AMERICAN FOUL BROOD

No reports of foul brood in our area, but follow this link to a report of foul brood in the Hudson, Wi. area.

naturesnectar.blogspot.com/

UNDERSTANDING VARROA RISK

Here is the second You Tube video on varroa mites that I promised to provide last week.  Varroa mites are your biggest enemy to being a successful beekeeper.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Ulul1iUN88

SUMMER SOLTICE RAMBLINGS--REV. 1

The summer solstice has just occurred; providing us with the maximum amount of daylight.  What does this mean in the world of beekeeping?

The long days provide the bees the maximum of time for nectar gathering.  Mother nature has made this coincide with the blooming of alfalfa, clovers, and numerous other nectar producing plants. 

Hives populations are nearing their maximum as the bees were using the pollen and nectar for raising brood.  For a short time, the population will remain at its maximum before beginning a decline in mid-August.   In response to the shortening days the queen will soon begin reducing her egg laying.  

Varroa populations are also increasing because of the abundance of brood in the hive.  At this time the majority of mites are hidden inside brood cells parasitizing the brood.   With the honey supers on the hive the only ways of controlling the mites is use of formic acid treatments or drone brood removal, which require partial disassembly of the hive; not a task relished by the beekeeper. 

Some beekeepers indicate that the summer solstice is the cutoff date for naturally starting new hives in northern climates.  At this point there is insufficient time and food resources for a new hive to build to a sufficient size to survive the winter.   There are techniques to work around this rule, but are labor intensive on the part of the beekeeper.   

Recently there has been interest in overwintering nucs.   However, even here the varroa problem intervenes.  Without effective varroa control these nucs will be doomed in winter.  Well, that’s my lead in for reminding you to watch the webinar on “Making a plan for Varroa” at 7PM EST ( ^ PM CST) next Tuesday, June 26^th.    Log in to the webinar at https://msu.zoom.us/j/433681172.  The webinar is hosted by Michigan State University’s Meghan Milbrath.   

ECWBA MONTHLY MEETING; SATURDAY, JUNE 23RD

This month's meeting will be at the Rushford Meadery and Winery.  Usual time of 9:30AM.  The address of the meadery is shown on the club calender.

The meadery is the location of the two club hives and the club extractor.

The meeting will consist of our usual business meeting, a tour on the extractor and how to schedule time for its use.  We will also inspect the club hives if weather permits.  In conjunction with our recent theme on controlling varroa mites we will show how to monitor mite levels utilizing either a screened bottom board or sugar shake.  Pam and Gerard have already treated the hives for mites so hopefully we won't detect any, but we will go through the process.

Finally the meadery owners will host a mead/wine tasting.  Their excellent products will be for sale.

WHY DID MY BEES DIE

Megan Milbrath, a beekeeper associated with Michigan State University, is making three YouTube videos concerning the varroa mites problem.  Here is a link to the first video.  As the other two are released I will pass them on to you.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZWtSbVXqO_Y&t=216s