Early Spring 2002
This
Issue:
Improvements and Options in Essential
Oil Syrups
Delivering Essential Oil Syrups Directly
to Brood Areas
Baiting the Swarm
Organic
Beekeeping Classes
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Our PurposeThe focus of our efforts is to
develop special manipulations, methods and formulas which help
facilitate Nature's Wisdom. As Organic Beekeepers and Honeybee
Stewards, it is not our intention to outsmart or outdo nature, but
to work within this sacred framework to renew balance where it has
been lost.
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Improvements and Options in Essential Oil Syrups
Ingredients:
- 5 quarts water
- 10 lbs sugar
- 1 teaspoon- Wintergreen essential oil
- 1/2 teaspoon lecithin (we use granules)
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Makes approximately 2 gallons |
- Heat water to near boil and add lecithin
- Stir in lecithin until dissolved
- Take water off burner and add sugar. Stir well until
dissolved.
- Add the Wintergreen oil and stir until well mixed.
Note: Make certain the heat is not on the
pan before the sugar is added. |
Syrup Option:
1/2 cup of black strap molasses may be
added to restore the minerals of the cane sugar |
Many more options are discussed in our
Organic
Beekeeping Class
Spring FeedingSyrup ratio is a 1:1
sugar/water mixture.
Brood SprayingSyrup ratio is 1:1 as above and the
Wintergreen essential oil may be doubled. Discover for yourself, the
benefits of spraying the bees in the brood chambers before and
during the swarm season. If mites are present, the rearing of drones
will cause a sudden increase in the mite population. Delivering the
essential oil/syrup directly to the brood area offers significant
inhibition of mite propagation. For about $10, I bought a pump
sprayer with a 3' hose from a local hardware store. It holds 1
gallon of liquid. I use the same sprayer for fruit trees in winter
(homemade dormant oil spray) and then the bees in spring (syrup
mixture).
Fall/Winter Feeding Syrup ratio is a 2:1
sugar/water mixture. (i.e. 2 parts sugar to 1 part water)
Essential oils need not be limited to wintergreen, but may
include many mints and other aromatics. |
Baiting the SwarmProviding a suitable honeybee habitat
is an excellent way to improve on the 20% swarm survival rate.
The first pollens are now being delivered to the hive by
happy worker bees, the queen is stimulated to lay eggs and our
preparations for baiting the swarm should begin. For the beekeeper
who already knows how to prevent uncontrolled swarming, there is
still the welcomed opportunity of capturing the swarm from the wild.
Place an empty hive box with top and bottom and 3-4 frames
upon a hive stand. Insert or imbed a piece of fresh comb into a
frame. This comb should not previously have had brood raised in it
as this attracts wax moths. If lemon balm (any lemony herb will do)
is available, rub the herb on the hive inside and out. Sprinkle
honey on the interior or provide a frame with some honey still in
the combs.A frame not full of honey is better! Reduce the
entrance to the hive down to a tiny, defensible opening (about the
size for one or two bees to enter.) Once scout bees have found the
hive and are defending it, you may gradually open the entrance a
little each day. The idea of enlarging the entrance is so the swarm
is not discouraged by the slow entry into the hive. Watch the
activity around the entrance to be sure the scouts can still defend
the hive. It could be anywhere from 1 week to 1 month before any
bees move in to the hive, but you are now ready for the swarm.
Much
more on attracting and baiting methods as well as herbal attractants
is discussed in our
Organic
Beekeeping Class |
Organic Beekeeping ClassesAfter spending a considerable
amount of time and money researching and experimenting, we have
accumulated more useful information than we could ever include in a
series of newsletters. We have decided to include the information in
Organic Beekeeping Classes. We have put a great deal of thought into
how these classes should be conducted to make certain the student
benefits in the greatest possible way. The classes may be started
any time of year and will follow the seasons of the honeybee with
pertinent information being covered simultaneously with seasonal
events. Our intention is to offer timely guidance throughout the
seasons of a full year.
Available to Organic Beekeeping
Society members:
Organic Beekeeping Class: For
fairly new beekeepers - There will be a great deal of attention paid
to "spotting the queen", successful wintering, options for
swarm management, syrup-formula options and other general beekeeping
subjects which include our Organic Beekeeping modifications which
will increase your beekeeping success. We will work closely with
students.
Click
Here for more information |
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