Subject: Re: Open Mesh Floors/Large Entrances
Date: Fri, 19 Jan 2001 22:30:49 -0800
From: "deelusbybeekeeper" <deelusbybeekeeper@excelonline.com>
To: <BiologicalBeekeeping@egroups.com>

Hi to all on Biological Beekeeping

Chris Slade wrote:
> Dee,
>
> What are you doing with weak and sick colonies? I thought your methods
had
> eliminated them.

Reply:

They have Chris. Actually we've been out splitting strong colonies with 3
or more deep supers of brood and honey since the 8th of January this year.
Figure since then and before the 21st of Feb, before the spring solstice, we
can get some good black queen matings with no yellow drones around and an
additional 100 colonies or so. with 5 months to build back and draw wax
before our main honey flow in May-June.

But I am curious to learn more about these OMF and how the schematics relate
to stress and therefore disease. Because of our hot summers, when the temps
go over 105 -110F we cannot use them, as they would let in too much heat and
cook the brood. We can't even use 1" or larger entrances here. Most have to
use 3/8' entrances (some use 1/2") on bottoms and then top entrances to let
the heat out and allow for the bees to cool by carrying water and fanning,
like a big swamp cooler effect. It also helps us to prevent honey and comb
meltdowns after Jul4th until the monsoons hit to start cooling us down,
though humidity can get outrageous inconjunction with heat.

Thanks for your imput too, and Helmut's to help my understanding more.

But I guess when Dave mentioned "Stress" my mind keyed alert and I started
thinking.Chalk is induced by stress, Weak bees are easily stressed, and in
the spring when building up temp fluxuations can be deadly. OMFs seem like
such a way to get big cold drafts going and induce stress. After all it's
been said the balance achieved by even the best adapted strains of bees with
any of their pathogens is an uneasy one and can be quickly upset by certain
factors, either environmental or to do with beekeeping practices, that lead
to losses. Many writers have been known to lump these predisposing factors
(including poor management) under the term "stress", which IMPOV means no
more than unfavorable circumstances and explains little.

Any more input?

Thanks

Dee