Time to wrap the bees

This weekend looks like the end of the warm weather.
Winter covers should be going on anytime now if they aren't on already. I will be covering mine next weekend.

New Varroa Treatment on the Horizon

This new formic acid formulation could revolutionize the treatment of Varroa. It is in a strip format. I have not seen a picture of it.
The strip goes on for 7 days. It kills Varroa on the bees and in capped cells. The bees will remove the strip or it can be removed and composted. It can even be applied during the nectar flow according to the literature because this product occurs already naturally in honey.
If this is the case beekeepers could treat for Varroa in late July and stop the rapidly increasing Varroa onslaught that happens in late summer.
This will greatly increase a hives ability to successfully survive the winter.
I don't know anything else about it but stay tuned for more information from the manufacturer and the EPA.
Here is the link explaining the product. http://www.miteaway.com/html/saving_the_honeybee.html

The warm weather

The weather has been very pleasant. I still have not covered my bees yet.
This week will be warm also with no cold weather in sight. The bees have been flying. I have been done feeding for a while now. This warm weather is great for the bees to finish up rearing brood. By finishing up having brood in the colony during this warm stretch helps the bees conserve some food for the coming winter.

Package Bees 2010

A few people were nervous about getting bees from Calif. in the spring due to their drought.
I talked to my supplier and he assured me that there will be no problem getting bees and queens next spring. The only issue that we can't control is good weather for queen rearing and mating.

Wintering setup for a colony of bees

This is how I setup my hive for winter.

Winter Covers

I have just received a shipment of winter hive covers.

Weather is not beeing friendly

I woke up this morning to a very picturesque landscape of a coating of snow.
This usually causes heart palpitations to beekeepers who haven't finished feeding their bees. As I have always said beekeeping is all about timing, doing the proper management at the right time. Failure to operate in this manner, makes it more difficult at successfully wintering a hive of bees.
The colder weather makes it harder to feed. Bees don't like cold syrup.
Opening hives this time of year is still no problem. The bees can easily handle these temperatures without any problems.
It is still to early to cover bees with winter wraps, after Nov 1st is usually ok.
Wrapping a hive to early can make a hive to hot.