CHANGE IN THINKING

The conventional wisdom about the interaction between the honey bees, varroa and viruses is slowly changing.  It appears to be swinging back to the idea that the varroa mite is the worse actor than the viruses the mite helps transmit.  The following article helps explains the change in thinking.  At any rate either the bee or the beekeeper needs to control the mites.

https://www.upi.com/Science_News/2019/01/30/Mites-not-a-virus-are-the-main-threat-to-bees-study-finds/3441548856788/

JANUARY 30TH APIARY REPORT by beekeeper Fred

Curiosity got the better of me and I went out at noon to check on the easily accessible hives.  My truck thermometer showed it was now a balmy -13F after reaching a low of -26F this frigid Wednesday morning.  All 14 hives were buzzing.  The lower hive entrances were all covered with recent snow.  The upper hive entrances, which I put in the upper brood chamber, were partially blocked with frost.  I will provide another update this Saturday after more seasonal temperatures return.

HIVE TEMPERATURE-Rev. 1

Follow this link to see internal hive temperatures in a Minnesota hive.   I don't know if this hive was wrapped or not.  Also carefully read the comments.  The thermocouple measuring the hive temperature was initially above the cluster and internal hive temperatures were close to the outside air temperature.  For the last few temperature readings the cluster has moved up and is now surrounding the thermocouple and it appears the hive temperature has increased.  But in reality it is now measuring the cluster internal temperature not the hive temperature.

naturesnectar.blogspot.com/

PACKAGE PRICE UPDATE

Here is a short list of companies supplying bee packages in 2019 in ECWBA area.  This list is in no way a complete listing and some suppliers have not yet published their 2019 prices.  The ECWBA does not endorse any product or supplier.   The suppliers are listed in alphabetical order. 

After this week's polar express it would be a good idea to assess the situation with your hives.   

BADGER STATE BEES-Green Bay

                3 lb. package-$130

                Phone: 920-328-4456

                Email:hoganea@gamil.com

BRAD’S BEES-Delavan

                Nucs @$150

CAPITAL BEE SUPPLY-Columbus

               3 lb. package-$120 plus tax, Italian  queen only

DADANT’S-Watertown

                2019 prices not yet posted

                Phone: 877-232-3268

FLEET FARM-Appleton

                2019 prices not posted yet.

FOX HONEY FARM-Freedom, Wi.

                Nucs@$155

                Order@foxhoneyfarm.com

HANSEN’S HONEY FARM-Rhinelander

                2019 prices not yet posted

                Phone: 715-369-0383

HENRY’S HONEY FARM-Redgranite

                Phone: 920-566-2855

HERITAGE HONEY BEES-Sullivan

                3 lb. packages-$132 plus tax

                Phone: 319-321-2494

                Email: timwilbanksbees@gamil.com

HONEYBEEWARE-Greenville

                Nucs-$170; Packages $150 per ad on Craig’s list

                Order via their website

ABRAHAM RENNE-Amish Farmer by Black River Falls

                5 frame nucs only@ $125 each

NO PHONE OR EMAIL; MAIL ORDER ONLY

                W12704 East Pine Creek Rd

                Black River Falls, Wi.  54615

TRACTOR SUPPLY

             3 lb. package delivered to your house-$198

WHO SAYS THE BEES DON'T WORK IN THE WINTER submitted by beekeeper Gerard

Notice the number of dead bees outside of hive 2 (top photo) which was taken yesterday afternoon, and outside of the same hive (bottom photo) this afternoon.  It's zero degrees on my thermometer.  While standing there, three bees brought out dead bees, flying, but fell to the snow and couldn't get back up.  I put one back in the entrance, but it's probably a goner.  Wondering if they're healthy bees cleaning out the dead and dying in the process, or if they knew they were about to expire and helped with mortician duty on the way out?

 YESTERDAY'S DEAD BEES

TODAY'S DEAD BEES