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An Apiary Update Philip Quinn As you well know, we've had unseasonably warm weather this winter on average. The bees know this, too! This is going to be a very interesting year for beekeepers. As I go through hive after hive, I am finding either dead-outs or abnormally large populations. Basically, my Metro hives are experiencing about a 60% loss rate, but my Oconee County hives are healthy and bursting at the seams. My healthy hives are all bringing in pollen (ranging from different shades of yellow to green) and, yes, nectar! The nectar is probably coming from our Red Maple trees; it is dripping from the comb like water when I turn frames sideways. My dead-outs are truly puzzling. They have plenty of honey and pollen. There are no dead bees in or around the hives. They don't show any damage from SHB or Wax Worm larvae. They don't have any brood (unlike most descriptions of "CCD"). Yet, there are very few to no bees in the boxes! One otherwise abandoned hive still had a live marked queen (no brood) and a total of about 20 of her retinue remaining. I'm baffled. Could these losses be expressions of the pervasive, sub-lethal levels of pesticides and/or other chemicals in our urban environment? Sub-lethal levels of chemicals render bees (like the canary in a coal mine?) weak and sick... perhaps, unable to get home when out and about. Scary! I did a half dozen or so fall (September) splits in the Metro area. I set them up with plenty of bees, brood, pollen and honey. The newly installed queens began laying beautiful brood patterns right away. The nucs looked to be in great shape. I kept syrup on them through December. Yet, one by one, starting in January, I started finding them abandoned. As of this week, I'm at a 75% loss rate on last fall's nucs. I don't have an answer... :-( On the other hand, my hives near Athens are a completely different story. The queens never shut down during the mild winter and the populations are huge. There are plenty of mature drones running around that never got kicked out last fall! I also see plenty of drone brood; so, queen cells aren't far away. I haven't seen any queen cups yet, but, if the mild weather continues, be on the look out for late February swarms! Large populations are a great head start for spring, but not having had a break in the annual brood cycle could bode ominously for varroa mite control in 2012. I plan to start a powdered sugar regimen and drone brood trapping over the next few weeks to try to knock down the mite levels; according to UGA's recent Powdered Sugar Study (as reported by Dr. Delaplane at the 2011 GBA fall meeting), early treatment has a beneficial effect on the later summer and fall mite levels. However, I don't like the idea of using chemicals right now because I don't want to interrupt the queens' laying (a common side effect) during the ramp-up to spring. These high population hives are ready to be supered to ease congestion. I don't have any queens (there's also still a good chance of a cold blast before spring), so splits are not an option yet. Further, while these hives have some stores, and the bees are bringing in some nectar, I've started feeding them a 1:1 syrup (or a little stronger) because this is the time of year when the bees are most likely to burn through their remaining resources and starve Good luck in your own apiaries. Let me know what you're finding (president@tarabeekeepers.org). |
Quick Links: * When's the next Tara membership meeting? * "Help! I need directions to the meeting" * A winter checklist for beekeepers * Did you miss the last Tara meeting? * How can I get more involved in the club? * The 2011 Evelyn Williams Honey Show. * Our spring short course,"Beekeeping for Beginners," Sat 18-Feb * Our Club's spring PICNIC, Sat 19-May * Recipe of the Month: February
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Our Board and Membership meetings are great times to step up and TAKE OWNERSHIP OF YOUR CLUB. Please volunteer to help with any of the club's various jobs, committee positions, and service project assignments (all appointed by the President - just let Philip know that you're willing...)
Jobs: Committees: Service projects: Website Contributor Audit Committee Mentor & Hive Inspections Program Newsletter Reporter Picnic Committee Spring Short Course volunteers Club Librarian By-Laws Committee Spring Short Course Presenter Honey Show Committee
"We need new people, energy and ideas to carry our club forward!" - Philip Quinn, Board of Directors meeting, 14-Oct-11
Email webmaster@tarabeekeepers.org to express your interests and consider the club's
current needs.
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We have set a date for the Spring Short Course, "Beekeeping for Beginners:" Saturday, 18-Feb-12, 8:00am - 4:15pm
Distribute the brochures to your friends and other interested contacts, on bulletin boards, store front windows & doors, or busy counter areas.
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The date for the 2012 Tara Club Picnic has been set with JoAnn Minter for the Tara club to return to the Minter's Farm in Inman, GA on Saturday, May 19th. This promises to be the BEST PICNIC ever! Please act now to join the 2012 Picnic Committee! We need your help. (To join, simply send an email to webmaster@tarabeekeepers.org . Thanks!)
The committee will be led again by the infamous, "Dynamic Duo" team of Co-Chairmen: John Duke and Jim Moye. They welcome your input. And, remember, "Many hands make light work!"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Recipe of the Month - February
(click on the picture for the recipe) Honey Joes Tangy, a hint of sweet, but not too spicy... Just the perfect meal to warm you up on a chilly, wet day. Try ground turkey for a healthier version. And, don't forget the toasted sesame seed buns or onion rolls for extra flavor! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ For anyone who missed it... January's recipe of the month
(click on the picture for the recipe) Honey Brined Smoked Turkey Ready to "get your grillin' on?!?" Tender, juicy and smokey, this winter treat is sure to satisfy even the most discerning BBQ officianando's palette. Serve it for dinner with traditional turkey accoutrements, or opt for your favorite sauce and rolls for incredible sandwiches. To begin the adventure, just click on the pic!
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Thank you for visiting the Tara Beekeepers website. Please forward any comments or questions about our club or the website to webmaster@tarabeekeepers.org |
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