http://www.beesource.com/forums/ en Wed, 22 May 2013 15:00:13 GMT vBulletin 60 http://www.beesource.com/forums/images/misc/rss.png http://www.beesource.com/forums/ http://www.beesource.com/forums/showthread.php?283342-Future-of-Commercial-Beekeeping&goto=newpost Wed, 22 May 2013 14:41:00 GMT Alright calling this thread the future of commercial beekeeping is grandiose and pretentious. I sense the HITS thread has gone about as far as it... Alright calling this thread the future of commercial beekeeping is grandiose and pretentious. I sense the HITS thread has gone about as far as it can and needs refocusing for the discussion to continue.

What will the future of commercial beekeeping look like? I don't have a crystal ball, but here is what I see:

Revenues for commercial beekeepers will come from providing pollination services, honey production and bee production.

The pollination business will evolve as will the financial interests of the beekeepers and growers who use their services. Over time growers that use methods of production (agricultural chemicals) that are even suspected of causing harm to bees will have to pay higher fees for pollination services and may not be able to get them at all.

Concerns for the environment or what is right for the bees will be either legislated, regulated, or decided by economics.

I rather suspect that once fees for pollination reach a level growers are not willing to pay, efforts will go toward finding what I call single use pollinators (such as bumble bee quads) that the growers will purchase (annually?!) rather than rent.

The nature of honey production will start to shift toward the beekeeper owning or otherwise controlling the land their bees forage upon to make a honey crop so as to ensure an environment that is safe and healthy for bees. This will increase honey production costs, costs that will ultimately be passed on to the consumer.

At the same time I envision farm (especially small) operators adding honey production to their mix of products. If there is money to be made, it will be made. An increase in boutique honey? Sounds probable.

Bee production will continue much as it has with an increasing emphasis on supplying bees that are able to coexist with mites (and whatever other future pests/problems that come along) and produce a honey crop. The casual buyers of bees (primarily new hobbysists) will need to be more demanding of their suppliers in terms of insisting upon bees that have traits for long term survival and productivity.

Over time Bee Production will be marketed differently, focusing on stock improvement, rather than replacement of annual losses.

This all won't happen over night - I am convinced these are the directions we are headed in. Of course it will take time for adequate stocks of bees of healthy bees that can thrive without (much if any) chemical usage to 1) be developed and 2) be commercially available broadly in quantity. It will be achieved.

What will hobby beekeeping look like in the future? I think I'll let other people answer that. ]]> Bee Forum Andrew Dewey http://www.beesource.com/forums/showthread.php?283342-Future-of-Commercial-Beekeeping http://www.beesource.com/forums/showthread.php?283339-Split-now-combine&goto=newpost Wed, 22 May 2013 13:30:09 GMT Sometime around the end of April I tried a walk-away split hoping they would make their own queen. From information gathered from this forum I was... Sometime around the end of April I tried a walk-away split hoping they would make their own queen. From information gathered from this forum I was confident I did it right. Several weeks into the process I noticed four queen cells produced, so I was uplifted. Checked yesterday, ... no queen, cells destroyed, lots of drone cells, no brood.....population decreasing. I am thinking about putting this apparently failed attempt back on the strong hive it came from...by using a newspaper combine.

Here's the problem. The hive it came from is going gang-busters. It consists of two deeps and a medium super which is being filled with honey. I also have two trap-outs going using the Hogan method....using open brood to lure the queen into the trap.

What would you do..... Put the weak deep back on the strong hive with the medium super on the top? This would create a total of three deeps with a medium on the top.

Your input will be appreciated. ]]> Bee Forum beemilk http://www.beesource.com/forums/showthread.php?283339-Split-now-combine http://www.beesource.com/forums/showthread.php?283338-Can-this-be-a-laying-worker&goto=newpost Wed, 22 May 2013 13:28:58 GMT I have a new package of bees that was installed in one deep of drawn comb 3 weeks ago. I inspected for the first time the other day (after checking... I have a new package of bees that was installed in one deep of drawn comb 3 weeks ago. I inspected for the first time the other day (after checking for queen release 3 days after installation), and found tons of drone brood in a very sparse and spotty pattern all over most of the frames, and found many cells with 2-5 eggs. I found no single eggs. I was thinking laying worker(s), but then remembered reading that laying workers cannot lay in the bottom of the cell due to their short abdomens. Is this true, or do they ever lay on the bottom? I have not seen the queen, but have not really looked that hard. I have transferred a frame of eggs and open worker brood from another hive to correct the laying worker issue, but now I'm thinking I need to find the drone-laying queen, pinch her, and let them raise a new queen. What would you do? ]]> Bee Forum Ricky Bee http://www.beesource.com/forums/showthread.php?283338-Can-this-be-a-laying-worker http://www.beesource.com/forums/showthread.php?283333-What-is-the-overwinter-rate-of-feral-colonies&goto=newpost Wed, 22 May 2013 12:31:44 GMT This question occurred to me as I read a different thread. Rather than hijack that one (or, rather, wade into it), I thought I would post my... This question occurred to me as I read a different thread. Rather than hijack that one (or, rather, wade into it), I thought I would post my question here.

There's consistent talk about losses from overwintering in apiaries and many ways in which the losses, high or low, are rationalized. It seems to me that a lot of the hypotheses being put forth would be strengthened or weakened by comparing apiary results to those in feral colonies. A control study, if you will. Have there been any systematic studies that compare the two types of colonies in the same area? ]]> Bee Forum Chemguy http://www.beesource.com/forums/showthread.php?283333-What-is-the-overwinter-rate-of-feral-colonies http://www.beesource.com/forums/showthread.php?283332-Roundup&goto=newpost Wed, 22 May 2013 11:53:54 GMT I live next to a public forest preserve and they continuously spray by hand a product that they say is similar to Roundup to kill what is termed... I live next to a public forest preserve and they continuously spray by hand a product that they say is similar to Roundup to kill what is termed invasive plants. Every so often individuals with hand held applicators walk the 40 or so acres and spray. My bee yard is adjacent to this property and although I have asked them to stop they tell me the product is not harmful to bees. We also have private wells and I am concerned the material accumulates and goes down into the water aquifer , but they tell me I am incorrect. The primary chemical is called Glphosate(sp?).I have read various articles on this chemical but would appreciate any other information that might add me in stopping the use of this chemical.I mention my well water as this year my wife was diagnosed with cancer and I obviously became even more concerned.
Thanks ]]> Bee Forum woodedareas http://www.beesource.com/forums/showthread.php?283332-Roundup http://www.beesource.com/forums/showthread.php?283328-package-clipped-queen-is-leaving-by-foot-after-escaping-from-her-cage&goto=newpost Wed, 22 May 2013 05:28:33 GMT This is my first year keeping bees, so I'm sure I've done something wrong... but hoping I can find a quick solution.

On Friday I put my Buckfast package bees into their new home. The process was quick and orderly. I hung the queen's cage in the middle of the deep frames, then closed up the hive. I have a 1qt. mason jar feeder, and the entrance mostly closed off with a small wood block. I had the bottom board removed (screen only), although I do have the inner top cover on the hive, in addition to the top lid. The hive itself sits about 3 feet off the ground on a small fence I built.

72 hours later (Monday evening), I came out to check on my hive for the first time. I popped open the lid, and saw that the cage was indeed empty. I didn't want to disturb the hive much, so I closed everything back up rather quickly and refilled the feeder. In my mind, everything seemed fine; queen is out of the cage, hive is filled with bees, and they're eating from the feeder.

Then I noticed a pile of bees on the ground about the size of a dinner plate about 3 feet from the hive.

I watched it for some time... then saw the marked queen walk over top of the other bees.

I wasn't sure what to do, so I hit them with a puff of smoke, and placed a large Styrofoam cup beside the bees. Sure enough they started filling up the cup. I didn't see the queen go into it, but within a minute or two, the cup was filled up with almost every bee that had been on the ground. I once again opened the hive, removed two frames from one side, sat the cup of bees back into the hive, then closed the hive again and further reduced the entrance to my hive.

So what happened? Why is my clipped queen fleeing her glorious new home? Why didn't all the bees swarm with her? The majority of the bees were still in the hive. Shouldn't they all have left with her? Is it possible I don't have enough airflow to my hive? Or perhaps I had too much? It has been in the mid 80s, and quite muggy...

Things are currently mostly closed off and the bottom board is in place.

Thanks to anyone that can help! ]]> Bee Forum Buzzz http://www.beesource.com/forums/showthread.php?283328-package-clipped-queen-is-leaving-by-foot-after-escaping-from-her-cage http://www.beesource.com/forums/showthread.php?283324-gaps-in-supers&goto=newpost Wed, 22 May 2013 03:32:28 GMT I was given some old supers from a friend who had been beekeeping for many years. I have been cleaning them up, repainting, etc. I had a question... I was given some old supers from a friend who had been beekeeping for many years. I have been cleaning them up, repainting, etc. I had a question about how they stack, they don't sit very well in comparison to the hive bodies I recently bought new. At some places the gaps are probably an 1/8 of an inch. Is this going to be issue? I don't think bees can get through the gaps but i am concerned about ants or other pests. Are gaps a concern? ]]> Bee Forum jwsjeff http://www.beesource.com/forums/showthread.php?283324-gaps-in-supers http://www.beesource.com/forums/showthread.php?283321-feed-bees-syrup-now&goto=newpost Wed, 22 May 2013 02:38:08 GMT soo our nucs we got last month seem to be doing well. we also have been getting swarms and cutouts regularly as well soo the yard is growing every... soo our nucs we got last month seem to be doing well. we also have been getting swarms and cutouts regularly as well soo the yard is growing every few days !

my question is whether i should be feeding the bees syrup right now. i just put the second deeps on our nucs. maybe a little premature but there was eggs in 7 out of 10 frames soo we went ahead and did it. we havent been feeding this year other than letting the girls clean up old cutout comb and maybe some drippings and equipment from cutouts.

other than the 5 frames per nuc....all of the frames are brand new and undrawn in the boxes. should i bee feeding them to boost their comb building ?
and should i only feed them syrup ? ]]> Bee Forum tommysnare http://www.beesource.com/forums/showthread.php?283321-feed-bees-syrup-now http://www.beesource.com/forums/showthread.php?283317-Multiple-eggs-in-cell&goto=newpost Wed, 22 May 2013 02:08:20 GMT I noticed a couple swarms cells in a hive about 10 days ago, so I took 3 frames of bees and the existing queen and started a nuc leaving the hive a... I noticed a couple swarms cells in a hive about 10 days ago, so I took 3 frames of bees and the existing queen and started a nuc leaving the hive a swarm cell to raise. I checked on the nuc and there were multiple cells with 3-5 eggs in them, alot just had a single egg as well. Is the queen just having trouble slowing down so she is laying multiple eggs in the same cell or is there something else going on? Anyone else notice this behavior? The queen is from July/Aug of last year. The queen is present and I don't think it could be laying workers.
Thanks,
Ben ]]> Bee Forum yousowise http://www.beesource.com/forums/showthread.php?283317-Multiple-eggs-in-cell http://www.beesource.com/forums/showthread.php?283315-Another-Noob-Question&goto=newpost Wed, 22 May 2013 01:52:12 GMT So tonight while in the garden, I was planting lavender about 24" away, because I read on a state ran website that they are an essential oil plant that helps with natural v. mite control. when I saw a lone bee on the ground, hanging from a blade of grass. this bee had one bum wing. should I suspect disease, or just a one off? :s. ]]> Bee Forum TMHack http://www.beesource.com/forums/showthread.php?283315-Another-Noob-Question http://www.beesource.com/forums/showthread.php?283314-Question-about-quot-queen-right-quot&goto=newpost Wed, 22 May 2013 01:49:44 GMT Some things we see, we just take for granted. I am doing a trapout and did an inspection the other day to double check 'new queen' progress... There are two nice queen cells on one of the two frames I had added. The frames came from a medium super from one of my successfully wintered-over hives that had made it with a medium over a deep -- the queen was raising her build-up brood in the super. (The bees were from a late-season trapout that finished last fall. REALLY nice feral tree bees.)

Because the super frames are shorter, it was easy to notice hundreds of bees hanging 2-3" down below the frame when I pulled it out... like a swarm. I have always felt this kind of clinginess was a sign of being queen right. But here, the only queens have yet to emerge. There is plenty of room in the hive to spread out. Why would they be hanging like this?

Thanks! ]]> Bee Forum Mike Tuggle http://www.beesource.com/forums/showthread.php?283314-Question-about-quot-queen-right-quot http://www.beesource.com/forums/showthread.php?283313-What-is-your-bees-favorite-flower&goto=newpost Wed, 22 May 2013 01:47:59 GMT I want to plant a field of flowers for my bees, and wanted to know what your bees like best, and what makes the best and most honey? I want to plant a field of flowers for my bees, and wanted to know what your bees like best, and what makes the best and most honey? ]]> Bee Forum Boone http://www.beesource.com/forums/showthread.php?283313-What-is-your-bees-favorite-flower http://www.beesource.com/forums/showthread.php?283312-hive-body-all-out-of-whack&goto=newpost Wed, 22 May 2013 01:29:27 GMT I finally got a chance to look into the deep super of this hive that I recently adopted from my neighbor. I was hoping to see how the brood was... I finally got a chance to look into the deep super of this hive that I recently adopted from my neighbor. I was hoping to see how the brood was going, find the queen and decide whether I should put an additional deep super on the hive. When I opened it up, though, it was a mess. It seems as though a frame or two was missing from the 10 frame box and the frames that were there were spaced quite unevenly so the colony had built all sorts of uneven comb all over the place. I don't know where to begin to get the frames to a normal state where I can easily monitor the hive. I imagine it wouldn't be good to scrape off existing comb if it has brood in it right? Also, ive fed them a few gallons of syrup already and they have barely produced any honey in the upper super so I would think that I shouldn't deplete any stores in the deep body. Any advice? Is there a particular method and/or good time of year to start getting this cleaned up?

Many Thanks for your advice! ]]> Bee Forum michos http://www.beesource.com/forums/showthread.php?283312-hive-body-all-out-of-whack http://www.beesource.com/forums/showthread.php?283311-Newbee-question&goto=newpost Wed, 22 May 2013 01:16:35 GMT When the bees cap the honey is it white ? I opened my hives today and on some of the combs it looks like it is white. I am not sure what it is or if... When the bees cap the honey is it white ? I opened my hives today and on some of the combs it looks like it is white. I am not sure what it is or if something is wrong with it. ]]> Bee Forum emano87 http://www.beesource.com/forums/showthread.php?283311-Newbee-question http://www.beesource.com/forums/showthread.php?283307-Requeen-Question&goto=newpost Wed, 22 May 2013 00:27:32 GMT Good Evening. I am looking for advice on whether to add frames of brood/eggs to a queenless hive or to incorporate somehow a three frame nuc with a... Good Evening. I am looking for advice on whether to add frames of brood/eggs to a queenless hive or to incorporate somehow a three frame nuc with a laying queen. Background: I had a large hive that was about to swarm and it had several swarm cells. I split the hive into two hives and a five frame nuc. I left the queen behind (I think because I never could find her) and put the frames with the swarm cells in the split hive and the nuc. This was about three weeks ago. I checked the hives yesterday and the original hive is going gang busters, the nuc had a laying queen with a frame and a half of brood and the split hive (2 deep) had plenty of bees but only a half a frame of capped brood. I saw no open brood. I am terrible at spotting eggs but did not see them either. I went ahead and pulled a frame of brood from the nuc and added it to the split but then wondered if I should just incorporate the nuc into the split hive and thus requeen it. If so, how does one go about such a task? ]]> Bee Forum Pond Creek Farm http://www.beesource.com/forums/showthread.php?283307-Requeen-Question