in Microsoft excel and Access to do the record keeping Jonathan B. Kriebel Das Sauen Õhr Farm 3229 Zepp Rd. Green Lane, PA 18054-2357 Telephone: (610) 864-8581 Facsimile: (215) 234-8573 jbkriebel@speakeasy.net :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: -- Visit www.honeybeeworld.com/BEE-L for rules, FAQ and other info --- :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: ========================================================================= Date: Thu, 24 Jun 2004 07:55:32 +1000 Reply-To: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology Sender: BEE-L@listserv.albany.edu From: T & M Weatherhead Subject: Re: Barrier systems MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Peter Dillion wrote > Must take alot of organisation and willpower to set up and maintain such > a system. The maintenance is not so bad as I used it as part of the QA program we use. With the new food safety laws, we have to have all these records including a bio-security section. The idea was we made these records as simple as possible. > 1. What has been the consequence on AFB occurrence in areas that have > applied this method of containment? AFB occurrence is still above what I would like to see mainly because there are beehavers out there who are a source of infection and those who will not use a barrier system. The one big advantage of the barrier system is that it will allow the beekeeper to minimise the amount of infection in the apiary, thus minimising the amount of infected material. We have any infected material irradiated so we can then use that material again. You only need 10kgy to kill AFB but we have our equipment done at 15 kgy as this will then kill EFB and chalkbrood. 10kgy is not enough for EFB or chalkbrood. > 2. If AFB is chronic, is it worth setting up a control such as this, > when the relaxation of antibiotic use would usually allow AFB to raise > its ugly head in a widespread and chaotic manner? In mainland Australia we do not use antibiotics for the control of AFB. So the only chronic cases are beekeepers who do not regularly check their brood. You don't have to check every hive every time. Just those that are not peforming. The records I keep with the barrier system I use allow me to identify hives that are not performing satisfactorily. I check these to first determine if it is a disease problem. If not, then the queen is suspect and the hive is requeened. The other plus is that it will identify those that produce a lot of honey so these queens can then in turn be used in a bee breeding program. > It appears to me that many areas are so far down the systematic use of > oxytet. just to control the apparition of AFB that it would be a huge > risk to attempt to start such a procedure. That is a call that the individual beekeeper would have to make. I see it written often that those feeding do not have a problem with AFB. If it is not a problem, then if they stopped using I assume, by what is written, that they would not expect to have a problem with breakdown from AFB. Trevor Weatherhead AUSTRALIA :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: -- Visit www.honeybeeworld.com/BEE-L for rules, FAQ and other info --- :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: ========================================================================= Date: Fri, 25 Jun 2004 12:20:28 -0400 Reply-To: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology Sender: BEE-L@listserv.albany.edu From: Michael Fry Subject: CNN article on hive temperature regulation Apologies if you've already seen this somewhere... Bee diversity cools the hive http://www.cnn.com/2004/TECH/science/06/25/beeing.cool.ap/index.html mf :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: -- Visit www.honeybeeworld.com/BEE-L for rules, FAQ and other info --- :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: ========================================================================= Date: Fri, 25 Jun 2004 12:47:09 -0500 Reply-To: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology Sender: BEE-L@listserv.albany.edu From: Gary Plazyk Subject: Beekeeping equipment checklist (PDF version) Comments: To: Beekeeping Yahoo group , ISBA MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Hi! Here is the URL for a more reader-friendly (Adobe Acrobat .PDF) version of my handout for the Illinois State Beekeeping Association meeting on 6/26/04: http://users.stans.net/gplazyk/bees/equipment.pdf The entries and the ratings are strictly based on my personal experience, so they tend to reflect my personal bias, and might not be the same as yours. Please let me know if you have any suggestions or comments! Thanks! Best regards, -Gary P. Gary Plazyk Fuzzy Bear Farm 18404 Garden Valley Road Marengo, IL 60152 815-568-7282 g_plazyk@ix.netcom.com http://profiles.yahoo.com/g_plazyk :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: -- Visit www.honeybeeworld.com/BEE-L for rules, FAQ and other info --- :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: ========================================================================= Date: Fri, 25 Jun 2004 20:08:01 -0400 Reply-To: jfischer@supercollider.com Sender: BEE-L@listserv.albany.edu From: James Fischer Organization: Bedford Advanced Technology Test Lab Effort Subject: Re: BEE-L: requeening > If a queen flies off while a beekeepers errs in > introduction (been there, done that), she really > has nowhere to go and will attempt to enter a hive. Another "beekeeper error" in requeening happens when releasing the attendants from the cage. The goal is to avoid having to chase the queen around the room. :) Given the very compelling work done by Wyatt on queen introduction techniques and their impact on acceptance rates, I have been releasing the attendant bees from the queen cage prior to introduction of the queen. I assume that others are doing this too. With the wooden cages, I never released a queen in error when releasing the attendants. Never even had to think about it. It was "easy". But this is suddenly not as easy as it was in prior years. Recently, more queen suppliers have started using the plastic "JZ/BZ" type queen cages http://www.dave-cushman.net/bee/gif/jzbzcage.gif rather than the more traditional wooden 3-hole cages. http://www.dave-cushman.net/bee/gif/benton.gif (Thanks to Dave, we have all these nice pictures of most every beekeeping toy...) Releasing the attendants is made more difficult with these JZ/BZ plastic cages for a number of reasons: a) The plastic is milky-white "translucent", which makes it hard to see the queen before she heads for the hole. With the wooden cages, it is easy to keep an eye on the queen. b) The problem is made worse by the solid cage surface (rather than perforated/vented) closest to the holes. Several bees, queen included, can be milling around in this area at the same time, confusing matters. c) These cages are difficult to "shade", as they allow light in from all angles. The wooden types are easy to shade, yet still point the hole toward a light source. The upshot of all this is that I have had a number of queens wander out of their cages and have to be grabbed and put back in a cage. Putting them back into a JZ/BZ cage is difficult, as closing the top on these cages appears to be a two-handed operation, which allows the queen to run or fly just as one has her back in the cage. Does anyone have any great ideas on how to release attendants from these JZ/BZ cages with style and panache, without releasing the queen in error, or do we need to demand that queen suppliers use the wooden type until the makers of the plastic ones start making them from clear plastic? Another thing you want to remember is to NEVER try releasing attendants from plastic cages in a room with a 20-foot ceiling and a skylight, unless you have a ladder handy for fetching the queen from guess where, but "beekeeper errors" like these likely don't happen to the rest of you, do they? :) jim :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: -- Visit www.honeybeeworld.com/BEE-L for rules, FAQ and other info --- :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: ========================================================================= Date: Fri, 25 Jun 2004 19:34:49 -0400 Reply-To: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology Sender: BEE-L@listserv.albany.edu From: Gerhart Pahl Subject: Fall Splits A question for coastal North-West US and British Columbia beekeepers. I live in Vancouver, BC, Canada and am wondering what the latest date would be to try to successfully split a hive if (1) I was prepared to feed all winter and (2) not planning to feel all winter? As well, how many frames of brood would you recommend moving over to start the new hive? G Pahl :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: -- Visit www.honeybeeworld.com/BEE-L for rules, FAQ and other info --- :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: ========================================================================= Date: Fri, 25 Jun 2004 23:03:44 -0400 Reply-To: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology Sender: BEE-L@listserv.albany.edu From: Tim Arheit Subject: Re: BEE-L: requeening Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"; format=flowed >Releasing the attendants is made more difficult with these >JZ/BZ plastic cages for a number of reasons: Interesting how opinions can very greatly about the same thing. I've actually switched to the plastic JZ/BZ cages because I like them better. I've found it easy to get the attendance (or queen) out and it fits nicely between frames without removing one. I just pop the cap, put my finger over it, hold it up to the light so I can see the queen easily though the cage and move my finger to let the attendants out when she isn't near the opening. To get the queen out without releasing the attendants (such as for marking when I can't place the queen immediately in the hive), I use a second cage. I put the two cages hole to hold, but slighly offset to the workers can't walk into the other cage, and simply line up the holes when the queen is near. Of course I've had little experience with wooden cages and find them a pain myself. (Plus I've lost more queens with the wooden type and none with the plastic type. Though the wooden ones I've had trouble with were not the 3 hole type, but rather the smaller California type where you had to pry off the screen to release the queen (no cork). Another very useful device I use when handling queens outdoors is a box with a screen on top and fabric on two sides so you can put your hands in without letting the queen out. -Tim :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: -- Visit www.honeybeeworld.com/BEE-L for rules, FAQ and other info --- :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: ========================================================================= Date: Fri, 25 Jun 2004 22:07:24 -0400 Reply-To: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology Sender: BEE-L@listserv.albany.edu From: Aaron Morris Subject: Re: BEE-L: approval required (862C8EB5) MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" > Releasing the attendants is made more difficult with these > JZ/BZ plastic cages > Does anyone have any great ideas on how to release attendants > from these JZ/BZ cages with style and panache, without releasing > the queen in error, Well, I throw style and panache to the wind with JZ/BZ cages. I open the escape hatch (which is hinged to one side) and the I pop the top open (which is hinged to the opposite side). Then I "spill" all the bees, queen included, out of the cage. Then I recapture the queen, mark her, and put her back into the JZ/BZ and close it up. I do this in a small room in my house with a low ceiling and only one window. Of course the bees go to the light, so it is fairly easy to keep them all in check. I stopped doing the in my truck the time that a queen walked down into the defroster vents. AND, the best way around the whole problem is to have your queens shipped in a battery box, with the attendants on the outside of the queen cages. I've had more queens shipped in the 3-hole wooden cages (actually they have 5-holes, but were developed in an era when beekeepers could only count to 3) and must confess that I have a preference for the wooden cages because that's what I learned on. But the JZ/BZ cages fit better between frames on introduction. I have also experienced cases when the queens were attempted to be introduced to splits that already had queens (pulled the queen from the donor hive without noticing). With the wooden cages you know if/when this happens because you'll find the new queen dead in the wooden cage. I have seen at least three times where the new queen was alive and well in the JZ/BZ cage where I am sure she'd have been dead in the wooden cage. So, the more I use the JZ/BZ cages I guess the more I like them. Would that the old habits died easier. Aaron Morris - wondering what JZ/BZ stands for! :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: -- Visit www.honeybeeworld.com/BEE-L for rules, FAQ and other info --- :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: ========================================================================= Date: Sat, 26 Jun 2004 11:02:51 +0300 Reply-To: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology Sender: BEE-L@listserv.albany.edu From: =?iso-8859-1?B?S29tcHBhLVNlcHDkbOQ=?= Subject: Vs: Re: [BEE-L] BEE-L: requeening MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit Sender: BEE-L@listserv.albany.edu From: Robin Dartington Subject: Re: BEE-L: requeening MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit " Another very useful device I use when handling queens outdoors is a box > with a screen on top and fabric on two sides so you can put your hands in > without letting the queen out". An alternative that avoids need for another bit of gear with you when visiting hives is just a large clear plastic bag , kept folded in the pocket. You put the queen and a spare cage plus one hand into the bag, and tuck the ends into your sleeve. You can of course open a cage one-handed, but the hand outside the bag helps with holding things thru the plastic. Also, a useful way of transferring queens from cage to cage before introduction is to dip the queen-right cage into warm water for a second then it can be opened without any risk of flight. Introducing a wetted queen was Snelgove's water method - if exchanging a queen in lay for another in lay, he just put the wet queen straight in without a cage , if I remember. He even said you could wet the queen in your mouth! Finally, a word of warning on these translucent plastic cages. I put a new queen from a nuc into one recently for introduction, and left the cage on a hive roof in the sun. Within five minutes, I had a dead queen. I suppose the orange plastic cages give only moderate shading, but the clear ones are little ovens. Robin Dartington :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: -- Visit www.honeybeeworld.com/BEE-L for rules, FAQ and other info --- :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: ========================================================================= Date: Sat, 26 Jun 2004 13:55:01 +0100 Reply-To: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology Sender: BEE-L@listserv.albany.edu From: Andrew Johnston Subject: releasing workers from cages MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="Windows-1252" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable Hi all Having had expensive queens fly into the blue yonder, disapear down the = windscreen heater vents, even fly into another hive, this is how I do = it. 1. get a new polythene bag about 12 inches x 18 inches. 2. place the cage with bees and your right hand (left if you are left = handed) into the bag. 3. tuck the open end of the bag up your sleeve. 4.release all the bees into the bag, then guide the queen back into the = cage. 5. you need to be cool, calm and collected, or the bag will steam up, it = probably will after about three or four queens so I carry several bags. The more you do it the easier it gets, and it "works for me". Regards Andy Johnston :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: -- Visit www.honeybeeworld.com/BEE-L for rules, FAQ and other info --- :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: ========================================================================= Date: Sat, 26 Jun 2004 14:03:53 +0100 Reply-To: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology Sender: BEE-L@listserv.albany.edu From: Dave Cushman Subject: Re: BEE-L: requeening MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Hi Jim & all > Releasing the attendants is made more difficult with these > JZ/BZ plastic cages for a number of reasons: I only used the JZ/BZ cage for introduction on 14 occasions. 11 of these were successful, but I think it is so long ago that I did not bother about the attendants at that time. I have only been in the habit of religiously removing attendants for about 15 years. Two of the occasions that the JZ/BZ cages were used was for the introduction of virgins, no attendants used and only a very small amount of candy in the long spout. I have heard discussion about performing the removal in the front seat of a car or truck (facing the sun) so that any escaped queen can be picked easily off the windscreen and popped back in the cage. I have practiced this and it works, but more recently I have changed my introduction method completely over to the Steve Taber/Albert Knight/ John Dews method http://website.lineone.net/~dave.cushman/queenintro.html#ak_st_jd This requires the release of all attendants and the transfer of the queen into a butler cage for controlled release by the beekeeper. http://www.dave-cushman.net/bee/obsboard.html I do the worker release and queen transfer over the nuc concerned in the apiary. The attendants fly away (I would sooner collect them and destroy them, but my main concern is the queen which may well be specimen breeder queen backed up by years of II and be very valuable). Some of these freed workers do fly to the transparent window (I presume they can smell the bees inside the nuc) and they can be despatched. My reasoning for doing it over the nuc is that if the queen escapes she most likely will flutter down onto the specially prepared observation board. Flying for the queens concerned may be possible, but is unlikely as most of the queens concerned are elderly, none are ever less than one year old. This way the queen is not out of contact with worker bees for more than a few seconds. Truly simple attendant removal occurs with the Nicot plastic mailing cage as the lid is slid back just enough for the workers to escape but the queen cannot. http://www.dave-cushman.net/bee/gif/nicotplastic.gif The same principle can be applied to the Queen's Puzzle cage http://www.dave-cushman.net/bee/gif/puzzlecage.gif But to get back to Jim's original question... > Does anyone have any great ideas on how to release attendants > from these JZ/BZ cages with style and panache, without releasing > the queen in error, or do we need to demand that queen suppliers > use the wooden type until the makers of the plastic ones start > making them from clear plastic? I think the answer to this lies in the gardening department of your nearest superstore, I reckon that a medium or large sized plastic plant propagator could have a hand sized hole cut in one side so that you could open the cage with impunity and if the queen came out she would be within easy reach to put back. Disadvantage would be another piece of kit to hump around :-( Best Regards & 73s, Dave Cushman... G8MZY Beekeeping & Bee Breeding Website Email: cyberbeek@tiscali.co.uk or dave@dave-cushman.net http://website.lineone.net/~dave.cushman & http://www.dave-cushman.net :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: -- Visit www.honeybeeworld.com/BEE-L for rules, FAQ and other info --- :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: ========================================================================= Date: Sat, 26 Jun 2004 16:47:08 +0100 Reply-To: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology Sender: BEE-L@listserv.albany.edu From: Dave Cushman Subject: Re: Beekeeping record program MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Hi all > The BIBBA card was mainly devised by Beowulf Cooper (40 years ago) from > several existing record systems of a few keen breeders and there is a > standardised code for making entries so that others can use the data and > make valid comparisons. This code is the subject of the page I am working on > at present and it will be available in a few days time. The page is up and running at http://www.dave-cushman.net/bee/bibbacode.html BUT many of the links from the text lead nowhere! The page itself is however more or less complete, with a few abbreviations (3) still to be added when I get confirmation of the details from a third party. Many on the terms may only make sense in terms of breeding selection that is aimed at improving AMM type bees (which was the main reason for it's development) and some of the terms are 'old fashioned'. I will be happy to 'attempt' to explain any terms that you do not understand. Best Regards & 73s, Dave Cushman... G8MZY Beekeeping & Bee Breeding Website Email: cyberbeek@tiscali.co.uk or dave@dave-cushman.net http://website.lineone.net/~dave.cushman & http://www.dave-cushman.net :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: -- Visit www.honeybeeworld.com/BEE-L for rules, FAQ and other info --- :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: ========================================================================= Date: Sat, 26 Jun 2004 19:10:36 -0400 Reply-To: jfischer@supercollider.com Sender: BEE-L@listserv.albany.edu From: James Fischer Organization: Bedford Advanced Technology Test Lab Effort Subject: Re: BEE-L: requeening Aaron said: > I have also experienced cases when the queens were > attempted to be introduced to splits that already > had queens... > With the wooden cages you know if/when this happens > because you'll find the new queen dead in the wooden > cage. I have seen at least three times where the new > queen was alive and well in the JZ/BZ cage where I am > sure she'd have been dead in the wooden cage. What extra protection does the plastic cage afford the queen over the wood cage? Given equal amounts of candy to chew through, I would have guessed that the non-queenless workers would be pulling the new queen limb-from-limb in the same amount of time regardless of cage type. jim :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: -- Visit www.honeybeeworld.com/BEE-L for rules, FAQ and other info --- :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: ========================================================================= Date: Sun, 27 Jun 2004 04:40:33 +0000 Reply-To: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology Sender: BEE-L@listserv.albany.edu From: cass cohenour Subject: Re: Requeening Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed Thanks to everyone who answered my question if this has ever happened to them. It may not be such the oddity that I originally speculated that it was when the queen came back into the hive after closing it up. I've requeened quite a few hives of my own and for others and have never this happen before. Most of the time when I am making splits and leave them setting queenless for three days before introducing the new queen, they will accept the new queen immediatly and begin to fan her pheromone throughout the hive. If such action occurs, I will release the queen into the hive. I always watch the queen for a short span of time to ensure that she does not get balled. I' ve only seen a queen get balled if introduced in this manner only if it is to early after making a split or if the queen was accidently transferred to the split. This is what astonished me-Queen in cage for five days and take flight-Queen in cage for no days and dive down into the hive body to join the colony and live. After being banked, shipped, caged in the hive, could've the biological clock been ticking for too long? Yes, because it was a virgin queen. Was she frightened? How could she be? She had been in the hive for over five days. Did she follow the attendant bees? No, most of them were dead or had joined the other bees in the hive body after opening the cage. I am in the process of requeening a hive which superceded itself. I did remove all of the attendents from the 3hole cage. It was quite easy. I'd just cover the cork hole with my finger when the queen got close and open it up for the workers to escape, laid the cage screen down on the top bars of the first deep hive body. Wish my NWC luck!!! _________________________________________________________________ Is your PC infected? Get a FREE online computer virus scan from McAfee® Security. http://clinic.mcafee.com/clinic/ibuy/campaign.asp?cid=3963 :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: -- Visit www.honeybeeworld.com/BEE-L for rules, FAQ and other info --- :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: ========================================================================= Date: Sun, 27 Jun 2004 07:20:43 -0400 Reply-To: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology Sender: BEE-L@listserv.albany.edu From: Michael Palmer Subject: Re: Fall Splits In-Reply-To: <200406252334.i5PNXOQh017404@listserv.albany.edu> Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: multipart/mixed; x-avg-checked=avg-ok-56935809; boundary="=======27241D85=======" --=======27241D85======= Content-Type: text/plain; x-avg-checked=avg-ok-56935809; charset=us-ascii; format=flowed Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit > > what the latest date >would be to try to successfully split a hive >how many >frames of brood would you recommend >G Pahl Gerhart...I make 250 - 300 "fall" splits every year. These I winter on top of production colonies. I don't think I would call them fall splits, though. I make them in mid-summer. In fact, I am going out to make some today. I use a nuc box that holds two 4-frame nucs, separated by a division board feeder. I start the nuc with 1.5 - 2 frames of brood, and enough bees to cover the brood. I also include a frame of honey/pollen, and an empty comb. I give the nuc a ripe cell, or laying queen from a mating nuc. These 4 frame nucs build up, and fill the box with bees for winter. In late September, after the flow is done, I feed enough so they each have 3 - 3.5 combs of feed. They winter on top of production colonies, and in Late April, are transferred to 10 frame equipment. Many have 3 frames of brood at that point, and will go on to make a decent crop of honey. I use them to replace dead-outs, or requeen weak colonies. Look at it this way. Everyone has colonies that just don't build up well. They have 4 - 6 frames of brood, but never make much of a crop. You can requeen these slow colonies, in hopes that next year they will do better. Or...you can split them up into 4 frame nucs. From each weak colony, I average four 4-frame nucs. If you split them up early enough...say mid June...and give them a laying queen, many can be split again in mid-July...two or three ways. So, from your original colony, you have 8 to 12 nucs. Even if you have a tough winter, and only half make it...actually a low percentage...you have 4 to 6 spring nucs. All this from your original colony, which if you requeened early enough, might have made a couple supers of honey. Aren't 4 to 6 nice nucs...in the spring...worth more to your apiary than a couple supers of honey? I sure think so. So much, in fact, that I'm trying to convince as many beekeepers as I can, to give it a try. Get off the treadmill...make your own nucs, and stop buying crummy southern bees. Mike --=======27241D85=======-- :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: -- Visit www.honeybeeworld.com/BEE-L for rules, FAQ and other info --- :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: ========================================================================= Date: Fri, 25 Jun 2004 19:04:18 +0200 Reply-To: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology Sender: BEE-L@listserv.albany.edu From: =?windows-1252?Q?S=E9bastien_Denys?= Subject: Silent spring in northern Europe? Comments: To: BiologicalBeekeeping@yahoogroups.com MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=windows-1252; format=flowed Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit Börje Svensson, Sala, Sweden Reproduced with kind permission from Bees for Development Journal 71 (June 2004) © Bees for Development www.beesfordevelopment.org Individual bees are very delicate organisms existing within the strong and resistant body of their colony, inside its carefully protected cavity. Honeybees have been surviving this way since long before man first stepped on earth (Free et al., 1982). An individual bee will freeze to death within minutes in the climate of Sweden where I have been keeping bees for 28 years. Colonies of bees have survived my mismanagement, infestation with wax moth, queenlessness, wet insulation, or even being tipped over during a cold winter storm. Some of my colonies always survived and managed to multiply when the spring sun shone and brought flowers and nutritious food back into the life cycle again. Winter losses never ever exceeded 15% - until last year. Unwelcome experience Winter 2002-2003 was a totally new experience for me and for thousands of my colleagues in countries like Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland and Germany. I lost 50 colonies out of 70! Only 20 survived. One neighbour lost 95 out of 120, someone else 24 of 25 and so on. Some colonies died even in December. I found colonies that had just stopped living. They had given up life without any sign of struggle. They were dead without visible reason. They had plenty of good sugar feed. Pollen stores were available. The queen was sitting dead in the middle of the cluster. Other colonies tried to survive but gradually dwindled away with less and less bees and finally gave up before the warm weather could help them to recover. I had a terrible job to clean up all the dirty comb and contaminated hives. The combs had to be brushed off before being melted in water so that the sugar remains could be separated from the pure wax. It is always a depressing job disposing of dead bees knowing their important task for maintaining good pollination in our neighbourhood. Immediate survey Our National Beekeepers’ Federation, SBR, reacted without delay and organised an instant survey within a random sample of 2,520 beekeepers (Kristiansen, 2003). From the 1,654 responses we can conclude that the colony losses in my county were about 36%. The national average was ‘only’ 20%. A similar survey of 6,072 German beekeepers came up with an average of 29% winter losses during the same winter (Otten, 2003). The Swedish survey could not make any conclusions about any particular cause of the winter deaths but rather speculated that the event was a combination of unfavourable circumstances during the season 2002. However there are several observations that can rule out some of the theories proposed: 1. Both experienced and less experienced beekeepers had problems. 2. The death toll was high also in areas where the Varroa parasite has not yet arrived. 3. The death toll was high also in areas where other diseases such as foulbrood, sacbrood, chalkbrood or nosema are rarely seen. 4. The death toll was high also for colonies in very well insulated hives. 5. The winter death was very low in the forest areas of northern Sweden but at the same time very high in the farmland area in northern Finland. 6. The death toll was high both in areas affected by the radioactive Cesium137 downfall from the Chernobyl accident as well as in non-affected areas. More bad news So we are many beekeepers who have hoped until now that the scientists are correct: that it was an extremely bad year of a kind that appears once in a while. But is it really like that? The sun is now warming up the hive bodies and the snow is rapidly melting away. The first Crocus flowers are beginning to provide pollen and Salix will soon follow. A first summary of my remaining colonies is again a catastrophe!!! Only 17 colonies surviving out of 30!!! And some of the survivors are very weak and may not make it another 2-3 weeks. My phone is ringing. Beekeeper friends are reporting: 7 of 8 dead, all but 2 dead, more than 50% dead and so on. It is too early to see if this is as serious a problem as last year, but this time I am not going to wait before raising my voice. Possible explanations We have to find resources and support to find out what is happening to our bee environment. What are the possible explanations? How can researchers join hands to determine how to overcome these problems? To start the discussion I would like to present a list of possible explanations that can be thinned out or extended with contributions by those who have a better view. Please join the debate with your own observations or theories. 1. The European Commission has decided to allow use of a number of doubtful pesticides. Some of these were banned in Sweden for many years such as Amitrole, 2,4-D, Linuron, Mecoprop, Paraquat, Propineb, Thiram and Bromoxynil. Many of these are extremely hazardous to humans but the objections from our government chemistry authority had no effect on the decision makers in Brussels. These pesticides are mainly herbicides and fungicides and most likely we will not find one of them that is used all over the affected region. 2. The European Commission has authorised a large number of new pesticides for an even larger number of different uses without adequate hazard testing. The new generation of pesticides can be generalised as: i) low dosage, ii) long persistence, iii) systemic action, iv) difficult to detect in laboratory tests. The Swedish government authority is also complaining in their annual report (KI, 2003) that it is difficult to keep track of the different pesticides due to many changes of ownership within the private sector. 3. The aphid pests (Megilethes spp) on oil-seed rape have developed resistance to the most popular pyrethroid pesticides. Therefore the chemistry authority again approved use of the extremely bee poisonous insecticide Fenitrothion (Sumithion or Folithion) from year 2001. This pesticide was banned more than 20 years ago due to its enormous risks for bees, other insects and aquatic life. 4. The use of insecticides increased in Sweden 2001-2002 by 250%. A possible reason is that the warm summers (global warming?) caused heavy growth of aphid colonies in many grain crops. 5. A new range of pesticides has entered the market during the last five years. These are all based on the active ingredient Imidakloprid, a chemical that affects the digestive neurosystem of insects. Popularly we can say that insects that come into contact with these products lose their appetite and stop being harmful to crops. These insecticides have long persistence and a systemic effect. It is therefore possible that the harmful effect will occur over a long period and only gradually in a bee colony that is slowly during winter consuming its stored reserves of plant material. The treated seed will for instance germinate in August 2004, the plant will flower in June 2005 and bees will collect and store contaminated nectar and pollen that can cause indistinct symptoms during the winter 2006, one and a half years later! Here is a list of Imidakloprid products being registered in Sweden: - Chinook for seed dressing of oil-seed rape seed. - Gaucho and Montur for seed dressing of sugar beet seed. - Prestige for dressing of potatoes before planting. - Confidor for treatment through irrigation water in green houses (ornamental plants, tomatoes, cucumber and sweet pepper). - Merit Forest for treatment of forest plants against insect attacks. - Some products are also registered for use in homes as dip sticks for indoor plants. Commercial representatives also confirm that these products have been tried as seed dressing on wheat and oats. They are however not willing to disclose to what extent farmers are using seed treated with these chemicals. In France Imidakloprid pesticides have been banned for use on sunflower crops after heavy protests from beekeeper groups. 6. Pesticides in sugar cultivation or industrial manipulation of white sugar may be another problem for bee colonies. Use of the above mentioned systemic seed dressers on sugar beet seed (point 5) or insecticides on sugar cane fields can be a hidden problem. Also new techniques for extraction or bleaching of white sugar may cause a possible hazard to bees. An increasing trade with sugar products has also been noted 7. Extensive use of desiccants (Glyfosat, Rambo, Roundup) for total extermination of weeds instead of mechanical cultivation. The total usage of these herbicides has increased four years in a row. This is remarkable since the increase of Glyfosat products took place at the same time as the acreage of ecological farming also increased. This must imply that the intensity of Glyfosat usage has increased on the farmland that is still cultivated with chemicals. Several Glyfosat products are also registered for use by gardeners. 8. Increasing downfall from burning of household waste material as an energy resource. A new government fee on dumping of waste products has created an enormous interest for using household waste as an important energy resource. Large municipal heat and power plants have been converted from charcoal and crude oil to household waste and other biomass sources. The disadvantage with this quick change is that the cleaning techniques for many dangerous organic substances in the smoke are still rudimentary. In some cases we do not even know what to look for. The amounts of downfall may be very small but still extremely hazardous to human and other life from the very stable organic substances that come with the smoke from waste burning. Examples of such substances are PCB, Toxafen, Dioxin, halogenated flame retardants, nonylphenol, organic tin compounds, phthalates and secondary residues of all these products etc. I do not claim that I have any proof for any of the above theories. What is of paramount importance is that we try to find out the cause for the winter deaths of honeybee colonies during the last two years. Will my bees survive another winter like this? Or will we meet a silent spring next year? If bees cannot survive can we? Börje Svensson, Sala, Sweden (author) References Free, J.B. ed. (1982) Honeybee Biology, Central Association of Bee-keepers Publications, Ashford, UK. Kemiinspektionen (2003) Sold quantities of pesticides 2002, KI, Stockholm, Sweden. Kristiansen, P. (2003) Vinterförlusterna 2002/2003, Bitidningen (7-8), 13-14. Otten, C. (2003) Daten und Fakten zu den Völkerförlusten, ADIZ 37 (8/2003), 6-8. STOP PRESS >From the author – May 2004 We are beginning to see the full size of the problem now. In my county it seems like more than 50% of colonies died this winter. The media is beginning to take notice now, but some of the news is old, as far back as 1999 from France! http://www.bees-trees.demon.co.uk/news%20and%20views.htm#silent spring :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: -- Visit www.honeybeeworld.com/BEE-L for rules, FAQ and other info --- :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: ========================================================================= Date: Sun, 27 Jun 2004 08:54:58 -0500 Reply-To: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology Sender: BEE-L@listserv.albany.edu From: Bob Harrison Subject: Re: Silent spring in northern Europe? MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="Windows-1252" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Hello All, The problem now talked about is being seen in many areas including parts of the U.S. In many areas the first signs are low honey production and as shown high winter losses. Beekeepers in areas unaffected are not worried but as the problem effects their areas are starting to see the problem. In the U.S. the finger pointing is as in the post towards pesticides. Perhaps true? Perhaps not. With the high price of honey in the U.S. (and the world) many are not as concerned as they would be if under the former price structure. In other words if you get a 33% winter loss but honey and pollination prices are high you can survive. Problem is ignoring the problem is not the answer as once an area starts having problems then the problem persists (as shown in Europe and in areas of the U.S.). We are seeing a low honey production in the Midwest this year for unexplained reasons and hives not thriving in areas they should be. My friends in Europe say poor wintering comes next if the problem seen in Europe is starting in the midwest. I am seeing ( and first to report on BEE-L) a start of a situation I can not explain and do not understand. I will keep the list posted as to the Midwest situation. Bob " to be a success in beekeeping the beekeeper needs to keep a close watch on his bees & bee hives!" :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: -- Visit www.honeybeeworld.com/BEE-L for rules, FAQ and other info --- :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: ========================================================================= Date: Sun, 27 Jun 2004 10:44:12 -0500 Reply-To: davehamilton@alltel.net Sender: BEE-L@listserv.albany.edu From: DaveHamilton Subject: Re: Silent spring in northern Europe? In-Reply-To: <000f01c45c4e$584c0cc0$59bc59d8@BusyBeeAcres> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="Windows-1252" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Bob Are you guys in Missouri seeing the same "lazy bees" we are talking about up here? I have one farm with hives setting on CRP land in acres of yellow sweat clover. The clover this year has stayed in bloom for a full month yet the bees in those 10 hives don't have 3 supers of honey between them. Its been way cooler and wetter than most years here. Several other Nebraskans have said they are seeing similar. What's your ideas? Dave --- Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free. Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). Version: 6.0.711 / Virus Database: 467 - Release Date: 6/25/2004 :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: -- Visit www.honeybeeworld.com/BEE-L for rules, FAQ and other info --- :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: ========================================================================= Date: Sun, 27 Jun 2004 21:26:42 EDT Reply-To: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology Sender: BEE-L@listserv.albany.edu From: Lionel Evans Subject: Re: Fall Splits MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit I think you are right to start nucs to have spring queens going at top speed. This is the simplist way to get the jump on spring build up. However, I don't think you should criticise southern bees. Without southern bees, most northerners would not have bees, period. Lionel :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: -- Visit www.honeybeeworld.com/BEE-L for rules, FAQ and other info --- :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: ========================================================================= Date: Mon, 28 Jun 2004 00:33:44 -0500 Reply-To: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology Sender: BEE-L@listserv.albany.edu From: Peter Dillon Subject: Re: Fall Splits In-Reply-To: <5.2.0.9.0.20040627065705.00b80320@pop.together.net> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii; format=flowed Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Mike, You mention that you winter nuc's. top of production colonies. Just for clarity, what do you mean by "on top"? Also, ....Even if you have a tough winter, and only half make it...actually a low percentage... For you a tough winter consists of what type of climatic conditions, and why do you say that 50% is a low loss rate? 50% seems to me to be a high loss rate - maybe one that cannot be reduced easily, but still high. Regards, Peter :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: -- Visit www.honeybeeworld.com/BEE-L for rules, FAQ and other info --- :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: ========================================================================= Date: Mon, 28 Jun 2004 00:58:56 -0500 Reply-To: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology Sender: BEE-L@listserv.albany.edu From: Peter Dillon Subject: Re: Silent spring in northern Europe? In-Reply-To: <000f01c45c4e$584c0cc0$59bc59d8@BusyBeeAcres> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii; format=flowed Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Bob, You indicate a situation developing in certain areas of US regarding abnormal bee colony behaviour - would you be as so kind as to fill things out with a little more detail, as the situation stands at present? Regards, Peter :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: -- Visit www.honeybeeworld.com/BEE-L for rules, FAQ and other info --- :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: ========================================================================= Date: Mon, 28 Jun 2004 01:03:18 -0500 Reply-To: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology Sender: BEE-L@listserv.albany.edu From: Peter Dillon Subject: Re: Silent spring in northern Europe? In-Reply-To: <40DC5B12.4040004@ulb.ac.be> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=windows-1252; format=flowed Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit Börje, So what is the proposed action to deal with the losses of bee colonies? How are the authorities viewing the problem? Regards, Peter :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: -- Visit www.honeybeeworld.com/BEE-L for rules, FAQ and other info --- :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: ========================================================================= Date: Mon, 28 Jun 2004 06:04:20 -0400 Reply-To: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology Sender: BEE-L@listserv.albany.edu From: Michael Palmer Subject: Re: Fall Splits In-Reply-To: Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: multipart/mixed; x-avg-checked=avg-ok-65337594; boundary="=======52BA28BB=======" --=======52BA28BB======= Content-Type: text/plain; x-avg-checked=avg-ok-65337594; charset=us-ascii; format=flowed Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit > I don't think you >should criticise >southern bees. > Why not? You bring bees raised in the south up here to the north country, and they don't winter very well. Tracheal mites get many of them. If the southern breeders would select for tracheal resistance, then maybe I would feel differently. But, when I see beekeepers spend their money on southern packages...only to have them die from tracheal mites...again...and again...I blame the bees. Without southern bees, most northerners would not have bees, period. Lionel Sad, but true. If I had my way, things would change. With a little training, northern beekeepers would see just how easy it is to raise your own replacement bees. Mike --=======52BA28BB=======-- :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: -- Visit www.honeybeeworld.com/BEE-L for rules, FAQ and other info --- :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: ========================================================================= Date: Mon, 28 Jun 2004 06:17:45 -0400 Reply-To: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology Sender: BEE-L@listserv.albany.edu From: Michael Palmer Subject: Re: Fall Splits In-Reply-To: <40DFADB8.8080107@mts.net> Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: multipart/mixed; x-avg-checked=avg-ok-65337594; boundary="=======3B401985=======" --=======3B401985======= Content-Type: text/plain; x-avg-checked=avg-ok-65337594; charset=us-ascii; format=flowed Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit > > you winter nuc's. top of production colonies. >Just for clarity, what do you mean by "on top"? Peter The two 4 frame nucs are in a box with a solid bottom board. The whole unit sits on the inner cover of another colony for winter. > > >For you a tough winter consists of what type of climatic conditions, Peter I'm in northern Vermont, 12 miles from the Canada border. We have very cold snowy winters, with 4 to 5 months without bee flight. > >why do you say that 50% is a low loss rate? > Peter Sorry, I said that wrong. I meant that 50% survival rate was actually a low rate. This winter I had a survival rate of 80%. 20% were weak...less than 2 frames of brood at the end of April. These I let build up on 8 frames by moving the feeder to the sidewall. I just split them up. From the 50 or so weak nucs, I made 125 new nucs that will be wintered. Mike --=======3B401985=======-- :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: -- Visit www.honeybeeworld.com/BEE-L for rules, FAQ and other info --- :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: ========================================================================= Date: Mon, 28 Jun 2004 09:16:56 -0400 Reply-To: jkriebel@speakeasy.net Sender: BEE-L@listserv.albany.edu From: Jonathan Kriebel Organization: Veritec, Ltd Subject: Re: Fall Splits In-Reply-To: <40DFADB8.8080107@mts.net> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-2" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable I picked up four Caniolan Queens on eBay, just to see what they were = like. I have ten Hives, and was going to make up two nucs by schwicking the requisite frames of brood/honey/pollen from amongst the strongest = colonies.=20 Instead of a Nuc box however, I was going to reduce the size of a hive = body with wood panels, that way I can expand the hive as their streghn = increases. This winter I will make up some nuc hardware when I am doing the other woodworking. (Comments?) The other two queens are going to be used to re-queen two hives. Around here, fall splits are done, and usually overwintered in a protected = area. A friened of mine usually has a few on his front porch every year, and = these do well. Jonathan B. Kriebel Das Sauen =D5hr Farm 3229 Zepp Rd. Green Lane, PA 18054-2357 Telephone: (610) 864-8581 Facsimile: (215) 234-8573 jbkriebel@speakeasy.net :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: -- Visit www.honeybeeworld.com/BEE-L for rules, FAQ and other info --- :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: ========================================================================= Date: Mon, 28 Jun 2004 22:39:32 +0100 Reply-To: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology Sender: BEE-L@listserv.albany.edu From: Robin Dartington Subject: Re: Silent spring in northern Europe? MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="Windows-1252" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit "Please join the debate with your own observations or theories." A few of my c20 colonies died but more were very weak in spring. All had several frames of food left - but it was solid. I believe my problem is simply that the warmer climate resulted in bees collecting late honey from new sources, particularly ivy which sets like concrete - it probably meant that colonies dwindled in spring from heavy loss of water carriers. Was the honey left in European dead colonies solid? Was it in any way unusual in regard to the major plants from which it was collected, perhaps as a consequence of climate change? I will feed sugar syrup myself in late September this year to fill the brood chamber, then return supers to collect and remove the ivy flow in October, if it reappears. (Ivy honey is not the best to eat, a bit strong, but passible. The combs have to be melted and it can reset much too hard. It seems is better to blend in a little bland honey, to make the reset honey a bit softer and a bit less strong). Apart from environmental poisoning by man (so very possible), might not another wholly theoetical cause of the reported widespread poor wintering be a new virus, perhaps a mutation of an existing. Am I right in thinking viruses can mutate very easily, such as the common flu virus affecting humans? The effect of viruses is to debilitate, is it not? Has research been started - possibly difficult as the worst affected colonies are dead. Robin Dartington :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: -- Visit www.honeybeeworld.com/BEE-L for rules, FAQ and other info --- :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: ========================================================================= Date: Mon, 28 Jun 2004 10:58:37 -0400 Reply-To: jkriebel@speakeasy.net Sender: BEE-L@listserv.albany.edu From: Jonathan Kriebel Organization: Veritec, Ltd Subject: Queen Excluders MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-2" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable I remember reading an article that mentioned that Queen = Excluders=3Dhoney excluders. After yesterday's trip to the yard, I have to agree.=20 I started seven new colonies from packages this year. One of the new = hives (#3) needed a super ASAP, as they had packed the second body, and had nowhere to go. I threw a super (of foundation) on the hive as a = stop-gap. The next day I put supers on the other new hives, but with excluders. I checked the hives yesterday, and all of the hives with the excluders = had little activity in the supers. When I got to hive #3, they had the = super 80% drawn, and filled. I guess the lesson here is that foundation does = not need the added discouragement that the excluder creates. I even sprayed them with syrup to entice them up there. My only concern with #3 is = that they might have moved syrup from the deep up into the super. I would imagine that the excluder would be needed if I had drawn comb to = put above the brood nest, if there were still undrawn comb in the nest. Is = this the case? Hive #2 is from last year, and with no QE, and a super of foundation, = put some drone brood in the super (3x3 patch in adjoining frames.) I don't = know why I put a super of foundation down there, and left the full one on the top. My error. I guess I was trying to avoid travel stains on the cappings...oops. Jonathan B. Kriebel Das Sauen =D5hr Farm 3229 Zepp Rd. Green Lane, PA 18054-2357 Telephone: (610) 864-8581 Facsimile: (215) 234-8573 jbkriebel@speakeasy.net=20 :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: -- Visit www.honeybeeworld.com/BEE-L for rules, FAQ and other info --- :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: ========================================================================= Date: Mon, 28 Jun 2004 11:22:11 -0500 Reply-To: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology Sender: BEE-L@listserv.albany.edu From: Bob Harrison Subject: Re: Silent spring in northern Europe? MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Hello All, - would you be as so kind as to fill things out with a little more detail, as the situation stands at present? Too early to say for sure but sure the weather is not the problem as Dave H. suggested off line. We are seeing in certain areas bees which are not producing and the situation looks like the old disappearing disease problem. The strange thing is a yard four miles down the road appears normal and producing honey. My first guess would be a pesticide problem. I am NOT finding more than the normal number of dead bees at the entrance. We have had a cool last week but we pulled the first supers a week ago before the cool weather. The weather had been perfect for the first few weeks of the Clover flow although we did get rain every 5-6 days. Bob :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: -- Visit www.honeybeeworld.com/BEE-L for rules, FAQ and other info --- :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: ========================================================================= Date: Mon, 28 Jun 2004 11:36:54 -0500 Reply-To: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology Sender: BEE-L@listserv.albany.edu From: Bob Harrison Subject: Re: Silent spring in northern Europe? MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="Windows-1252" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Peter said; So what is the proposed action to deal with the losses of bee colonies? I have not lost a single hive to the problem yet but am only reporting a situation starting which I am concerned about. How are the authorities viewing the problem? I have not brought the problem to the attention of the bee lab as only seeing early signs of a problem now. If the signs of a problem persist I will move the hives in those yards to a different location at the end of the honey flow and go through those hives. I have dug down in several hives and have not found a problem as brood appears normal and it seems at present that foragers are disappearing but way too early to say what the problem is. I got a report Saturday from Texas that the bees are looking better than in years. Will be interesting to get comments this fall from those guys after the bees are moved onto honey locations. Bob :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: -- Visit www.honeybeeworld.com/BEE-L for rules, FAQ and other info --- :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: ========================================================================= Date: Mon, 28 Jun 2004 19:25:49 -0500 Reply-To: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology Sender: BEE-L@listserv.albany.edu From: Bob Harrison Subject: container super storage MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="Windows-1252" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Hello All, I am considering storing honey supers in 40 foot overseas cargo containers. I have seen the containers used for the purpose in the south but never considered using those myself until recently. Can a member of the list give pros & cons to their use. Either on list or off. I am interested mainly in heat concerns & setting up the area beneath the containers. I have been told heat melting combs is not a problem and six in. of gravel works for the foundation. Thanks in advance! Bob :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: -- Visit www.honeybeeworld.com/BEE-L for rules, FAQ and other info --- ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::