After removing the cork from the Queen cage, push a bit of marshmellow into the hole. Place the hole in the queen cage UP so she is not trapped inside should an attendant die and block her escape. Note the screen side of the cage is parallel with the frames.
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* Michelle will email us Sunday evening about the bee packages that are now scheduled to be in on Monday, April 13th. See Club page for details. ** The turnout (40-50) at the Ore Dock last night was great. I hope this simplified what is made out to be or can be a complicated process. We were short of handouts so if you didn't get one, let me know and I will get it to you. *** As I mentioned at the meeting, I am starting on a new bee project. I will be building an "Apitherapy Hut" for lack of a better name. A very small building where you lay on a bench over the hives - the bees can't get to you. I have not been able to find any existing ones in the U.S. and found one in Canada https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MMWf4nuayWs They are very common in Eastern Europe, especially in the Ukraine. They are said to have health benefits from reducing stress to helping with respiratory issues. I don't really know, but I want to try it. I have started the process by building 4 nucs to put under the benches. Most have full hives but I thought these might be easier to manage. As soon as the snow is gone (yes we still have a foot on the ground), I will start the process. For those interested, I will take pictures to keep you updated on progress. Hopefully , the temps will be in the 50's and 60's next week and I can get started. ****The "other sweet" thing-- As I write this, I am doing the hard and dangerous but "somebody has to do it" job, of watching sap boil. Within the hour, we will take off our 8th gallon of syrup. With enough sap (80 gal.) in storage to make two more gallons. Still some sap in buckets on the trees and probably will get one more run on Saturday. I always look forward to it starting and ready for it to end! ***** I will recycle some of last year's "Tip a Day ideas in the coming days. They are about hiving package bees.
Tip A Day 1 Use a hiving "lip" (1 TO 2") to help contain the bees as you shake them out of the package--great for cold weather hiving. Get it off within 2-3 days to prevent the building of burr comp in the empty space. Come talk bees April 8 Wed. evening at 6:00.Enjoy the conversation and the Ore Dock beer. A presentation on making splits will be done--emphasis on easy and quick. Michelle will update us on the bee packages.
Package bee and other news news:
Check the latest news from Michelle Landis on the Club page. Thank-you to the NMU EEGS Garden Club for hosting a bee event last evening. There were about 25 people there to engage in talking about wildflowers and bees. I appreciate their involvement and commitment to create a better environment for all of us. They were great hosts and I thank them for the kindness of a"bee themed" plant and painted flower pot. |
Joel LantzKeeper of bees. Archives
February 2022
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