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Madison
County
Beekeepers
Activities |
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Beekeeping
Education
PRACTICAL
BEEKEEPING CLASS
I have taught
this class for the past 15 years for the Madison County Beekeepers Association.
I will be stepping down as the instructor this year.
Chris Cambron has been my assistant in past classes.
This year (2009) Chris will be switching places and I will become his assistant
and backup and Chris will be the instructor.
Anyone interested in becoming a beekeeper or
that is
just curious about honeybees and beekeeping is welcome to attend. Go
to http://k4vb.com/PBK%20class.htm
for more up-to-date details about the
class. This class is
based on the VCR video series by Dr Keith Deleplane entitled: Honeybees and Beekeeping - A Year in the
Life of an Apiary
The class
covers basic beekeeping fundamentals as well as all activities required by a new
beekeeper for one full year in the apiary.
The January
and February time frame for this class was chosen because that is the least busy
time in the beekeeping hobby or business. It is also a time when potential
students have less other activities for the class to compete with. It allows
those interested in becoming beekeepers time to purchase bees and equipment in
time to start beekeeping this year.
About the
Instructors
Bob
Fanning
Bob Fanning is a retired engineer from Motorola. He is
a second generation beekeeper who owns and operates a 100-colony apiary in south
Huntsville that has been in continuous operation since 1910. He manages eight
different "bee yards" scattered around the city of Huntsville. He is
a past
president of the Madison County Beekeepers Association and past president of the
Alabama State Beekeepers Association. Bob was selected Beekeeper of the Year
in 1999 by the Alabama Beekeepers Association.
Chris Cambron
Chris Cambron still works for a living as a crew leader
for the Huntsville Utilities Gas division. Chris has 20
colonies in a couple of locations and is active in honeybee removals from homes
and buildings. He served on the Board of Directors for the
Madison County beekeepers until he was elected to the office of
Secretary/Treasurer in 2006 an office that he now holds.
**************************************************************
Last
updated 9/1/07 bob fanning
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INTRODUCTION
TO BEEKEEPING
The Madison County
Beekeepers Association normally teaches
this class at the Huntsville Botanical
Garden. We will however teach it at most
any other facility in the Huntsville area
that you can provide. The facility must
have a Power Point projector available.
The student is required to make all
arrangements with any facility other than
the Huntsville Botanical Garden.
The Madison County
Beekeepers Association does not charge to
teach this class, however the host
facility may. Any fee charges must be
handled between the student and the
facility; the Madison County Beekeepers
Association can not be involved in
collecting fees.
Date and time offered can
normally be per the student’s request.
To request this class at the Huntsville
Botanical Garden, call them at 256 430
3572 . For questions regarding the class
or to having it taught at another
facility, email the instructor, Bob
Fanning, at k4vb@knology.net.
This class is designed to
teach those interested in honeybees the
basics of beekeeping and will serve as a
refresher for those with previous
beekeeping experience. It is an excellent
class for those curious about beekeeping
but not interested in or not sure you want
to become a beekeeper. It is a good
introductory class for those interested in
taking the more advanced "Practical
beekeeping" class described below.
The class also covers the
bare basics of beekeeping as well as
"beekeeping equipment and hive
parts", "getting your first
hives", "basic honeybee
biology", "treatment for
disease" and will touch lightly on
pollination.
Last
updated 12/ 07 bob fanning
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THE LIFE CYCLE OF THE HONEYBEE
Instructor Bob Fanning
The
next class is unscheduled at the
Huntsville Botanical Garden
This class is designed for
school teachers on their summer break. It is a
two hour course that covers the life cycle of
the honeybee from egg (fertile or non-fertile,
either will produce a honeybee) to the causes of
death. It includes interesting facts about the
honeybee’s complex navigation and communication
capability, job assignments and an explanation
of how a male honeybee has a grandfather but no
father. It includes honeybee anatomy from her 5
eyes to her stinger. It also
includes how they make
honey, what other products they make and why,
general makeup of honey and why honeys differ in
color. Students will be given the opportunity to
taste honeys from different floral sources. The
basic beehive will be described as well as a
brief history of its development. This is a fun
class, don’t miss it.
This class is taught by Bob Fanning who is a
retired Engineer that grew up on a farm in S.E.
Huntsville working with honeybees in his
father’s apiary. Bob continued to operate the
apiary after his father’s death. This last year
marked his apiary’s 84th year of continuous
operation in the same location on Four Mile Post
Rd.
The class will be conducted at
the Huntsville Botanical Garden, at a time to be
determined by the garden. Call the garden
(256 430 3572 Ext. 226) for time and further
details or to request this class.
CANDLE
MAKING CLASSES
The
Madison County Beekeepers Association offers
candle-making classes on demand. Future classes
will be scheduled as requested. This class is
offered through the Huntsville Botanical
Garden’s education outreach program. If you
would like to attend a
candle making class, please call the
Huntsville Botanical Garden, 256 430 3572 Ext.
226 and request a new class or email
Bill
Mullins for his schedule on other classes he
might be teaching.
OTHER CLASSES :
If you
have a specific need regarding beekeeping,
pollination or hive products please call the
garden or email Bob Fanning at k4vb@knology.net. |
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PROGRAM
SCHEDULE
Planned For
MCBA meetings
Below
is a schedule of meeting programs planned for the year 2008. Programs are
subject to change, as required. The latest updates will be posted here as
they develop.
·
Jan 10, 2008:
Charles Cornelison
·
Mar 13, 2008: State
Bee Inspection
·
May 8, 2008
·
July 10, 2008
·
July 12, 2008 Picnic
·
Sep 11, 2008
TBA
·
Nov 13 TBA
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OTHER BEEKEEPER LINKS
NBA
LINKS AROUND THE WORLD
If your browser supports interactive you can click your mouse on
this map of the world
and you will link to that location!
WARNING - Not all sites will be written in English
- Use the Map above, or the List Below:
Bee Hive Medication in North Alabama
| How to Spring Medicate in North
Alabama:
All medicating should be completed by mid March. If not,
get your Terramycin treatment finished in time to allow it to clear your hives before you
add production supers. One bag of Terramycin will treat approximately 13 colonies, the
required three times (or 40 colonies, one time). To mix, use one package of Terramycin
(6.4 oz.) with 2 ½ lb. Of confectionery sugar and sprinkle on the top bars of the top
most super, three times at 10-day intervals. Terramycin treats for Foul Brood, both EFB
and AFB.
For complete instructions on the use of and different Terramycin
available,
click here
Terrapatties or equal will not have adequate time to be
taken up by the bees so do not use this method at this time for treatment of EFB and AFB.
Menthol and Apistan strips (or Checkmite, if used) should be removed
at this time.
If you catch a swarm from outside your yard and wish to treat it for
mites treat as follows and for EFB and AFB per above:
[MAKE SURE ALL MEDICATION IS OUT OF THE HIVE 28 DAYS BEFORE ANY
HONEY IS STORED THAT YOU PLAN TO HARVEST FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION.]
To treat for Tracheal Mites, place one 50 gm. Bag on Menthol on the
top bars of the top most super of each colony. Place a queen excluder first, then the
menthol bag, then the inner cover with the deep side down. This allows more air to
circulate thus increasing the efficiency of the treatment. IF YOU TREAT BEES IN THE HOT
SUN WITH THE TERMPERATURE ABOVE 80 degrees F, THE BAG SHOULD BE PLACED ON THE BOTTOM
BOARD. Temperature needs to be above 60 ° F for effective evaporation of the crystals.
To treat for Varroa Mites, place one Apistan strip between frames 3
and 4 and one between frames 7 and 8 (assuming you use ten frames in the brood chamber)
for a total of 2 strips per colony. Apistan comes in a brown plastic looking strip with
two "ears" pre-cut to broken out. Hang the strips between the frames with the
"ears" bent out to prevent the strips from falling to the bottom board. This is
primarily so you can get them out after treatment. Apistan is to be applied in the brood
chamber. If you use one or two deeps for your brood chamber, put it in the bottom box. It
needs to be in the clustering bees.
Check Mite (Coumaphos) is also approved for use in Alabama for
control of Varroa Mites as well as the small hive beetle. Coumaphos is a very strong
chemical. If you opt to use it, follow the instruction included with it TO THE LETTER. It
is a very strong chemical and if handled with the bare hands will cause numbness in you
hand or any other area it contacts.
Check Mite is also effective IF YOUR MITES become immune to Apistan
(fluvalinate). Immunity is primarily caused by misuse or abuse of Apistan by leaving a
sub-lethal dose (like one strip) in the hive year around or leaving the strips in longer
than prescribed.
PROTECTIVE GLOVES SUCH AS DISPOSABLE SURGICAL GLOVES SHOULD BE WORN
WHEN HANDLING ALL CHEMICALS USED IN THE HIVE. PAY ATTENTION TO, AND FOLLOW THE
MANUFACTURER’S INSTRUCTIONS. IF YOU GET LOOSE ITEMS FROM 100 PIECE BOXES, GET A COPY
OF THE INSTRICTIONS FOR THE APPLICATION.
How to Fall Medicate in North Alabama:
In North Alabama All surplus honey should be removed and your bees medicated by 15
august. Medication works best in warm weather. Keep in mind however that while the
temperature needs to be above 60° F for effective evaporation of menthol crystals, above
80° the fumes may be too strong for the bees. If the temperature is above 80° F the
menthol bag should be placed on the bottom board. This is accomplished by pushing the
menthol bag into the entrance with a hive tool or equal. Menthol treats for Tracheal
Mites.
MORE INFO ON MEDICATION and GROUP PUCHASES - CLICK HERE
Good luck on a good spring flow.
Bob Fanning |
| Small batch of Terramycin Patties for the
Hobbyist (3 colonies)
Ingredients
One half pound of Crisco
Two and one eighth Cups of granulated sugar
Two and three fourths tablespoons of Terramycin powder
Directions
Melt one half of a 1 lb can of Crisco using very low heat. Separately, mix the Terramycin
and granulated sugar together and pour into the liquid Crisco. Mix well. After mix has
cooled, create patties enough for 3 hives.
Optional:
Use a putty knife and spread patty mix over small pieces of hardware cloth or paper
napkins and place under inner cover of your hive. Place deepest part of inner cover over
patties.
Apply fall and early spring but remember to remove any remaining patties at least 4
weeks before the honey flow. |
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Lectures
Members who have volunteered for lecturing have
indicated they will participate with schools and other organizations within the
county. Please feel free to call any of the MCBA members below . Each one has
a great deal of experience to draw from.
| Member |
Phone |
Favorite Subjects and Work Shops |
| 1. Bill Mullins |
256 828 4836 |
Candle Making, Beekeeping, Raising Queens |
| 2. Bobby Fanning |
256 883 9601 |
Beekeeping, Hive Construction, Bee Medication |
| 3. TBD |
|
see B. Fanning |
| 4. TBD |
|
see B. Fanning |
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| Social
Activities Annual Picnic
Each year around mid July, this year the picnic is
in July at the Messiah Lutheran Church on Hiway 72. . Hamburgers, hotdogs and buns was provided by the MCBA. Each
participant is usually asked to bring soft drinks and two covered dishes of sufficient
size to feed themselves and their guest.
Beekeepers start gathering around 10:00 AM with serious eating
around 1:00 PM.
Anyone interested in beekeeping is welcome to attend.
Gadget Night
One meeting a year is normally designated "gadget night".
There is no program on Gadget night. Each member brings an item he has developed that
makes his beekeeping hobby or business more fun or less work. Each inventor(?) will show
his device and explain how it works and his reason why he thinks it to be useful. When all
gadgets are presented, if time is available the meeting turns into a social night where no
activity other than socializing takes place.
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Social Night
One meeting a year is usually set aside for "social
night". On social night, no meeting takes place. We just socialize. This gives each
of us a chance to talk with or fellow beekeepers that we only see on meeting nights. It
allows the beginners time with the seasoned professionals to get questions answered and to
engage in good informative beekeeping discussion. Social nights are based on
"what’s going on" and if current happenings are of such a nature that they
need to be discussed and or addressed, social nights can be cancelled.
Social nights are often accompanied by the introduction to a new
honey made desert, which is usually a creation of Gennie Greenwood, Camille Mueller or
Beth Dunson. The desert alone is enough to get a hard working beekeeper to attend social
night.
See Program Schedule or CLICK HERE
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| Projects |
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Rules
for Madison County Fair Honey Products Exhibits
PAST MADISON COUNTY FAIR BOOTHS
Each year the Madison County (Alabama) Beekeepers Association will
have a beekeeping display in the agricultural section of the Morgan County, Alabama
fair. All MCBA members are urged to enter your hive products.
Each year a professional judge is engaged to determine whose hive
products place where. The judge uses the following "weighted" scoring system for
a possible total of 120 points):
- Appearance (up to 30 point)
- Flavor (up to 30 point)
- Clarity (up to 15 points)
- Color (up to 15 point)
- Container (up to 10 points)
- Moisture (up to 20 point)
The following hive products can be entered:
- *Strained honey (liquid honey in a glass jar)
- *Chunk honey (liquid honey poured over chunk[s] of comb honey in a
glass jar)
- Comb honey (1 shallow frame of comb honey with no wires)
- Bees wax (minimum 1 lb. cakes)
- Observation hives with bees and a queen
- Baked goods using honey
*Items 1 and 2 above are divided into five color classes, light,
light amber, amber, dark amber and dark.
Our judge has standardized on 1 lb. "queen line" type
glass jar for item 1 above. Other containers are allowed but points may be deducted for
container. The economical "queen line" type jars furnished by Glenn Stephens at
S&S Honey Farm are acceptable.
Our judge has also standardized on 1 lb. round glass jars for item 2
above but "queen line" type jars may be used with no point deduction for
container.
One entry for item 1 and 2 requires 4 jars of honey. All other
entries require only one item. Each beekeeper is allowed two entries per classification in
all classes. Hive products entered must have been produced by the beekeeper entering it
into competition.
Don Love is the standing chairman responsible for setting up the
booth each year. Don has a designed and built a standard booth assembly that is quick to
setup / tear down. It features a (4 x 8 foot) backdrop for each year’s "booth
theme", pictures and related information. It also has a four-shelf; back lighted
display rack with a total of 32 linear feet of display space.
By design, the booth can be manned or unmanned. MCBA members are
welcome to volunteer for "booth setting" duty. No honey is sold at the booth
however this is an excellent place to hand out your business cards and or price lists.
If you are not a beekeeper but a honey consumer or interested party,
come by our booth and take a look at the apiculture products produced in the North Alabama
area.
For further information please contact
Harold Green at halgre@knology.net
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| Swarms
Nature has programmed the honeybee to swarm in early spring in sync with
spring flowers. This is nature’s way of prorogating the species. It is also nature's
way of imposing an unpleasant surprise of homeowners. The below pictures are typical
swarms. If left alone, the swarm will leave, on their own, and find a permanent place of
residence. How long they stay before they leave is dependent on a number of factors and
can be from 15 minutes to a few days. The concern to a homeowner is, where they go when
they leave as it could be inside the walls or in the attic of your house.
  
If
you have a large cluster of honeybees hanging on a limb (or other
structure) in early spring and would like it removed click
SWARM
LISTS . Click
here to watch video of a typical swarm capture.
ON
SWARMING READ
This does not include bees living inside
walls of houses or other structures. For a list of Huntsville / Madison Alabama area
beekeepers that do bee removals from houses see Honey Bee
Removals.
For a procedure on honeybee
removal from a water meter click here
Established Colonies The
picture below is not a swarm but a colony that has swarmed and settled in this tree
and established a colony. Swarms seldom if ever have externally visible honeycombs. This
colony, unlike a swarm is here to stay. If you find a colony like this (which is very
unlikely) on your property and wish to have it removed contact the HONEYBEE
REMOVAL listed persons. This colony was
found by a local beekeeper (Bobby Hardin) in a tree near Rideout Rd in NW Huntsville, Al.
It is in a Willow tree, about 16 feet off of the ground. This colony measures about 24
inches across.
HONEYBEE REMOVAL LIST (not to be confused with a temporary swarm)
The following list of beekeepers in the business of
removing honeybees from existing structures such as houses and out buildings.
They must charge a fee for their services. The list is provided
for your reference only. It is not to be considered an endorsement by
The Madison County Beekeepers Association or the providers of this web
page. Any business arrangements between you and the service provider can
not include the Madison County Beekeepers Association or the providers of this web
page.
| Beekeeper |
Alabama Area
Covered |
| Lionel
Evans |
Limestone
County |
| 1307
Fern St. |
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| Athens
AL 35613 |
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| phone
256 232 9073 |
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| Email:
smoothevan@aol.com |
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| Wil Montgomery |
Gadsden,
Southside |
| 1401 Lakemont Dr.
S. |
Alabama City |
| Southside, AL
35907 |
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| Phone: (256)
442-7515 |
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| Email:n4wm@juno.com |
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| Mike Sykes |
Birmingham area |
| 7824 Williams St. |
Jefferson County
area |
| Pinson, AL 35126 |
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| Phone: 205 681
0639 |
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| Beep: 205 869
2335 |
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| Joe Sharrow |
Birmingham area |
| 7804 Williams St. |
Jefferson County
area |
| Pinson, AL 35126 |
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| Phone: 205 681
2568 |
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| Beep: 205 8697044 |
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| Ray
Latham |
Jackson County |
| 1501 Wynn Rd |
Scottsboro area |
| Scottsboro, Al
35769 |
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| 256-574-5234 |
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| Chris Cambron |
Marshall County |
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| 1012 New Hope-Cedar Point Rd |
New Hope area |
| New
Hope Al 35760-9656 |
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| 256 723 2608 509 6015 |
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| David Kelton |
Gadsden Area |
| Lookout Mountain Honey Bee
Service |
Etowah, Marshall, Dekalb,
Calhoun, Blunt, StClair, Cherokee |
| 1590 Tabor Cut Off |
Gadsden Al, 35904 |
| 256 523 4767 |
cell 256 441 2887 |
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Bee Swarms are temporary movements of
bees that usually have left the confines of their previous home and
are seeking a new home for the benefit of the survival of the
species. They may have collected on a tree, a fence, or a bush
not very far from their original home. They will move again soon
when a more permanent location is found. Sometimes it is too difficult
for the beekeeper to collect. Examples are; they are too
high or out of reach and dangerous to collect. They may also
come to a final resting point inside a building where it becomes
expensive to remove (see honeybee removal above). Each beekeeper
listed below is a volunteer in good faith who has agreed to remove
honeybee swarms if he is able to do so..
Beekeepers who wish to be added to the
following lists for Swarm Removal send email to Harold Green (halgre@knology.net
)
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Local
Swarm Removal List Near the Huntsville Area
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The
below listed beekeepers are willing to remove swarms of
honeybees from your property FREE of charge.
Feel free to call any one listed or if you prefer, select the
one located nearest you.
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| Beekeeper's
Name |
Phone
number
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Location
near the Huntsville, AL Area. |
| Bob
Fanning |
256
883 9601
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S.E.
Huntsville |
| Steve
Jones |
256 883 5479
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Huntsville
Area |
| Bill
Mullins |
256
828 4836
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Meridianville
area |
| Harold
Green |
256
881 8531
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S.E.
Huntsville |
| Tom
Morgan |
256
837 6903
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Madison
area |
| Lyle
Greenwood |
256
586 2206
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Arab
Area |
| James
R. Long |
256
772 3091
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Madison
City Area |
| John
Horton |
256
772 3957
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Greenbrier
Area |
| Tom
Stewart |
256 728 7447
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Grant,
Paintrock, Gurley Area |
| Roger
Owens |
256
880 2584
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South
Huntsville |
| Karl
Bartholomew |
256 751 1470 |
Decatur
- Hartselle Area |
| Gary
Suckow |
256
682 6257
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Madison,
Athens, Toney, Ardmore, |
| Lionel
Evans |
256 232 9073 |
Athens,
Madison |
| Chad
Crabtree |
256 497
5463 |
Elkmont,
Harvest, Monrovia, Madison, Tony, Ardmore |
| Allan
Hodge |
256
837 8087
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Madison,
Huntsville |
| James
Parham |
256 337 1685
|
Huntsville
Area |
| Bill
Healy |
256 519 2480
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Huntsville Area |
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Swarm Removal List outside the Madison County Area |
The below listed beekeepers are willing to remove swarms of
honeybees from your property FREE of charge in the area of Alabama indicated. |
| Beekeeper's
Name |
Phone
number |
Location
outside the Huntsville, AL area. |
| Wil Montgomery |
256 442
7515 |
Etowah and Calhoun Counties
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| Alton Pitzing |
256 734 6493 |
1424 Beth St NW, Cullman, Al 35055
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| Gene Venable |
256 574 5389 |
261 Longhollow Rd Scottsboro Al 35768
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| Steve Overby |
256 574 5989 |
Jackson & Dekalb Counties
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| Chris Cambron |
256 723 2608
256 509 6015 |
1012 New Hope-Cedar Point Rd, New
Hope Al 35760-9656
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| Karl Bartholomew |
256 751 1470 |
Morgan County
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| Jerry Adams |
256 732 4647 |
Elkmont, Al
Limestone County
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Swarm
Removal List for other areas in Alabama (Birmingham Area and
South) |
| The
below listed beekeepers are willing to remove swarms of honeybees from your property
FREE of charge in the area of Alabama indicated. |
| Chris Sorenson |
205 631 0087 |
Jefferson and North Shelby County |
| Frank Little |
205-956-0526 |
Birmingham |
| Doug Vance |
334 683 6601 |
Perry,
Dallas, Bibb |
Swarm Removal List for other areas in Alabama (Mobile Area) |
| The below listed beekeepers are willing to remove swarms of
honeybees from your property FREE of charge in the area of Alabama indicated. |
Beekeeper's Name |
Phone Number |
Area covered |
| Fletcher
Barnes |
(334)
456-8728 |
Chickasaw |
| Ben
Davis |
(334)
649-6358 |
West
Mobile County |
| “Doc”
Fuller |
(334)
679-6741 or (334) 675-4441 |
North
Mobile County |
| Kenny
Langley |
(334)
824-9024 |
South
& West Mobile County |
| Stephen
Magee |
(334)
607-7101 or (334) 582-8431 (pager) |
West
Mobile County |
| Alvin
McCollough |
(334)
865-4450 |
Grand
Bay & St. Elmo |
| Don
McKeithen |
(334)
456-6892 |
Mobile
County |
| James
W. Persons |
(334)
957-2612 |
Mobile
County |
| Jim
Buckley |
(251)
675 3801 |
Mobile,
Washington & Baldwin |
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Swarm Removal List for other areas in Alabama (Houston County
Area) |
| The below listed beekeepers are willing to remove swarms of
honeybees from your property FREE of charge in the area of Alabama indicated. |
| Beekeeper's
Name |
Phone Number |
Area covered |
| Lorrin Granger |
334-691-2923 or Cell
334-618-8549 |
Cottonwood |
| Carl Murphy |
334-792-2534 |
Dothan |
| Doug Hobson |
334-712-1433 |
Dothan |
| Foy Holland |
334-792-4594 |
Dothan |
| B. E. Kent |
334-794-6561 |
Dothan |
| Winford O. Gulledge |
334-693-2514 |
Headland |
| Kenneth Cook |
334-692-5074 |
Newton |
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Swarm Removal List for other areas in Alabama
Coffee County/Pike County Area)
|
| The below listed beekeepers are willing to remove swarms of
honeybees from your property FREE of charge in the area of Alabama indicated. |
| Beekeeper's Name |
Phone Number |
Area covered |
| Ron Jones |
334-243-5367 |
Banks |
| Jerald Price |
334-735-5296 |
Brundidge |
| Ronnie Mitchell |
334-393-8296 |
Enterprise |
| John Legg |
334-897-2461 |
Jack |
| Tommy Smith |
334-898-1296 |
Kinston |
| Jerry Boblenz |
334-894-5672 |
New Brockton |
| Elizabeth Whitaker |
334-894-2077 |
New Brockton |
| Jock Spencer |
334-894-5857 |
New Brockton |
| Al Liepins |
334-566-7340 |
Troy |
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The Powdered-Sugar Shake:
Detecting Varroa While Not Killing Bees
The following article describes a method of detecting Varroa mites by coating the bees
(and mites) with powdered sugar using a procedure much like the "ether roll"
test where sugar replaces the ether resulting in a better test that does not kill
the bees.
First obtain a wide mouth canning jar with a two piece lid (ring and lid). Use the lid
as a template to cut out a #8 mesh hardware cloth replacement for the lid (the circular,
center portion).
Collect 200-300 bees in the jar. A funnel can be used to facilitate the process. Put
the modified lid (ring and #8 mesh lid replacement) on and add about a tablespoon of
powdered sugar through the screen. Roll the jar to distribute the sugar. Wait a few
minutes, swirl the jar again, and pour the sugar and mites through the screen into another
container. The mites can be separated from the sugar by pouring the mixture through the
window screen. The bees can be returned to the colony where their hive mates will lick
them clean.
This was first reported by a University of Nebraska graduate student (Paula Macedo),
according to the January
2000 edition of Bee Tidings , a cooperative publication of the University of Nebraska
Cooperative Extension Service and the Nebraska Honey Producer's Association, written by
Dr. Marion Ellis.
Dr. Ellis suggests three reasons why this might work:
- Varroa mites have a sticky pad called the empodium that helps them adhere to their host.
The presence of powdered sugar could make it difficult for the mites to adhere to their
host.
- Powdered sugar stimulates the bees' grooming behavior.
- The powdered sugar on the mite's body stimulates mites to release from feeding to groom
themselves.
This technique works well according to the article. It is superior to the ether roll,
separating up to 90 percent of the mites from the bees. Some states have switched to this
method primarily because the powdered sugar shake may well mean more Varroa testing by
beekeepers now that their bees don't have to be sacrificed as part of the procedure.
END OF ARTICLE
Two Queens Piping
Here is very interesting audio track you can download
but beware of significant download time according to your modem and phone
connection. It is well worth it so just be patient. This audio is
two queens piping.
Double click on two queens piping and hear this
amazing sound track. It is a wav type file and all windows
media players or quick time players should be
able to read, however, it may take several seconds to get started
in your player. It appears to be two queens within the same
unit confronting each other.
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