From: "deelusbybeekeeper" <deelusbybeekeeper@excelonline.com>
Date: Sun, 15 Apr 2001 10:41:52 -0700
To: <BiologicalBeekeeping@yahoogroups.com>
Subject: Re: Pictures from Tucson

Hi to all on Biological Beekeeping

Clay wrote:

> Good pic's Barry. I really like the swarm trap pic's. What do the Lusby's
> use for lure? Do they make their own or buy commercial lures? Do they bait
> the trap with any wax(foundation strips)?

Reply:

People we advise on how to trap swarms on their property with commercial
traps buy lure from bee supply houses.

We ourselves make our own lure like Butler (early beekeeper turn century)
used to do. We take virgin queens (have plenty of supply during grafting and
active season) and put the ones we don't want into alcohol and fill 3-4
ounce jars with them, packed with virgin/young queens. Then I take a
blending wand (for whipping/blending in Kitchen) and blend the mix and add
double amount of alcohol. The alcohol is the color of dark yellow/light
brown. The solid matter sinks to bottom of jar. I then use an eyedroper and
place only one to two drops of lure per trap under lid of trap, centered
where I want the swarms to go. Works great1

Dee

> Also, pic's #9-#10 I would assume one should choose
> colonies that display this characteristic to be the first to regress as they
> would have the best survivability when established on 4.9.

Reply:

Yes. You have to watch closely. Many would consider this pattern a failing
queen and try to replace her. But look close. Normally when this pattern is
seen in early spring, early fall, or after swarming (I.e. when colonies
restarting brood cycles seasonally) only pariffery frames of brood will be
like this. Many frames will show solid brood patterns. Also, only part of a
frame may be this way and the rest of the frame solid brood. Learn to
recognize when the bees are chewing out and recycling the protein. Look for
purpling eyes (it is a dead give away as to what is happening) also drone
and worker brood have been chewed down and eaten out, with rest of capped
brood okay.

This is not sickness, for if so, then the brood would be discolored and sick
looking! Many times also smelly. Not so here, when chewing out varroa! White
pupae remains are halthy remains. The bees are in there for a different
reason. Therefore, you must learn to see and rationalize the scenario and
act accordingly!

To requeen these bees is to throw away the very traits you are needing, to
survive with your bees, and then probably replace with stock that just can't
hang and do the same through cleaning of the broodnest. What a waste of good
queens for lack of information to beekeepers!

Dee