ECWBA Newsletter - December

Winter is about to settle in with cold weather.  However, this fall has been generous with its mild weather.  Hopefully, you have ensured that your beehives are well provisioned with honey for the winter and you have prepared your hives to survive the cold.  Before Christmas and the holiday season come around, I thought I would update you with a few things happening with the ECWBA.

1.  This past year, 2012, went rather well.  Thank-you to everybody that was involved in making the past year a success.  We had some good guest speakers at our meetings speaking on various topics.  We completed a beginner’s beekeeping class early in the year.  Let’s keep the momentum of education going.

2.  Some of the meeting dates and places for early 2013 have been scheduled in already.  Here’s what developed so far:
Saturday, January 12, 2013, Ripon Public Library, 9:30 to 11:00 am.
Saturday, February 9, 2013, Fond du Lac Public Library, 9:30 to 11:00 am.
Saturday, March 9, 2013, tentative pending scheduling, Ripon Public Library, 9:30 to 11:00 am.
May and/or June, 2013 (another field day???)
July and September meetings to be determined.

3.  At the January, 2013, meeting, the offices of vice-president and treasurer will be up for election.  The positions are currently held by Denise Palkovich as Vice President and George Weigel as Treasurer.  Both, Denise and George, have done a great job as ECWBA officers for their past two year terms.  Here’s an opportunity to become directly involved with the ECWBA.  Please consider running for either of these offices -- a little “electoral competition” would be great to see.  If you have any questions about the election or about becoming an officer, please contact Jeff Champeau by phone or e-mail.

4.  At the July and September meetings, the ECWBA established a committee for exploring the possibility of conducting a beginning beekeepers class.  This is not a permanent committee – once the class is done, the committee will be terminated.  The committee is tentatively moving forward with a class scheduled to start in early 2013.  More information will be published in the newsletter as the class develops.  Please encourage any new beekeepers that you know to attend this class.  Watch for ads in local shopper newspapers.

Beekeeping Notes:
Start planning for 2013 – Winter is a good time to relax with a warm cup of hot chocolate and think about next year’s beekeeping.  Is this the year to attend an advanced beekeeping seminar?  Or maybe a workshop to learn about queen rearing?  If you have some experience, this could be the year to mentor a new beekeeper.


On behalf of the East Central Wisconsin Beekeepers Association, I would like wish all of you, your families and friends, a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!!

fall inspection and feeding

We've recently moved households - so I've not seen "the girls" for a month or more. I harvested early so they'd have every opportunity to fill reserves for winter. The bees will REMAIN in place until spring. I've decided it'd be best to move them in spring - when there are LESS of them (cross your fingers moment - as every beekeeper knows).

I donned the new MESH beekeeping jacket and went for my first fall inspection and feeding. The day before I'd checked to see if all was well in the hives - if anyone was home. Looks like we'll be overwintering 5 hives this year. The population in one was FABULOUS....the others were GOOD and about equal. Now - I overwinter as 3 deeps...let me tell you once more how )(*@#)$*$ heavy those deeps are when they're full of honey!!!!!!

Before feeding them - I wanted a closer inspection without tearing them apart frame by frame....so I cracked them open - tipped the whole box and inspected top down and bottom up between the frames. Everything appeared as it should....the BROOD NEST is in the bottom box, a little into box two....and honey all above. The mass of bees were right in the middle frames where they should be.

I DID NOTE some wax moth "issues" in cleaning out the screened/sticky trap. There was some webbing. but webbing was not noted in between frames or in between boxes. I'm hoping it will be soon be cold enough to freeze them...and the bees will take care of the rest....they're population deems them able.

After inspection, I put the medicated (nosema) bucket on them...and crossed my fingers. as a three deep - they don't require xtra feeding - but I did want to get the meds in.  The final touch to the hive was the entrance reducer.  The VERY POPULATED hive didn't think this was a good idea (hammer and nails)  They came pouring out the hive and freaked out the guy helping me (the new owner of the house).  I said, "SMOKE 'EM - mommy don't play that game!"  That ended THAT.

And finally - I put the sides of the BEEHOUSE on....and rolled down the canvas front to just above the hives.

My helper - who will no doubt be beekeeping himself soon...asked, "Do you do any beekeeping in the winter?" I said - sure - but not at the hive, it's a time for READING and REPAIRS (to equipment).  Though - I do sometimes go to the hives with a stethoscope and listen for them....

If the QTY OF PROPOLIS is ANY INDICATION of the winter we're going to have...it's gonna be a "good one"....COLD or SNOWY - they couldn't tell me.

New bee suits

My new bee suits arrived...the last I'll probably ever buy.  They won't shrink! This shows beekeeping TECHNOLOGY.it's 3 layers of mesh that allows air to flow through...but keeps stingers at a distance. It's definately heavier. I got one suit and one jacket....i got them a little too big....for guests. They feature velcro closures at wrists and ankles.

d's method of hive wrapping

your hive is ALIVE during the winter months.  Warm Inside - Cold Outside = CONDENSATION.  it's important to allow the moisture out of the hive....

 

hope you find this useful.  some years...the bees will propolis my holes shut - i leave them that way - figuring they know best.  i proceed as "normal" and let them reopen the holes as they need it.  if this doesn't print well for you, let me know - i can send you a pdf.

19 crops that would disappear without bees

http://www.kitchendaily.com/read/19-crops-would-disappear-without-bees?icid=maing-grid7%7Cmain5%7Cdl12%7Csec1_lnk2%26pLid%3D207396/?ncid=txtlnkusaolp00000058?test=latestnews

What do you do for LATE SEASON QUEENLESSNESS....and what do you do about LATE SEASON SWARMS?

This discussion point has been posted in the discussion group/forum...PLEASE JOIN IN!  We'd love to hear your opinion on the matter(s)

two articles kinda saying the same thing: it's in the DNA

http://www.nature.com/news/job-swapping-makes-its-mark-on-honeybee-dna-1.11418

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2204624/Honeybee-The-genetic-tags-tell-bee-do.html?ITO=1490

american honey (wild turkey)

http://www.thedieline.com/blog/2012/9/7/american-honey.html

yummy.

ALE to the chief....white house's HONEY BEER

yummy.
http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2012/08/29/ale-chief-white-house-beer-recipe

marketing your honey

here's a marketing story:
http://www.wired.com/design/2012/08/honey-badger-hot-sauce/

 here's what's "trending" in design:
http://www.thedieline.com/blog/2012/8/25/student-spotlight-savannah-bee-company-honey-bottles.html

http://www.thedieline.com/blog/2012/3/22/student-spotlight-stella.html

hives removed

45 hives is a nice amount of bees in a rural enviroment...BUT NOT IN TOWN!!!!
http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2012/08/22/neighbors-abuzz-as-millions-of-bees-removed-from-queens-home/

WAX MOTHS and SMALL HIVE BEETLES

it's an "issue" this year....join in our DISCUSSION GROUP!

ECWBA newsletter - August

1.  Here’s the information for the final meeting of 2012:
Saturday, September 8, 2012, 9:30 am.  Ripon Public Library, 120 Jefferson Street, Ripon, WI.  Meet in the Silver Creek Room (downstairs).

Expect a similar meeting schedule for 2013 as we had for 2012:  January, February, March, May (field day), July, and September.  Let me know if you have any topics of subjects you would like to see covered.  I will try to schedule something for it.

  

2.  Denise Palkovich gave a very informative presentation about the association’s blog and website at the July meeting.  Thank-you to Denise for providing this communication tool for the association.

  

3.  An unscheduled guest speaker, Andy Miksa, of Andy Miksa Honey Farm, delivered a short presentation on his queen rearing operation.  He is currently setting up his commercial queen rearing operation here in Wisconsin and plans to have queens available for sale during the 2013 season.

  

4.  All ECWBA members with internet access are encourage to log into the blog and participate in the dialog and discussion section of the site.  This is a place where questions can be answered in a public forum.  Here is the website address: 

http://ourbeeblog.blogspot.com/

5.  As a result of discussions at the July meeting, we have decided to add some lists to the information available on the association’s blog.  Here are the list categories and a brief description of each:

• Mentor list.  If you are willing to mentor and help beginner beekeepers with question or assist them on-site, then sign up for this list with a description of what location or area where you can help.
• Swarm list.  This is a list of beekeepers interested in capturing swarms.  This list will be available for both ECWBA members and the general public to reference.
• Extractor list.  Sign up on this list if you are willing to let beekeepers without extractors to use your extractor.  The extractor owner and the one seeking to use the extractor will have to come to an agreement outside of the ECWBA as to terms for use of the extractor.

If you want to be on any of the above lists, please contact Denise Palkovich by e-mail at: 

d@dsignsunlimited.com .  Please include your name, contact information, and the name of a town(s) in the area you prefer to service.  Denise will post only first names with phone numbers and e-mail addresses along with the area you want to service.  We will also have a sign up list for each category at the September meeting.

 

6.  At the January, 2013, meeting, the offices of vice-president and treasurer will be up for election.  The positions are currently held by Denise Palkovich as Vice President and George Weigel as Treasurer.  Both, Denise and George, have done a great job as ECWBA officers for their past two year terms.  Here’s an opportunity to become directly involved with the ECWBA.  Please consider running for either of these offices -- a little “electoral competition” would be great to see.  If you have any questions about the election or about becoming an officer, please contact Jeff Champeau by phone or e-mail.

7.  The ECWBA has established an informal committee to explore the possibilities of sponsoring a beekeeping class in the early spring of 2013.  There are currently four members on this committee, but there is no designated committee chairman as of now.  If you would like to join in on the class committee, contact Jeff Champeau.  This committee is exploratory for now.  The committee will present information at the September meeting and the general membership can decide by vote whether to formalize and fund the committee.

 

Bees check in at the Waldorf

http://www.marketplace.org/topics/business/bees-check-waldorf?utm_source=pulsenews&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+APM_Marketplace+%28APM%3A+Marketplace%29

it's raining somewhere in the world

while we've been having a draught....the UK has been WET
here's a link to what's going on in beekeeping there.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/gardening/beekeeping/9444020/Beekeeping-Diary-Its-getting-late.html

too funny - from our canadian beekeeper

http://thebeejournal.blogspot.com/2012/08/the-most-amazing-toilet-in-beekeeping.html

do continue through the WHOLE post.

"mother hive" is dead

Isn't this just HOW BEEKEEPING GOES?  the strong hive doesn't make it - the weak hives does....

The MOTHER HIVE - which i'm SO HAPPY i took splits from early this year....is "dead".  I put the clearing boards into the hives this weekend and did a little inspection (the clearing boards are the "bee mazes" that clear the supers of bees - readying them for harvest)

When I lifted the 3 supers off the mother hive (yes - they were at one time strong enough to make honey!)....I knew there was a problem...because I could SEE DOWN to the bottom board - through both the deeps.....very few bees.

So I immediately went to the HEART of the hive - the frames that SHOULD have brood activity on them....in both deeps - nothing but STORAGE ON ALL FRAMES - no brood anywhere.  This hive has been queenless for SOME TIME.

I took the two deeps - full of FOOD...and a handful of bees....and SPLIT THEM between two other hives.  In other words - I COMBINED using the newpaper method.  These two other hives were splits from this hive earlier in the year...and they'll now overwinter as 3 DEEPS.  Since the deeps from mother hive were full of honey/pollen....they'll have a head start on extra stored food for winter.

I really like overwintering as 3 deeps....it makes for an "easier split" come early spring....you'll have all kinds of extra drawn frames and food to FRANKEN SPLIT them :)  By franken split - I'm referring to making splits or 10 frame "nucs" by grabbing frames/eggs from THIS hive and THAT hive to force them to make new queens....

I've also gone to 9 FRAMES in all my boxes.....I REALLY like that too!  It makes inspection SO MUCH EASIER.  There's WAY LESS BEE CRUSHING.

I'm harvesting next weekend.  REALLY early for me!  why?  with how EARLY the season came - I'm afraid it might end early as well.  The swallows have been packing up for 3 weeks now, geese are on the move...it's EARLY.  With the draught - I want to get the honey off....WHILE THEY HAVE SOME RESOURCES LEFT.

There are other "wives tale" signs out there that we're in for a "BAD" winter....(by bad - does that mean snow or cold?)....the ASH TREES ARE LOADED with berries...and the bees have REALLY STUCK THE HIVES TOGETHER WITH PROPOLIS...is it a sign?

 

FINALLY...my "troublesome" batch of melomel (mead).  why "troublesome"?  it took over a year and half!!!!  Not the normal 3 to 6 months.  For some reason - it just blew through it's sugars in race to the finish....and it was WATERY to the taster (me).  I kept adding honey.  Three months ago I added FOUR fruit juice concentrates (Raspberry/Apple).  Adding the juice gave it a nice color!

So - it's in the bottle and labeled.  But not ready yet - December/January I figure.  It had a little "edge" on it...that I believe will mellow in the bottle.

For those interested in the "terminology".  MEAD is honey wine.  MELOMEL is honey/fruit wine.  METHEGLIN is honey/herb wine.

I have to say I'm relieved to finally put that 5 gallon carboy away.....but I'm also brewing the next batch....IN MY HEAD for now....  I think I'm going back to a METHEGLIN.  (Lavender, Thyme, Rosemary, Savory, Cinnamon.....)

I only hope the girls make me enough HONEY this year :)

ECWBA Newsletter - July

1. The meeting dates and places for 2012 have been scheduled in.  Here’s the schedule for the remainder of 2012:

• Saturday, July 21, 2012, 9:30 am.  Fond du Lac Public Library, 32 Sheboygan Street, Fond du Lac, WI.  Downstairs in the Eugene McLane Room.
• Saturday, September 8, 2012, 9:30 am.  Ripon Public Library, 120 Jefferson Street, Ripon, WI.  Meet in the Silver Creek Room (downstairs).

  

2. Thank-you to Charles Crites for hosting this year’s field day.  Charles gave a very informative talk about his top bar bee hives which he constructs himself.  Charles works closely with Barb Beregszazi who also keeps top bar hives in the same vicinity.  Both Charles and Barb did an excellent job answering questions and providing information about top bar hives.  The field day finished up with Charles giving the attending members a tour of his bee yard and demonstrating the inner workings of his hives.  Thanks again to Charles for hosting the 2012 ECWBA field day.

  

3. The July 21 meeting will feature a briefing from Denise Palkovich about the association’s blog and website.  Please feel free to bring your own laptop computers and other internet connected devices for an interactive lesson about logging into the blog and posting questions, answers, comments, photos, etc.  We will also have an open discussion about the current state of beekeeping – nectar flows, pest management, preparing for honey harvest, and any other beekeeping issue anyone would like to talk about.

  

Beekeeping Notes:

• For the new beekeepers, start planning the honey harvest.  If you plan for a liquid honey harvest, start shopping for extracting equipment.  Or find an existing beekeeper that will help you out with extracting.
• You may want to buy honey jars in advance.  When there is a big honey crop, sometimes the suppliers run short of jars.
• Start thinking about fall pest treatments and over-wintering strategies.

  

Best of Beekeeping,

Jeff Champeau

city bees

another really nice article on CITY BEES:
http://smallbusiness.yahoo.com/advisor/250-000-bees-atop-new-york-city%E2%80%99s-waldorf-astoria-hotel.html

References that make beekeepers green with envy

'Bubbling over with bees'...that's a very good thing!

 

 

VARROA and DIABETIC BEES articles from the net

http://thechronicleherald.ca/novascotia/113107-varroa-mite-deadly-for-honey-bee-colonies
nothing really NEW here for us beekeepers...but a "reminder" how it's more important than ever to get your honey harvest off earlier...so you can treat hives...and get them STRONG for winter.
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/247345.php
...this is a different twist.  I can't help but wonder how we're messing with the bees when we put sugar or corn syrup buckets on them.....  more and more - we're seeing "articles" how it's messing US up!

Early split

Hestia...my early split has just this last week...taken off.  Activity at the door rivals the mother hive!  I started hestia by robbing about 8 frames from Eoster, my 3 high, early this spring. They've made their own queen.  Crossing my fingers that my survivor genetics keep going!

Thyme is a month old swarm hive.

Eos is a month behind hestia...a split from the mother hives SISTER hive.

i hear bees

Coming around the east side of the house this morn....I heard them before I saw them.  The bees were having a jolly good time in the WILD ROSES.  The bumbles too.

The bumbles seemed more interested in the BORAGE.  These are "long" tubey, dangling flowers - they're probably able to get in there a little better than the honey bee.

I really do believe that BECAUSE I have honey bees....I have MORE NATURAL bees as well.

These SOUNDS of summer are what I miss in the winter......

Another swarm call

Same Guy! (as per previous post)  I know what I'm doing tonight. (putting frames together)  I know what I'm doing in the morning. (suit-up, ladder, trimmers, catch-box)

FreeBees

Sunday evening, the 13th of May.....I received a SWARM CALL from a friend.  I'd just returned from a BOW event (Becoming an Outdoors Woman)...and had NO ENERGY left to suite up, jump in my ride and retrieve some wayward bees.  I told him....if they're still there tomorrow aft (monday), give me a call.  He did - they were still hanging.  I have a "real job" so for whatever reason - that probably being, I'm too busy".  The next day when he called, I told him...if they're still there tomorrow aft (tuesday), give me a call.  He did - they were still hanging.

I'm thinking....swarm hanging for 3 days - without food...should be getting hungry!  MEANWHILE - a beekeeper student from this year's classes calls.  HIS QUEEN IS DEAD.  (a newly installed package).

I called him back the next day....after I confirmed the swarm was STILL HANGING... FREE BEES!

Wednesday morning, two beekeepers, a 12 foot ladder, and a home-fashioned catch box in hand....

We retrieved the bees and installed them into a box on top of the queenless box with a sheet of newspaper in between (just to slow them down from integrating - in case the queenless bees weren't ready to accept a new queen)......and we majorly crossed our fingers that the swarm queen was INTACT and NOT HARMED.

The news from this hive is....they're doing a PHENOMENAL job!  Population is twice that of the other package hive installation (he started with two hives).

Interesting notes here....that swarm hung for 4 days....hung-over through some pretty cool nights and high winds.  Were they just not capable of coming to a decision?  Couldn't they find a suitable place?  My friend said he's had at least 5 swarms in the last 5 years....he suspects they're issuing from a tree in his yard - though he can't see them (very large mature trees on the property)....he's a "natural beekeeper" ;)

the buzz from the beehouse.....

BIG CHANGES in my bees lives last evening.  With the help of another beekeeper.....we did some MAJOR SPLITTING.

About 3 weeks ago, I with the dog and cat were "minding our own business" over by the beehouse.  The little black cat not knowing any better, jumped up and bumped against one of the hives.  IMMEDIATELY two bees were lodged and frenzied in his collar!!!  I jerked him off the platform...he ran, I ran, the dog ran toward the house.....with my gloves on - I tried CRUSHING the bees in his fur to get them to stop/prevent? stinging.  I don't know if they got him - but I think they did.  He was pretty wiped out for the rest of the day.

Also about this time - 3 weeks ago.  I thought to myself - I don't like they way the hives SMELL.  They smelled like DIRTY SOCKS....immediately I started searching around the books and the web for foulbrood info.  I was wondering if that's why they were "sensitive".  What was disconcerting to me about their behavior was that they FOLLOWED US ALL THE WAY TO THE HOUSE - behavior SO UNLIKE honey bees....they usually give up sooner.

LAST EVENING - I FINALLY "tackled" my troubled hives.  I was DREADING it - putting it off.  I invited another beekeeper - just to keep the smoke going.

TURNS OUT...we had NOTHING TO WORRY ABOUT!  and of course - they were DOCILE and back to being their lovely selves. ?????  no stings....

The 4th and 5th boxes in the pic were 3 highs....we'll call them the MOTHER HIVES.

WHAT WE FOUND......swarm cells GALORE!  opened & capped  If I had to guess....20...25...30????  We had virgin-queens hatching from their cells as soon as we'd cut them out!  How many DIDN'T we see/find????
WHAT WE DIDN'T FIND....foulbrood - capped brood looked as pretty as ever.
CONCLUSION....They were cranky from the swarm cell/requeening situation.  The "dirty sock" smell must just be whatever pollen/nectar source they're bringing in.  In the fall - GOLDENROD & ASTERs make the hives smell foul.  We did note the EXCEEDINGLY BRIGHT YELLOW debris/pollen on the sticky board/screened bottom board.

RE: SPLITS.  We did what I call: FRANKEN SPLITS.  We robbed frames full of bees and swarm cells from "whichever" hive/box and made them nice new nests.

So - will these hives still swarm?  maybe.  maybe even probably - extra equipment on standby:)  Could we/should we have made more splits? COULD have!

MAY THE BEST QUEEN REIGN....  it's nature.

corn planting killing bees...

an article forwarded to me from a club member:

"Kim Flottum" Kim@BeeCulture.com

Subject: CATCH THE BUZZ - Corn Planting Killing Bees. Help Stop This Now.

This ezine is also available online at http://home.ezezine.com/1636/1636-2012.05.11.14.40.archive.html

CATCH THE BUZZ

Corn Planting Drift is Killing Honey Bees. You Can Help. Here’s How.

The number of beekills this spring due to poisoning by pesticides has skyrocketed. In Ohio just this spring we have seen more beekills than I can remember total in the past 25 years combined. Reports from many, many states have been coming into this office in the past couple of weeks. At first they seemed isolated and unsupported. Beekeepers are wary of reporting incidents, and seldom sure of how to proceed or what to do.

The incidents this spring are not the symptoms reported commonly as Colony Collapse Disorder, where bees disappear and a beekeeper returns to what had been a strong healthy hive only weeks before and what’s left is simply lots of brood, a handful of young bees and a queen…if anybody is home at all.

No, the incidents this spring are different…they harken back to the days of massive beekills, when plants in bloom were sprayed on a routine basis, when beekeepers would find entire apiaries wiped out, with pounds and pounds of dead bees, twisting, writhing and dying in front of their hives. Piles of dead, stinking bees were common then, but with the advent of more restrictive regulations and safer-to-use pesticides, much, but not all, of that death-by-pesticide era has gone away.

Until now. This spring the ugly past has returned. We were warned though. Purdue researchers saw this problem last year and brought it to everybody’s attention. Then they looked deeper and further and saw that it wasn’t just a flook, an accident, an anomaly, but rather it has turned into an epidemic. And they brought that to our attention too.

Simply, pesticides, those troublesome neonicotinoids, are applied to corn seeds before they are planted so when the corn begins to grow the pesticide on the seed is absorbed by the new roots and fills the plant with poison for the rest of its life. But the stuff is sticky and doesn’t come out of the planters very well so farmers supply a slippery additive in the form of talcum powder to make those seeds, in airblast seed planters, simply fly right out of the drop chute and into the ground. But there’s the rub. That airblast planter is blowing all that talcum powder and loose pesticide dust everywhere…up into the air to travel where ever something as light weight as talcum powder can travel…feet and yards and yards certainly, maybe miles…nobody knows.

But birds are dying. Robins and crows. And one observer says that wildlife eating the seeds are dying…three seeds will kill a quail is what I’m hearing, but I don’t know for sure. I wouldn’t be surprised. But for beekeepers, what’s happening is that this poisonous dust is landing on everything downwind…dandelions, flowers, water surfaces, everywhere a honey bee can go, that’s where this stuff is landing.

How much of it is going airborne? I don’t have a clue, but every seed is coated with it, and you know how big corn seeds are and there are about 30,000 seeds planted in an acre…and there are, this year, 96,000,000 acres of corn planted in the U. S. And what I read is, is that almost all of those seeds are coated with something that protects the plants. Know how big 96,000,000 acres is….? It’s all of North Dakota and South Dakota, combined. All of that.

But of course all those acres are spread out all over the place. There are few places in this country that are not within drift distance from these airborne poisons. Very, very few. For instance…North Dakota plans on 3.4 million acres of corn this year…that’s 5% of the entire state. And recall, North Dakota is the biggest honey producer in the U. S. I’m thinking there’s no place to hide in that large, very flat state.

If you experience a beekill in your apiary this spring DO NOT simply shrug your shoulders and feel there’s nothing to be done. There is something to be done.

First, take pictures…with today’s newspaper showing so you have a date. Get a witness in the photo so you have someone else to verify your incident. Video a person collecting samples and filling to half a plastic bag and sealing the bag. Freeze the sample as soon as possible. Call you state apiary inspector and report the incident. If your state has a pesticide incident reporting system in place, report it there, too. And tell the feds. There’s two places to go. First, do a direct to EPA email. They have a system in place to document these when reported. The email is

beekill@EPA.gov

Tell them what, where and when you found the incident, attach a couple of photos of the scene, record the number of hives affected, the date the incident occurred and any other pertinent data you can include. Tell them you have taken samples, and that you have reported it to your state authorities. And tell them you want something done!

When you finish that, go to this web site

http://npic.orst.edu/reportprob.html#env

the National Pesticide Information Center’s page to report a pesticide incident. And do it again.

And then, one more thing.

Send this information to your local beekeeping group, and to your state beekeeping association and tell them to put it on their web page, to send out emails, to put it in newsletters, to get every beekeeper in this country up to speed on what is killing our honey bees (heck, send it to every beekeeper you know and tell them to do the same thing. Let EVERY BEEKEEPER EVERYWHERE KNOW!). This is something YOU CAN DO, whether you never, ever have a problem or not. Help protect honey bees, and beekeepers from this, and any other Pesticide Incident.

A swarm in May

May 8....FIRST SWARM CALL....

If you want to increase your chances of getting some FREEBEES :)   You'll want a nice big cardboard box with a cover ready (for transport)....and some extra boxes w/ frames, bottom board, covers, etc....READY TO GO.  Be sure to SPEAK UP at the bee club meetings if you're WANTING swarm calls...

ECWBA Newsletter - April

1.  Most of the meeting dates and places for 2012 have been scheduled in.  Here’s what developed so far:

·         Saturday, May 19, 2012, field day.  Time:  1:00 pm.  Charles Crites’ bee yard.  See note below.

·         Saturday, July 21, 2012, 9:30 am.  Fond du Lac Public Library, 32 Sheboygan Street, Fond du Lac, WI.  Downstairs in the Eugene McLane Room.

·         September meeting to be determined.  (I’m trying to schedule Sept. 8 in Ripon.)

 

2.  Charles Crites has been generous enough to share his beekeeping operation with us.  He has been keeping bees in top bar hives.  This will be an excellent opportunity to view firsthand how top bar hives are managed.  The address is N6039 Esterbrook Road, Fond du Lac.  Here are the driving directions:  From State Highway 23 west of Fond du Lac, turn south on to Esterbrook Road (by the Hyundai auto dealership).  Drive south on Esterbrook to address.  Charles has two driveways – he asks that you use the driveway located 100 feet north of the fire number.  There is plenty of room in that lot for parking.  The field day this year will be a rain or shine event, there will not be a rain date.

 

3.  A new ECWBA e-mail address has been established.  All e-mail correspondence directed to the ECWBA can be sent to:  ecwbeekeepers@yahoo.com .

 

Beekeeping Notes:

·         Queens!  If you plan to split surviving colonies, develop a plan for additional queens – Are you going to purchase queens?  Are you going to raise your own queens? 

·         This is the time for early season disease and mite control applications.  If you use any type of treatments, now is the time to prepare and apply those treatments.

·         With the early onset of spring and hence, an earlier than normal brood build up, be ready to add supers to provide plenty of room for the increased bee populations.

 

Best of Beekeeping,

Jeff Champeau

City Beekeepers get together

City Beekeepers get together and design a label - that EVERYONE can share.  Interesting the different honey's coming from different neighborhoods!  Neat Idea!!!  http://www.thedieline.com/blog/2012/5/1/bee-local.html#1%2BPackage%2BDesign%2BWebsite)

"mistakes" in the waggle dance.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/47080521/ns/technology_and_science-science/#.T47WbrMeNbw

ok - they're saying....the higher the bee flys...the less gravity...the more "error" in the waggle dance?  i don't know if i buy it....probably just a geometry error...or the sun is in their eyes :)

INSECT program at Ledgeview Nature Center

Changing Insect Activity in Wisconsin

Saturday Apr. 14^th, 1:30pm

Termites, preying mantids, stink bugs, bed bugs, giant wasps; all are new residents in our state. Come and learn about these new critters, why they are coming and the changes they may bring, from distinguished UW Madison entomologist and radio personality Phil Pellitteri.

www.ledgeviewnaturecenter.org

W2348 Short Rd  Chilton, WI 53014 (920) 849-7094

PESTICIDES! don't worry - they're safe (says chemical company)

http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2012/04/neonicotinoids-colony-collapse/?utm_source=pulsenews&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+wired%2Fscience+%28Wired%3A+Science%29

the honeybee = the canary in the mine?

whopping big fire!

beeswax/frames are REALLY flammable!  no - this isn't the result of some big tragedy in the beehouse.....

i burned a bunch of frames last night.  i had one hive get into a wax moth situation "late" in the year.  (the result was that the bees left this hive! to where? no swarm - by attrition - i think they probably moved next door)  i left the frames sit out and get exposed to FREEZING temperatures this winter...but - what freezing temperatures?.

i was in a THROW AWAY MOOD last night and just made up my mind for the EASE and relatively CHEAP COST of building new frames.....in the wheelbarrow they went....and out to the fire pit.

wax moths are GROSS...what a mess.

SO - while i was at it....i went through other "old boxes" of frames i had around...and OUT WITH THE BLACKENED FOUNDATION TOO! (i kept only a few of the VERY BEST LOOKING of these).  a comment made by our state of wisconsin bee inspector was ringing in my ears...."THE HEALTHIEST BEES I SEE - ARE ON NEW FOUNDATION - IN NEW EQUIPMENT".  as this is the 5th season for some of these frames....out with the "environmental buildup".

now...I CAN'T WAIT to split the hives - i've got all kinds of "clean" equipment to install them in.  i've been just holding off for the TEMPERATURES....it's still getting cold at night.  i don't want to do too much messing around with brood nests!  i think i've decided on what TYPE of split i'm going to do.  i'm going to FRANKEN-SPLIT them...into a single deep.  FRANKEN split is that i'm going to take the "material" from the split from "whichever" hives.  (AFTER locating and securing the queens of course).  it's like starting with your own package (minus a queen - i'm going to let them make one).  if i get into them and there's not enough material to steel yet...i'm going to have my two chamber nuc on hand.  i modified a standard deep last year - into (2) 5 frame nucs.

i'm also going to go down to 9 frames in every box.  i want more "room".  AND as long as i'm messing around with frames.  i'm going to install SUPER FRAMES in positions 3 and 7 - yes.....they'll be short!...the bees will make DRONE COMB on the bottom of these...and i'll start my DRONE TRAPPING this year.  that's the "removal" of drone comb - to prevent varroa buildup.

big experimentation going on in the beeyard this year!

bees self medicate

http://www.livescience.com/19409-bee-medicate-fungal-infection.html

ahh...propolis

neonicotinoids again....

http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2012/03/neonicotinoids-bee-collapse/

BURSTING at the seams

Overwintered hives seem to be BURSTING at the seams with the warm weather we're having.  Trees in bloom - if not already at petal drop.

The old saying has got me thinking...  WHAT IS A SWARM IN APRIL WORTH?

A swarm in May - is worth a load of hay.

A swarm in June - is worth a silver spoon.

A swarm in July - isn't worth a fly.

ECWBA Newsletter March 2012

1.  The ECWBA meeting of February was well attended at the Fond du Lac Library.  Craig Petros, one of Wisconsin’s apiary inspectors, was the guest speaker.  About thirty five members enjoyed Craig’s presentation and his question answering session. 

 

2.  The Introduction to Beekeeping Class committee has completed the four session class.  The committee hosted 27 students for the introductory class.  The committee has been dissolved. A new committee will be created should the ECWBA membership decide to sponsor another class next year.  This will be something to look at during the July and /or September meetings.

 

3.  Most of the meeting dates and places for 2012 have been scheduled in.  Here’s what developed so far:

·         Saturday, March 17, 2012, Ripon Public Library, Ripon, WI, 9:30 to 11:00 am.

·         Saturday, May 19, 2012, field day.  Charles Crites’ bee yard.  See note below.

·         Saturday, July 21, 2012, place of meeting to be determined.

·         September meeting to be determined.  (I’m trying to schedule Sept. 8 in Ripon.)

 

4.  Charles Crites has been generous enough to share his beekeeping operation with us.  He has been keeping bees in top bar hives.  This will be an excellent opportunity to view firsthand how top bar hives are managed.  The address is N6039 Esterbrook Road, Fond du Lac.  Here are the driving directions:  From State Highway 23 west of Fond du Lac, turn south on to Esterbrook Road (by the Hyundai auto dealership).  Drive south on Esterbrook to address.  Charles has two driveways – he asks that you use the driveway located 100 feet north of the fire number.  There is plenty of room in that lot for parking.  The field day this year will be a rain or shine event, there will not be a rain date.

 

5.  A new ECWBA e-mail address has been established.  This new address will be the general contact address for the organization.  From here on out, all e-mail correspondence directed to the ECWBA can be sent to:  ecwbeekeepers@yahoo.com .

 

6.  Membership renewal time is wrapping up.  The membership dues remain at $15.00 for a one year membership.  One membership entitles the member(s) to receive the newsletter, to vote on officer elections and organizational business issues, and to hold a position as an officer.  A membership may include more than one person (e.g. husband/wife, parent/child, etc.), but only one newsletter will be sent out and only one vote may be cast per membership.

 

 

Beekeeping Notes

·         You should have ordered package bees by now.

·         Queens!  If you plan to split surviving colonies, develop a plan for additional queens – Are you going to purchase queens?  Are you going to raise your own queens?  Start thinking and planning now.

·         We are closing in on spring fast (really, we are)!  Late winter can be tough on bees.  Be ready to feed the winter survivors.  Stock up on some sugar and dig out the feeders.

·         Since we all love to expand our little beekeeping operations into something bigger, this is a good time to purchase, assemble, and prepare new equipment for the upcoming season.  This is especially true for frames and foundation if you have a frame rotation plan in place.

 

Best of Beekeeping,

Jeff Champeau

ECWBA President

 

Membership dues will be collected at the upcoming meetings.  If you are unable to attend one of the next meetings, you may send your dues to one of the following ECWBA officers:

 

Jeff Champeau

ECWBA President

145 North Wisconsin Street

Berlin, WI  54923

 

Or

 

George Weigel

ECWBA Treasurer

268 South Peters Avenue

Fond du Lac, WI  54935

 

If paying by check, please make check payable to East Central Wisconsin Beekeepers Association.  A membership card and payment receipt will be returned to you promptly.  Thank-you for your continued support of the East Central Wisconsin Beekeepers Association.