BEEKEEPERS IMMUNE TO COVID-19??? Submitted by Beekeeper Gerard

 This article was found on the US National Library of Medicine website.  Written by a Chinese doctor this article provides anecdotal information that Chinese beekeepers near Wuhan, China have not contracted COVID-19.  The implication is that bee venom somehow provides immunity to the virus.  

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7190514/

ECWBA MEETING NEXT WEEKEND

 Next Saturday, October 17th, will be the October ECWBA meeting.  The meeting will be about winter preparation.  The meeting will be at the Rushford Meadery near Omro starting at 9:30AM.  Due to a spike in Covid19 masks are strongly recommended.  

PS-the next 3 days appear to be the last opportunity for pre-winter feeding.  After that temperatures will be too cool for syrup uptake.  

NEW STATE INSPECTOR

Dan Ziehli, the state apiary Inspector, for our area has been replaced by Charlie Koenen.  Charlie's contact information is:  

Charlie Koenen  608-444-3209  Email: charlie.koenen@wisconsin.gov

The following link may also be useful:  

https://datcp.wi.gov/Pages/Programs_Services/ApiaryBeekeepingInspections.aspx 

Note: It costs $50 for a visit by the state inspector.  

LATE FALL OXALIC TREATMENTS

 Many beekeepers perform a one time varroa mite treatment using oxalic acid in addition to a late summer treatments.  The idea is to perform this last of the season's (also called a cleanup treatment) treatment AFTER the queen has stopped laying and all brood has emerged.  When this occurs no mites are hidden inside brood cells and are therefore exposed and susceptible to the oxalic acid vapors.  Up to a 95% mite kill is possible at this time.  The bees will go through winter as mite free as possible.  

I had occasion to be inside several hives and nuc yesterday, October 6th.  All still had capped brood.  So it is still not time perform the cleanup treatment.  It is better to wait to the last week of October or first week of November.  

WINTER PREP

 Here is a link to a short check list of things to do or check in preparation for winter.  

https://www.betterbee.com/instructions-and-resources/10-point-pre-winter-hive-checklist.asp?utm_source=Betterbee+Contact+List&utm_campaign=570ddd9a56-october-newsletter-100120&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_61e19f35ed-570ddd9a56-190789533&mc_cid=570ddd9a56&mc_eid=f947ce30f5