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!
Tuesday, April 3, 2012
Monday, April 2, 2012
Friday, March 30, 2012
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
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?
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.
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
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.
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