BETTER BEES

Read this article if you are planning on buying expensive queens.

https://honeybeesuite.com/why-is-it-so-hard-to-breed-better-bees/

APIARY REPORT by beekeeper Fred

Today I was adding winter supers (emergency sugar feeders) to several of my hives.  This entails removing the outer and inner covers.  Adding a 3 inch spacer and a 2 1/2 pound sugar disc.  Then replacing the inner and outer covers.  The joint between the upper box and the 3 inch spacer was sealed with duck tape.

The bees in all of the hives were in cluster.  Some were already at the top of the upper brood chamber which was surprising, so I am sure they will be making use of the sugar disc.  The fact that the clusters were already in the upper brood chamber may be a sign that the hives did not store enough honey during the summer.

One hive had a few weak bees on top of the inner cover.  This is may an indicator of a marcens serratia scaria bacterial infection.

BETTER BEE 10 POINT PRE-WINTER CHECKLIST

Just in case you haven't completed your pre-winter hive tasks here is a check list.  For a few of these tasks it is already too late in Wisconsin to accomplish them.

https://www.betterbee.com/instructions-and-resources/10-point-pre-winter-hive-checklist.asp?utm_source=betterbee-master&utm_campaign=666f0c4cba-november-newsletter-111518&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_61e19f35ed-666f0c4cba-190789533

THERE'S CONSOLDATION IN THE BEE SUPPLY WORLD

See article on Mann Lake buying Kelly Beekeeping.   There is also a rumor that Brushy Mountain has gone out of business.  When I looked at their website it stated the site was "down for Maintenance".   So this may be some "fake news".

https://www.beeculture.com/catch-the-buzz-mann-lake-acquires-kelley-beekeeping/ --

HOW TO BREED A SUPER BEE submitted by beekeeper Denise

Follow this link to a story on the Buckfast bee.

https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/honey-bee-breeding

THE BEEKEEPING HOBBY

Our club membership rises and falls as new members tire of the constant battle against varroa mites and the cost of replacing their bees.  The following article sums it up very well.

https://honeybeesuite.com/is-the-beekeeping-bubble-about-to-burst/?fbclid=IwAR3SrP6O8Bw8ooOivyiPx8JhI2oRd7h8uviCYgPJSJ8XazNl1povo_YPx0k

INTERESTING ARTICLE ON EFFECTS OF NEONICS

Follow the link:

https://www.mprnews.org/story/2018/11/10/npr-scientists-spy-on-bees-see-harmful-effects-of-common-insecticide

LAST CHANCE

Due to falling temperatures varroa treatments using oxalic acid are about the only option still available to ECWBA beekeepers.  The temperature forecast for next week is high's in the 30's and lows in the 20's at night.  These temperatures are too low for use of oxalic acid.

However this Saturday, Sunday and Monday temperatures will still be in the 40's.  This is a last chance of application of oxalic acid.  Sunday has rain predicted so your best bet is to treat on Saturday.   This would be a good time to also reposition your entrance reducer to the smallest setting; one inch (1").  If you plan to use mouse guards this would be a good time to also install them.