Holliday Park Recap (Aug 17) - Highlights
From:
"CIBA MEMBERS" <donotreply@PROTECTED>
Date:
August 21st 2020
Monday Evening CIBA gathering at Holliday Park
Over twenty CIBA members congregated on the Holliday Parkβs new outdoor shelter. There were several first year beekeepers - their first ever CIBA Meeting! π
In honor of our first βrealβ meeting of the summer, every person signing in was entered into a drawing for choice of a 1 year subscription to American Bee Journal, or a book on beginning beekeeping. β Mike Tolley, a first year beekeeper, chose the book.
Highlights
REMEMBER: Comments below are not comprehensive. They are for awareness purposes only. For specifics beekeepers are encouraged to check with their mentors, experienced beekeepers and/or other credible sources .
Colony Status: At this time of year colonies should contain several thousand bees and ample stores. Brood should be evident.
- STRONG Population: Bees in your colony now will be raising the generation going into winter.
- Active brood formation at all stages: eggs, larvae, capped brood (pupae)
- Pollen in brood area and plenty of capped honey.
- Main nectar flow is past. At best there will be moderate nectar flow in the fall.
- Colonies should have 90+ pounds of actual honey going into the winter.
Summer Dearth: Nectar and pollen sources are much lower now than they were in the spring. Your bees are probably consuming part of the honey they had stored earlier. Monitor this and be prepared to supplement as needed.
Feeding: It may be wise to begin feeding. This can encourage brood formation and help increase honey stores.
- Feeding should be done INSIDE the hive. (Avoids inducing robbing by feral colonies)
- Feeding Ratios discussed:
- For now 1:1 (Sugar:Water) - better for inducing brood formation
- Later (late September, October) 2:1 - more concentrated
Mite Treatments: Varroa mites are THE Major cause of colony failure.
- You DO HAVE MITES. The question is how many. - Doing a mite count is advised. - If in doubtβ¦. Treat for mites!
- Now is a good time to treat for mites. (Waiting until fall is likely to late).
- Several options were discussed. (Each has its pros and cons - Do your homework).
- Oxalic acid vapor or drench
- Formic Pro
- Apivar
- There are other options
Robbing. Robbing is a MAJOR concern this time of year
- Robbing occurs when bees from a stronger colony attack a weaker colony taking away ALL stored honey and nectar. - The robbed colony will die.
- Preventing Robbing
- Restrict entrances so guard bees can be more effective
- Be sure all alternative hive entrances are blocked
- Feed INSIDE the hive.
- One method is to place an empty hive body between the inner cover and top cover. Put feeding jars in this space.
- There are other options
- Do nothing that would encourage Robber Bees to notice and rob your colony.
September and October meetings will discuss fall preparation is more detail.
Harvesting and Extracting Honey.
- Be sure to leave enough for the bees to overwinter.
- Remember: 90+ pounds of actual honey
- Bees may harvest some honey in the fall, but donβt count on this. Depends on:
- Fall weather patterns
- Strength of the colony
- Harvested frames should be entirely capped, or nearly all
- Excessive amounts of uncapped honey may lead to fermentation
- Seek guidance, particularly if you are harvesting and extracting for the first time.
- CIBA has a portable extractor (2-frame, manual crank) for short term loan. Some members also have extractors for loan.
Selling Honey
- You may give honey to family and friends.
- Selling honey has additional processing and labeling consideration.
- Remember: 12 fluid oz of honey weighs about 1 pound.
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