I'm looking into taking a queen rearing class. Lane Honey in Illinois offers classes in the spring. Details for classes will be posted to their site closer to December. Classes fill fast. Its far enough into southern Illinois to get room reservations and make a weekend of it. I'll try to remember to keep you posted. http://www.honeybeesonline.com/
Monday, September 16, 2013
You keep asking
How many mites is too many mites? THIS IS! a mite every centimeter? Heavy concentrations. I've never seen mite loads like this in the hives! After the harvest I was showing a NEW-BEE a drone...at random! The drone had 4 adult mites running around it. GROSS! did I say GROSS?!?!
I suspect something about the 5 queens I installed this summer...perhaps they're less hygienic about ridding themselves of mites. I suspect this because, the old /natural queens are less infested. I'm going to requeen again summer 2014. I'm going to go for some BEE WEAVERS, OR MINNESOTAS, OR RUSSIANS.
My treatment choice is APIGUARD. They got their second tray yesterday. I hate to do it, but they CANNOT go into winter with this amount of mites!
Make mead
When I harvest...I set aside all the 'questionable' frames for last. Those frames that are not completely capped. I got (2) 22# pails of WET honey (tested at 22 on the refractometer). This honey became mead. The recipe for 5 gals only calls for about 15#, but I have a problem following directions!
I made one batch with white grape concentrate, honey, ginger, lemon and lime juice and zest. The other was dark grape, orange juice and zest, ginger.
I used to have to get wine/mead supplies from Minnesota (Midwest brewing supply or something like that), or Needsome Supplies in FDL carried some things. But now there's a fully stocked brew supply in FDL on s main. THE CELLAR. (Beer stuff too!) http://www.thecellarhomebrew.com/
My storeroom smells fantastic...my mead's a bubbling away!
Sunday, September 15, 2013
Wisconsin DATCP - register YOUR hive!
Ann Marie Ames from the Wisconsin DATCP brought some FABULOUS information to the beeclub meeting! I'm headed to the website next to register MY HIVES. www.driftwatch.org. Whether you have ONE hive or MANY...you're welcome to register. I'll post the DATCP information permanently in the LIST tab.
Ann Marie was kind enough to bring us SIGNS to display our participation....however, she forgot the STEPSTAKES! this is NOT a contrived sale...but as i'm "in the business" ...I DO SELL STEPSTAKES for those signs. You can stop by the shop (D'Signs Unlimited, W4559 Lakepark Drive, Fond du Lac M-F 8-5) there's a cheap one for $2 (beeclub members only)...or you can get a heavier one for $4.00.
Ann Marie was kind enough to bring us SIGNS to display our participation....however, she forgot the STEPSTAKES! this is NOT a contrived sale...but as i'm "in the business" ...I DO SELL STEPSTAKES for those signs. You can stop by the shop (D'Signs Unlimited, W4559 Lakepark Drive, Fond du Lac M-F 8-5) there's a cheap one for $2 (beeclub members only)...or you can get a heavier one for $4.00.
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