4H Beekeeping Manual Ebook Free Download

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4H Beekeeping

Manual

Na me : ____________________ Ag e : _____

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Getting

Started

A ne w b e e ke e p e r sho uld ma ke sure he ha s a ll e q uip me nt a nd a n e mp ty struc ture se t a nd o n ha nd (no t o n o rd e r) b e fo re his b e e s a rrive . Esse ntia l e q uip me nt c o nsists o f ve il, g lo ve s, hive to o l, smo ke r, a nd o ve ra lls.

A ve il is mo st imp o rta nt a nd sho uld a lwa ys b e wo rn whe n ha nd ling b e e s. It p re ve nts

g e tting stung in the fa c e a nd ne c k. An e ffe c tive ve il sho uld b e two thing s, b e e e ntry p ro o f a nd sho uld no t b lo w a g a inst the fa c e in the wind . Ma ny ve ils a re zip p e re d to the ja c ke t / o ve ra lls.

G lo ve s will g ive a g re a t d e a l o f c o nfid e nc e a nd se c urity whe n p utting ha nd s in c o nta c t with the inne r hive . Ha nd s a nd wrists a re the ne a re st a re a s o f skin b e e s c a n sting whe n yo u o p e n the ir hive . Eve n p ro fe ssio na l b e e ke e p e rs use g lo ve s, tho ug h no t a ll.

A hive to o l is ne c e ssa ry to le ve r the p a rts o f the hive a p a rt a s b e e s use p ro p o lis to g lue thing s to g e the r. Sc re wd rive rs o r c hise ls sho uld no t b e use d a s the y will d a ma g e the hive s. Hive to o ls ha ve b ro a d fla t b la d e s. Mo st imp o rta ntly the y a re thin a nd wid e .

The smo ke r is ne c e ssa ry to ke e p the b e e s c a lm. A g o o d o ne sho uld la st a life time , so this is no t a p la c e yo u c ut c o sts. La rg e o ne s will ne e d le ss re fue ling . A c a g e o n the o utsid e ke e p s ha nd s fro m g e tting b urnt, a nd o fte n ha s a ho o k.

O ve ra lls / ja c ke ts a re no t a b so lute ly ne c e ssa ry, b ut b e e s g e t e nta ng le d in o rd ina ry c lo ths like wo o lly swe a te rs. Da rk c lo thing will ma ke the m a g g re ssive , while lig ht will c a lm. So , white smo o th-te xture d o ve ra lls a re the b e st.

The la st c ritic a l ite m ne e d e d is the e mp ty hive struc ture a nd its lo c a tio n se le c te d a nd c le a re d . It is a lso p rud e nt to und e rsta nd sta te a nd lo c a l la ws re g a rd ing b e e ke e p ing . So me to wns ha ve lo c a l o rd ina nc e s tha t p ro hib it it.

Whe n sta rting a ho b b y suc h a b e e ke e p ing o ne sho uld b e a wa re o f why p e o p le ke e p b e e s. The p rima ry re a so ns a re c o lle c ting ho ne y a nd c ro p p o llina tio n. Pe o p le a lso e njo y g e tting o ut d o o rs a nd wo rking with na ture . It sho uld a lso b e me ntio ne d tha t b e e s a re ke p t fo r me d ic a l p urp o se s. Pe o p le with Multip le Sc le ro sis (MS) g e t re g ula r b e e sting s, kno wn a s Be e Ve no m The ra p y (BVT). BVT ha s e na b le d p e o p le with MS to wa lk witho ut a c a ne (No rris, 1997). BVT is no t limite d to MS a nd sho ws g re a t p ro mis. Ro ya l Je lly, Po lle n a nd e ve n ra w ho ne y ha ve sho wn in so me wa y to he lp

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la nd ing p la tfo rm fo r fo ra g ing b e e s. Sinc e the b o tto m b o a rd is o p e n in the fro nt, the c o lo ny sho uld b e tilte d fo rwa rd slig htly to p re ve nt ra inwa te r fro m running into the hive .

Hive

Bodies

Hive b o d ie s a re the ye a r ro und ho me fo r b e e s. No rthe rn sta te s with c o ld e r winte rs fa vo r a wo o d thic kne ss o f 7/ 8” . Ho we ve r, in the so uthe rn sta te s ¾” will wo rk just a s we ll. The c o rne rs a re d o ve ta ile d o r “ b o x jo inte d ” . Ra b b e t jo ints d o no t ha ve e no ug h stre ng th. A full hive b o d y c a n wa y o ve r 60lb s. Hive s no rma lly ha ve two b o d ie s. A b e e ke e p ing lo o king to ma ke e xtra sp lits the fo llo wing sp ring wo uld a d d a third b o d y.

Honey

Supers

Ho ne y sup e rs, a lso re fe rre d to a s a me d ium , a re whe re yo u’ ll b e ha rve sting ho ne y. Sha llo w ho ne y sup p e rs a re no rma lly use d fo r c o mb ho ne y p ro d uc tio n. As the y a re sma lle r the y a re lig hte r tha n d e e p s, b ut ho ld le ss ho ne y.

Inner

Cover

Ele va te s the to p o ute r c o ve r, inc re a se s hive ve ntila tio n a nd insula tio n thro ug h a n e xtra la ye r o f d e a d a ir.

Outer

Cover

Prima ry ro o f p ro te c ts fro m ra in, wind , sno w a nd sun. Lig ht o ute r c o ve rs ne e d to b e we ig hte d d o wn to no t b lo w a wa y in the wind .

Frames

One

Piece

Hive a nd fo und a tio n a re o ne so lid p ie c e o f p la stic d ip p e d o r sp ra ye d in b e e s wa x. No a sse mb ly re q uire d - Stro ng a nd so lid - C a n b e re c o ve re d if wa x mo ths a tta c k; ho ld up b e tte r whe n mic e inva d e .

Wooden

Frames

with

Foundation

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Other

Hive

Components

Tria ng le Esc a pe Bo a rd

Re mo ve s b e e s fro m ho ne y sup e rs yo u wa nt to ha rve st. The mo st stre ss fre e wa y to re mo ve b e e s. The b o a rd is p la c e d b e twe e n the sup e rs a nd the b ro o d c ha mb e r. The b e e s c a n le a ve the sup e rs b ut c a nno t find the ir wa y b a c k in. Be e s na vig a te b a se d o n rule s. Whe n a b e e re a c he s a n o b struc tio n, it will a lwa ys tra ve l to the rig ht a nd fo llo w tha t o b struc tio n till its e nd . So b e e s c a n le a ve thro ug h the 3 e xits b ut no t re turn.

Do ub le Sc re e n

Ena b le s a two q ue e n hive syste m

Ma ste ring a two q ue e n hive is ve ry c ha lle ng ing .

Q ue e n Exc lude r

Ke e p s q ue e ns o ut o f ho ne y sup e rs a nd in the b ro o d

Va rro a Sc re e n

Inte g ra te d Pe st Ma na g e me nt (IPM) c o ntro ls wa ste a nd p a ra site s. Typ ic a lly it’ s ma d e o f a sc re e n o ve r a tra y o r stic ky b o a rd . The tra y is suffic ie nt a nd sup e rio r a s it c a tc he s the hive wa ste . Whe n a mite fa lls into the tra y thro ug h the sc re e n, it will just sit the re wa iting fo r the ne xt b e e to c o me b y. It will the n hitc h its ne xt rid e . By fa lling thro ug h the sc re e n the ‘ ne xt rid e ’ is p re ve nte d fro m c o ming in c o nta c t with the mite . Stic ky b o a rd s a re

simila r to o ne sid e d fly p a p e r. The y c a tc h the mite s, a nd ne e d to b e re p la c e d p e rio d ic a lly.

Sla tte d Ra c k

Imp ro ve d swa rm p re ve ntio n thro ug h inc re a se sp a c e b e twe e n b ro o d s e q ua ting to le ss c ro wd ing .

Hive Sta nd

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Hive

Location

The site fo r yo ur hive sho uld b e c a re fully c ho se n a nd p la nne d lo ng b e fo re yo u ha ve b e e s to b e insta lle d . O nc e a hive is e sta b lishe d , mo ving it to a b e tte r lo c a tio n c a n b e d iffic ult. Altho ug h b e e ke e p e rs in the p o llina tio n b usine ss re g ula rly tra nsp o rt the ir c o lo nie s o ve r lo ng d ista nc e s, it is no t a n e a sy ta sk.

In c o nsid e ring the lo c a tio n o f a ho b b y hive o r two , o ne must b e a wa re o f c lima tic c o nd itio ns suc h a s wind , sha d e , a nd the time the sun hits the hive e a c h mo rning .

Ad d itio na lly, the lo c a tio n o f a hive must ta ke into c o nsid e ra tio n p e o p le , p e sts, a nd p e ts. Bo th c ity a nd c o unty o rd ina nc e s ma y sp e c ify sp e c ia l re q uire me nts fo r tho se who wish to ke e p b a c kya rd hive s. Ne ig hb o rho o d s inc re a sing ly ha ve "re stric tive c o ve na nts" whic h ma y no t a llo w yo u to p a rk a b o a t in yo ur d rive wa y o r ke e p b e e s in yo ur b a c k ya rd . C he c k whe re a p p lic a b le a nd fo llo w a ny re q uire me nts.

The situa tio n with the b a c kya rd hive is uniq ue in tha t e ve n whe n c o mp lying with a ll the ne c e ssa ry rule s a nd re g ula tio ns, o ne ma y e nc o unte r re sista nc e fro m ne ig hb o rs. Ea c h ind ivid ua l must d e c id e if ne ig hb o rs ne e d to b e sp e c ific a lly info rme d . Ma ny b e e ke e p e rs fo llo w ‘ d o n’ t te ll unle ss a ske d ’ p o lic y. So me time s the se re stric tive o rd ina nc e s a re no t in e xiste nc e till a ne ig hb o r find s o ut the re ’ s a b e e hive ne xt d o o r. Still, e d uc a ting o the rs is o ne o f the missio ns o f this b e e ke e p e rs g ro up . Ma ny o f us ha ve ne ig hb o rs who ha ve he a rd o f p o llina tio n p ro b le ms a nd a re e a g e r to le a rn a b o ut ho ne y b e e s. So me time s, whe n a g o ld e n, g le a ming ja r o f ho ne y is le ft o n the d o o rste p it ma ke s ne ig hb o r re la tio ns a lo t swe e te r.

Fo r ne ig hb o rho o d s whe re swimming p o o ls a re c o mmo n, b e e s must b e g ive n wa te r so urc e s so the y d o n't d rink fro m a c hlo rina te d p o o l. If wa te r is no t re a d ily a va ila b le b e e s will d ro wn b y the hund re d s in swimming p o o ls a nd like ly a nno y the p o o l o wne r. Fo r

d rinking wa te r, I use a g a lva nize d c hic ke n wa te r fe e d e r. O ne c o uld use a b ird fe e d e r with sto ne s. The sto ne s se rve a s la nd ing p a d s a nd p re ve nt b e e s fro m d ro wning .

Whe n p la c ing a b a c k ya rd hive , c o nsid e r the b e e ’ s flig ht p a th a nd ma ke sure it d o e s no t c ro ss sid e -wa lks o r p a ths whe re p e o p le wa lk. Yo u c a n use he d g e s to fo rc e b e e s to fly up wa rd s, o r b lo c k the m fro m a re a s whe re p e o p le fre q ue nt.

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Apiculture

Insects

Inse c ts (C la ss Inse c ta) a re a ma jo r g ro up o f a rthro p o d s a nd the mo st d ive rse g ro up o f a nima ls o n the Ea rth, with o ve r a millio n d e sc rib e d sp e c ie s—mo re tha n ha lf o f a ll kno wn living

o rg a nisms—thus p o te ntia lly re p re se nting o ve r 90% o f the life fo rms o n the p la ne t. (Inse c t) Inse c ts p o sse ss se g me nte d b o d ie s sup p o rte d b y a n e xo ske le to n, a ha rd o ute r c o ve ring ma d e mo stly o f c hitin. The se g me nts o f the b o d y a re o rg a nize d into thre e re g io ns, o r ta g ma ta ; a he a d , a tho ra x, a nd a n a b d o m e n. The he a d sup p o rts a p a ir o f se nso ry a nte nna e , a p a ir o f c o mp o und e ye s, o ne to thre e simp le e ye s ("o c e lli") a nd thre e se ts o f va rio usly mo d ifie d a p p e nd a g e s tha t fo rm the mo uthp a rts. The tho ra x ha s six le g s (o ne p a ir e a c h fo r the

p ro tho ra x, me so tho ra x a nd the me ta tho ra x se g me nts ma king up the tho ra x) a nd two o r fo ur wing s (if p re se nt in the sp e c ie s). The a b d o me n (m a d e up o f e le ve n se g me nts so me o f whic h ma y b e re d uc e d o r fuse d ) ha s mo st o f the d ig e stive , re sp ira to ry, e xc re to ry a nd re p ro d uc tive inte rna l struc ture s. (Inse c t)

Honey

Bee

Breeds

Ne w b e e ke e p e rs fa c e the d iffic ult d e c isio n o f whic h stra in o r ra c e o f b e e to o rd e r. To

d e te rmine whic h ra c e o r stra in o f b e e wo uld b e st suit yo ur o p e ra tio n a nd e nviro nme nt. Ho ne y b e e s va ry in tra its suc h a s te mp e ra me nt, d ise a se re sista nc e , a nd p ro d uc tivity d e p e nd ing o n the ir b re e d . Ne w b e e ke e p e rs o fte n lo o k fo r g e ntile te mp e ra me nt a s the ir mo st d e sire d tra it. The e nviro nme nt ha s a la rg e e ffe c t o n d iffe re nc e s a mo ng b e e c o lo nie s (fo r e xa mp le , p la nts in d iffe re nt a re a s yie ld d iffe re nt ho ne y c ro p s), b ut the g e ne tic ma ke up o f a c o lo ny c a n a lso imp a c t the c ha ra c te ristic s tha t d e fine a p a rtic ula r g ro up . Be e ke e p e rs ha ve lo ng kno wn tha t d iffe re nt g e ne tic sto c ks ha ve d istinc tive c ha ra c te ristic s, so the y ha ve utilize d d iffe re nt stra ins to suit the ir p a rtic ula r p urp o se . (NC SU)

Be e sto c k re fe rs to a p a rtic ula r g ro up o f b e e s. The se g ro up s a re o fte n d e fine d b y the ir sp e c ie s, ra c e , re g io n, p o p ula tio n, o r b re e d e r. The se a re the se sto c ks while so me b e ing p o p ula r a re no t e ntire ly we ll kno wn. Be e sto c k p o p ula rity rise s a nd fa lls d e p e nd ing o n b e e ke e p e r ne e d a nd p ro d uc tivity. (NC SU)

Stocks:

Italian

–

(Apis

mellifera

ligustica)

Ita lia n ho ne y b e e s we re b ro ug ht to the U.S. in 1859. The y q uic kly b e c a me the fa vo re d b e e sto c k in this c o untry a nd re ma in so to this d a y. Kno wn fo r the ir e xte nd e d p e rio d s o f b ro o d re a ring , Ita lia n b e e s c a n b uild c o lo ny p o p ula tio ns in the sp ring a nd ma inta in the m fo r the e ntire summe r. The y a re le ss d e fe nsive a nd le ss p ro ne to d ise a se tha n the ir G e rma n c o un-te rp a rts, a nd the y a re e xc e lle nt ho ne y p ro d uc e rs. The y a lso a re ve ry lig htly

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ha ve sho wn tha t p ro p o lis inhib its the g ro wth o f Le uke mia C e lls a nd d e c re a se s the g ro wth o f Sa rc o m a C a nc e r. (Fulto n)

The

German

‐

(Apis

mellifera

mellifera)

The G e rma n o r “ b la c k” b e e a re no t na tive to the Ne w Wo rld , a ltho ug h No rth Am e ric a ha s a b o ut 4,000 na tive sp e c ie s o f b e e s. Ho ne y b e e s we re b ro ug ht to Am e ric a in the 17th c e ntury b y the e a rly Euro p e a n se ttle rs. This sto c k is ve ry d a rk in c o lo r a nd te nd s to b e ve ry d e fe nsive , ma king b e e ma na g e me nt mo re d iffic ult. O ne o f the G e rma n b e e s’ mo re fa vo ra b le c ha ra c te ristic s is tha t the y a re a ha rd y stra in, a b le to survive lo ng , c o ld winte rs in no rthe rn c lima te s. Ho we ve r, b e c a use o f the ir d e fe nsive na ture a nd the ir susc e p tib ility to ma ny b ro o d d ise a se s (suc h a s Ame ric a n a nd Euro p e a n fo ulb ro o d ), this sto c k lo st fa vo r with b e e ke e p e rs we ll o ve r a c e ntury a g o . Altho ug h the fe ra l b e e p o p ula tio n in the U.S. wa s o nc e d o mina te d b y this stra in, ne wly intro d uc e d d ise a se s ha ve ne a rly wip e d o ut mo st wild ho ne y b e e c o lo nie s, m a king the G e rma n b e e a ra re sto c k a t this time . (NC SU)

The

Buckfast

In the 1920s, ho ne y b e e c o lo nie s in the British Isle s we re d e va sta te d b y a c a rine d ise a se , whic h no w is susp e c te d to ha ve b e e n the e nd o p a ra sitic tra c he a l mite Ac a ra p is wo o d i. Bro the r Ad a m s, a mo nk a t Buc kfa st Ab b y in De vo n, Eng la nd , wa s c ha rg e d with c re a ting a b e e sto c k tha t c o uld withsta nd this d e a d ly d ise a se . He tra ve le d the wo rld inte rvie wing b e e ke e p e rs a nd le a rning a b o ut d iffe re nt b e e stra ins, a nd he c re a te d a sto c k o f b e e s, la rg e ly fro m the Ita lia n ra c e , tha t c o uld

thrive in the c o ld we t c o nd itio ns o f the British Isle s, ye t p ro d uc e g o o d ho ne y c ro p s a nd e xhib it g o o d ho use c le a ning a nd g ro o m ing b e ha vio r to re d uc e the p re va le nc e o f d ise a se . Be e s o f this sto c k a re mo d e ra te ly d e fe nsive . Ho we ve r, if le ft unma na g e d fo r o ne o r two g e ne ra tio ns, the y c a n b e a mo ng the mo st fie rc e ly d e fe nsive b e e s o f a ny sto c k. The y a lso a re mo d e ra te in sp ring p o p ula tio n b uild up , p re ve nting the m fro m ta king full a d va nta g e o f e a rly ne c ta r flo ws. (NC SU)

The

Russian

O ne o f the ne we r b e e sto c ks in the U.S. wa s imp o rte d fro m fa r-e a ste rn Russia b y the U.S. De p a rtme nt o f Ag ric ulture ’ s Ho ne y Be e Bre e d ing , G e ne tic s, a nd

Physio lo g y La b o ra to ry in Ba to n Ro ug e , Lo uisia na . The re se a rc he rs’ lo g ic wa s tha t the se b e e s fro m the Primo rski re g io n o n the Se a o f Ja p a n, ha ve c o e xiste d fo r the la st 150 ye a rs with the d e va sta ting e c to p a ra site Va rro a d e struc to r, a mite tha t is re sp o nsib le fo r se ve re c o lo ny lo sse s a ro und the g lo b e , a nd the y mig ht thrive in the U.S. The USDA te ste d whe the r this sto c k ha d e vo lve d re sista nc e to va rro a a nd

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Russia n b e e s te nd to re a r b ro o d o nly d uring time s o f ne c ta r a nd p o lle n flo ws, so b ro o d re a ring a nd c o lo ny p o p ula tio ns te nd to fluc tua te with the e nviro nme nt. The y a lso e xhib it g o o d

ho use c le a ning b e ha vio r, re sulting in re sista nc e no t o nly to va rro a b ut a lso to the tra c he a l mite . The y ha ve e xc e lle nt wind e r ha rd ine ss.

Be e s o f this sto c k e xhib it so me unusua l b e ha vio rs c o mp a re d to o the r stra ins. Fo r e xa mp le , the y te nd to ha ve q ue e n c e lls p re se nt in the ir c o lo nie s a lmo st a ll the time , whe re a s mo st o the r sto c ks re a r q ue e ns o nly d uring time s o f swa rming o r q ue e n re p la c e me nt. Russia n b e e s a lso p e rfo rm b e tte r whe n no t in the p re se nc e o f o the r b e e stra ins; re se a rc h ha s sho wn tha t c ro ss-c o nta mina tio n fro m susss-c e p tib le sto ss-c ks ss-c a n le sse n the va rro a re sista nss-c e o f the se

b e e s. (NC SU)

The

Minnesota

Hygienic

This sto c k ha s b e e n se le c te d fo r its e xc e p tio na l ho use c le a ning a b ility, sig nific a ntly re d uc ing the ne g a tive e ffe c ts o f mo st b ro o d d ise a se s. (NC SU) The y a re b re d a t the Unive rsity o f Minne so ta thro ug h se le c tive ly b re e d ing C o rd o va ns fo r hyg ie nic b e ha vio r.

The

SMR

(a.k.a.

VMR)

This sto c k, re fe rring to “ Sup p re ssio n o f Mite Re p ro d uc tio n,” a lso wa s d e ve lo p e d b y the USDA ho ne y b e e la b in Lo uisia na b y a rtific ia lly se le c ting c o mme rc ia l sto c ks fo r mite re sista nc e . While no t a n ind e p e nd e ntly via b le sto c k o n its o wn (b e c a use o f inb re e d ing ), the SMR tra it ha s b e e n inc o rp o ra te d into o the r g e ne tic sto c ks so tha t the se sto c ks ma y a lso e xp re ss this hig hly d e sire d c ha ra c te ristic . (NC SU)

The

Cordovan

(Italian

Subspecies)

This b e e is a typ e o f Ita lia n b e e tha t ha s a ve ry e ye c a tc hing lig ht ye llo w c o lo r. (NC SU) The c o rd o va n c o lo r va ria tio n d o e s no t c o nstitute a d iffe re nt ra c e . The sing le re c e ssive g e ne tha t d e te rmine s the c o rd o va n c o lo r, wo rks o n the sa me p rinc ip le tha t b lue a nd b ro wn e ye o p e ra te s in p e o p le .

The

Midnight

(Hybrid)

This hyb rid b e e wa s d e ve lo p e d b y c ro ssing the C a uc a sia n a nd C a rnio la n sto c ks, ho p ing to ma inta in the e xtre me g e ntle ne ss o f b o th stra ins while re mo ving the e xc e ssive p ro p o lis o f the C a uc a sia ns a nd minimizing the swa rming p ro p e nsity o f the C a rnio la ns. (NC SU)

The

Starline

(Hybrid)

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Wild

Caucasian

(Hybrid)

This wa s d e ve lo p e d b e twe e n b le nd ing Russia n with C a uc a sia n in the O lymp ic Wild e rne ss Ap ia ry. During 2002 a n SMR q ue e n wa s intro d uc e d . The re sult is no w a trip le hyb rid . Ke y tra its inc lud e stro ng sp ring b uild up a nd winte r ha rd y.

The “ Sma rt” stra ins a re c ro sse s b e twe e n the SMR stra in a nd o the r sto c ks, suc h a s Ita lia n, Russia n, a nd C a rnio la n. (NC SU)

Ma ny b re e d e rs d o no t use a rtific ia l inse mina tio n. Thus, o ve r time the ir hive s b e c o me slig htly hyb rid ize d a nd re g io n sp e c ific . This is kno wn a s ha ving a survivo r sto c k, a s it ha s a d a p te d to survive in the ir ya rd ’ s c lima te .

It is hig hly re c o mme nd a b le tha t a ll ne w b e e ke e p e rs sta rt with a g e ntile b e e . The Ita lia n is the mo st p o p ula r o fte n d e sire d fo r this re a so n. Its ye llo w strip s illustra te the c o mmo n ho ne y b e e ima g e .

African

‐

(Apis

mellifera

scutellata)

An Afric a n ra c e o f b e e s wa s imp o rte d into So uth Ame ric a in 1956. The se b e e s a re hig hly d e fe nsive —o r yo u c o uld c a ll the m a g g re ssive ! The y a re muc h mo re like ly to sting tha n o the r b e e s. O nc e d isturb e d , the y will c ha se p e o p le a nd a nima ls tha t c o me ne a r the ir hive . A sing le Afric a n b e e sting is no mo re ve no mo us tha n a sing le Euro p e a n b e e sting . Afric a nize d

ho ne yb e e s re sp o nd mo re q uic kly whe n d isturb e d tha n d o EHBs. The y se nd o ut thre e to fo ur time s a s ma ny wo rke rs in re sp o nse to a thre a t. The y will a lso p ursue a n intrud e r fo r a g re a te r d ista nc e fro m the hive .

Ho we ve r, the y a re no t like ly to sting whe n the y a re fo ra g ing o n flo we rs a wa y fro m the hive . Afric a nize d b e e s a re no w p re se nt in so me o f the so uthe rn Unite d Sta te s, b ut a re no t we ll a d a p te d to the c o ld winte rs o f the Mid we st a nd No rthe a st. The y ha ve so me tra its tha t ma ke the m we ll a d a p te d to the tro p ic s, suc h a s a te nd e nc y fo r the c o lo ny to g ro w ve ry ra p id ly a nd to swa rm o fte n. It is no t kno wn whe the r Afric a nize d b e e s will a d a p t to o ur c lima te b y ma ting with o ur Euro p e a n ra c e s o f b e e s. If this ha p p e ns, the y m a y b e c o m e le ss a g g re ssive . (Pe tritz)

Cape

–

(Apis

mellifera

capensis)

Apis m e llife ra c a pe nsis, the C a p e b e e is a so uthe rn So uth Afric a n sub -sp e c ie s o f the We ste rn ho ne y b e e . C a p e b e e wo rke rs a re uniq ue ly a b le to la y d ip lo id , fe ma le e g g s, b y me a ns o f the lyto ky, whe re a s wo rke rs o f o the r ho ne y b e e sub sp e c ie s (a nd , in fa c t, unma te d fe ma le s o f virtua lly a ll o the r e uso c ia l inse c ts) a re a b le to la y o nly ha p lo id , ma le e g g s.

The mo ve me nt b y b e e ke e p e rs o f C a p e ho ne y b e e s into no rthe rn So uth Afric a , whe re the y d o no t na tura lly o c c ur, ha s c re a te d a p ro b le m fo r the re g io n's ind ig e no us p o p ula tio ns o f A. m. sc ute lla ta . If a fe ma le wo rke r fro m a C a p e ho ne y b e e c o lo ny e nte rs a c o lo ny o f A. m .

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whic h will a lso la y e g g s. As a re sult the p a ra sitic A. m . c a p e nsis wo rke rs inc re a se in numb e r within a ho st c o lo ny. The se c lo ne s d o no t fo ra g e fo o d o r he lp ma inta in the hive . This le a d s to the d e a th o f the ho st c o lo ny o n whic h the y d e p e nd . Whe n the c o lo ny d ie s, the c a p e nsis fe ma le s will se e k o ut a ne w ho st c o lo ny.

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Bee

Biology

Basics

Ho ne yb e e s b e lo ng to the o rd e r Hyme no p te ra , whic h inc lud e s o the r b e e s, wa sp s, a nd a nts. Mo st Hyme no p te ra ha ve two p a irs o f c le a r wing s, a nd c he wing mo uth p a rts. So me c a n suc k up liq uid s suc h a s the ho ne y b e e . Hyme no p te ra und e rg o c o mp le te me ta mo rp ho sis (c ha ng e in fo rm) d uring the ir d e ve lo p me nt. The re a re fo ur sta g e s o f life : (To wnse nd )

1. Eg g 2. La rva

3. Pup a 4. Ad ult

Be e s a re e q uip p e d to c o lle c t p o lle n a nd ne c ta r. The y a re c o ve re d with ha irs tha t tra p p o lle n a s the y visit flo we rs. The p o lle n is sto re d in p o lle n b a ske ts o n the ir hind le g s. A to ng ue like p o rtio n o f the ir mo uth suc ks up ne c ta r. (To wnse nd )

Ho ne y b e e s a re so c ia l inse c ts tha t live in hig hly o rg a nize d c o lo nie s. Ea c h me mb e r ha s a sp e c ific jo b a nd must wo rk to g e the r to survive . The re a re thre e d istinc t c a ste s o f

ho ne yb e e s in a c o lo ny: the q ue e n, the wo rke r, a nd the d ro ne . (To wnse nd )

a . Wo rke r b . Q ue e n c . Dro ne (To wnse nd )

The

Queen

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d ro p s. He r p ro d uc tivity is influe nc e b y the a mo unt o f fo o d a va ila b le , e mp ty b ro o d sp a c e , te mp e ra ture , a nd mo re . He r wo rke rs re c o g nize he r mo stly b y the sme ll o f he r p he ro mo ne s (na tura l p e rfume ). Q ue e ns a re b o rn in sp e c ia l c e lls, q ue e n c e lls. The y lo o k like ro und b a lls a tta c he d to c o mb . The lo c a tio n o f the q ue e n c e ll will c a use its a p p e a ra nc e to va ry. Q ue e n c e lls must b e mo nito re d in the sp ring to p re ve nt swa rming . Wo rke r b e e s ma ke ne w q ue e ns fo r o ne o f thre e re a so ns

1. The fo rm e r q ue e n le ft with a swa rm

2. The q ue e n is la ying inc re a sing ly fe we r e g g s

3. The c o lo ny is o ve rc ro wd e d a nd ha s no p la c e to e xp a nd . (To wnse nd )

A wo rke r e g g (fe ma le ) will ha tc h in thre e d a ys, a nd the n la rva is fe d sp e c ia l fo o d c a lle d ro ya l je lly. Afte r six d a ys the q ue e n c e ll is se a le d . The q ue e n e me rg e s a b o ut e ig ht d a ys la te r, a nd will live up to 4 ye a rs.

The thre e re a so ns fo r ma king ne w q ue e ns re la te to thre e typ e s o f q ue e ns: 1. Sup e rse d ure

2. Swa rm 3. Eme rg e nc y

Swa rm q ue e n c e lls a re b uilt a lo ng the lo we r e d g e o f c o mb , o fte n in la rg e numb e rs a s ma ny a s 20 a t o ne time . Sup e rse d ure q ue e n c e lls, fe we r in numb e r a re g e ne ra lly a b o ut the sa me a g e a nd b uilt p e rp e nd ic ula r to the c o mb surfa c e , the y a re b uilt a t time s o f hig h fo o d a va ila b ility. Distinc tive fe a ture o f e me rg e nc y q ue e n c e lls is the ir d ie t a nd ma ture time is rushe d . Yo u wa nt a ny q ue e n re p la c e me nt to b e a sup e rse d ure q ue e n a s the y ha ve the mo st time to d e ve lo p . (Akra ta na kul)

The

Worker

Wo rke rs a re sma lle r tha n q ue e ns a nd d ro ne s, b ut the y ma ke up the b ulk o f the p o p ula tio n. O nly se ve ra l hund re d a re a ro und in the winte r, b ut so me hive s ma y re a c h up to 100,000 wo rke rs. Ea c h la rva is fe d ro ya l je lly fo r thre e d a ys the n p o lle n a nd ho ne y fo r thre e mo re . The la rva will mo lt (she d o ute r skin) five time s d uring the six d a ys. Just b e fo re ma turity the b e e s a ssig ne d to nursing d uty will c a p the c e ll. The la rva the n sp ins a c o c o o n a nd b e c o me s a p up a . The a d ult e me rg e s 12 d a ys la te r. It ta ke s a b o ut thre e we e ks to g o fro m e g g to a d ult wo rke r. The y the n live 4 to 6 we e ks.

The

Drone

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Observing

the

Hive

Entrance

Ple a se use this se c tio n a s a re fe re nc e fo r yo u wo rkb o o k o b e rsva tio ns.

The hive e ntra nc e o f a ho ne y b e e c o lo ny is ve ry muc h like the fro nt d o o r o f yo ur ho use . Just a s yo u g o thro ug h it o n yo ur wa y to a nd fro m sc ho o l, the fie ld b e e s must e xit a nd e nte r thro ug h the hive e ntra nc e o n the ir trip s to visit flo we rs. By wa tc hing a hive ’ s e ntra nc e , b e e ke e p e rs c a n le a rn a g re a t d e a l a b o ut the le ve ls o f a c tivity o f the ir b e e s. O b se rving the hive e ntra nc e no t o nly te lls a b o ut the ho ne y p la nts in b lo o m tha t a re a ttra c ting the fie ld b e e s, b ut it a lso te lls a b o ut the wo rk g o ing o n insid e the hive . The mo re ne c ta r a nd o the r sup p lie s the fie ld b e e s b ring in, the b usie r the ho use b e e s will b e , sto ring a wa y a nd using sup p lie s to b uild ne w c o mb a nd to c a re fo r the yo ung b e e s. Wha t is ha p p e ning a t the hive ’ s e ntra nc e c a n a lso te ll

b e e ke e p e rs a b o ut the he a lth o f the ir b e e s. Fo r e xa mp le :

• If yo u a re to o ho t in yo ur ho use , yo u ma y sit o utsid e yo ur fro nt d o o r. Be e s d o the sa me thing . • Whe n yo u a re c o ld , yo u c lo se the fro nt d o o r. Altho ug h the b e e s c a nno t c lo se the ir hive e ntra nc e , the y will re ma in insid e , a wa y fro m the e ntra nc e , whe n the y a re c o ld .

• Whe n yo u d o no t fe e l we ll, yo u sta y insid e to re st. Sic k b e e s d o no t le a ve the ir hive s, e ithe r. Ho we ve r, if the y a re ve ry sic k the y will c ra wl o ut o f the hive a nd d ie .

O b se rve the e ntra nc e to a hive , wa tc hing c lo se ly fo r a t le a st 15 minute s a t le a st o nc e e ve ry thre e we e ks. Do this a t d iffe re nt time s o f the d a y. Sit a s c lo se to the e ntra nc e a s p o ssib le so tha t yo u ha ve a c le a r vie w o f the a c tivitie s ta king p la c e . Do no t sit in fro nt o f the e ntra nc e ! The b e e s will b e c o me c o nfuse d if the y se e yo u in fro nt a nd wo n’ t kno w whe re to g o . Fo r e a c h o b se rva tio n p e rio d , re c o rd wha t yo u sa w. De sc rib e wha t the y we re d o ing the re a nd wha t, if a nything , the y we re c a rrying in o r o ut o f the hive . Ma ke c e rta in to inc lud e the info rma tio n liste d b e lo w in yo ur re p o rts:

• The d a te a nd time o f d a y o f yo ur o b se rva tio n • The we a the r c o nd itio ns while yo u we re wa tc hing

• A summa ry o f the a c tivitie s yo u o b se rve d a t the hive e ntra nc e • The typ e s a nd a p p ro xima te numb e r o f b e e s yo u sa w

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Our

First

Year

of

Bee

Management

Hiving

a

Package

of

Bees

The e ntra nc e o f the hive sho uld b e re d uc e d using the e ntra nc e re d uc e r. Do no t c lo se the e ntra nc e c o mp le te ly b e c a use the

b e e s mig ht smo the r. Hiving la te in the a fte rno o n, o n a no n-wind y d a y is p re fe rre d . Sp ra y the b e e s o r b rush o n so me sug a r wa te r o n the

c a g e sc re e n b e fo re insta lla tio n. It he lp s to ha ve the fra me s in the hive b rushe d with sug a r w a te r to o . This is no t a b so lute ly ne c e ssa ry, b ut he lp s to c a lm the b e e s d o wn a nd inhib its flig ht until the y lo c a te o n the ir ne w ho me . It is p e rha p s mo re c ruc ia l if the wind is b lo wing a nd the re is a c ha nc e the b e e s tha t ta ke flig ht will b e b lo wn to a no the r hive o r to o fa r a wa y fro m the ne w hive to find it.

Se tup yo ur hive with 3-4 fra me s re mo ve d fro m the

mid d le o f the hive . The n re mo ve the p lywo o d fro m the to p o f the p a c ka g e .

Kno c k the b e e s to the b o tto m o f the c a g e a nd re mo ve the q ue e n c a g e . C he c k to se e tha t the q ue e n is a live in the q ue e n c a g e a nd se t he r a sid e . If she is d e a d , p ut the q ue e n c a g e b a c k in the hive a nd c a ll fo r a re p la c e me nt. Ke e p the p a c ka g e in a c o o l p la c e a nd fe e d the m e ve ry d a y until yo u g e t the ne w q ue e n.

Using o ne fing e r a nd yo ur hive to o l, re mo ve the sug a r syrup c a n. If the b e e s sta rt e me rg ing fro m the q ue e n c a g e o p e ning b e fo re yo u g e t the c a n o ut, kno c k the m d o wn a g a in until yo u g e t the c a n o ut. Re p la c e the p lywo o d o n to p o f the p a c ka g e . Yo u a re no w re a d y to d ump the b e e s in the hive .

O nc e the c a n is o ut, ro ta te the c a g e a nd mo ve it b a c k a nd fo rth to g e t a s ma ny b e e s o ut a s p o ssib le .

Imme d ia te ly p ut d o wn the c a g e , a nd g e ntly p ut in the

missing fra me s a nd c lo se the hive . Do no t wo rry a b o ut c rushing b e e s with the fra me s; the y will g e t o ut o f the wa y.

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Le a n the e mp ty p a c ka g e up a g a inst the fro nt e ntra nc e o f the hive .Fe e d the b e e s, b ut it is imp o rta nt no t to d isturb the b e e s unle ss ne c e ssa ry. C he c k a fte r 4-7 d a ys. If the b e e s ha ve no t re le a se d the q ue e n, yo u re le a se he r b y re m o ving the c o rk. Re mo ve the q ue e n c a g e a nd p ush the fra me s to g e the r. If a ny e xtra c o mb ha s b e e n b uilt und e rne a th the q ue e n c a g e , re mo ve it.

Hiving

a

Nucleus

Hive

(Nuc)

Nuc le us, o r "nuc " hive s ha ve fe we r fra me s tha n a sta nd a rd b e e hive . First se t the b ro o d with 5 e mp ty (no n d ra wn) fra me s, sp ra ye d with sug a r wa te r. Ta ke the fra me s fro m the nuc b o x a nd p la c e the m in the e mp ty b ro o d b o x. Alte rna te nuc fra me s with b la nks fo r fa ste r c o mb b uild ing , b ut ke e p the b ro o d to g e the r.

Spring

Start

We a re g o ing to a ssume yo u ha ve yo ur hive o f ho ne y b e e s sta rte d . As yo ur b e e c o lo ny g ro ws, it will b e ne c e ssa ry to a d d mo re b o xe s "sup e rs" fo r the m to e xp a nd into . If b e e s b e c o me c ro wd e d a nd

the re is no t e no ug h ro o m fo r e xp a nsio n o f the b ro o d ne st, the b e e s will swa rm (fly o ff in la rg e numb e rs a lo ng with the q ue e n to sta rt a ne w c o lo ny).

Lo ss o f a swa rm ma y le a ve the re ma ining c o lo ny to o we a k to g a the r e no ug h surp lus ho ne y fo r the winte r. Whe n a hive swa rms the q ue e n le a ve s with the b e e s b ut b e fo re le a ving , she la ys e g g s in sp e c ia l c e lls c a lle d q ue e n c e lls. The se c e lls (20 o r mo re o f the m) will b e lo c a te d a t the e d g e o r b o tto m o f the fra me s. Wha t c a n yo u d o if yo u se e q ue e n c e lls?

1. First, yo u c a n try to c ut a ll o f the m o ut a nd this must b e d o ne e ve ry six o r se ve n d a ys. O nc e b e e s sta rt b uild ing q ue e n c e lls, it is ha rd to sto p the m fro m b uild ing mo re .

2. Yo u c a n g ive the m mo re ro o m b y p utting a ne w sup e r o n the hive . This d o e sn't a lwa ys wo rk. 3. Yo u c a n ta ke se ve ra l fra me s with q ue e n c e lls o n the m a nd sta rt a ne w hive . The ne w

q ue e ns will e me rg e , fig ht, a nd the survivo r will ma te a nd b e g in to p ro d uc e mo re b ro o d . Do n't use this me tho d a fte r mid July. Ad d ne w b ro o d fra me s to the o ld hive a nd c ut a ll re ma ining q ue e n c e lls.

4. The b e st thing yo u c a n d o is just ma ke sure yo ur b e e s d o no t re a c h the c ritic a l p o int o f b e ing to o c ro wd e d .

Summer

Flow

&

Hive

Inspections

A b e e ke e p e r sho uld kno w wha t his b e e s a re d o ing . Yo u sho uld e xa mine the hive e ve ry 2-3 we e ks to ma ke sure the y ha ve p le nty o f ro o m , tha t the q ue e n is la ying e g g s, tha t the y a re sto ring ho ne y, a nd tha t the b e e s a re fre e o f d ise a se .

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e xist in so me a re a s o f the U.S. C o mme rc ia l b e e ke e p e rs o fte n te ll o f hive s tha t g a the r a n a ve ra g e o f 200 p o und s o f ho ne y o r mo re p e r hive in a n a re a like this. O n the o the r ha nd , ma ny b e e ke e p e rs a re limite d to the ir b a c k ya rd s a nd the b e e s a re limite d to the a re a tha t e xte nd s two mile s o ut fro m tha t ya rd . As a re sult, mo st ho b b yist b e e ke e p e rs ha ve hive s tha t g a the r 30 to 50 p o und s o f ho ne y p e r se a so n. If the a re a is a g o o d a re a , the b e e s mig ht b ring in 100 p o und s o f surp lus ho ne y.

Management

of

Hives

Muc h o f the p la nning tha t g o e s into p ro d uc ing a ho ne y c ro p ha s to d o with timing . Did yo u g e t yo ur ho ne y sup e rs o n the b e e s a t the rig ht time ? Are yo ur b e e s stro ng whe n the ho ne y c ro p is to b e g a the re d ? Are yo u insp e c ting yo ur hive fo r swa rming ? Do yo u ha ve a p ro d uc tive q ue e n? All o f the se thing s a re the d utie s o f a b e e ke e p e r tha t wa nts to g e t a ho ne y c ro p .

Feeding

a

New

Hive

of

Bees

Fe e d ing a hive o f b e e s e sp e c ia lly o ne just sta rte d o n ne w fo und a tio n he lp s the b e e s imme nse ly. The y ne e d to b uild ne w c o mb , ra ise b ro o d , a nd sto re fo o d fo r tho se d a ys the y c a nno t g a the r ne c ta r. Ho we ve r, the re will c o me a p o int whe n the fe e d ing sho uld sto p . I ha ve b e e n a ske d , "Why no t le t the b e e s c o nve rt the sug a r syrup into ho ne y? The sug a rs tha t ma ke up the ho ne y will no t b e ho ne y sug a rs. Se c o nd , the se sug a rs fro m c a ne o r sug a r b e e ts c a n b e id e ntifie d if the y a re p ut to sc ie ntific te st. Third , it is ille g a l to se ll a lte re d ho ne y a s p ure ho ne y. Why no t just g o mix c o rn syrup with ho ne y? It is no t the sa me thing . It is a d e g ra d e d p ro d uc t!

Sugar Syrup (used in top feeders)

Yo u sho uld fe e d yo ur b e e s in the Sp ring a nd in the Fa ll. Ja nua ry a nd Fe b rua ry a re o fte n to o c o ld fo r a b e to fly up into the fe e d e r. The wa rme st d a y in the first we e k o f Ma rc h the fe e d e rs sho uld g o o ut, to p re ve nt the b e e s fro m sta rving sho uld the y run o ut o f fo o d . Ap ril - Ma y (Sp ring ) yo u sho uld fe e d a 1:1 ra tio o f sug a r to wa te r. In the Fa ll (sta rting Se p t./ O c t.), yo u sho uld use a 2:1 ra tio .

Whe n me d ic a ting , me d ic a tio ns a re a d d e d to the sug a r a nd the n the wa te r is a d d e d to fo rm syrup . The syrup is the n stirre d a nd c o o le d a s usua l.

1:1 Syrup

1:1, o r O ne -to -O ne syrup c a n b e use d fo r sup p le m e nta l sp ring fe e d ing a nd e nc o ura g e the d ra wing o f c o mb .

5 – 8 lb s sug a r & 4 g a l wa te r = ~ 5 g a l syrup

Simp ly stir sug a r into ro o m te mp e ra ture wa te r until a ll the sug a r ha s d isso lve d to p ro d uc e the d e sire d q ua ntity. The d isso lving p ro c e ss will b e sp e d up with ho tte r wa te r, just b e sure no t to b o il the sug a r so lutio n. O ne vo lume o f wa te r p lus o ne vo lume o f sug a r whe n p re p a re d e q ua ls ro ug hly 1.5 vo lume s o f syrup .

2:1 Syrup

2:1, o r Two -to -O ne syrup c a n b e use d fo r fa ll fe e d ing a fte r the la st ho ne y ha rve st, o r if the b e e s d o no t ha ve a suffic ie ntly la rg e sto re o f ho ne y.

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The two p a rts sug a r will no t d isso lve q uic kly in ro o m te mp e ra ture wa te r. Be c a use o f this mixing d iffic ulty it is a d visa b le to mix the sug a r into ne a r-b o iling wa te r. The n a d d to re ma ining wa te r. Do no t a llo w the sug a r mixture to b o il, a s this will g ive the c ha nc e fo r so me o f the sug a rs to c a ra me lize , c re a ting a p a rtia lly ind ig e stib le a nd p o ssib ly e ve n to xic so lutio n a s fa r a s the b e e s a re c o nc e rne d . Be sure to le t the so lutio n tho ro ug hly c o o l b e fo re fe e d ing it to the b e e s. It wa s o nc e c o mmo n p ra c tic e to a d d c re a m o f ta rta r (ta rta ric a c id ) to 2:1 syrup to p re ve nt re -c rysta lliza tio n o f the sug a rs, fe rm e nta tio n a nd fo rma tio n o f b la -c k mo ld . Ho we ve r this must b e d o ne in mo d e ra tio n o r it ma y sho rte n the life sp a ns o f the b e e s tha t c o nsume it.

During the wa rme r the d a y, the mo ld ma y b uild . Ad d ½ te a sp o o n o f C re a m o f Ta rta r (to the sug a r) fo r e a c h g a llo n o f syrup b e ing ma d e . This will g re a tly re d uc e mo ld . Ho we ve r, to o muc h c re a m o f ta rta r ma y sho rte n the life sp a n o f the b e e s.

If yo ur b e e s ha d b uilt 2 b ro o d s o f c o mb , b uilt up e no ug h ho ne y fo r winte r sto re s, a nd we re sta rting to c o lle c t ho ne y tha t yo u p la n to ha rve st, the n yo u wo uld sto p fe e d ing the sug a r wa te r. Yo u d o this to p re ve nt the b e e s fro m sto ring the sug a r wa te r in the ho ne y sup e rs. If this we re the c a se yo u'll o nly ha rve st sug a r wa te r whe n yo u e xtra c t. So d o no t fe e d sug a r wa te r whe n p la nning to e xtra c t ho ne y.

Pollen Patties

Pa ttie s se rve to sup p le me nt the p ro te in p a rt o f the b e e d ie t. Pa ttie s c a n b e ma d e o f so y, b re we r’ s ye a st, p o lle n o r a mixture o f the se . The mo st c o mmo n p o lle n p a tty will ha ve 90-93% so y p o wd e r with 7-10% p o lle n. The a d d itio n o f re a l p o lle n will a ttra c t b e e s a nd inc re a se the ra te o f c o nsump tio n.

Dry Pollen Substitute

Dry p o lle n sub stitute c a n b e p la c e d d ire c tly into the hive o r use d in b ird fe e d e rs to

a ttra c t lo c a l b e e s.

3 p a rts (b y we ig ht) So y Flo ur (p o wd e r) (e xp e lle r-p ro c e sse d so yb e a n flo ur)

1 p a rt (b y w e ig ht) Bre we rs Ye a st

1 p a rt (b y w e ig ht) No nfa t Dry Milk (No t insta nt milk)

Simp ly inte g ra te the p o wd e rs to g e the r a nd use . O c c a sio na lly b e e s ma y re fuse to e a t p o lle n sub stitute , mo st o fte n whe n fre sh p o lle n is a va ila b le . It is ho we ve r p o ssib le to tric k b e e s to ta ke the sub stitute whe n ne c e ssa ry b y inte g ra ting a sma ll a mo unt o f Vitamin C into the mixture . O fte n 1 te a sp o o n p e r 5 c up s c a n b e a d d e d . If a p o we re d fo rm is no t a va ila b le , it is p o ssib le to c rush a Vita min C ta b le t fo r inte g ra tio n.

Pollen Patty

To ma ke a p o lle n p a tty, b ind the Dry Pollen Substitute with e no ug h 2:1 Syrup to ma ke a p utty o r d o ug h like c o nsiste nc y. C a utio n – d o no t a d d liq uid to o q uic kly.

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Bee

Stings

All ho ne y b e e wo rke rs a re p o te ntia l sting ing inse c ts b ut usua lly sting o nly to d e fe nd the ir c o lo ny o r the mse lve s. No ma tte r ho w g o o d a b e e ke e p e r yo u b e c o me , o c c a sio na lly yo u will a c c id e nta lly c rush a b e e . Yo u ma y visit the hive s whe n the b e e s a re d isturb e d b y a c ha ng e in the we a the r, b y hung e r, o r b y so me thing e lse b e yo nd yo ur c o ntro l. As a re sult, yo u ma y b e stung . (Pe tritz)

To a vo id sting s, d o no t p a ss d ire c tly in fro nt o f a c o lo ny e ntra nc e . Wo rk is b e st d o ne fro m the sid e o r b a c k. If a b e e c o me s ne a r yo u o r la nd s o n yo u, re ma in c a lm . Swa tting a t b e e s

a g g ra va te s the m a nd inc re a se s the c ha nc e o f b e ing stung . If the b e e la nd s o n yo u b rush the b e e o ff a s g e ntly a s p o ssib le , a nd wa lk a wa y a t le a st twe nty fe e t to he lp the b e e lo se inte re st in yo u. (To wnse nd , 2005)

Whe n a ho ne y b e e sting s it inje c ts a p ro te in a nd va rio us o the r c he mic a l sub sta nc e s. The re ma y b e p a in la sting a b o ut 30 – 60 se c o nd s. Whe n the sting a re a swe lls a s a n a lle rg ic re a c tio n to the fo re ig n p ro te in, the swe lling ma y itc h simila r to a mo sq uito b ite fo r a d a y o r two .

Be e ke e p e rs g ra d ua lly a c q uire a re sista nc e to sting s so tha t no swe lling o c c urs. Antihista mine s a re the b e st tre a tme nt fo r sting s. The y a re e a sy to p ut o n the sting in a c re a m fo rm . A ra re c a se o f a n a lle rg ic re a c tio n will sho w q uic k a nd e xc e ssive swe lling . Me d ic a l a tte ntio n sho uld b e so ug ht a s q uic kly a s p o ssib le . It is p o ssib le to ha ve a tre a tme nt to d e se nsitize o ne se lf to sting s. The p ro c e ss no rma lly invo lve s g e tting stung in a c o ntro lle d e nviro nme nt suc h a s a ho sp ita l. (Ho o p e r, 1977)

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Enemies

of

the

Hive

While ma ny a re liste d he re , the se a re just the ma jo r a nd mo st c o mmo n thre a ts to yo ur hive .

Disease

Be e s suffe r fro m a numb e r o f d ise a se s, b ut we a s b e e ke e p e rs a re o nly inte re ste d in a fe w. It is o nly whe n e p id e mic d ise a se s o c c ur tha t we b e c o me inte re ste d . Whe n hund re d s o f b e e s d ie we ha ve to d o so me thing .

Ho ne y b e e d ise a se s c a n b e d ivid e d into two typ e s: tho se tha t a ffe c t the a d ult b e e , a nd tho se tha t a ffe c t the b ro o d .

No se m a – sing le c e lle d a mo e b a , No se ma a p is, is sp re a d via b e e wa ste (p o o p ). It sp re a d s whe n b e e s c le a n o ut the hive wa ste . Be e life sp a n is c ut b y 50%. No se ma ha s the p o te ntia l to kill the c o lo ny; ho we ve r it is p o ssib le to re c o ve r fro m No se ma . The a ntib io tic Fumid il ‘ B’ ma y he lp re c o ve ry.

Pa ra lysis – is c a use d b y a virus na me d C hro nic Be e Pa ra lysis Virus, C BPV. It a p p e a rs to ha ve se ve ra l a ffc ts o f the ind ivid ua l b e e a nd the c o lo ny. The two mo st c o mmo n e ffe c ts a re the p re se nc e o f p a ra lyse d b e e s le ft o n the to p b a rs o f the fra me s a fte r the o the r b e e s ha ve b e e n smo ke d d o wn. Se c o nd ly the re ma y b e a la rg e q ua ntity o f d e a d b e e s in the fro nt o f the hive . The infe c te d b e e will ha ve a fla tte ne d a p p e a ra nc e , the a b d o me n ma y b e so me wha t b lo a te d , a nd the wing s wid e r tha n no rma l. No kno wn me d ic a tio ns c a n he lp the se b e e s.

Dyse nte ry – is no t a n infe c tio us d ise a se , b ut c a use d b y to o muc h wa te r in the sto ma c h. O ne p o ssib le fa c to r to wa rd s its c a use is a d ie t o f c rysta llize d sto re s o f ho ne y. Re c a ll, ho ne y hig h in wa te r p e rc e nta g e will c rysta llize q uic ke r tha n lo w wa te r p e rc e nta g e .

Pe stic ide s – a re a n o utsid e fa c to r o n the immune syste m. The b e e c a n b e c a ug ht b y sp ra ys in thre e wa ys: whe n the c ro p o n whic h it is wo rking is sp ra ye d , whe n the sp ra y is use d o n the c ro p a nd whe n the b e e s a re flying o ve r a c ro p whic h is b e ing sp ra ye d to re a c h fo ra g e furthe r a wa y. Fa rme rs in Ne w Je rse y a re re q uire d to no tify lo c a l (re g iste re d ) b e e ke e p e rs whe n the y sp ra y the ir c ro p . If yo u find tha t yo ur b e e s ha ve b e e n p o iso ne d , c o lle c t a sa mp le o f 200-300 b o d e s, p a c k the m in a c a rd b o a rd b o x. We will se nd the m to the USDA fo r te sting .

Sta rva tio n – (sho uld ne ve r o c c ur!) It will mo st like ly ha p p e n whe n no t e no ug h ho ne y wa s le ft in the hive to la st the winte r. Ea rly sp ring a nd la te fa ll ma y ha ve lo w ne c ta r flo w, d uring the se time s we fe e d .

Brood

Diseases

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the sto ma c h into the b o d y c a vity, q uic kly killing the la rva . The c e ll will d a rke n in c o lo r. Up o n the la rva ’ s d e a th the c e ll will b e fille d with g lue like slim. During the se c yc le s the b a c illus ha s multip lie d se ve ra l millio n time s. As the d ise a se p ro g re sse s, mo re a nd mo re c e lls will c o nta in sc a le s (se e n with a b a c k lig ht), a nd b e c o me p a tc hy. Am e ric a n Fo ul is the o nly d ise a se the hive is b urne d (re q uire d b y NJ La w).

Euro pe a n Fo ul Bro o d – This is a ve ry d iffe re nt d ise a se fro m Ame ric a n Fo ul Bro o d . The d ise a se is c a use d b y Stre p to c o c c us p luto n a ve ry sma ll no n-sp o re fo rming b a c te rium. The b a c te rium is in the b ro o d fe d to la rva e b y the nurse b e e s. Up o n e nte ring the sto ma c h the la rva p ro life ra te s a nd fills the g ut, fe e d ing o n fo o d in the la rva ’ s sto ma c h. It d o e s no t p e ne tra te into the b o d y c a vity. The la rva ma y d ie b y sta rva tio n.

Fie ld d ia g no sis is the re fo re the d e a th o f unse a le d la rva e still in the c urle d up p o sitio n. Ho we ve r, this d ise a se ma y b e in the hive fo r so me time witho ut visib le symp to ms.

Sa c Bro o d – No t a b a d a s o the r b ro o d d ise a se s, no rm a lly o nly a fe w la rva e b e c o me infe c te d . The virus a p p e a rs to a ffe c t the p ro c e ss o f mo lting , p re ve nting the se p a ra tio n o f ne w a nd o ld e xo ske le to n. The re is no c ure . So me e vid e nc e sug g e sts it ma y b e inhe rite d . Re q ue e ning ha s b e e n suc c e ssful a t c o rre c ting the p ro b le m .

C ha lk Bro o d – This d ise a se is the re sult o f la rva e e a ting the sp o re o f the fung us Asc o sp ha e ra a p is. The se g e rmina te in the la rva e a nd the mo uld g ro ws until the y ha ve c o mp le te ly

inte rwo ve n the who le b o d y o f the la rva . The a p p e a ra nc e is fluffy white p ie c e s o f c o tto n. So me will c ha ng e fro m white to b lue / b la c k. Re q ue e ning ma y c o rre c t the situa tio n.

Sto ne Bro o d – Simila r to c ha lk b ro o d . The se turn the la rva o r p up a into a mummy. This d ise a se c a n a ffe c t b ird s a nd huma ns, so d o no t b re a th in the sp o re s.

Pests

and

Predators

Skunks, Po le c a ts – like to a tta c k the hive , a nd use the c o mb a s fo o d . The y will ne st ne a rb y, se t tra p s to re mo ve the m.

Mic e – like to use the hive a s a winte r ho me . The y will fe e d o n the hive a nd ma ke ho le s in the fra me s. Re me mb e r to insta ll the e ntra nc e re d uc e r a t the e nd o f the fa ll.

Be a rs – Whe n a b e a r a tta c ks, it is ve ry o b vio us. Thing s will b e kno c ke d o ve r. Exa mine the hive a nd sa ve wha t yo u c a n. So me p a rts o f the hive ma y ne e d re p a ir, so me will no t b e re p a ira b le . Ma ke sure the q ue e n is a live . Re sume fe e d ing the hive so tha t it c a n re p le nish its sto re s fo r the winte r. The y te nd to b e hung ry in the sp ring . Mo st b e a rs in o ur a re a a re ta g g e d a nd tra c ke d . C he c k with yo ur lo c a l p o lic e fo r info rma tio n. So me b e e ke e p e rs insta ll e le c tric fe nc e s if the y kno w a b e a r is in the a re a . If yo u se e a b e a r c a ll the p o lic e , d o no t a tte mp t to sc a re it a wa y.

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Wo o d p e c ke rs – Wo o d p e c ke rs a re a lwa ys lo o king fo r a g o o d me a l, e sp e c ia lly in the winte r. The y will d rill a ho le thro ug h the wo o d . If wo o d p e c ke rs a re a p ro b le m , c o ve r the hive with a wire me sh / sc re e n.

Sp a rro ws – C a n se t the ir sig hts o n a hive . The y will use the b e e s to fe e d the ir yo ung . Blue Ja ys / Blue tits – will ta ke b e e s a t the hive e ntra nc e in the summe r. The y a re mo re a nuisa nc e , b ut c a n b e a p ro b le m if the y e a t the q ue e n.

Inse c ts-

Dra g o nfly – c a n c a tc h b e e s in the ya rd o r hive e ntra nc e , a nd will ta ke the m b a c k to the ir ne st a nd e a t the m.

Ye llo w-Ja c ke ts – Are a ttra c te d b y the swe e t ho ne y sme ll. The y will try to ro b the sug a r wa te r fro m the fe e d e rs. The y will a tte mp t to find c ra c ks in the hive struc ture a nd ro b the ir ho ne y o r sug a r syrup .

Wa sp – Whe n a wa sp ne sts b e ing to b re a k up the a d ults g o fo ra g ing fo r sug a r. The b e st d e fe nse is a tta c k. Find the wa sp s’ ne st a nd kill the m.

Wa x Mo ths – It sp ins a c o c o o n in the sp a c e b e twe e n fra me s. The ma in d a ma g e is to sto re d c o mb . The b ro o d is p a rtic ula rly a t risk. Two b ro o d c ha m b e rs c a n b e d e stro ye d in fo urte e n d a ys.

Honey

Ho ne y is the swe e t visc o us fluid p ro d uc e d b y the ho ne y b e e s. The Unite d Sta te s Na tio na l Ho ne y Bo a rd sta te s tha t, “ ho ne y stip ula te s a p ure p ro d uc t tha t d o e s no t a llo w fo r the a d d itio n o f a ny o the r sub sta nc e … this inc lud e s, b ut is no t limite d to , wa te r o r o the r swe e te ne rs (Bo a rd ).” Diffe re nt b e e s p ro d uc e ho ne y with d iffe re nt p ro p e rtie s.

Ho ne y is swe e te r tha n ta b le sug a r, a nd is we ll use d in b a king . Mo st mic ro o rg a nisms d o no t g ro w in ho ne y b e c a use o f its lo w wa te r a c tivity (.6). (Ho ne y - Wikip e d ia )

Ho ne y is sto re d b y b e e s thro ug ho ut the sp ring , summe r, a nd fa ll. During the winte r, b e e s use the ir sto re d ho ne y a s the ir so urc e o f e ne rg y. (Ho ne y - Wikip e d ia )

Syrup Type Fruc to se G luc o se Suc ro se Wa te r O the r

Ho ne y 39% 30% 1% 16% 14%

C o rn 40% 60%

Hig h Fruc to se C o rn 55% 45%

Sug a r Be e t 60% 40%

Ag a ve Ne c ta r 90% 10%

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Ho ne y c a n b e p o lyflo ra l o r mo no flo ra l. Mo no flo ra l me a ns the ho ne y ha d o ne p rinc ip a l ne c ta r so urc e . Be e ke e p e rs o f mo no flo ra l b e e hive s a re in a re a s o f o nly o ne flo we r typ e . The se

mo no flo ra l a re a s te nd to b e la rg e fa rms. O ra ng e fa rms a re we ll kno wn fo r the ir o ra ng e b lo sso m ho ne y. (Ho ne y - Wikip e d ia )

Ho ne y is sto re d b y b e e s in ho ne yc o mb . It c o nsists o f he xa g o na l c e lls a nd is b uilt up o n b o th sid e s o f a c e ntra l ve rtic a l p a rtitio n, the se p tum (a . k. a . the fo und a tio n). The re a re b a sic a lly two size s o f he xa g o na l c e lls. C e lls fo r wo rke r la rva e a re five p e r inc h, a nd a re c a lle d wo rke r c e lls. Dro ne c e lls a re la rg e r. The y a re a p p ro xima te ly fo ur p e r inc h. Bo th typ e s o f c e lls c a n b e use d to sto re ho ne y. C o mb will d a rke n with time , g e tting c lo se to b la c k (Ho o p e r, 1977). O ld c o mb is use d a nd c o nsid e re d g o o d b y mo st b e e ke e p e rs. Ho we ve r, yo u sho uld c o nsid e r a p e rio d o f time whe n a c o mb sho uld b e re d ra wn. O ld c o mb ma ke s g re a t swa rm b a it in swa rm tra p s.

Honey

Classification

C o m b Ho ne y - Ho ne y so ld still in the o rig ina l b e e s' wa x c o mb . C o mb ho ne y wa s o nc e

p a c ka g e d b y insta lling a wo o d e n fra me wo rk in sp e c ia l ho ne y sup e rs, b ut this la b o r inte nsive me tho d is b e ing re p la c e d b y p la stic ring s o r c a rtrid g e s. With the ne w a p p ro a c h, a c le a r c o ve r is usua lly fitte d o nto the c a rtrid g e a fte r re mo va l fro m the hive so c usto me rs c a n se e the

p ro d uc t. (Ho ne y - Wikip e d ia )

C e rtifie d O rg a nic Ho ne y - a c c o rd ing to the USDA, o rg a nic ho ne y is q uite ra re to find b e c a use mo st b e e ke e p e rs "ro utine ly use sulfa c o mp o und s a nd a ntib io tic s to c o ntro l b e e d ise a se s, c a rb o lic a c id to re mo ve ho ne y fro m the hive a nd c a lc ium c ya nid e to kill c o lo nie s b e fo re e xtra c ting the ho ne y, no t to me ntio n tha t c o nve ntio na l ho ne yb e e s g a the r ne c ta r fro m p la nts tha t ha ve b e e n sp ra ye d with p e stic id e s." (Ho ne y - Wikip e d ia )

Ra w Ho ne y - Ho ne y a s it e xists in the b e e hive o r a s o b ta ine d b y e xtra c tio n, se ttling o r stra ining witho ut a d d ing he a t a b o ve 120 d e g re e s Fa hre nhe it. Ra w ho ne y c o nta ins so me p o lle n a nd ma y c o nta in sma ll p a rtic le s o f wa x. Lo c a l ra w ho ne y is so ug ht a fte r b y a lle rg y suffe re rs a s the p o lle n imp uritie s a re tho ug ht to le sse n the se nsitivity to ha y fe ve r. (Ho ne y - Wikip e d ia )

C hunk Ho ne y - Ho ne y p a c ke d in wid e mo uth c o nta ine rs c o nsisting o f o ne o r mo re p ie c e s o f c o mb ho ne y surro und e d b y e xtra c te d liq uid ho ne y. (Ho ne y - Wikip e d ia )

Stra ine d Ho ne y - Ho ne y whic h ha s b e e n p a sse d thro ug h a me sh ma te ria l to re mo ve p a rtic ula te ma te ria l (p ie c e s o f wa x, p ro p o lis, a nd o the r d e fe c ts) witho ut re mo ving p o lle n, mine ra ls o r va lua b le e nzyme s. Pre fe rre d b y the he a lth fo o d tra d e - it ma y ha ve a c lo ud y a p p e a ra nc e d ue to the inc lud e d p o lle n, a nd it a lso te nd s to c rysta llize mo re q uic kly tha n ultra filte re d ho ne y. (Ho ne y - Wikip e d ia )

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se e d c rysta ls, ma king it p re fe rre d b y the sup e rma rke t tra d e . Ultra filtra tio n e limina te s nutritio na lly va lua b le e nzyme s, suc h a s d ia sta se a nd inve rta se . (Ho ne y - Wikip e d ia )

He a t- Tre a te d Ho ne y - He a t-tre a tme nt a fte r e xtra c tio n re d uc e s the mo isture le ve l a nd d e stro ys ye a st c e lls. He a ting liq ue fie s c rysta ls in the ho ne y, to o . He a t-e xp o sure d o e s a lso re sult in

p ro d uc t d e te rio ra tio n, a s it inc re a se s the le ve l o f hyd ro xyme thylfurfura l (HMF) a nd re d uc e s e nzyme (e .g . d ia sta se ) a c tivity. The he a t d o e s a lso a ffe c t se nso ry q ua litie s a nd re d uc e s the fre shne ss. He a t p ro c e ssing c a n d a rke n the na tura l ho ne y c o lo r (b ro wning ), to o . (Ho ne y - Wikip e d ia )

Ultra - so nic a te d Ho ne y - Ultra so nic a tio n is a no n-the rma l p ro c e ssing a lte rna tive fo r ho ne y. Whe n ho ne y is e xp o se d to ultra so nic a tio n, mo st o f the ye a st c e lls a re d e stro ye d . Ye a st c e lls tha t survive so nic a tio n g e ne ra lly lo se the ir a b ility to g ro w. This re d uc e s the ra te o f ho ne y fe rme nta tio n sub sta ntia lly. Ultra so nic a tio n a lso e limina te s e xisting . Ultra so nic a lly a id e d liq ue fa c tio n c a n wo rk a t sub sta ntia lly lo we r te mp e ra ture s o f a p p ro x. 35 °C a nd c a n re d uc e liq ue fa c tio n time to le ss tha n 30 se c o nd s. (Ho ne y - Wikip e d ia )

Royal

Jelly

Ro ya l je lly is a ho ne y b e e se c re tio n tha t is use d in the nutritio n o f the la rva e . It is se c re te d fro m the hyp o p ha ryng e a l g la nd s in the he a d s o f yo ung wo rke rs a nd use d (a mo ng o the r

sub sta nc e s) to fe e d a ll o f the la rva e in the c o lo ny, inc lud ing tho se d e stine d to b e c o me

wo rke rs. If a q ue e n is ne e d e d , the ha tc hling will re c e ive o nly ro ya l je lly - a nd in la rg e q ua ntitie s - a s its fo o d so urc e fo r the first fo ur d a ys o f its g ro wth, a nd the se ra p id , e a rly fe e d ing trig g e rs the d e ve lo p me nt o f q ue e n mo rp ho lo g y, inc lud ing the fully d e ve lo p e d o va rie s ne e d e d to la y e g g s. So m e c o mme rc ia l ro ya l je lly sup p lie rs d isse mina te misinfo rma tio n suc h a s "O nly q ue e n la rva e a nd a d ult q ue e ns a re fe d ro ya l je lly"; the fa c t re ma ins tha t a ll la rva e in a c o lo ny a re fe d ro ya l je lly, a nd a d ult b e e s d o no t c o nsume it a t a ll. (Ho ne y - Wikip e d ia )

Pe o p le c o lle c t a nd se ll ro ya l je lly a s a d ie ta ry sup p le m e nt, c la iming va rio us he a lth b e ne fits b e c a use o f c o mp o ne nts like B-c o mp le x vita mins suc h a s p a nto the nic a c id (vita min B5) a nd

vita min B6 (p yrid o xine ); it c a n a lso b e fo und in va rio us b e a uty p ro d uc ts. The o ve ra ll

c o mp o sitio n o f ro ya l je lly is 67% wa te r, 12.5% c rud e p ro te in (inc lud ing sma ll a mo unts o f ma ny d iffe re nt a mino a c id s), a nd 11% simp le sug a rs, a lso inc lud ing a re la tive ly hig h a mo unt (5%) o f fa tty a c id s. It a lso c o nta ins so me e nzyme s, a ntib a c te ria l a nd a ntib io tic c o mp o ne nts, a nd tra c e a mo unts o f vita min C . C o ntra ry to c la ims b y ma ny o f tho se p ro mo ting its use , vita mins A, D, a nd E a re a b se nt fro m ro ya l je lly. (Ho ne y - Wikip e d ia )

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Pollen

Po lle n is a fine to c o a rse p o wd e r c o nsisting o f mic rogame tophyte s (po lle n g ra ins), whic h p ro d uc e the ma le g a me te s (sp e rm c e lls) o f se e d p la nts. The p o lle n g ra in with its ha rd c o a t p ro te c ts the sp e rm c e lls d uring the p ro c e ss o f the ir mo ve me nt b e twe e n the sta me ns o f the flo we r to the p istil o f the ne xt flo we r. (Ho ne y - Wikip e d ia ) The tra nsfe r o f p o lle n fro m a n a nthe r

to a stig ma is c a lle d p o llina tio n.

Alb e rt Einste in - "If the [ho ne y] b e e d isa p p e a re d o ff the surfa c e o f the g lo b e , the n ma n wo uld o nly ha ve fo ur ye a rs le ft to live ."

Alle rg y to p o lle n is c a lle d ha y fe ve r. G e ne ra lly p o lle ns tha t c a use a lle rg ie s a re tho se o f a ne mo p hilo us p la nts (p o lle n is d isp e rse d b y a ir c urre nts.) Suc h p la nts p ro d uc e la rg e q ua ntitie s o f lig htwe ig ht p o lle n. This is b e c a use wind d isp e rsa l is ra nd o m a nd the like liho o d o f o ne p o lle n g ra in la nd ing o n a no the r flo we r is sma ll. This lig htwe ig ht p o lle n c a n b e c a rrie d fo r g re a t d ista nc e s a nd a re e a sily inha le d , b ring ing it into c o nta c t with the se nsitive na sa l p a ssa g e s.

FDA d o e s no t a llo w p o lle n ma rke te rs in the Unite d Sta te s to ma ke he a lth c la ims a b o ut the ir p ro d uc e , a s no sc ie ntific b a sis fo r the se ha s e ve r b e e n p ro ve n. Ho we ve r, ma ny c la ims a re ma d e in sup p o rt o f p o lle n’ s he a lth b e ne fits. (Ste p he n Ba rre tt)

Be e po lle n is o ne o f na ture ’ s he a lthie st a nd mo st p o we rful “ sup e r-fo o d s.” It’ s b e e n use d a s a d ie ta ry sup p le me nt fo r tho usa nd s o f ye a rs. The e a rly Eg yp tia n a nd e a rly C hine se c iviliza tio ns b o th use d it a s a p hysic a l re juve na to r a nd me d ic ine . To d a y na tura l he a lth p ra c titio ne rs o fte n re fe r to b e e p o lle n a s a n he rb a l “ fo unta in o f yo uth” tha t c a n b e use d fo r e ve rything fro m we ig ht lo ss to c a nc e r p re ve ntio n. (Sc he c te r)

Whe n yo u inc lud e b e e p o lle n in yo ur d ie t yo u ma y fe e l a sig nific a nt inc re a se in yo ur e ne rg y. O ve r time the c o nsiste nt use o f p o lle n will imp ro ve yo ur e ne rg y, sta mina , a nd e nd ura nc e . Yo u'll a lso p ro b a b ly no tic e a g re a te r fe e ling o f g e ne ra l we ll-b e ing . O ve r the lo ng -te rm , re g ula r c o nsump tio n o f b e e p o lle n will he lp a lle via te ma ny d iffe re nt he a lth p ro b le ms, slo w d o wn the a g ing p ro c e ss, a nd imp ro ve yo ur q ua lity o f life . (Sc he c te r)

"Be e p o lle n" is a c tua lly p o lle n fro m flo we rs tha t is c o lle c te d fro m b e e s a s the y e nte r the hive o r is ha rve ste d b y o the r me a ns. Po lle n g ra nule s stic k to the b e e s' le g s a nd o the r b o d y p a rts a s the y he lp the mse lve s to ne c ta r (the p re c urso r o f ho ne y) insid e the flo we rs. Po lle n p ro d uc ts a re ma rke te d thro ug h he a lth-fo o d sto re s, multile ve l d istrib uto rs, d rug sto re s, ma il-o rd e r a d ve rtising , a nd the Inte rne t. (Ste p he n Ba rre tt)

4H Beekeeping Manual Ebook Free Download

4H Beekeeping

Manual

Contents

Getting

Started

Hive

Bodies

Honey

Supers

Inner

Cover

Outer

Cover

Frames

One

Piece

Wooden

Frames

with

Foundation

Other

Hive

Components

Hive

Location

Apiculture

Insects

Honey

Bee

Breeds

Stocks:

Italian

–

(Apis

mellifera

ligustica)

The

German

‐

(Apis

mellifera

mellifera)

The

Buckfast

The

Russian

The

Minnesota

Hygienic

The

SMR

(a.k.a.

VMR)

The

Cordovan

(Italian

Subspecies)

The

Midnight

(Hybrid)

The

Starline

(Hybrid)

Wild

Caucasian

(Hybrid)

African

‐

(Apis

mellifera

scutellata)

Cape

–

(Apis

mellifera

capensis)