tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-45461090865079194382024-03-13T21:52:55.778-07:00Science-Based Art of Alaska, LLCUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger401125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4546109086507919438.post-66184141509481206442024-02-05T09:48:00.000-08:002024-02-05T09:48:12.145-08:00Honeybee Package Rebate<p><b>Spring 2024 Honeybee Package Rebate</b></p><p>People who order honeybees from James and Lisa Harlow can receive a $7.00 per package rebate when they return the plastic shipping cage to be recycled.</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4546109086507919438.post-16431363345168308972024-01-28T22:09:00.000-08:002024-01-28T22:09:34.450-08:004 lb. Honeybee Package Prices from James & Lisa Harlow<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjqzf76oojwvKZntvvz9olCgjB9JiLtG6swEGUWmjcpUhxL7wa5QV8IPyfjrhKLygs3Sii96cfIKAAaEE7L1Qq3NZ2T9Fvc3eKIk_XCusvGfHccO6S8AnjgyQ-xNCG2IEdntE1XDR67-V5wkT5V0VrDXqsBW2mkxNb4gEeC8WruHahZ_onzHajfoQYjC6w" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1920" data-original-width="1080" height="989" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjqzf76oojwvKZntvvz9olCgjB9JiLtG6swEGUWmjcpUhxL7wa5QV8IPyfjrhKLygs3Sii96cfIKAAaEE7L1Qq3NZ2T9Fvc3eKIk_XCusvGfHccO6S8AnjgyQ-xNCG2IEdntE1XDR67-V5wkT5V0VrDXqsBW2mkxNb4gEeC8WruHahZ_onzHajfoQYjC6w=w556-h989" width="556" /></a></div><br /><p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4546109086507919438.post-86310907599118804092024-01-05T21:23:00.000-08:002024-01-21T11:21:39.873-08:00New Honeybee Distributor for Interior Alaska<p>Hello Folks,</p><p>Ordering honeybees has just gotten easier and more economical.</p><p>Interior Alaska has new honeybee distributors: James & Lisa Harlow.</p><p>I am ordering my bees from James and Lisa this year.</p><p>They have a small family farm north of Fairbanks and are having great success using a wintering shed to winter honeybees. I've been wintering along with them for the past several years and we have 11/12 colonies going strong so far this winter. One Russian colony is in its third winter with the same mother queen!</p><p><br /></p><p>Check out their family blog: <a href="https://rosehipsandhoney.com/">https://rosehipsandhoney.com/</a></p><p><br /></p><p>1. Complete your pre-order to reserve colonies and species.</p><p>2. Prices will be available at the end of January or first week in February.</p><p>3. Complete final payment must be submitted by March 15, 2024. </p><p><br /></p><p><b>SPRING 2024 ORDER FORM:</b></p><p><a href="https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=DQSIkWdsW0yxEjajBLZtrQAAAAAAAAAAAAO__Yx2QqtURFVJRFRQNEg2T05HODdDNFk5MDY0M1JCWC4u">https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=DQSIkWdsW0yxEjajBLZtrQAAAAAAAAAAAAO__Yx2QqtURFVJRFRQNEg2T05HODdDNFk5MDY0M1JCWC4u</a></p><p><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4546109086507919438.post-2674710188491611362023-12-25T17:34:00.000-08:002023-12-26T15:47:05.629-08:002024 Interior Alaska Beekeeping Workshop<p><b style="font-family: arial;">When: </b><span style="font-family: arial;">March 2nd & 3rd, 2024</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Time:</b> 1:00PM - 6:00PM both days for a total of 10 hours</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Venue: </b>Monroe Catholic School; 615 Monroe Street; Fairbanks, AK 99701</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Instructors: </b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><i>Dawn Cogan</i>, M.Ed. Education Leadership; B.S. Communications Management</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><i>James & Lisa Harlow </i>- Successful Wintering</span></p><p><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></b></p><p><b><span style="font-family: arial;">Registration Link:</span></b></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://forms.office.com/r/hfbE0ZNUif">https://forms.office.com/r/hfbE0ZNUif</a></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><p><b><span style="font-family: arial;">Syllabus: </span></b></p><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql rrkovp55 jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" color="var(--primary-text)" style="font-family: arial; font-size: 0.9375rem; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;">What is responsible beekeeping? How much honey will I harvest?</span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql rrkovp55 jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" color="var(--primary-text)" style="font-family: arial; font-size: 0.9375rem; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;">What is the start-up cost?</span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 0.9375rem;">• Equipment necessary to keep bees in Alaska</span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql rrkovp55 jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" color="var(--primary-text)" style="font-family: arial; font-size: 0.9375rem; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;">• Biology and races of honeybees<br />• Members of the hive and their duties</span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql rrkovp55 jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" color="var(--primary-text)" style="font-family: arial; font-size: 0.9375rem; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;">• Colony Management techniques & tricks</span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span style="font-size: 0.9375rem;"><span style="font-family: arial;">• Where to obtain bee equipment. New, used or building your own equipment.</span></span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql rrkovp55 jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" color="var(--primary-text)" style="font-family: arial; font-size: 0.9375rem; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;">• Preparing equipment for the arrival of bees - </span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 0.9375rem;">Insulation, feeding bees properly</span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql rrkovp55 jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" color="var(--primary-text)" style="font-family: arial; font-size: 0.9375rem; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;">• What to do when the bees arrive<br />• Is my queen marked? (queen marking tool)</span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql rrkovp55 jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" color="var(--primary-text)" style="font-family: arial; font-size: 0.9375rem; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;">• Running 2-Queen Hives<br />• Swarming and how to prevent it<br />• Honeybee diseases<br />• Extracting your Alaska honey<br />• Wintering Honeybees <br />• Storing your equipment<br />• Beeswax candle making, lip balm, and lotion bar manufacturing</span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql rrkovp55 jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" color="var(--primary-text)" style="font-size: 0.9375rem; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;"><span><span style="font-family: arial; font-weight: 600;">Hands-on Projects:</span></span></span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql rrkovp55 jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" color="var(--primary-text)" style="font-family: arial; font-size: 0.9375rem; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;"><span><span>1) </span></span>Management of honeybee colonies in Alaska, The Beekeeper's Calendar</span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql rrkovp55 jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" color="var(--primary-text)" style="font-family: arial; font-size: 0.9375rem; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;"><span style="font-size: 0.9375rem;"><span>2) </span></span><span style="font-size: 0.9375rem;">Constructing a hive in class</span></span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql rrkovp55 jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" color="var(--primary-text)" style="font-family: arial; font-size: 0.9375rem; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;">3) Colony Collaboration team exercise</span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql rrkovp55 jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" color="var(--primary-text)" style="font-family: arial; font-size: 0.9375rem; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;"><br /></span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql rrkovp55 jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" color="var(--primary-text)" style="font-family: arial; font-size: 0.9375rem; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;"><b>Cost per family:</b> $185.00</span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql rrkovp55 jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" color="var(--primary-text)" style="font-size: 0.9375rem; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;"><span><span style="font-weight: 600;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><i>Includes your own copy of our Beekeeping Handout Book</i></span></span></span></span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql rrkovp55 jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" color="var(--primary-text)" style="font-family: arial; font-size: 0.9375rem; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;"><span><span style="font-weight: 600;">Door prizes:</span></span> 1 free package of live honeybees, miscellaneous beekeeping tools, a free consultation with Dawn Cogan, a free extraction tools rental</span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql rrkovp55 jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" color="var(--primary-text)" style="font-family: arial; font-size: 0.9375rem; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;"><p style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;">Registration Link:</span></b></p><p style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://forms.office.com/r/hfbE0ZNUif">https://forms.office.com/r/hfbE0ZNUif</a></span></p><p style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium;"><br /></p></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4546109086507919438.post-87720381182495683402023-08-03T00:09:00.002-07:002023-08-03T00:09:23.619-07:00Wrapping up the Season<div style="text-align: left;">If you don't plan to winter your honeybees, you should cage your queen(s). This will ensure you won't have eggs and larva in your honey when you extract honey. It will take approximately 24 days for all the brood to hatch out of the honeycomb. Keeping the queen alive helps the colony to continue to produce honey from fall nectar and decreases swarming and/or queen rearing. Keep doing hive checks every ten days to prevent colonies from creating new queens. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">After you take all the honey frames and extract them, give all the sticky frames back to the bees to be cleaned up for about a week. Storing equipment that is clean, without dead brood or sticky frames make starting subsequent seasons much better.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Once equipment is clean, you can either winter the bees or shop vacuum and recycle them in a compost or garden bed. Their soft organs become part of a rich garden soil while their exoskeletons become a lightweight, organic vermiculite that aerates the soil. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">All equipment should be stacked upon a bottom board with a queen excluder between the bottom board and the bottom brood box. This will keep rodents from eating the honeycomb and building nests inside the boxes during winter months. I always store my equipment outdoors, under the eaves of my house. This prevents mold and mildew on the honeycomb frames.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">If you wish to winter colonies, you must control several variables:</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">1) <b>Space -</b> Reduce the colony down to one brood box. This will help them stay warmer as they cluster in winter months.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">2) <b>Food -</b> Remove all honey as this is too nutrient rich, causing compacted bowels. Feed 2:1 ratio sugar to water so the bees can store in honeycomb cells for winter. The best way I've found is to use an inverted bucket on the outside of a telescoping cover with a one inch hole in the middle of the lid. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">https://www.betterbee.com/feeders/fp0-one-gallon-feeder-pail.asp?mkwid=&pcrid=&pkw=&pmt=&pdv=c&gclid=CjwKCAjw_aemBhBLEiwAT98FMpofwavooz6Ib7N_KyS7Kq4jQRQiDMn2Y7pfyup4onpHilBMSEVdJhoCaSsQAvD_BwE</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">A sugar candy board will be added above the brood box later in October. Sugar candy board is made with granulated sugar, vinegar and water. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgVX7MkxkWlu0oYDc8lXXcEUDWQV3bmYoA04RdLfraEcGzzzc3hGOBZTZCjhknXvu6BEpLwfwD8lXuOeSbuy3uI0eav771hOiGgz3c5t0PpOL4sCkq_322cM3zIVAV7p0h4VGx5GV0ykTk0AvLsDTzvwkgZRmAy15nEPv5BfAsUfsrpSIyVDSSINhpLxuc" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="130" data-original-width="174" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgVX7MkxkWlu0oYDc8lXXcEUDWQV3bmYoA04RdLfraEcGzzzc3hGOBZTZCjhknXvu6BEpLwfwD8lXuOeSbuy3uI0eav771hOiGgz3c5t0PpOL4sCkq_322cM3zIVAV7p0h4VGx5GV0ykTk0AvLsDTzvwkgZRmAy15nEPv5BfAsUfsrpSIyVDSSINhpLxuc" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">3) Treat for mites using oxalic acid (wood bleach). This is done using a car battery and an oxalic acid vaporizer tool:</div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEirdgYGlRHYv315iv8blFm2787JqTuD3wRdIEmYdvxr-dmTKjI6jEWZ-JnMYUWnaq9S-CYJli4iLh-WJjYpudCzEFwhoTyJmOvHguvF4BE9tLKsRG3y5k1tDbsDwh_KVp8nem5jXA_L31xNymIRf3GlXx3NX9b5YsAG7S9URjEmayFWg-CqI5FkY68aOho" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2338" data-original-width="2092" height="135" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEirdgYGlRHYv315iv8blFm2787JqTuD3wRdIEmYdvxr-dmTKjI6jEWZ-JnMYUWnaq9S-CYJli4iLh-WJjYpudCzEFwhoTyJmOvHguvF4BE9tLKsRG3y5k1tDbsDwh_KVp8nem5jXA_L31xNymIRf3GlXx3NX9b5YsAG7S9URjEmayFWg-CqI5FkY68aOho=w121-h135" width="121" /></a></div><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">https://www.amazon.com/AUNMAS-Vaporizer-Evaporator-Beekeeping-Fumigation/dp/B082D8F1VG/ref=sr_1_3?crid=3NWUBV2NRSBUO&keywords=oxalic+acid+fumigation+tool&qid=1691044838&sprefix=occelic+acid+f4umigation+tool%2Caps%2C268&sr=8-3</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">This should be done every two weeks for a total of three treatments.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">4) About the middle of October in Fairbanks, Alaska, it's time to move colonies into a bee shed that is super insulated with the following:</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"> <b> *A heat source that keeps temperatures between 35* and 38*:</b><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span>https://www.amazon.com/Dreo-Radiator-Electric-Protection-Thermostat/dp/B096FQYFBJ/ref=sr_1_2_sspa?crid=UVER9YYIIVA3&keywords=oil+drip+electric+heater&qid=1691045593&sprefix=oil+drip+electric+heate%2Caps%2C201&sr=8-2-spons&ufe=app_do%3Aamzn1.fos.f5122f16-c3e8-4386-bf32-63e904010ad0&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&psc=1</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span> <b> *Temperature monitoring:</b> </span>https://physitemp.com/electrotherms_p224</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"> * <b>Humidity:</b> Purchase several DryRid buckets from a local hardware store and hang or place in the wintering shed. Other ways to absorb moisture are charcoal or wood shavings above each brood chamber.<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"> <b>* Govee Temperature and Humidity monitor that sets on the candy board:</b><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">https://us.govee.com/products/wi-fi-temperature-humidity-sensor?currency=USD&variant=37592920686777&utm_medium=cpc&utm_source=google&utm_campaign=Google%20Shopping&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&gclid=CjwKCAjw_aemBhBLEiwAT98FMkvOjEoba5fnYh_pGk4IBzoixCyx53bXMNs5FkcPrakBBxMPqDWmmBoCktQQAvD_BwE</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>*Elevation</b> - One of the variables we found recently that helps with wintering success is elevation. Colonies stored at higher elevations are able to be moved out of wintering sheds in March for cleansing flights. This is the final step of wintering is allowing bees to complete cleansing flights before they succumb to Nosema or other diseases.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4546109086507919438.post-76500424127962427032023-07-04T21:12:00.005-07:002023-07-09T23:16:07.015-07:00Beekeeper's Town Hall Meeting<p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Alaska beekeepers are invited to the first annual Beekeeper's Town Hall Meeting</span></b></p><p><b><br /></b></p><p><b>Where:</b> Interior Distance Education of Alaska (IDEA)</p><p><span> </span><span> </span><span> 2157 Van Horn Road; Fairbanks, Alaska 99701</span><br /></p><p><b>When:</b> Tuesday, July 11, 2023 from 6-8PM.</p><p><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Guest Experts:</span></b></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Robert Snyder, Bee Informed Partnership</li><li>Ben Sallmann, Bee Informed Partnership, Minnesota University</li><li>Jonathan Hofland, Vacaville, CA Queen Breeder & Bee Package Producer<br /></li></ul><div><br /></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Agenda:</span></b></div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Identifying & resolving honeybee diseases</li><li>Queen grafting & rearing</li><li>Successful wintering of colonies in Fairbanks, Alaska</li><li>And more . . . Please bring your questions!</li></ul><div><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Register Here: </b></span><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://forms.office.com/r/Fg4XuSdSD4">https://forms.office.com/r/Fg4XuSdSD4</a></span></b></div></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b><span style="font-size: large;">To attend virtually, please use the following link:</span></b></div><div><br /></div><div><p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif" style="color: #252424; font-size: 18pt;"><b>Microsoft Teams meeting</b></span><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif" style="color: #252424;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
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These are the medium boxes on the top of the upper brood box.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxx80x_U3lS1nvPXQaOANK1ych-Tt-ugVqE-cVVf4dIm80umsiyCoYCAKvzmaH_6XRhwKwp2fHxqX4Lt4nFnu5bMDwzKZyv6J6Vz57TAkQZj6nO1_1F3G0PPB_isn1RfQNGtKtzS-bu3FyXfZ2LCbPLvUuiOMy0RiLXl9QFG46QLa7vwHxyz3FDhmUEWg/s311/Honey%20Supers.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="162" data-original-width="311" height="195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxx80x_U3lS1nvPXQaOANK1ych-Tt-ugVqE-cVVf4dIm80umsiyCoYCAKvzmaH_6XRhwKwp2fHxqX4Lt4nFnu5bMDwzKZyv6J6Vz57TAkQZj6nO1_1F3G0PPB_isn1RfQNGtKtzS-bu3FyXfZ2LCbPLvUuiOMy0RiLXl9QFG46QLa7vwHxyz3FDhmUEWg/w374-h195/Honey%20Supers.jpg" width="374" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />I predict two medium honey super boxes will be sufficient this season.</div><br /><br /><p></p><p><br />In the first seven or so years, I used a queen excluder to keep queens from laying eggs in the honey frames. </p><p>I no longer use a queen excluder for this purpose because it creates a challenge for the bees to squeeze through the steel grates to store nectar. This slows them down, decreasing honey production. For new honey frames with no honeycomb, the bees tend to seal off the queen excluder with wax, creating a ceiling which impedes honeycomb from being built and utilized for nectar storage. </p><p>Most always my experience has been that if a queen lays eggs in a honey super box, she only does this in two or three frames, not the entire box. She seems to know this is where the honey will be stored. After the initial two or frames of pupa hatch out, the wax cells are recycled to be used for honey stores.</p><p>What I use queen excluders for is storing equipment to keep rodents from eating the honeycomb and building nests in the boxes during winter months. They allow fresh air to flow through the hive bodies which prevents mold and mildew. </p><p><b>NECTARLESS SPRING:</b></p><p>The spring 2023 beekeeping season started out with one huge challenge . . . unseasonably cold temperatures which contributed to:</p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>A nectarless spring, which I have only seen two other seasons in my 20 years of keeping bees in Interior Alaska;</li></ul><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Lack of food stores;</li><li>Low brood population build-up.</li></ul><div><br /></div><div>During nectarless seasons, flowering plants/trees only produce enough nectar for their own food sugars. They simply don't have enough sun to photosynthesize enough to produce extra nectar for pollinators. Pollinators then fly several miles per day with little success of finding enough nectar to bring back to their colony. </div><div><br /></div><div>Fortunately, Fairbanks has experiences several warm days in the past week and it appears as though we may continue to see ~70*+ days with minimal rain. This should help our honeybees to find an abundance of nectar. Keep in mind, however, the very best seasons are ones with daily sunshine and a good rain shower every day or two through out the summer.</div><div><br /></div><div>What we can do for the rest of this season is make sure our colonies have plenty of water nearby. If you don't have a natural source of water in the near vicinity, I recommend you create a water source. </div><div><br /></div><div>Here are some great container options for providing water:</div><div style="text-align: left;"><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>bird bath</li><li>kiddy pool </li><li>large bowl or shallow tote</li><li>5 gallon bucket</li></ul><div>I always float twigs, or wood in the water to help bees refrain from drowning. You can add rocks or moss to the water as well.</div><div><br /></div><div>Here's a fun NASA website to explore:</div><div><a href="https://honeybeenet.gsfc.nasa.gov/Honeybees/Basics.htm">https://honeybeenet.gsfc.nasa.gov/Honeybees/Basics.htm</a></div><div><br /></div><div>I'm being very careful to stay on top of hive checks every 10 days!</div><div><br /></div><div>Let's pray the ladder half of summer provides a perfect balance of sunshine and rain for surplus nectar supplies. Our colonies desperately need to make up for lost time!</div></div><p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4546109086507919438.post-62179611297559303052023-06-03T15:24:00.007-07:002023-06-03T15:24:50.413-07:00June - The Swarming Month<p>Colonies tend to desire swarming more in June than any other month. Completing hive checks every 10 days is essential! You'll know that a colony is serious about swarming when you see queen cups filled with a bed of royal jelly. If you see empty queen cups in the early stage (not completely drawn out) these are on standby in the case a colony loses a queen. When this happens, the workers create royal jelly and fill a ready made queen cup with the jelly. They steal an egg from one of the worker cells and drag this fertilized egg over to the queen cup, planting it in the middle of the royal jelly bed. The queen then emerges from her cell anywhere from 11-14 days later. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgbnHv3xftLoiru6cIz9TBBQauYNMoh9rNlghF4huMH6QGCL48dpb_EYIcCKF-DN48tk0vhrC_juY4zjOWrXBphZSDaLJNf_fI2c19xdrHP89U3yv4ZaxCHySuq2Gc_wI52zhqZCDQxFfEQJmvuk2GTmUoPhppFK8c4PHpnPSBk_wthIVmq8ryP3r28" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="225" data-original-width="225" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgbnHv3xftLoiru6cIz9TBBQauYNMoh9rNlghF4huMH6QGCL48dpb_EYIcCKF-DN48tk0vhrC_juY4zjOWrXBphZSDaLJNf_fI2c19xdrHP89U3yv4ZaxCHySuq2Gc_wI52zhqZCDQxFfEQJmvuk2GTmUoPhppFK8c4PHpnPSBk_wthIVmq8ryP3r28" width="240" /><span> <span> </span></span></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhB6DbVTnfbb9jifYm3VgX5J0gg0cqt_XDcquhO0Iti4nq6rakvFr8-RU2VNn3Egt17MX-hXJrD10kMgC1hShWLEtTZ13Qbus_lHibV9o3Zcfq5Zsp6Rh4sNqi5jTGLTd2agmDRsucqdXGgJyeMu8mpq7eE77Xpy6zCAl4hGoaKturD-wb5PN-4xcxR" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="183" data-original-width="275" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhB6DbVTnfbb9jifYm3VgX5J0gg0cqt_XDcquhO0Iti4nq6rakvFr8-RU2VNn3Egt17MX-hXJrD10kMgC1hShWLEtTZ13Qbus_lHibV9o3Zcfq5Zsp6Rh4sNqi5jTGLTd2agmDRsucqdXGgJyeMu8mpq7eE77Xpy6zCAl4hGoaKturD-wb5PN-4xcxR" width="320" /></a><span><span><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">Queen Cups</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg80vE9sXDT6CMGw8nzp5pCzRVsuUK8IFJ02CF2EUKCbvbJNINj1VAr7JtJPQ7qT7IkLcAWEsUe3gRwCdO8q5n-JIN013PvV34u9gzuv2gpE3czFIS5WVpVk3KvXkTUsCALblfhcrVq4KJNFp1OShuXRraPO10sxj4eITmRkivlrNZ3hczA9y7LXDTT" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="180" data-original-width="280" height="206" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg80vE9sXDT6CMGw8nzp5pCzRVsuUK8IFJ02CF2EUKCbvbJNINj1VAr7JtJPQ7qT7IkLcAWEsUe3gRwCdO8q5n-JIN013PvV34u9gzuv2gpE3czFIS5WVpVk3KvXkTUsCALblfhcrVq4KJNFp1OShuXRraPO10sxj4eITmRkivlrNZ3hczA9y7LXDTT" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br /></div><span style="font-size: large;">Queen cups with bed of royal jelly and queen larva.</span></span></div><br /><br /><p></p><p>Please complete hive checks every ten days!</p><p>It is not yet time to add honey supers, especially with all the ridiculously, unseasonably cold weather we've been experiencing! If colonies don't have pollen stores, you could give then a quarter pollen patty just to help them get caught back up on this. Without pollen, babies starve because they need beebread which is a mixture of pollen and nectar or honey or when these aren't available, pollen and sugar water will suffice.</p><p>Remember to follow the beekeepers calendar as a tentative guide for hive adjustments.</p><p>Unfortunately, it is getting more difficult to find replacement queens now. You can try to ship them in from this company: <a href="https://www.koehnen.com/contact">https://www.koehnen.com/contact</a></p><p>If you lose a queen there are three choices:</p><p>#1 - Order a new queen and when she arrives, hang her for a minimum of five days in the middle of the top brood box to prevent the bees from killing her. They need time to get used to a new queen's pheromones. I tape the cap onto the queen cage to make sure she does not escape the cage prematurely. On the fifth day after hanging the new queen, I take the cap off, and scoop about half of the sugar candy out of the cage tunnel. </p><p>#2 - Allow your colony to create a new queen. There must be eggs present for this to happen. If you remove all the queen cups and cells with royal jelly/queen larva before you determine you have lost a queen, then there's no chance for the colony to create a new queen. This is why we must make sure we have a queen or see evidence of a queen having laid eggs in the past couple days before removing all queen cells during hive checks. To allow a colony to create a new queen, we must make our best choice of available queen cells, removing all other queen cells and/or cups. This prevents more than one queen hatching out within the same time period, causing them to battle to the death. This can cause queens injuries and possible death. </p><p>#3 - Combine your queenless colony with a colony that has a queen. This is done by placing several sheets of paper over the top hive body box of the queenless hive. (I like to use the Fairbanks Daily News paper without ink printed on it). Make about 5 two-inch slices in the paper with your hive tool to give the bees an area to start tearing away and eating the paper. This method works great in most cases and this slow combining of the two colonies helps them to become acquainted gradually so there is less fighting.</p><p>I plan to wait until I see the brood nest in each of my colonies extend below the top box and down into the middle frames of the top brood box to swap the positions of the boxes. When I see the brood next spanning both brood boxes, I will put the bottom box on the top and the top on the bottom.</p><p>Whenever I see rainy days and temperatures lower than 40*, for more than a few days, I give each colony a small square of pollen so the queen doesn't stop laying. Remember, our main goal this time of year is to get the worker population as high as possible to prepare for the huge honeyflow when all the flora is at it's peak of the summer. This usually occurs between the last week of June and the first couple weeks of August. I suspect for Interior Alaska this season, everything will be a couple weeks later than usual.</p><p>I hope you're enjoying this beautiful adventure!</p><p>:) Dawn</p><p><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4546109086507919438.post-3153637503800671722023-05-26T22:47:00.002-07:002023-05-26T22:47:11.946-07:00Spring Adjustments<p> All of my hives have a second hive body added at the bottom now. I pulled one or two frames with plenty of pupa into the (new) bottom brood box. My entrances have been set at medium or completely removed on warm days (50* or warmer). Internal insulation has all been removed. I suspect external insulation will be removed the first week of June. There is plenty of pollen available for the bees to forage, so no need for feeding pollen patties. And as soon as dandelions are prolific, all sugar water feeders will be removed.</p><p>I continue to complete hive checks every ten days, making sure I see eggs and/or queens before removing queen (supersedure) cells.</p><p>When completing hive checks, I bring a small container for harvesting wax and a spray bottle with 1:1 sugar water for keeping the bees calm and less aggressive. My hive checks are done mid-day while many of the workers are out foraging. This helps me to see into the cells better and the colony is less aggressive as well.</p><p>I can't stress enough how important completing hive checks every 10 days is. "Just Do It!"</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4546109086507919438.post-76125062344041252972023-05-13T01:10:00.004-07:002023-05-13T01:11:30.308-07:00Hive checks, preventing swarming and trouble shooting<p> I complete comprehensive hive checks 10 days. If you miss a hive check your colony is in danger of swarming and if your queen has gone missing and you don't catch this early enough, your female worker bees will develop ovaries due to the absence of the queen's pheromones. The result is laying workers who lay strictly unfertilized eggs. This destroys honeycomb because all the cells become drone comb. A clear indication you have laying workers is multiple eggs in a single cell.</p><p></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjYOEpWdgkEHl3tjtHBUazX7md5S-a7h3oCedKxe_bYiSJwNSxqqSsQv8ptImotPsZ29Ws4mHV5ChI8cPnj_G-1bjgVeLliGtLE5pJvK8HbYGpQS-zjlSnt8JFMb2yqw5diqN-vrAFADHdRUqbumriQZ-UjWLMOqw-x8KiC3yDNGGl1wy06AWWCsJey" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img alt="" data-original-height="283" data-original-width="426" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjYOEpWdgkEHl3tjtHBUazX7md5S-a7h3oCedKxe_bYiSJwNSxqqSsQv8ptImotPsZ29Ws4mHV5ChI8cPnj_G-1bjgVeLliGtLE5pJvK8HbYGpQS-zjlSnt8JFMb2yqw5diqN-vrAFADHdRUqbumriQZ-UjWLMOqw-x8KiC3yDNGGl1wy06AWWCsJey" width="320" /></a></p><br /><p></p><p>Remember, it is the size of the wax cell that determines whether a queen will lay a fertilized egg or an unfertilized egg. Fertilized eggs become female workers, and the females should make up 90% of the colony population.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEixaY-pV4mJIkW4kFe35S62O3g60nOkrUua2zzFAf91vToyQv2nCnJKue4Y3nDoTVrETzAfkjLSzs3VEtBzz5j8s3g-0CH2dzbBvpW4cAObfqz4_9einrP1WTzr6tY53f5QxciKHbrQuSSIGsNKBot3QKCQmUiFKdnab0u5ILCooLsexRy6gh3AqcMO" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img alt="" data-original-height="288" data-original-width="432" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEixaY-pV4mJIkW4kFe35S62O3g60nOkrUua2zzFAf91vToyQv2nCnJKue4Y3nDoTVrETzAfkjLSzs3VEtBzz5j8s3g-0CH2dzbBvpW4cAObfqz4_9einrP1WTzr6tY53f5QxciKHbrQuSSIGsNKBot3QKCQmUiFKdnab0u5ILCooLsexRy6gh3AqcMO" width="320" /></a></p><p>In the photo above, the flat pupa cells in the middle are female worker cells. The convex cells that protrude more on either side of the worker cells are drone cells. These will become male bees who don't have stingers which means they can't protect the hive and they don't forage because they can't fly as far as female worker bees and they don't have a long enough proboscis (tongue) to forage for nectar.</p><p>The only effective way I know of to remedy a laying worker problem is to lay a large white sheet on the ground at least 50 feet away from the hive and even better would be on the opposite side of a structure (house, shed, barn) from the hive. Then take one or two frames at a time and walk them over to the sheet. Shake all the bees off the frames onto the middle of the sheet. Then place the frames in a cooler or tote with a lid. Keep doing this until every frame has been shaken over the sheet. Once all frames are free of bees and in the secure storage box, put the frames back into the hive box(es). Believe it or not, the bees who have not yet developed ovaries and started laying unfertilized eggs will not allow the egg-laying workers back into the hive.</p><p>The best way to avoid this is to keep checking your bees every 10 days. Once you determine you definitely have a queen, by seeing her and/or evidence by cells with single eggs or larva laying at the back of many cells, you must remove all queen cells. This prevents swarming which causes your colony population to decrease by at least 50%. </p><p>Remember, one of your main goals is to help your colony increase population before the honeyflow, which occurs the entire month of July and beginning of August. Removing all queen cells is absolutely necessary and should be done meticulously!</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh1O6yE_nI4xMfbP8Y3VioUCzMRbfMhF_SgER9Rv8h63mWFcWS658rdxwCIqk0h3YB2a3rOSWY_emFkqhkcFv2onh8iF5yYIikK80r4iD2pnZmRxKr4OfB6xxEL6rIcAiKRXGw4VQ7mGos0w1cnnANPaU7WVfOmLn3ZY441rfGhnV93WrmCaGizPkMz"><span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="282" data-original-width="207" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh1O6yE_nI4xMfbP8Y3VioUCzMRbfMhF_SgER9Rv8h63mWFcWS658rdxwCIqk0h3YB2a3rOSWY_emFkqhkcFv2onh8iF5yYIikK80r4iD2pnZmRxKr4OfB6xxEL6rIcAiKRXGw4VQ7mGos0w1cnnANPaU7WVfOmLn3ZY441rfGhnV93WrmCaGizPkMz" width="176" /></span></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh1O6yE_nI4xMfbP8Y3VioUCzMRbfMhF_SgER9Rv8h63mWFcWS658rdxwCIqk0h3YB2a3rOSWY_emFkqhkcFv2onh8iF5yYIikK80r4iD2pnZmRxKr4OfB6xxEL6rIcAiKRXGw4VQ7mGos0w1cnnANPaU7WVfOmLn3ZY441rfGhnV93WrmCaGizPkMz"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiYgWt2A-R_2a9kUhaGI9Eq0ekyr9oLmH_L9aeBOXkf-MqY6fKbdNPiPDPCznp5XEpKHOLIkZHotu2hd_inZmGWUHqtgpqZOiDdprObYMNZ2nHsy5hOcmqKXqtxzX8oU22O0CUPqB0St17i3JM26r2gxzxTaq5PgOoNHtcAlikOCo14FB4eRsZdwJ6S" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="266" data-original-width="397" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiYgWt2A-R_2a9kUhaGI9Eq0ekyr9oLmH_L9aeBOXkf-MqY6fKbdNPiPDPCznp5XEpKHOLIkZHotu2hd_inZmGWUHqtgpqZOiDdprObYMNZ2nHsy5hOcmqKXqtxzX8oU22O0CUPqB0St17i3JM26r2gxzxTaq5PgOoNHtcAlikOCo14FB4eRsZdwJ6S" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjYhlTP9JLc1oT4duHEbBxHK4WncscGRMUKeVoCVue4Vo0jG9IsaySWyF4iZ3Xtnp3aGbeM_WRkespFGACW8Zrp9HTK0w3YTHKkDAeSkqG1QzuaUnkqnRRV1l-NS3m15cY7aeslwecrwknpgbuTHONO55uje8pHS0-veZy228mVpI5qjhf3BHLzH_MD" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="277" data-original-width="277" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjYhlTP9JLc1oT4duHEbBxHK4WncscGRMUKeVoCVue4Vo0jG9IsaySWyF4iZ3Xtnp3aGbeM_WRkespFGACW8Zrp9HTK0w3YTHKkDAeSkqG1QzuaUnkqnRRV1l-NS3m15cY7aeslwecrwknpgbuTHONO55uje8pHS0-veZy228mVpI5qjhf3BHLzH_MD" width="240" /></a></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjYhlTP9JLc1oT4duHEbBxHK4WncscGRMUKeVoCVue4Vo0jG9IsaySWyF4iZ3Xtnp3aGbeM_WRkespFGACW8Zrp9HTK0w3YTHKkDAeSkqG1QzuaUnkqnRRV1l-NS3m15cY7aeslwecrwknpgbuTHONO55uje8pHS0-veZy228mVpI5qjhf3BHLzH_MD" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="390" data-original-width="600" height="208" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgDkuPHuA-vBXUSQB9e8KTjeG4hdy3MAbLzEu_MuFaIlwpCq2kPL_oPDoyldl39LtWec0lDvdSlAcv0Q8eX6xniBomaZQ475l6zQEMq2n_b_AShSeSI3sIUF3Mp4WNZl_-ZAImTxowYql1zUXqCuiQhEh0ldtDn58mD69oIUTRBmQqIh_XzFgMwW2LD" width="320" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjYhlTP9JLc1oT4duHEbBxHK4WncscGRMUKeVoCVue4Vo0jG9IsaySWyF4iZ3Xtnp3aGbeM_WRkespFGACW8Zrp9HTK0w3YTHKkDAeSkqG1QzuaUnkqnRRV1l-NS3m15cY7aeslwecrwknpgbuTHONO55uje8pHS0-veZy228mVpI5qjhf3BHLzH_MD" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="332" data-original-width="499" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjXkHM7oOnSXtveS6z3Stpy_KmTJ9Qz1M8PMvgfijBEk54Ut5MEzsXaBKjRPteZfMSCaTKQPuo_bPqQNMzK7o-YMMw2qjYI1sXYEXwpDWsvh85pCtCS8TpBIOuYzfhR7CTDx4S0Pflar2BZxo7uMYzLr2tbooRkPX_7oEC__P6a7s2tm7GI8VB-w8xi" width="320" /></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjYhlTP9JLc1oT4duHEbBxHK4WncscGRMUKeVoCVue4Vo0jG9IsaySWyF4iZ3Xtnp3aGbeM_WRkespFGACW8Zrp9HTK0w3YTHKkDAeSkqG1QzuaUnkqnRRV1l-NS3m15cY7aeslwecrwknpgbuTHONO55uje8pHS0-veZy228mVpI5qjhf3BHLzH_MD" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgsWO6h4nCVwc1510vLtYcpW2GN2T4LPE5FKqgFIqn5ZsGchkksJO0fjLGxqDoH4pzjb9nngcuO4EjgbgMopNB3SC1npp0qYIaeRkt8XSfyPmtMcO5XHueIDxOGzHCp4Rz3bdtA_B1Kj2yUk_2nWpeEZA_STvCjYBp3rESvuLJEVESMCY_Y2BpbJ80m" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="288" data-original-width="432" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgsWO6h4nCVwc1510vLtYcpW2GN2T4LPE5FKqgFIqn5ZsGchkksJO0fjLGxqDoH4pzjb9nngcuO4EjgbgMopNB3SC1npp0qYIaeRkt8XSfyPmtMcO5XHueIDxOGzHCp4Rz3bdtA_B1Kj2yUk_2nWpeEZA_STvCjYBp3rESvuLJEVESMCY_Y2BpbJ80m" width="320" /></a></div><br /></span></div></div></div></span></div><br /><p></p><p>It only takes 14 days for a fertilized egg, that is fed royal jelly for its entire metamorphosis, to become an adult queen. Here are some photos of queen cells preparing to hatch:</p><p><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjMlbMPfhwNHhV4NfsxP_PFdj4qEauhLh9_P5bznNrT2bwCi6kZ8hGI5cFVkbwht8PvmsUkRTfZzyWMvAQg7-vQpmIJw_POKAgZU_r3V70WmMrhLYoRIyJHr7iSf7wQoizoQSZ25RazDR2dmo3uMHsmEceU1lqGypKEroikOzG5soJTZWFWBKXJ7M0T" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="270" data-original-width="186" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjMlbMPfhwNHhV4NfsxP_PFdj4qEauhLh9_P5bznNrT2bwCi6kZ8hGI5cFVkbwht8PvmsUkRTfZzyWMvAQg7-vQpmIJw_POKAgZU_r3V70WmMrhLYoRIyJHr7iSf7wQoizoQSZ25RazDR2dmo3uMHsmEceU1lqGypKEroikOzG5soJTZWFWBKXJ7M0T" width="165" /></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjMlbMPfhwNHhV4NfsxP_PFdj4qEauhLh9_P5bznNrT2bwCi6kZ8hGI5cFVkbwht8PvmsUkRTfZzyWMvAQg7-vQpmIJw_POKAgZU_r3V70WmMrhLYoRIyJHr7iSf7wQoizoQSZ25RazDR2dmo3uMHsmEceU1lqGypKEroikOzG5soJTZWFWBKXJ7M0T" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiY4VTf8Vr-kv9V8-Vd7YaheJAluDYuSOvdj_NBY_d0TRE0o2R0QgIECENbzoR7ZoAz34g5XyDcuIhUPONnHvdOhjh-9harByCXzofm9Zszm5vO9dpCV02mEy7abfO3v3d27QCTbeu3ki_sypy2CW9oHhVSlvfhfAoF3M1xdWBDdFZnKPk-DkVstxlo" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="295" data-original-width="394" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiY4VTf8Vr-kv9V8-Vd7YaheJAluDYuSOvdj_NBY_d0TRE0o2R0QgIECENbzoR7ZoAz34g5XyDcuIhUPONnHvdOhjh-9harByCXzofm9Zszm5vO9dpCV02mEy7abfO3v3d27QCTbeu3ki_sypy2CW9oHhVSlvfhfAoF3M1xdWBDdFZnKPk-DkVstxlo" width="320" /></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiY4VTf8Vr-kv9V8-Vd7YaheJAluDYuSOvdj_NBY_d0TRE0o2R0QgIECENbzoR7ZoAz34g5XyDcuIhUPONnHvdOhjh-9harByCXzofm9Zszm5vO9dpCV02mEy7abfO3v3d27QCTbeu3ki_sypy2CW9oHhVSlvfhfAoF3M1xdWBDdFZnKPk-DkVstxlo" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjjoPqTTQQV_3mkEXpShO7jkA-xrUAehi4NQoHFmZARLEBQu1ZtOa_dzzKuRB382g6aH_6cjd2B9FG8Noqgpc3Unik7m7n6fVvgjB1-oH8G-ESQJ0FzMz_JD8CYw8l41hwu8DKzPgtnhE1O0xycl0Zfq_V_IA6ifvDvED7MSXYFgnTDGyabsr_WZrM3" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="270" data-original-width="331" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjjoPqTTQQV_3mkEXpShO7jkA-xrUAehi4NQoHFmZARLEBQu1ZtOa_dzzKuRB382g6aH_6cjd2B9FG8Noqgpc3Unik7m7n6fVvgjB1-oH8G-ESQJ0FzMz_JD8CYw8l41hwu8DKzPgtnhE1O0xycl0Zfq_V_IA6ifvDvED7MSXYFgnTDGyabsr_WZrM3" width="294" /></a></div><br /></div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">When completing hive checks, I start on one side of the hive box. Pulling frames out of the middle of the hive can increase chances of smashing the queen. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Pulling frames out of the hive slowly, I look closely into the back of the cells for eggs, larva, pollen and nectar stores. Here is what a healthy brood pattern should look like:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjwN5A2VxYtKjmNRQrp1Wf3kIFnw0W9yCVhmhHCDXyJo3sNTaGrYtblJohIgwlCQxHT93irB_xTBfRLYh4zYE-tXCg_-qD0M44sPHFopLwwE075XgU3EJ3DazfBqFswhhucw3TjMSd4_oPYcpl5j0GC3JRCTUJYkeqzjg7qZmZgSCsIol3iy-zO-i68" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="270" data-original-width="378" height="229" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjwN5A2VxYtKjmNRQrp1Wf3kIFnw0W9yCVhmhHCDXyJo3sNTaGrYtblJohIgwlCQxHT93irB_xTBfRLYh4zYE-tXCg_-qD0M44sPHFopLwwE075XgU3EJ3DazfBqFswhhucw3TjMSd4_oPYcpl5j0GC3JRCTUJYkeqzjg7qZmZgSCsIol3iy-zO-i68" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br /></div>The white wax cells at the top is stored sugar water or honey. The open cells are mostly pollen stores. The pupa cells are usually in the shape of a large oval with a few open cells. <div><br /></div><div>Below is a photo of a spotty queen. This is undesirable!</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg5toMDslbG6xk6TAqCF4axwatcVvv8dFxoKc-ht3SBQ5oLnxqiLxK1DMDF1bSkHMnZ4O2kbpBpY6fHKdDbC8ywsW_LkyjfpXwwZVmNPFqYVDw-vHSltxo5mVPW5MqkU7kQIj8V5mTfPehN0W8D1hGMk_uIagApsx_Tw_H4LHliUkza1SHlsuo5sKg4" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="270" data-original-width="315" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg5toMDslbG6xk6TAqCF4axwatcVvv8dFxoKc-ht3SBQ5oLnxqiLxK1DMDF1bSkHMnZ4O2kbpBpY6fHKdDbC8ywsW_LkyjfpXwwZVmNPFqYVDw-vHSltxo5mVPW5MqkU7kQIj8V5mTfPehN0W8D1hGMk_uIagApsx_Tw_H4LHliUkza1SHlsuo5sKg4" width="280" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEicZNrBYFnXO2nKZK5ybgrj6gV6uT6euHDcLUpdHkedYo1MEUwmZxC2uqmjjoSQBC87JEBM86K4r55lQXjBMchxlMn15MzUmI7f8qVBJxcTb4_d-KscLgc4CT01jq5pmFo25LyMw6q7NSnGoAaPEJvHd4vlmmtv0mC45w9p68JNKLGsmVXJGPfWhbvK" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="258" data-original-width="368" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEicZNrBYFnXO2nKZK5ybgrj6gV6uT6euHDcLUpdHkedYo1MEUwmZxC2uqmjjoSQBC87JEBM86K4r55lQXjBMchxlMn15MzUmI7f8qVBJxcTb4_d-KscLgc4CT01jq5pmFo25LyMw6q7NSnGoAaPEJvHd4vlmmtv0mC45w9p68JNKLGsmVXJGPfWhbvK" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br /></div><br />If I end up with a spotty queen, it means she was not well bred in the first three to five days of her life when she was fertile and completing mating flights. Perhaps the weather was not conducive to mating flights. I tend to put a spotty queen back into a small queen cage and hang it in the hive until I find a new queen to introduce. Once I find another queen, I remove the original, spotty queen and hang the new queen cage right smack dab in the middle of the hive between two frames, leaving the cap on. I don't want the new queen released too soon or the colony may kill her. I keep the new queen caged for minimum of five days before removing the cap so the bees can eat the fondant, slowly releasing the queen.<br /><p></p><p>I am still feeding my colonies sugar water. They seem to be finding plenty of pollen now from willow, and now the birch trees. I won't give them any more pollen patties until I see rain forecasted for many days in a row. If they aren't able to forage due to rain or cold weather, some breeds of queens will slow down or completely stop laying eggs until the bees can bring in more resources again once the weather improves.</p><p>I will stop feeding sugar water when three or more frames are full of sugar water stores. It is super important for the queen to have space to lay eggs. If she doesn't have room to lay, she may leave the hive.</p><p>When I see plenty of dandelions, I remove my sugar feeder because these flowers are the first natural source of nectar.</p><p>I am reducing my entrances to the smallest setting at night and opening them up completely by removing the sticks in the morning on 40*45* mornings.</p><p>I think I'll be adding my second boxes under the first brood box next weekend, Sunday, May 21st.<br /><br /></p></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4546109086507919438.post-58928938167997305272023-04-15T23:55:00.002-07:002023-04-15T23:55:12.868-07:00Keeping bees alive this spring.<p> Hello Interior Alaska Beekeepers!</p><p><br /></p><p>This is one of four difficult springs I've experienced over the past 20 years.</p><p>Problem: Cold temperatures and an abundance of snow. Yes, we are surrounded by tall snow banks.</p><p>Here are some ways I have used to keep my bees alive and warm.</p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Prior to hiving honeybees, I bring all equipment inside my house two days prior to colony arrival.</li><li>Hive bees in one brood box at a higher elevation - I live on the top of Goldmine Trail. This elevation has 5-20* warmer temperatures compared with lower elevations such as downtown Fairbanks.</li><li>Sugar water ratio is a tad bit above 1:1 and a couple teaspoons of Honey B Healthy or Bee Pro add essential oils to the sugar water. I make sure any sugar water is room temperature! It's very important to keep filling the sugar water feeder in the initial couple weeks. Do not let sugar water run out in the first couple weeks!</li><li>I always use an internal, one-gallon feeder.</li></ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiANimEZ_GsNRIC9g2NFk_IumtTEE37Uc9I8j4fK_u9xJ2DY09xe4Cj34eelQKmvAu3I7HLf8D3StsEAXitk8mQmmzuL0v6R8SKEn1TJOF8hjjnqfvH7RTcZIW5sk77stCwRFTPJLFI2ARdqiT5EjaC7GluKVJnz8P5e9Y0dC99LEiY0eU-KYyxQGjk" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiANimEZ_GsNRIC9g2NFk_IumtTEE37Uc9I8j4fK_u9xJ2DY09xe4Cj34eelQKmvAu3I7HLf8D3StsEAXitk8mQmmzuL0v6R8SKEn1TJOF8hjjnqfvH7RTcZIW5sk77stCwRFTPJLFI2ARdqiT5EjaC7GluKVJnz8P5e9Y0dC99LEiY0eU-KYyxQGjk" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiANimEZ_GsNRIC9g2NFk_IumtTEE37Uc9I8j4fK_u9xJ2DY09xe4Cj34eelQKmvAu3I7HLf8D3StsEAXitk8mQmmzuL0v6R8SKEn1TJOF8hjjnqfvH7RTcZIW5sk77stCwRFTPJLFI2ARdqiT5EjaC7GluKVJnz8P5e9Y0dC99LEiY0eU-KYyxQGjk" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgHt8Ca5FwexMcvBaVLJxKI5bq1VMI4k4JuiX2N5Bpk87EoaMimmasOcdJpnx52ze78MFpTfsVX3k5sNO_m0CI3f5ZD9FZxHSprxfsRYQ-BNDwXwfreVsouiL8hAchxR-lIdB80VOSVUI12tKh02zUBlHSu32eiESXV9xhzSEcgnp6gI0qsz2wkOBqb" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="222" data-original-width="227" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgHt8Ca5FwexMcvBaVLJxKI5bq1VMI4k4JuiX2N5Bpk87EoaMimmasOcdJpnx52ze78MFpTfsVX3k5sNO_m0CI3f5ZD9FZxHSprxfsRYQ-BNDwXwfreVsouiL8hAchxR-lIdB80VOSVUI12tKh02zUBlHSu32eiESXV9xhzSEcgnp6gI0qsz2wkOBqb" width="245" /> </a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjD5V27YD8lnXvdp-RF9U9P7ako-ZgPqM4Mqfn6YfK4V49uj9-QcZ4_RzLa18r8gwBRdD3m8222uItG8OkYVVcie_XP6j3aZk5JkVc1HtW0JeNpWSKX9x3Rl4O3YsNk-9aXTKlsn6B1zUEOsyA166ZfcNP_A8oo9QJMXPP5P8ZuIZClPK6QYDd0t7S3" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1131" data-original-width="478" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjD5V27YD8lnXvdp-RF9U9P7ako-ZgPqM4Mqfn6YfK4V49uj9-QcZ4_RzLa18r8gwBRdD3m8222uItG8OkYVVcie_XP6j3aZk5JkVc1HtW0JeNpWSKX9x3Rl4O3YsNk-9aXTKlsn6B1zUEOsyA166ZfcNP_A8oo9QJMXPP5P8ZuIZClPK6QYDd0t7S3" width="101" /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgHt8Ca5FwexMcvBaVLJxKI5bq1VMI4k4JuiX2N5Bpk87EoaMimmasOcdJpnx52ze78MFpTfsVX3k5sNO_m0CI3f5ZD9FZxHSprxfsRYQ-BNDwXwfreVsouiL8hAchxR-lIdB80VOSVUI12tKh02zUBlHSu32eiESXV9xhzSEcgnp6gI0qsz2wkOBqb" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span><br /><br /></span></a></div><br /></div><br />I reduce entrances to the smallest possible size using an entrance reducer.<div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhM66CWSj6KLAvoq5w25TeuBjsEGrUkdC18_XBSqr7efBpUVT6asqhY8OTHwBvR4jvbi9Hzqj2g23wFSH4xe6nGPpnk-IPdXndKnMiiXN0XPGHrw1PZWsLvvuqKRtowHzHfzcZsxknnq9sTyYAs3dO1IFDQZh6PuziO-Y0-ic18P1x-JjKHNuLclJqA" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img alt="" data-original-height="183" data-original-width="275" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhM66CWSj6KLAvoq5w25TeuBjsEGrUkdC18_XBSqr7efBpUVT6asqhY8OTHwBvR4jvbi9Hzqj2g23wFSH4xe6nGPpnk-IPdXndKnMiiXN0XPGHrw1PZWsLvvuqKRtowHzHfzcZsxknnq9sTyYAs3dO1IFDQZh6PuziO-Y0-ic18P1x-JjKHNuLclJqA" width="320" /></a><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Once all but two frames are full of brood or sugar water stores, stop filling the sugar feeder to make sure the queen has space to lay eggs. </li><li>I will post to let folks know when I'm adding a second brood box to the bottom of the hive.</li><li>Extra insulation is a must - I have 1" rigid foam underneath each hive, two layers of insulation around the perimeter of each hive as well as an insulated lid and insulated follower boards inside each hive on the west and east sides of the hive box. Rigid foam can be bungy corded around the perimeter of the brood box.</li></ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjjD7EV0OneB63nG2yRieksvV2b06vjn0HrZ5s4eqc71gkypOP36S8eDNvGiBlTA4C83YI1fHuGpCetAF4XzA5GD34O2UlpyjIwSNFdOWfgweceSKukJpltaTr9roQjpTZ8P07l69sErjg4r4DZh7C9S5Kz2dVzZFLEiRA8VSfS4UygCAPYudGVdJCt" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="177" data-original-width="284" height="199" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjjD7EV0OneB63nG2yRieksvV2b06vjn0HrZ5s4eqc71gkypOP36S8eDNvGiBlTA4C83YI1fHuGpCetAF4XzA5GD34O2UlpyjIwSNFdOWfgweceSKukJpltaTr9roQjpTZ8P07l69sErjg4r4DZh7C9S5Kz2dVzZFLEiRA8VSfS4UygCAPYudGVdJCt" width="320" /></a></div><br /><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Hives are faced mostly south and a little to the east so the early morning sun hits the bottom board to encourage early morning foraging when temperatures are 45-50* or higher.</li><li>Pollen patties are a must to encourage the queen to lay plenty of eggs. This image is from Mann Lake. I only use 1/16 of this large patty at a time. If the colony consumes all of it, I will add another 1/16. Usually I only utilize two or three 1/16 patties in spring. I freeze all pollen patties prior to use since they may contain wax moth larvae and freezing them kills this larvae. I make sure any pollen patty I give to my honeybees is room temperature.</li></ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiq2ytf9oStwaYKs8w9ZTfWRHsAW6yslg-Fi1FOr-HVc48TIvGAr2TLIOdEODmY7GGotyQf9u9uqENutSXxZKfmRuVLpJcH-iA_DLJIrauEswQ6l13vuGVG6pjbWONqy3IRwBj-J-YPrYLtpZNk-QH2VusJGMQdxo1kaL--2nnBlHISvUxMJpf05Z6v" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="197" data-original-width="256" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiq2ytf9oStwaYKs8w9ZTfWRHsAW6yslg-Fi1FOr-HVc48TIvGAr2TLIOdEODmY7GGotyQf9u9uqENutSXxZKfmRuVLpJcH-iA_DLJIrauEswQ6l13vuGVG6pjbWONqy3IRwBj-J-YPrYLtpZNk-QH2VusJGMQdxo1kaL--2nnBlHISvUxMJpf05Z6v" width="312" /></a></div><br /><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>I have sprinkled either wood ash or dirt on top of snow to make sure bees are not confusing the sky and the ground. If they fly into the snow, the succumb to immediate death.</li></ul><div><br /></div><div>When hiving new packages, I leave the cap on the queen cage for several days to give additional time for the colony to accept their new queen. Provided temperatures are at least 40-50* on day three or four, I open the hive(s) to remove the little pink cap on the queen cage and top off the sugar water. </div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjs4WfCVNdSEl1ytgVY8uWWkQl26C7D_fzAfAEqhHhiaJ5_mJIWQGEqTrocP0ofW5vGFEwWd8XFNLU30hci7AM4Yks0WHVW_KkfzcWE67Nj3jV0oejuXfDv259xrK2uqEyOvzHRGm3mp8BGlLgJ4RvKKAfHeQPbcMh6PZ36Xlb-NdJAtpacnOl0rrYv" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="221" data-original-width="228" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjs4WfCVNdSEl1ytgVY8uWWkQl26C7D_fzAfAEqhHhiaJ5_mJIWQGEqTrocP0ofW5vGFEwWd8XFNLU30hci7AM4Yks0WHVW_KkfzcWE67Nj3jV0oejuXfDv259xrK2uqEyOvzHRGm3mp8BGlLgJ4RvKKAfHeQPbcMh6PZ36Xlb-NdJAtpacnOl0rrYv" width="248" /></a></div><br /><br /></div><div>When topping off sugar water, I use a piece of foam to cover the majority of the frames while pouring to keep the cluster warm. Then I put the internal and external lids back on as quickly as possible. The first hive check can be performed in the next two weeks at 50* or warmer, since the colony is focused on establishing their new home. </div><p></p></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4546109086507919438.post-54852860585714053092022-12-12T20:37:00.017-08:002023-02-17T22:45:28.991-08:00Alaska Beekeeping Workshops<p> </p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhqsa6c-2SzPe7KBSq6Ru5xPuD7IFt36YrfFrwTLhKGO1tdAS6txjCAEOtxaq-Ws19K4PfxD8hNTS47tjnYMZPw9qJTEEx9NXOy1x_IKf_rKg9wiaIsD8GcbK9hodGALZRky1VHT1WHVzp4m-x_Ftgh2AmsDwKXnvVFAWVXOtlT83gXhV6jTQbZLNQB" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="285" data-original-width="279" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhqsa6c-2SzPe7KBSq6Ru5xPuD7IFt36YrfFrwTLhKGO1tdAS6txjCAEOtxaq-Ws19K4PfxD8hNTS47tjnYMZPw9qJTEEx9NXOy1x_IKf_rKg9wiaIsD8GcbK9hodGALZRky1VHT1WHVzp4m-x_Ftgh2AmsDwKXnvVFAWVXOtlT83gXhV6jTQbZLNQB" width="235" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhXkGu7phemRpWZH5r5JubD82LtOrCTA2HC6cDex5snbDpDiAi2oo_h4MpJRhIMlbNniJ-kDGINkiBBXkHBbASTABv5JQwa7Eq13NbV7LPM3yCTX99_A0qhyG4XDH_Gyc52xA5LNV9KkyeCczOpavMiUv9R4DERu1qikAf0t2g_4CDJ-rgMhzBygG4V" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="297" data-original-width="522" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhXkGu7phemRpWZH5r5JubD82LtOrCTA2HC6cDex5snbDpDiAi2oo_h4MpJRhIMlbNniJ-kDGINkiBBXkHBbASTABv5JQwa7Eq13NbV7LPM3yCTX99_A0qhyG4XDH_Gyc52xA5LNV9KkyeCczOpavMiUv9R4DERu1qikAf0t2g_4CDJ-rgMhzBygG4V=w320-h238" width="320" /></a><br /></div><o:p></o:p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6pt;"><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shapetype id="_x0000_t202" coordsize="21600,21600"
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</v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><span style="mso-ignore: vglayout;"></span></p><table align="left" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tbody><tr><td height="1" width="0"></td></tr><tr><td></td><td height="79" style="vertical-align: top;" width="672"><!--[endif]--><!--[if !mso]--><span style="mso-ignore: vglayout; position: absolute; z-index: 251727872;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="width: 100%px;"><tbody><tr><td><!--[endif]--><div class="shape" style="padding: 3.6pt 7.2pt;" v:shape="Text_x0020_Box_x0020_11"><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6pt; text-align: center;"><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6pt;"><span style="color: #050505; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></p><p><br /></p></div><!--[if !mso]--></td></tr></tbody></table></span><!--[endif]--><!--[if !mso & !vml]--> <!--[endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><b style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 36pt; mso-bevel-capbot-bevelstyle: 0; mso-bevel-capbot-dpiheight: 0pt; mso-bevel-capbot-dpiwidth: 0pt; mso-bevel-captop-bevelstyle: 2; mso-bevel-captop-dpiheight: 3.0pt; mso-bevel-captop-dpiwidth: 2.0pt; mso-bevel-dpicontour: 0pt; mso-bevel-dpiextrusion: 4.5pt; mso-bevel-material: 12; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-style-textoutline-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textoutline-fill-color: black; mso-style-textoutline-fill-themecolor: text1; mso-style-textoutline-outlinestyle-align: center; mso-style-textoutline-outlinestyle-compound: simple; mso-style-textoutline-outlinestyle-dash: solid; mso-style-textoutline-outlinestyle-dpiwidth: .75pt; mso-style-textoutline-outlinestyle-join: round; mso-style-textoutline-outlinestyle-linecap: flat; mso-style-textoutline-outlinestyle-pctmiterlimit: 0%; mso-style-textoutline-type: solid; mso-themecolor: accent4;">Alaska Beekeeping Workshop</span></b></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="mso-ignore: vglayout;"></span><span><b style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #050505; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: large; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Fairbanks & Vicinity – Monroe Catholic School </span></b></span><div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">615 Monroe Street; Fairbanks, Alaska 99701</span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large; text-align: center;">*Saturday 3/18/23 1 - 5:30PM & Sunday 3/19/23 1 – 5:30PM </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large; text-align: center;">(both days for a total of 9 hours)</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #2d2a24; font-family: Roboto, serif; letter-spacing: -0.1pt;">Mat-Su Valley - </span></b><span style="color: #050505; font-family: times;"><span><b>Birch Harbor Baptist Church: </b></span></span></span><br /><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: times; font-size: large;">Mile 5 Knik Goose Bay Rd, Wasilla, AK 99654</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6pt; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #050505; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large; text-align: center;">*Saturday 3/4/23 10AM – 4PM & Sunday 3/5/23 2PM – 5PM </span><span style="color: #222222; font-size: large; text-align: center;">(both days for a total of 9 hours)</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;"><span style="color: #202124; text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Delta Junction - </span><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></b></span></span><span style="color: #222222; font-size: large; text-align: center;"> <b>Please register for the Fairbanks workshop this spring. </b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6pt;"><b><span style="color: #050505; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Syllabus:</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #050505; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6pt;"><span style="color: #050505; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">What is beekeeping? • How much honey will I harvest? • How much will this cost me? • Equipment necessary to keep bees in Alaska • Biology and races of honeybees • Members of the hive and their duties • Where to obtain bee equipment. New, used or building your own equipment. • Preparing equipment for the arrival of bees • Insulation, feeding bees properly • Preparing for the arrival of bees • Is the queen marked? (Queen-marking tool) • Running 2-Queen Hives • Swarming and how to prevent it • Honeybee diseases • Extracting your Alaska honey • What to do at the end of the season/wintering over • Storing your equipment • Beeswax candle making<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #050505; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 8pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #050505; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Hands-on In-class Projects: </span></b><span style="color: #050505; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Build a beehive • Follow the beekeeper’s calendar throughout the season • Honey Extraction</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6pt;"><b><i><span style="color: #050505; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Includes your own copy of our Beekeeping Handout Book, refreshments and d</span></i></b><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #050505; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">oor prizes:</span></i></b><span style="color: #050505; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6pt;"><span style="color: #050505; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Miscellaneous beekeeping tools, a free 4 lb. package of honeybees donated by Fairbanks Beekeeper and Honeybee Supplier, Dale Lupton 907-978-1455</span></p><p><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="https://square.link/u/PTG29J1Q" style="background-color: white; color: #213abb; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: medium; text-decoration-line: none;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">REGISTER HERE!</span></b></a></span></p><p><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"><b>Please use the link below to complete the second part of your registration:</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6pt;"><span style="color: #050505; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></p><p><span style="color: #0000ee; font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><b><u><a href="https://forms.office.com/r/hfbE0ZNUif">https://forms.office.com/r/hfbE0ZNUif</a></u></b></span></p><p><br /></p></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4546109086507919438.post-76731743238757513652022-08-11T15:51:00.003-07:002022-08-11T15:51:15.624-07:00Wrapping up the Season<p> Hello Folks,</p><p>I have taken a much-needed break from blogging this summer as my grandmother's memorial service and son's wedding kept me very busy the past couple of months. </p><p>By now, if you have been following the beekeeper's calendar, colonies not being wintered should have a caged queen. (IF YOU HAVEN'T CAGED YOUR QUEEN YET AND YOU ARE NOT WINTERING, GET'R DONE!) Hang your caged queen in the middle of your brood box. All the brood will have hatched out within 21-24 days. We don't want eggs and larva in our honey! From the moment you cage a queen, all the female workers will hatch out 21 days later and the drones will hatch out 24 days later.</p><p>I have robbed nearly all my honey now because it has been cold at night and honeybees devour their stores when they are cold.</p><p>Once the honey is extracted from the frames, I give the sticky frames back to the bees to clean up. This way, I won't have to store sticky equipment.</p><p>I will be wintering colonies again this season and will let folks know how it goes in spring 2023.</p><p><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4546109086507919438.post-50441271042414986432022-06-21T15:18:00.002-07:002022-06-21T15:26:51.936-07:00June 21, 2022 Update<p> Hello Folks,</p><p>I hope you are seeing lots of honeybee babies "brood" and pollen stores inside your honeycomb! Our bees are now foraging my favorite, the Alaska Rose in addition to all the other variety of weeds, domesticated and native flowers. In the last several weeks, I have requeened one colony myself and helped a couple of people re-queen their colonies. It is now getting a bit late in the season to re-queen colonies. </p><p>When a queen goes missing mid-summer(and I don't see any eggs and/or larva, I often combine the queenless colony with a strong colony to increase the number of foragers before the honey flow. </p><p>To combine two separate colonies, I take the lid off a strong colony, and cover the entire top of the box with two or three pages of newsprint, leaving it hanging over all edges of the box. Then I use my hive tool to slice 4-5 two-inch holes in the paper to help the bees begin to tear apart the paper. The queenless colony is reduced to one box if the population isn't too large. This is done by tapping the bees off of frames that have no brood and little to no stores inside the cells. These frames should be stored in a cool, dry place that the bees cannot reach. </p><p>Combining colonies allows a slow pairing of the two colonies as opposed to a fast combination which always causes the workers to fight. I have been very successful with combining colonies over the past 18 years. It nearly always works great. </p><p>The queenless colony can then keep working and won't die off due to a decreasing population which also exposes them to disease and robbers.</p><p>I just swapped my top boxes with the bottom boxes a couple days ago and will be adding honey super boxes in the next week to prepare for the honey flow.</p><p>I keep removing grass and plants in front of the hives and completing full hive checks every 10-12 days. Ten days is best practice in case you miss a queen cell/cup. </p><p>I make sure my bees have plenty of water nearby. This helps them with making lots of honey.</p><p>Now it's just waiting for the web of life to work the way it was intelligently designed!</p><p>Two of my colonies are at Georgeson Botanical Gardens and they are really bringing the nectar and pollen in! </p><p>Lisa and James Harlow have been wintering successfully for the past two years. In their first year, they successfully wintered 5/5 colonies. </p><p>Here is the link to Lisa's blog where you can find a variety of information about homeschooling and homesteading. It has been a pleasure collaborating with Lisa and her family over the past five years!</p><p><span face="Calibri, sans-serif, Mongolian Baiti, Microsoft Yi Baiti, Javanese Text, Yu Gothic" style="color: #444444;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14.6667px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="https://rosehipsandhoney.com/">https://rosehipsandhoney.com/</a></span></span></p><p><span face="Calibri, sans-serif, Mongolian Baiti, Microsoft Yi Baiti, Javanese Text, Yu Gothic" style="color: #444444;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14.6667px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></p><p><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4546109086507919438.post-60423508857351423772022-05-27T20:43:00.002-07:002022-05-27T20:43:16.180-07:00Bee Space!!! It's Time for Making Changes to hives!<blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>FEEDING:</b> My honeybees have plenty of natural pollen now, so i pull out any pollen patties. I keep a couple extra pollen patties in my freezer and thaw them out to room temperature if I see any more than four days of bad weather (stormy, below 50*, rain, wind). Carniolan queens may slow egg laying when food supplies wane. I have removed sugarwater feeders and replaced them with frames. </span><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><u>New Hive(s)?</u> </b>If you started with bare foundation, however, you may want to feed sugar water for a couple more weeks because this helps honeybees excrete more wax and build comb faster than they will if they have to forage for all the nectar to build the comb.</span> </li></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><br /></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><li style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-size: large;">UPPER ENTRANCE:</b><span style="font-size: large;"> I just recently flipped my inner lid so the upper entrance is on the bottom of the lid now that it is warm enough. </span></li></blockquote><p><br /></p><ul style="text-align: left;"></ul><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjrw_fibl6d3uNFrUInYBEnDIfYgVEVlWhnIFE3dky91KcfjdXNKjq_GYTfLCMzpDRlCy8PhEnFZxSysLuQmupkho75MBs58kYfUJ2xtgjz8XMbYsk8gzBfnoApoOU3Ab7YuLokrf066rBl93FCbV1MTfEi1WGosNzEcfC9WkEbWCaIEeZPIvR9mIvq" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjrw_fibl6d3uNFrUInYBEnDIfYgVEVlWhnIFE3dky91KcfjdXNKjq_GYTfLCMzpDRlCy8PhEnFZxSysLuQmupkho75MBs58kYfUJ2xtgjz8XMbYsk8gzBfnoApoOU3Ab7YuLokrf066rBl93FCbV1MTfEi1WGosNzEcfC9WkEbWCaIEeZPIvR9mIvq" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiJnC5CaoA0jQG8gqMYY-fhiFjsH6ncPbtfbH1gE8f3zA8WxmXsBGT_S8aEEM8Pndiw-pXX0I3GGjmnUY3qQjCryz1xXTRrRjkZ5_xc9Qke7QOuE5RRh06oGrw_raHi2fAqqucvD-FWvY_ofbJdUj-X9fRrBRzTyJks-1c3cg0qfFYQPU1QlCwMIalT" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="217" data-original-width="232" height="130" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiJnC5CaoA0jQG8gqMYY-fhiFjsH6ncPbtfbH1gE8f3zA8WxmXsBGT_S8aEEM8Pndiw-pXX0I3GGjmnUY3qQjCryz1xXTRrRjkZ5_xc9Qke7QOuE5RRh06oGrw_raHi2fAqqucvD-FWvY_ofbJdUj-X9fRrBRzTyJks-1c3cg0qfFYQPU1QlCwMIalT=w220-h130" width="220" /></a></div><br /><img alt="" data-original-height="259" data-original-width="194" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjrw_fibl6d3uNFrUInYBEnDIfYgVEVlWhnIFE3dky91KcfjdXNKjq_GYTfLCMzpDRlCy8PhEnFZxSysLuQmupkho75MBs58kYfUJ2xtgjz8XMbYsk8gzBfnoApoOU3Ab7YuLokrf066rBl93FCbV1MTfEi1WGosNzEcfC9WkEbWCaIEeZPIvR9mIvq" width="180" /></div><br /><p></p><ul><li style="text-align: justify;"><b>LOWER ENTRANCE:</b> <span style="font-size: large;">My entrance reducers are set at the medium setting overnight and can be pulled completely out on days that are 45* and above. I keep watching the weather all the time to make sure I reduce the entrance if a cold snap is coming. Jack Frost is a sneaky guy and we have to be on guard for freezing temperatures.</span></li></ul><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>BEE SPACE:</b> I have added a second brood box to all of my hives, placing the new box on the bottom board and raising the original box, which should now be full of brood, sugar water, and pollen.</span></li></ul><ul style="text-align: left;"><li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>INSULATION:</b> My internal insulation has been removed and replaced with frames. External insulation can be removed as soon as no fear of frost exists.</span></li></ul><ul style="text-align: left;"><li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>EXPANDING THE BROOD NEST: </b>I take a couple frames with a lot of pupa cells out of the original box and place them in the middle of the new brood box (on the bottom). When these bees hatch out of their cells, they will go to work in the box they were born in.</span></li></ul><ul style="text-align: left;"><li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>TOP BAR KEEPERS:</b> I keep feeding sugar water until the second or third week of June for the same reason stated above.</span></li></ul><ul style="text-align: left;"><li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>NEXT CHANGE:</b> In two to three weeks I will swap the brood boxes, placing the top box on the bottom board and the bottom box will be moved to the top.</span></li></ul><ul style="text-align: left;"><li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>HIVE CHECKS:</b> I can now place regularly scheduled hive checks on my calendar for every 10-12 days. If I make the mistake of waiting longer than 10-12 days to complete a hive check, my colonies are in danger of swarming. If I take the risk of completing hive checks any more often than 10 days, I run the risk of smashing too many bees and especially the queen. </span></li><ul><li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Keep grass and weeds trimmed in front of the hive entrance! If you have a piece of carpet, this makes a great "front yard" for bees that keeps plants from growing too tall in front of the hive entrance.</span></li></ul></ul><div style="text-align: justify;"><ul><li><b>WATER:</b> I make sure my bees have a great water source nearby. If no natural source exists, I create a container with twigs, rocks, and moss so the bees won't drown in standing water.</li></ul></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><p></p><p><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4546109086507919438.post-7251393370647394662022-05-11T23:22:00.003-07:002022-05-11T23:22:12.514-07:00Bee Space and Moving Colonies to Summer Locations<p>I picked up and hived my bees on April 17th - Easter Sunday. </p><p>All five colonies have a laying queen. </p><p>I have kept each colony in one deep brood box to help them survive this cold snap we've been experiencing. </p><p>Every colony has been fed 1:1 sugar to water four times and I had to replace pollen patties since the bees devoured the first patties about a week ago. </p><p>My honeybees have been kept warm by having the entrance reducer set on the smallest setting and insulation around all four sides of the brood box and inside the telescoping lid and under the bottom board. </p><p>I am preparing to move my colonies from my home at a high elevation, to three different locations in downtown Fairbanks. There are more abundant flora and natural water sources at lower elevations. Moving colonies will be accomplished at night after the bees are all inside their hive. I cover entrances with a window screen, stapling the screen to the wood so bees cannot and will not escape while transported. </p><p>Then I place a ratchet strap around the entire box, bottom board, and lids, making sure this is ratcheted very tight. They will be loaded into a utility vehicle and driven to their new summer home.</p><p>Once the bees are in their summer location, I will wait until 50* or warmer to add a second box below the first brood box. </p><p>When the weather warms up to above freezing temperatures all day and night, we can pull a couple frames of brood down into the empty brood box because when those bees hatch out, they will go to work building and repairing wax honeycomb in the lower brood box, preparing the cells for the queen to lay eggs. If you place eggs and larva into an empty box when temperatures are below 40*, colonies can develop chalkbrood. The remedy for chalkbrood is better maintenance by keeping the bees warm and fed.</p><p>I am making sure to fill internal feeders with sugar water every 3-5 days. Letting the colony run out of sugar water increases the risk of colony collapse. </p><p>Pretty soon, we will slow down with feeding sugar water so the bees don't pack every available cell with sugar water, causing the queen to be "honey-bound" which occurs when she has no empty cells in which to lay her eggs. </p><p>The bees have been bringing in willow pollen and will start foraging for birch and spruce very soon.</p><p>Keeping bees fed and warm is the #1 goal at this time.</p><p><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4546109086507919438.post-4092050169638261002022-04-29T07:38:00.003-07:002022-04-30T21:31:04.173-07:00First Hive Checks <p> <b style="font-size: x-large;"><u>Apiary Update:</u></b></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Here are examples of how queens should be laying excellent patterns of brood:</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-f6ZH_CvV3nI/Xp8JyvjTS-I/AAAAAAAAAkg/5ODUedlTVEsvUWdZD8OrPB97x53gsYCUQCEwYBhgLKs4DAL1OcqzTcwWCbyZGlI2rmBUYhHDTyOWCA-nmURE15Cn9eaZSZq_JMlhvrYNlNwFL127q03sIakiVpO3zikD5GYeAXH7ole6fAsmOl9Rgl1R2dtEeVoANIhI5T3HY0ow_vlj1YTEElZH_ndQv84f469EXgCUIgSKAPOcTk4XLrjo4M6TSsHz5iHk6ieyePbXzqc2Ofh6Aoplb-_ZOyTUqSJkCvarPFTUj0P0f-B_rBzoyqMeZK81yIt0dFVMABR9regJI5nssKushsgvtAooJgTWt08RIpZV9NfJrBTJR1rbJsYtt2Rh4nyrmwNCMeY4-HkkwqwafVew7vTYPlaZQUjXOi0fkgAcxr_Paip6eelHvB4eUznocxWAzUOzbhMjr4ugv-KE1H5EleVfDDuLFxTA929wKrIjA9TsCQzG5-_lqurNkPwNh7UKQrZhMmZ6gsVyd92md0WabW_7tFT7Oad2TqemCs4CkJbz5fPxa4T55Z0i3vXwH0FOXYG4oo7y1MW6SyrXCUr9BTiG9TgYhw9nUZeWhf4QZ9XaN5s7zkdPjl1DC32bKI7fZpr-jsm80pmUKgYZaTpaVuBabt7aZleXxquV9Zyre8e4iPjM1MKWf_PQF/s1600/egg%2Bin%2Bfirst%2B2%2Bdays.jpg" style="font-size: medium; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="205" data-original-width="245" height="170" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-f6ZH_CvV3nI/Xp8JyvjTS-I/AAAAAAAAAkg/5ODUedlTVEsvUWdZD8OrPB97x53gsYCUQCEwYBhgLKs4DAL1OcqzTcwWCbyZGlI2rmBUYhHDTyOWCA-nmURE15Cn9eaZSZq_JMlhvrYNlNwFL127q03sIakiVpO3zikD5GYeAXH7ole6fAsmOl9Rgl1R2dtEeVoANIhI5T3HY0ow_vlj1YTEElZH_ndQv84f469EXgCUIgSKAPOcTk4XLrjo4M6TSsHz5iHk6ieyePbXzqc2Ofh6Aoplb-_ZOyTUqSJkCvarPFTUj0P0f-B_rBzoyqMeZK81yIt0dFVMABR9regJI5nssKushsgvtAooJgTWt08RIpZV9NfJrBTJR1rbJsYtt2Rh4nyrmwNCMeY4-HkkwqwafVew7vTYPlaZQUjXOi0fkgAcxr_Paip6eelHvB4eUznocxWAzUOzbhMjr4ugv-KE1H5EleVfDDuLFxTA929wKrIjA9TsCQzG5-_lqurNkPwNh7UKQrZhMmZ6gsVyd92md0WabW_7tFT7Oad2TqemCs4CkJbz5fPxa4T55Z0i3vXwH0FOXYG4oo7y1MW6SyrXCUr9BTiG9TgYhw9nUZeWhf4QZ9XaN5s7zkdPjl1DC32bKI7fZpr-jsm80pmUKgYZaTpaVuBabt7aZleXxquV9Zyre8e4iPjM1MKWf_PQF/w204-h170/egg%2Bin%2Bfirst%2B2%2Bdays.jpg" width="204" /><span> </span></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjgAEyEuk8b1shtvz_zYi0sa4nwT9q1G-My_YzfoGW6DIsH418MBIu6JqX45ZK9SmaoRysZDi9p1CJuj1CyN_vy7Y2beWCGoOzICST7URZey88OZeT6B25x1YdZgVn7gEeMcVIJK4qwNsemdUw9P8nSZNSJdIrEaKvAg2axjO-XtcxuvPA0fz901Wmz" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span> </span><span> </span></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgDbrjLZcUY3co3WVjkCpyqv59VyEPgg5PQ2rKs3JvX3nsBlxiDbSZy1lE_OdFZJ0s2h8JBFxcnTEB1w8E15k7SJXVszdjNhUVQNLuH4ju2f2NayJPLsYuJQoFVtQXCtr4Fm4BZXNDBN6d0w6ATEz-1b6e8sXAIiSyGWiAcSjT5x-RHHkUnypE3XJ-M" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="190" data-original-width="266" height="167" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgDbrjLZcUY3co3WVjkCpyqv59VyEPgg5PQ2rKs3JvX3nsBlxiDbSZy1lE_OdFZJ0s2h8JBFxcnTEB1w8E15k7SJXVszdjNhUVQNLuH4ju2f2NayJPLsYuJQoFVtQXCtr4Fm4BZXNDBN6d0w6ATEz-1b6e8sXAIiSyGWiAcSjT5x-RHHkUnypE3XJ-M=w233-h167" width="233" /></a><br /><span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></span></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /><br /></span><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-84GyJHgeOiU/YI-JyPb1B3I/AAAAAAAAAqc/smgIBq42tPg3OtB1yCChb4tnY8dclJLxwCLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="164" data-original-width="307" height="171" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-84GyJHgeOiU/YI-JyPb1B3I/AAAAAAAAAqc/smgIBq42tPg3OtB1yCChb4tnY8dclJLxwCLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" width="320" /></a></span><img alt="" data-original-height="182" data-original-width="276" height="169" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-F-ZUZuCyDv8/YI-Jj6XkOLI/AAAAAAAAAqY/iv0U9ioeK-UcV3UfxtrlarSbxgihTceXwCLcBGAsYHQ/w256-h169/image.png" style="font-size: x-large;" width="256" /><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span></div></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /><b>Examples of a "spotty queen":</b></span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-rtWSFg6i7tY/YI-KHYOQn0I/AAAAAAAAAqo/guwGeTtoVxMalLlT8HEi-Qunyw0q5XoZACLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img alt="" data-original-height="194" data-original-width="259" height="185" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-rtWSFg6i7tY/YI-KHYOQn0I/AAAAAAAAAqo/guwGeTtoVxMalLlT8HEi-Qunyw0q5XoZACLcBGAsYHQ/w247-h185/image.png" width="247" /></span></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_kK3yHd458M/YI-KOZYD2fI/AAAAAAAAAqs/2maeUIAYZUIl1cCXHLA8yF4ocE_Xg043gCLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img alt="" data-original-height="194" data-original-width="259" height="194" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_kK3yHd458M/YI-KOZYD2fI/AAAAAAAAAqs/2maeUIAYZUIl1cCXHLA8yF4ocE_Xg043gCLcBGAsYHQ/w259-h194/image.png" width="259" /></span></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /><br />Spotty queens can be replaced however, replacing a queen can be a risk because the colony might not accept a new queen once established.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Main tasks at this time:</b></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">1) Keep bees nourished with 1:1 sugar water and pollen patties;</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">2) Keep bees warm;</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">3) Regular hive checks every 10 -12 days;</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">4) Remove queen cups and cells after confirming you have evidence of a queen (eggs, larva, and pupa);</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Queen Cup Examples:</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-PPAZE5KxYkk/YI-MNLovoGI/AAAAAAAAAq4/pOEyasEdM4U4vGWw990rfMY7y-m--09qACLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="202" data-original-width="250" height="162" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-PPAZE5KxYkk/YI-MNLovoGI/AAAAAAAAAq4/pOEyasEdM4U4vGWw990rfMY7y-m--09qACLcBGAsYHQ/w201-h162/image.png" width="201" /></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-xdP5JmfwI14/YI-MWohzooI/AAAAAAAAAq8/hArwtTVbOz48rN8FnntCw8m0LkSQ49XAwCLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="194" data-original-width="259" height="153" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-xdP5JmfwI14/YI-MWohzooI/AAAAAAAAAq8/hArwtTVbOz48rN8FnntCw8m0LkSQ49XAwCLcBGAsYHQ/w205-h153/image.png" width="205" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-PPAZE5KxYkk/YI-MNLovoGI/AAAAAAAAAq4/pOEyasEdM4U4vGWw990rfMY7y-m--09qACLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span><br /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Queen cell examples:</span></b><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/--AnVv6083c8/YI-NPa5X-_I/AAAAAAAAArE/AhNytVAxyQUTqi68GO42rNOwtyKtrlX8QCLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="195" data-original-width="259" height="168" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/--AnVv6083c8/YI-NPa5X-_I/AAAAAAAAArE/AhNytVAxyQUTqi68GO42rNOwtyKtrlX8QCLcBGAsYHQ/w223-h168/image.png" width="223" /><span> </span></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-yLp_ptOPb28/YI-N5LkNhtI/AAAAAAAAArM/dZx9IhWkh74kyWGwWeHF7dB6_4Yaci1VQCLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img alt="" data-original-height="190" data-original-width="265" height="168" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-yLp_ptOPb28/YI-N5LkNhtI/AAAAAAAAArM/dZx9IhWkh74kyWGwWeHF7dB6_4Yaci1VQCLcBGAsYHQ/w234-h168/image.png" width="234" /></a><span><br /><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-bb_BIeQnuqA/YI-OJQljyVI/AAAAAAAAArU/lPBHVDdS4_giI3SG2yhvT4zvfGFfYnDwgCLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="225" data-original-width="225" height="194" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-o2c4BEaaMtg/YI-PBquKOkI/AAAAAAAAArc/pkbB1ZJp390GTRfO5lbvEfDGEv54ALw8wCLcBGAsYHQ/w194-h194/image.png" width="194" /><span> </span><span> </span><img alt="" data-original-height="183" data-original-width="275" height="157" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-bb_BIeQnuqA/YI-OJQljyVI/AAAAAAAAArU/lPBHVDdS4_giI3SG2yhvT4zvfGFfYnDwgCLcBGAsYHQ/w236-h157/image.png" width="236" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-dRrT563brMU/YI-PV3Al_LI/AAAAAAAAArk/FOvmxeUeTgwJdm4D4-pfvEytGEMs9PzDQCLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="121" data-original-width="416" height="93" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-dRrT563brMU/YI-PV3Al_LI/AAAAAAAAArk/FOvmxeUeTgwJdm4D4-pfvEytGEMs9PzDQCLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br /></div></div><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">5) Remove any burr comb and save it for melting down for wax products (see examples below):</span><br /><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Vwxw9O2dmKM/YI-QlzElgCI/AAAAAAAAAr4/7NUNDPhosCMhzBZYBLWVSc4zudD46dWmwCLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="127" data-original-width="398" height="135" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Vwxw9O2dmKM/YI-QlzElgCI/AAAAAAAAAr4/7NUNDPhosCMhzBZYBLWVSc4zudD46dWmwCLcBGAsYHQ/w318-h135/image.png" width="318" /></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-3PX2HX85QF4/YI-RQ4meK1I/AAAAAAAAAsU/lPQeL-j8yZ8RYU1czQU4qcbpGup6aJVmgCLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="170" data-original-width="297" height="163" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-3PX2HX85QF4/YI-RQ4meK1I/AAAAAAAAAsU/lPQeL-j8yZ8RYU1czQU4qcbpGup6aJVmgCLcBGAsYHQ/w285-h163/image.png" width="285" /></a><span><br /><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-mBdUiW1qBCg/YI-QWse8YJI/AAAAAAAAArs/v4TkfBXwKMo6thkZRWLL3mKg6tZc96qaACLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="183" data-original-width="275" height="210" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-2W1dqTzl3yU/YI-QsPXaQCI/AAAAAAAAAr8/xsRMhf-lLSYV4eKjlGbJE1mgF2sN1OapgCLcBGAsYHQ/w315-h210/image.png" width="315" /><span> </span><img alt="" data-original-height="194" data-original-width="259" height="210" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-eHQR_MMUEhA/YI-Q9sb267I/AAAAAAAAAsM/V_pPSUJMXiEtFPjtUnK0jM-JtsZAid0HQCLcBGAsYHQ/w280-h210/image.png" width="280" /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="183" data-original-width="275" height="191" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-7lzo3flo4Iw/YI-ReR0IigI/AAAAAAAAAsY/TSa4HWxFozEEIBEb_xswTrOrhaISWqBuQCLcBGAsYHQ/w287-h191/image.png" width="287" /><span> </span><img alt="" data-original-height="168" data-original-width="300" height="166" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-bCjLQhTTkeo/YI-RjBY_jbI/AAAAAAAAAsg/tKZBeFcVxAghJDHoLM3VkGHkOdP3cFE6wCLcBGAsYHQ/w296-h166/image.png" width="296" /></span><br /><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><ul><li><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Burr comb is always drone comb.</span></b></li></ul><ul><li><b><span style="font-size: medium;">When a queen lays an egg in drone comb, the egg will become an unfertilized bee - a drone!</span></b></li></ul><ul><li><b><span style="font-size: medium;">The more drones a hive has, the more the female workers have to labor to keep the colony nourished well.</span></b></li></ul><ul><li><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Keeping a small population of drones is important, however, in case you lose your queen. The colony needs drones available to mate with a newly hatched queen.</b></span></li></ul></div></span><br /></a><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">No Eggs or Larva? </span></b></div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;">You probably have a queenless colony if you can't find eggs and larva. This needs to be addressed immediately!</div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;">Call Dale Lupton 907-978-1455 to order a new queen.</div></div><br /><p></p><div><ul><li>If your colony is queenless for more than a couple weeks, some of the workers will develop ovaries and fill cells with multiple unfertilized eggs which become drones. </li></ul><ul><li>A colony in this condition will eventually have a full population of drones and will die out. </li></ul><ul><li>Also, this alters the comb in a very undesirable way - worker cells become drone cells - All drone comb must be removed to prevent future queens from laying high populations of unfertilized, drone eggs.</li></ul></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Examples of laying workers:</b></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-tVkxu05cZuM/YI-dCU7VLDI/AAAAAAAAAss/teDKw789oUM48zcaRwz0_cHYZlxk6v39wCLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="183" data-original-width="275" height="190" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-tVkxu05cZuM/YI-dCU7VLDI/AAAAAAAAAss/teDKw789oUM48zcaRwz0_cHYZlxk6v39wCLcBGAsYHQ/w286-h190/image.png" width="286" /> </a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_jT8Fp1U5DE/YI-dJuFNawI/AAAAAAAAAsw/kL74v-mOpi4shPzfVQ1mPe4EYabx2xCmgCLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img alt="" data-original-height="233" data-original-width="216" height="240" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_jT8Fp1U5DE/YI-dJuFNawI/AAAAAAAAAsw/kL74v-mOpi4shPzfVQ1mPe4EYabx2xCmgCLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" width="222" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: medium;"> </span><span style="color: #6aa84f;"> </span> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-qd8oleId76s/YI-dbLe8EhI/AAAAAAAAAs8/DHpiNitdd38QnMTfNsGA8sZEsdsZv69mQCLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="184" data-original-width="273" height="192" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-qd8oleId76s/YI-dbLe8EhI/AAAAAAAAAs8/DHpiNitdd38QnMTfNsGA8sZEsdsZv69mQCLcBGAsYHQ/w285-h192/image.png" width="285" /><span> <span> </span></span></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-C6dYi2nI0dM/YI-dyGWX9-I/AAAAAAAAAtI/oxcXuM17DogckD6sIb4QYXVMJ3zSiNv8ACLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="194" data-original-width="259" height="188" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-C6dYi2nI0dM/YI-dyGWX9-I/AAAAAAAAAtI/oxcXuM17DogckD6sIb4QYXVMJ3zSiNv8ACLcBGAsYHQ/w250-h188/image.png" width="250" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><b style="font-size: large;">Laying Worker Drone Comb:</b><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"> </span></div><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-qd8oleId76s/YI-dbLe8EhI/AAAAAAAAAs8/DHpiNitdd38QnMTfNsGA8sZEsdsZv69mQCLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span><span><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /></span></a></div><b><span style="font-size: large;">What to do about laying workers:</span></b></div><div><br /></div><div><ul><li>Have a replacement queen on hand in a queen cage.</li><li>Lay a white flatbed sheet or blanket on the ground at least 50 feet and preferably with a building between the hive and the sheet;</li><li>Carry each frame over the sheet and shake off all the bees;</li><li>Place the frame into a tote or a cooler with a lid making sure no bees are on the frames;</li><li>Hang the new queen in the middle of the top brood box, leaving the cap on the queen cage so the bees will have time to get used to the new queen's pheromones (If you quick release the queen, the colony may kill her);</li><li>Put all the frames back into the hive boxes.</li></ul><div>Any workers who have not developed ovaries will reenter the hive and laying workers will not be allowed back into the hive.</div><div><br /></div><div>You must re-queen the colony since they will not be able to create their own queen at this late date.</div></div><div><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4546109086507919438.post-81312694545384198802022-04-14T22:37:00.001-07:002022-04-29T07:26:49.308-07:00Preparing for Spring Hiving<p> Hello Beekeeping Friends and Family,</p><p><br /></p><p>My first shipment of honeybees is arriving this weekend. I am taking pollen patties out of the freezer to make sure they are at room temperature when I place them in the hives. My equipment is warming up inside my house for a couple days before hiving. Sugar water will be made the morning of hiving at a 1:1 ratio of sugar to water. I will put a couple teaspoons of Honey B Healthy in the sugar water. </p><p>I always start with one deep brood box because more space means less warmth for the bees in early spring. I wait to set my hive equipment outside on foundation brick until minutes before hiving the bees to ensure the equipment is warm.</p><p>For folks hiving on bare foundation, don't let the sugar water run out! Top off internal sugar feeders every three days for the first several weeks. </p><p>Insulation: I make sure to insert insulation boards on both sides of the internal brood box and wrap my hives on the outside with insulation. I put 1-inch rigid foam insulation under the bottom board and inside the telescoping lid, taping the seams or edges with aluminized duct tape (foil tape). </p><p>Entrance reducers are a must this time of year! </p><p>I wait to hive my bees until it is very close to 50* or warmer. I use a spray bottle to mist the bees to help them transition from the shipping container to the hive. If it is cooler than 50* or the wind is blowing, I do not mist the bees to protect them from becoming hypothermic.</p><p>I like to keep Benedryl and Epinephrine handy just in case I have an allergic reaction to bee venom.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4546109086507919438.post-74411026062332808192022-01-29T13:15:00.005-08:002022-04-14T22:21:53.400-07:002022 Honeybee Prices from Supplier, Dale Lupton<p>Dale Lupton is the only local (Fairbanks, Alaska) supplier of honeybees. He and his supplier, Phil - a Master Beekeeping Farmer in the Sacramento area, have supplied me with the highest quality honeybees for the past five years. After working with three other suppliers from other Alaskan cities, and struggling to acquire healthy packages as well as suffering high queen mortality rates, I teamed up with Dale because of his extensive knowledge and hive-side manner. He provides beekeepers with more than just bees and equipment, answering questions and sharing effective beekeeping trade secrets with anyone who needs them. Dale keeps up with the increasing demand for honeybee packages, supplying anyone who places an order, and when supply has run short, Dale has offered his own colonies on occasion to new beekeepers. <b>Dale Lupton: 907-978-1455</b></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><u>Dale's 2022 Prices:</u></b></span></p><p>4 lb. Packages of Carniolans<span> <span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> <span> </span><span> </span><span> </span></span>$223.00 + $15 after April 14th</span></p><p>4 lb. Packages of Caucasians<span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> <span> </span><span> </span><span> </span> </span>$223.00 + $15 after April 14th</p><p>4 lb. Packages of Italians<span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> <span> </span><span> </span><span> </span> </span>$223.00 + $15 after April 14th</p><p>4 lb. Packages of Hybrid Russians<span> </span><span> </span><span> <span> </span><span> </span><span> </span></span>$223.00 + $15 after April 14th</p><p>4 lb. Packages of Purebred Russians:<span> <span> <span> </span><span> </span><span> </span></span>$240.00 </span>+ $15 after April 14th</p><p><span><br /></span></p><p><span>Extra Queens (Carniolan, Caucasian, Italian) <span> </span><span> </span>$41.00 </span></p><p><span>Extra Purebred Russian Queens: <span> <span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span> </span>$51.00</span></p><p><span>New, unassembled hive kits and used equipment are also for sale!</span></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4546109086507919438.post-81430965044403111792021-11-24T12:58:00.007-08:002022-03-01T23:49:46.723-08:002022 Alaska Beekeeping Workshops<p><b>2022 Interior Beekeeping Workshop Schedule:</b></p><p><b>Fairbanks </b>- March 19th & 20th (Both days for a total of 8 hours) - Monroe Catholic School</p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-family: Roboto, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">615 Monroe St, Fairbanks, AK 99701</span></p><p>1:00 PM - 5:00 PM</p><p><br /></p><p><b>Syllabus:</b></p><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql rrkovp55 jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" color="var(--primary-text)" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.9375rem; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;">What is beekeeping? How much honey will I harvest?</span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql rrkovp55 jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" color="var(--primary-text)" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.9375rem; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;">How much will this cost me?</span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql rrkovp55 jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" color="var(--primary-text)" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.9375rem; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;">• Equipment necessary to keep bees in Alaska<br />• Biology and races of honeybees<br />• Members of the hive and their duties<br />• Where to obtain bee equipment. New, used or building your own equipment.<br />• Preparing equipment for the arrival of bees</span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql rrkovp55 jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" color="var(--primary-text)" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.9375rem; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;">Insulation, feeding bees properly<br />• What to do when the bees arrive<br />• Is my queen marked? (queen marking tool)</span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql rrkovp55 jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" color="var(--primary-text)" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.9375rem; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-weight: 600;">Hands-on Projects:</span></span></span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql rrkovp55 jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" color="var(--primary-text)" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.9375rem; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-weight: 600;">1) </span></span>Management of honeybee colonies in Alaska, The Beekeeper's Calendar</span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql rrkovp55 jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" color="var(--primary-text)" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.9375rem; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-weight: 600;">2) </span></span>Constructing a hive in class</span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql rrkovp55 jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" color="var(--primary-text)" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.9375rem; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;">• Running 2-Queen Hives<br />• Swarming and how to prevent it<br />• Honeybee diseases<br />• Extracting your Alaska honey<br />• Wintering Honeybees <br />• Storing your equipment<br />• Beeswax candle making, lip balm, and lotion bar manufacturing</span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql rrkovp55 jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" color="var(--primary-text)" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.9375rem; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;">Cost per family $160.00 for Fairbanks and $180.00 per family for Delta</span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql rrkovp55 jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" color="var(--primary-text)" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.9375rem; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-weight: 600;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Includes your own copy of our Beekeeping Handout Book</i></span></span></span></span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql rrkovp55 jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" color="var(--primary-text)" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.9375rem; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-weight: 600;">Door prizes:</span></span> 1 free package of live honeybees, miscellaneous beekeeping tools, a free consultation with Dawn Cogan, a free extraction tools rental</span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql rrkovp55 jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" color="var(--primary-text)" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.9375rem; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;"><b>REGISTRATION:</b></span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql rrkovp55 jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" color="var(--primary-text)" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.9375rem; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;">To register, email Dawn Cogan at <a href="mailto:dcogan1@alaska.edu">dcogan1@alaska.edu</a> and let me know how many people are in your party, which workshop you are registering for, and your phone number so I can call you to answer any workshop questions as well as discuss payment options. </span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4546109086507919438.post-55696260975291997032021-08-24T23:42:00.002-07:002021-08-24T23:42:31.426-07:00End of the 2021 beekeeping season - overwintering your honeybees!<p>This is a very strange year and definitely one of the very best honey years I've seen in 17 years of keeping honeybees! What's up with all this August rain, though?</p><p>Hopefully, you checked this blog and removed all the capped honey before this monsoon started!</p><p>Wrapping up the season can be facilitated two very different ways:</p><p>1) Wintering over your bees: Please check out the website of my friends, James and Lisa Harlow. Last year they wintered over five out of five colonies successfully. </p><p><a href="https://rosehipsandhoney.com/bringing-overwintered-honeybees-out-in-the-spring/">https://rosehipsandhoney.com/bringing-overwintered-honeybees-out-in-the-spring/</a></p><p>You will find that mite treatment, elevation, humidity, proper ventilation, and nutrients, as well as an insulated structure, are key to wintering success. Lisa has some great photos on her blog.</p><p>2) Colonies that aren't Russian or Carniolan have a lower wintering survival rate because they do not create as tight of a cluster. Colonies that have not been treated for mites or had all the honey removed and replaced with sugar water and a sugar cake will have less wintering success as well. These colonies should be shop vacuumed into water and recycled by being added to compost or garden soil. The soft organs become part of the soil while the exoskeletons become the most lightweight, organic vermiculite available.</p><p>I plan to winter some of my colonies and will report on progress from time to time throughout the winter months.</p><p>I clean up any equipment not in use and store it outdoors so it doesn't mold, placing a bottom board on bricks so none of the hive pieces sit in standing water. Then I set a queen excluder on top of the bottom board, stacking multiple boxes filled with drawn-out honeycomb on top of the queen excluder. A telescoping lid is placed on top of the top box. Under a house or shed eave is a great place to store stacks of hive bodies this way because it makes for easy access in the spring before the snow melts completely.</p><p>Seriously, read Lisa's blog! You'll learn lots of tricks for wintering over honeybees!</p><p>Happy harvesting!!!</p><p><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4546109086507919438.post-19558387124585213502021-07-26T23:32:00.001-07:002021-07-26T23:32:16.636-07:00Humongous Honey Flow & Finishing up the Season<p>Out of 17 years of keeping bees in Alaska's interior, 2021 has been one of three BEST seasons! Our honey flow has peaked and will continue throughout August or until temperatures drop below the middle 40s outside the hive. </p><p>We pulled one deep and three medium honey frames this past weekend. After extracting the honey, we have 3.5 gallons from these five frames. When robbing honey, we bring our spray bottle to mist the bees with 1:1 or less sugar water to distract them from our harvesting activities.</p><p>Using a tote with a lid placed 20-50 feet away from the hive(s), we take one frame at a time out of the hive, make sure both sides are capped/sealed, tap and brush the bees off of both sides of the frame and place the frame into the tote, replacing the lid as quickly as possible.</p><p>We are careful to rob only frames with capped honey cells to ensure the honey is 17% or less moisture content. This affects how soon the honey becomes sugared. The less moisture content, the longer honey remains in a liquid state. Heating honey much over 100* kills valuable enzymes needed for digestion. We never heat our honey, only using gravity to extract the raw liquid gold.</p><p>After the honey is extracted, the sticky frames are given back to the hive from which they came so the bees can clean up the frames. Frames that are not sticky are much easier to handle and store through the winter months.</p><p>Our honey extractor and accompanying tools can be rented for $25 per day. Just shoot us an email at <a href="http://alaskabees&brew@gmail.com">alaskabees&brew@gmail.com</a></p><p>Any colonies not being wintered over will require caging the queen. Our next blog entry will have tips on wintering honeybees and a possible wintering workshop date. </p><p>We will demonstrate queen caging on Friday, July 30, 2021. Please email us if you want to sign up to attend this demonstration. We will email the location address to the first 15 people who sign up. All participants must wear a bee suit. <a href="http://alaskabees&brew@gmail.com">alaskabees&brew@gmail.com</a></p><p>When selling honey, we properly label any containers with our name and contact information.</p><p> </p><p><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4546109086507919438.post-55459927594962491672021-06-06T15:18:00.006-07:002021-06-06T15:25:00.404-07:00June 2021 - Swarm Season<p>What a beautiful season we have underway! </p><p>Here are some tips on what we are doing right now with our colonies.</p><p>We have moved all hives to their permanent locations.</p><p>Hive checks are being completed every 10-12 days during the warmest time of the day.</p><p><b>June is traditionally the SWARMING SEASON!</b></p><p>We have found a couple colonies queenless in the past couple of weeks. This is determined when no eggs are found in open honeycomb cells. Queenless colonies should have multiple queen cells at various stages.</p><p>We choose a single queen cell that is the largest/longest and leave that one while removing all other queen cells and cups.</p><p>Our hope is a new queen will emerge and spend the first 3-5 days mating with drones from a neighboring colony. Hopefully, during our next hive check, we will find new eggs and some larva.</p><p>If we do not find any evidence of a new queen, our chances of having a healthy colony are greatly diminished. We can do one of the following:</p><p>1) <b>Call Dale Lupton</b> for a new queen 907-378-1455 and if he is out of queens, we have a queen shipped here via Fed Ex. Here's where we like to order queens: <a href="https://www.koehnen.com/">https://www.koehnen.com/</a></p><p>2) <b>Another Good Option: </b>We can take a frame from another colony that has a queen cell (either capped in<span> </span>the pupa stage or at least that contains a bed of royal jelly) and tap all the bees off the frame. Then we place this frame with various stages of brood (eggs, larva, and pupa, with one queen cell) into the queenless hive. </p><p> 3) <b>Last Resort Option:</b> We can combine colonies to make sure the queenless colony does not completely fail. This is done by draping a couple sheets of newsprint over the top of the healthy colony and cutting 1-2 inch slits in the paper. Then we place the queenless colony hive bodies on top of the newsprint. This allows the bees to develop a mixed family gradually as the bees eat through the paper.</p><p>This gives both colonies an increased population of foragers for the remainder of the season.</p><p><b>Entrances are completely removed now!</b></p><p><b>During Hive Checks:</b></p><p>We continue to move slowly through each of the frames, starting on one side (away from the brood nest) checking each frame for evidence of a queen. </p><p>If we see eggs, larva and pupa, we know we are 99% sure we still have a healthy queen.</p><p>If we don't find the queen, we are not concerned as queens usually do a pretty good job hiding from us.</p><p>We keep the area in front of our hives free of weeds and grass so the entrance is wide open. Bees will be rushing in and out of both entrances with the majority utilizing the bottom entrance.</p><p>When temperatures reach 80* or higher we lift the outer lid (only in the front of the hive) and place a stick or 10-penny nail diagonally across the front corners of the top hive box to help the bees with air circulation.</p><p>We continue to ensure our colonies have a good water source nearby. If you are providing a container, be sure to have twigs or rocks in the water so the bees don't drown. </p><p><b>ANT PROBLEMS:</b></p><p>Ants like sweet things and bee hives can attract ants. We have used the following methods to remove ants:</p><p>1) We sprinkle cinnamon around the ground base of the hive.</p><p>2) We use a kiddie pool to set the hive in and fill it a quarter of the way with water, again, making sure to put twigs, wood, rocks, moss in the water so the bees don't drown.</p><p><b>ADDING HONEY SUPERS:</b></p><p>We will start adding additional boxes (medium honey supers) in the next couple of weeks. For our colonies, the dates for adding these boxes will range from June 23rd to June 30th.</p><p>We expect to have full frames of honey by the end of June or the first week of August.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4546109086507919438.post-46681954179056809142021-05-13T02:21:00.001-07:002021-05-13T02:21:19.875-07:00Adding Bee Space, Insulation Removal, Entrance Reducer, Pollen & Sugar Water Stores, Moving Bees<p><b> Two ways to give your bees more space include:</b></p><p>1) Add a second brood box below the original box. We want to keep the eggs, larva, and pupa warm so the first box full of brood is taken off the bottom board and set aside. A second box is added on top of the bottom board. The box full of brood is placed on top of the new box.</p><p>2) Remove inside insulation and replace it with frames for the bees to build comb on and for the queen to lay eggs.</p><p><b><br /></b></p><p><b>INSULATION:</b></p><p>Outer brood box insulation is still needed however the inner insulation boards have now been removed.</p><p><b><br /></b></p><p><b>POLLEN & SUGAR WATER STORES:</b></p><p>We are seeing lots of tree pollen being carried into the hive by our bees at this time. They no longer need pollen patties until a three or more day period of cold/rainy weather. Our bees have stored a couple heavy frames of sugar water. We don't want our honey made of sugar water. Rather, we want our bees to start foraging for natural nectar. As soon as we see lots of dandelions, we know it is time to stop feeding sugar water. We gave all of our colonies their last sugar water this week. </p><p>Folks with top bar hives should feed sugar water to bees until mid-June to ensure they can build out plenty of honeycombs.</p><p><b><br /></b></p><p><b>REDUCING THE ENTRANCE:</b></p><p>Our entrance reducers are now set at the middle setting. If it drops below freezing, we will reduce entrances to the smallest setting.</p><p><b><br /></b></p><p><b>MOVING HONEYBEES: </b></p><p>It's important to realize we can only move bees three feet to keep them from getting lost when trying to locate their hive. If you move hives from one place on your property to another place, they will go back to the original place and never find their way back to their colony. If you must move your colony, a minimum of three miles as a crow flies is the minimum distance you can move them to keep them from returning to a previous hive location to find no shelter/home.</p><p>We have moved ten colonies this year. We wait until later at night or very early in the morning to make sure all the bees are in the hive. We screen off both the bottom and top entrance of the hive and ratchet strap the entire box including both lids and the bottom board. The hive is lifted by the bottom board, not the ratchet straps to ensure the hive components don't slide apart, allowing the bees to escape. The hive is placed in the back of a truck and driven at least three miles away.</p><p>Recently, we had to move five colonies from Cold Climate Research Center because a neighboring housing manager said last year's bees chased a couple people. Even though I explained the nature of bees with regards to their behavior at the beginning, middle, and end of the season, he still got multiple friends to call and complain about the bees. Honeybees are not very aggressive in the spring and middle summer because they are predominantly focused on finding resources to feed brood and store for the winter. The time they generally get aggressive is in the fall after the honey has been robbed. This young man said it was later in the fall that the bees had become aggressive last year. This makes sense. Regardless, we were asked to move our bees after many years of keeping honeybees at Cold Climate Research Station. </p><p>We are meticulous at completing thorough hive checks every ten to twelve days to prevent disease and/or swarming.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4546109086507919438.post-59565048224324517622021-05-03T00:09:00.000-07:002021-05-03T00:09:01.747-07:00Brood and Honeycomb Build-up & Swarm Prevention<p></p><span style="font-size: large;">Thank you for your patience with me. I spent the last three weeks in TN visiting my daughter and her family. Grandchildren are an absolute BLESSING!!! </span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><div><span style="font-size: large;">While there, I experienced a southern spring and had the opportunity to work with another beekeeper.</span><br /><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b><u>Our Apiary Update:</u></b></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">All of our colonies have laying queens with great brood patterns. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Here are examples of how queens should be laying excellent patterns of brood:</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-84GyJHgeOiU/YI-JyPb1B3I/AAAAAAAAAqc/smgIBq42tPg3OtB1yCChb4tnY8dclJLxwCLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="164" data-original-width="307" height="171" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-84GyJHgeOiU/YI-JyPb1B3I/AAAAAAAAAqc/smgIBq42tPg3OtB1yCChb4tnY8dclJLxwCLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" width="320" /></a></span><img alt="" data-original-height="182" data-original-width="276" height="169" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-F-ZUZuCyDv8/YI-Jj6XkOLI/AAAAAAAAAqY/iv0U9ioeK-UcV3UfxtrlarSbxgihTceXwCLcBGAsYHQ/w256-h169/image.png" style="font-size: x-large;" width="256" /><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span></div></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /><b>Examples of a "spotty queen":</b></span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-rtWSFg6i7tY/YI-KHYOQn0I/AAAAAAAAAqo/guwGeTtoVxMalLlT8HEi-Qunyw0q5XoZACLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img alt="" data-original-height="194" data-original-width="259" height="185" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-rtWSFg6i7tY/YI-KHYOQn0I/AAAAAAAAAqo/guwGeTtoVxMalLlT8HEi-Qunyw0q5XoZACLcBGAsYHQ/w247-h185/image.png" width="247" /></span></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_kK3yHd458M/YI-KOZYD2fI/AAAAAAAAAqs/2maeUIAYZUIl1cCXHLA8yF4ocE_Xg043gCLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img alt="" data-original-height="194" data-original-width="259" height="194" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_kK3yHd458M/YI-KOZYD2fI/AAAAAAAAAqs/2maeUIAYZUIl1cCXHLA8yF4ocE_Xg043gCLcBGAsYHQ/w259-h194/image.png" width="259" /></span></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /><br />Spotty queens can be replaced however, replacing a queen can be a risk because the colony might not accept a new queen once established.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Main tasks at this time:</b></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">1) Keep bees nourished with 1:1 sugar water and pollen patties;</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">2) Keep bees warm;</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">3) Regular hive checks every 10 -12 days;</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">4) Remove queen cups and cells after confirming you have evidence of a queen (eggs, larva, and pupa);</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Queen Cup Examples:</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-PPAZE5KxYkk/YI-MNLovoGI/AAAAAAAAAq4/pOEyasEdM4U4vGWw990rfMY7y-m--09qACLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="202" data-original-width="250" height="162" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-PPAZE5KxYkk/YI-MNLovoGI/AAAAAAAAAq4/pOEyasEdM4U4vGWw990rfMY7y-m--09qACLcBGAsYHQ/w201-h162/image.png" width="201" /></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-xdP5JmfwI14/YI-MWohzooI/AAAAAAAAAq8/hArwtTVbOz48rN8FnntCw8m0LkSQ49XAwCLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="194" data-original-width="259" height="153" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-xdP5JmfwI14/YI-MWohzooI/AAAAAAAAAq8/hArwtTVbOz48rN8FnntCw8m0LkSQ49XAwCLcBGAsYHQ/w205-h153/image.png" width="205" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-PPAZE5KxYkk/YI-MNLovoGI/AAAAAAAAAq4/pOEyasEdM4U4vGWw990rfMY7y-m--09qACLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span><br /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Queen cell examples:</span></b><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/--AnVv6083c8/YI-NPa5X-_I/AAAAAAAAArE/AhNytVAxyQUTqi68GO42rNOwtyKtrlX8QCLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="195" data-original-width="259" height="168" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/--AnVv6083c8/YI-NPa5X-_I/AAAAAAAAArE/AhNytVAxyQUTqi68GO42rNOwtyKtrlX8QCLcBGAsYHQ/w223-h168/image.png" width="223" /><span> </span></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-yLp_ptOPb28/YI-N5LkNhtI/AAAAAAAAArM/dZx9IhWkh74kyWGwWeHF7dB6_4Yaci1VQCLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img alt="" data-original-height="190" data-original-width="265" height="168" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-yLp_ptOPb28/YI-N5LkNhtI/AAAAAAAAArM/dZx9IhWkh74kyWGwWeHF7dB6_4Yaci1VQCLcBGAsYHQ/w234-h168/image.png" width="234" /></a><span><br /><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-bb_BIeQnuqA/YI-OJQljyVI/AAAAAAAAArU/lPBHVDdS4_giI3SG2yhvT4zvfGFfYnDwgCLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="225" data-original-width="225" height="194" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-o2c4BEaaMtg/YI-PBquKOkI/AAAAAAAAArc/pkbB1ZJp390GTRfO5lbvEfDGEv54ALw8wCLcBGAsYHQ/w194-h194/image.png" width="194" /><span> </span><span> </span><img alt="" data-original-height="183" data-original-width="275" height="157" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-bb_BIeQnuqA/YI-OJQljyVI/AAAAAAAAArU/lPBHVDdS4_giI3SG2yhvT4zvfGFfYnDwgCLcBGAsYHQ/w236-h157/image.png" width="236" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-dRrT563brMU/YI-PV3Al_LI/AAAAAAAAArk/FOvmxeUeTgwJdm4D4-pfvEytGEMs9PzDQCLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="121" data-original-width="416" height="93" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-dRrT563brMU/YI-PV3Al_LI/AAAAAAAAArk/FOvmxeUeTgwJdm4D4-pfvEytGEMs9PzDQCLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br /></div></div><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">5) Remove any burr comb and save it for melting down for wax products (see examples below):</span><br /><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Vwxw9O2dmKM/YI-QlzElgCI/AAAAAAAAAr4/7NUNDPhosCMhzBZYBLWVSc4zudD46dWmwCLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="127" data-original-width="398" height="135" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Vwxw9O2dmKM/YI-QlzElgCI/AAAAAAAAAr4/7NUNDPhosCMhzBZYBLWVSc4zudD46dWmwCLcBGAsYHQ/w318-h135/image.png" width="318" /></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-3PX2HX85QF4/YI-RQ4meK1I/AAAAAAAAAsU/lPQeL-j8yZ8RYU1czQU4qcbpGup6aJVmgCLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="170" data-original-width="297" height="163" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-3PX2HX85QF4/YI-RQ4meK1I/AAAAAAAAAsU/lPQeL-j8yZ8RYU1czQU4qcbpGup6aJVmgCLcBGAsYHQ/w285-h163/image.png" width="285" /></a><span><br /><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-mBdUiW1qBCg/YI-QWse8YJI/AAAAAAAAArs/v4TkfBXwKMo6thkZRWLL3mKg6tZc96qaACLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="183" data-original-width="275" height="210" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-2W1dqTzl3yU/YI-QsPXaQCI/AAAAAAAAAr8/xsRMhf-lLSYV4eKjlGbJE1mgF2sN1OapgCLcBGAsYHQ/w315-h210/image.png" width="315" /><span> </span><img alt="" data-original-height="194" data-original-width="259" height="210" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-eHQR_MMUEhA/YI-Q9sb267I/AAAAAAAAAsM/V_pPSUJMXiEtFPjtUnK0jM-JtsZAid0HQCLcBGAsYHQ/w280-h210/image.png" width="280" /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="183" data-original-width="275" height="191" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-7lzo3flo4Iw/YI-ReR0IigI/AAAAAAAAAsY/TSa4HWxFozEEIBEb_xswTrOrhaISWqBuQCLcBGAsYHQ/w287-h191/image.png" width="287" /><span> </span><img alt="" data-original-height="168" data-original-width="300" height="166" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-bCjLQhTTkeo/YI-RjBY_jbI/AAAAAAAAAsg/tKZBeFcVxAghJDHoLM3VkGHkOdP3cFE6wCLcBGAsYHQ/w296-h166/image.png" width="296" /></span><br /><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Burr comb is always drone comb.</span></b></li></ul><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><b><span style="font-size: medium;">When a queen lays an egg in drone comb, the egg will become an unfertilized bee - a drone!</span></b></li></ul><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><b><span style="font-size: medium;">The more drones a hive has, the more the female workers have to labor to keep the colony nourished well.</span></b></li></ul><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Keeping a small population of drones is important, however, in case you lose your queen. The colony will have drones available to mate with a newly hatched queen.</b></span></li></ul></div></span><br /></a><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">No Eggs or Larva? </span></b></div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;">You probably have a queenless colony if you can't find eggs and larva. This needs to be addressed immediately!</div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;">Call Dale Lupton 907-978-1455 to order a new queen.</div></div><br /><p></p><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>If your colony is queenless for more than a couple weeks, some of the workers will develop ovaries and fill cells with multiple unfertilized eggs which become drones. </li></ul><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>A colony in this condition will eventually have a full population of drones and will die out. </li></ul><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Also, this alters the comb in a very undesirable way - worker cells become drone cells - All drone comb must be removed to prevent future queens from laying high populations of unfertilized, drone eggs.</li></ul></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Examples of laying workers:</b></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-tVkxu05cZuM/YI-dCU7VLDI/AAAAAAAAAss/teDKw789oUM48zcaRwz0_cHYZlxk6v39wCLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="183" data-original-width="275" height="190" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-tVkxu05cZuM/YI-dCU7VLDI/AAAAAAAAAss/teDKw789oUM48zcaRwz0_cHYZlxk6v39wCLcBGAsYHQ/w286-h190/image.png" width="286" /> </a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_jT8Fp1U5DE/YI-dJuFNawI/AAAAAAAAAsw/kL74v-mOpi4shPzfVQ1mPe4EYabx2xCmgCLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img alt="" data-original-height="233" data-original-width="216" height="240" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_jT8Fp1U5DE/YI-dJuFNawI/AAAAAAAAAsw/kL74v-mOpi4shPzfVQ1mPe4EYabx2xCmgCLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" width="222" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: medium;"> </span><span style="color: #6aa84f;"> </span> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-qd8oleId76s/YI-dbLe8EhI/AAAAAAAAAs8/DHpiNitdd38QnMTfNsGA8sZEsdsZv69mQCLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="184" data-original-width="273" height="192" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-qd8oleId76s/YI-dbLe8EhI/AAAAAAAAAs8/DHpiNitdd38QnMTfNsGA8sZEsdsZv69mQCLcBGAsYHQ/w285-h192/image.png" width="285" /><span> <span> </span></span></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-C6dYi2nI0dM/YI-dyGWX9-I/AAAAAAAAAtI/oxcXuM17DogckD6sIb4QYXVMJ3zSiNv8ACLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="194" data-original-width="259" height="188" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-C6dYi2nI0dM/YI-dyGWX9-I/AAAAAAAAAtI/oxcXuM17DogckD6sIb4QYXVMJ3zSiNv8ACLcBGAsYHQ/w250-h188/image.png" width="250" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><b style="font-size: large;">Laying Worker Drone Comb:</b><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"> </span></div><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-qd8oleId76s/YI-dbLe8EhI/AAAAAAAAAs8/DHpiNitdd38QnMTfNsGA8sZEsdsZv69mQCLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span><span><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /></span></a></div><b><span style="font-size: large;">What to do about laying workers:</span></b></div><div><br /></div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Have a replacement queen on hand in a queen cage.</li><li>Lay a white flat bed sheet or blanket on the ground at least 50 feet and preferably with a building between the hive and the sheet;</li><li>Carry each frame over the sheet and shake off all the bees;</li><li>Place the frame into a tote or a cooler with a lid making sure no bees are on the frames;</li><li>Hang the new queen in the middle of the top brood box, leaving the cap on the queen cage so the bees will have time to get used to the new queen pheromones (If you quick release the queen, the colony may kill her);</li><li>Put all the frames back into the hive boxes.</li></ul><div>Any workers who have not developed ovaries will reenter the hive and laying workers will not be allowed back into the hive.</div><div><br /></div><div>You must re-queen the colony since they will not be able to create their own queen at this late date.</div><br /><br /></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1