Springter. That’s what Joe Walsh called it when Eric Brown and I picked up the ECWBA package bees at his home on Saturday. Saturday was leaning toward spring, and then it turned back to winter. And it looks like it’s going to be like that for awhile.
When Joe called to say the bees were in, he mentioned that they were Buckfast bees and that there were extras. I immediately said, “Put me down for two”. I already had my plan in place for spring and had ordered (6) packages from two suppliers (3 each), and (3) queens from a mutt queen breeder in Vermont for mid-May delivery. Along with (hopefully) splitting my three survivor colonies and capturing a swarm or two, I was set. But Joe had said “Buckfast”. I had wanted Buckfast bees since reading about Brother Adam’s development of the strain at Buckfast Abbey, but none of the Buckfast sellers I found shipped bees, and Georgia and California were just a bit farther than I wanted to drive. And here they were. It was a no-brainer for me, and I could justify and rationalize yet another purchase very easily. Since we were going back into the winter part of Springter on Sunday, Pam took the two ECWBA packages, along with her package, into her basement until the weather warmed a bit. She knew the bees would need more syrup and refilled the feeder cans with a syringe (you’ll have to ask her about that). To do that the can must be removed from the package. And when the can is removed, bees fly out. I guess it wasn’t many, and Pam seems to like to have them around, but I prefer them in the cage or outside. Just one of my quirks. I opted for the spray method of feeding. I kept the packages in an unfinished room which is about 60 degrees. I sprayed the bees lightly and sprayed the screening at an angle until it ran down, three times a day. When you do this, you don’t want to soak the bees, but you do want to get them wet, so that they lick the syrup off each other. About an hour after they had their breakfast on Sunday morning, I sprayed them with syrup containing oxalic acid (16 grams to a pint of syrup). I shook the package down to bust up the cluster and sprayed them well. They have had their first mite treatment. Monday evening my packages went into nucs, and Wednesday Pam put the bees in the ECWBA hives at the Rushford Meadery and Winery. (I must find out where that sign is before the weather is warm enough for them to start flying.) Sunday three more of my packages are scheduled to arrive at Honey Bee Ware, and by the looks of the forecast, I’ll be repeating the procedure. From the way it looks so far, Tuesday will be the earliest I’ll hive them. I'm looking forward to seeing some of you on Sunday in Greenville. April 21 is our next meeting, and once again it’s to talk about a variety of beekeeping concerns, techniques, tools, and whatever. Fred has offered to talk a bit about bee diseases and pests, and what we can, and should, be doing about them. Jack has offered to bring a lure hive (aka: bait hive) and will talk about capturing swarms. I’ll bring tools along, and whatever else that I think might of interest. Everyone should feel at ease about asking any questions, and we as a group will share lots of opinions. Ask 3 beekeepers the same question, get 4 answers. Laurie will talk about Walleye Weekend and I believe she’s ready to sign up volunteers to be in our booth. Bee a part of it. Non-beekeepers are loaded with questions and misinformation. Part of our mission is to educate, and anyone that’s held a hive tool or lit a smoker has something to share. We also need to get with Paul and see what resources (cash, people, stuff that’s laying around) he could use for our backdrop. June will be here soon, and we will be involved in Events. Laurie has asked if anyone knows of a bee venom therapist that would be willing to give a talk about the art and science of bee venom therapy (BVT). I have read of Charles Mraz, a beekeeper who started the therapeutic treatment of arthritis with beestings in the 1930’s, after discovering that bee stings helped his arthritic knees quite by accident. This has developed into treating other diseases as well, including MS. Laurie has brochures on ECWBA apparel and is taking orders. New colors, new stuff. I’m very much looking forward to the meeting, especially after having missed the last one.. April 21 at the Caestecker Library in Green Lake at 9:30 a.m. It's a new season, and it has started.Gerard
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ECWBA NewsletterSince 2009 Archives
March 2019
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