By NATALIE ANGIER, NYT
Published: May 15, 2007
I never much cared for royalty, although I admit that, for reasons my family and I are still struggling to understand, I named my first cat “Princess Bubbles.”
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Tuesday, May 15, 2007
Monday, May 14, 2007
Organic Beekeepers Seeing Fewer Cases of Colony Collapse
May 14, 2007
By Holly Case
Natural Food Network Newsletter Editor
The huge numbers of bees lost to the mysterious "colony collapse disorder" (CCD) continue to baffle scientists. However, some organic beekeepers say that they have not been experiencing the problem to the same degree that conventional beekeepers have.
According to anecdotal reports of members of a large email list for organic beekeepers, all beekeepers have been fighting a difficult battle against Varroa mites. Mites have been previously named as a possible cause of CCD; however, this problem is not entirely new. However, many conventional beekeepers are allegedly engaging in practices which may put their colonies at greater risk of collapse.
Many beekeepers have been using large quantities of pesticides to fumigate for the Varroa mites. When mites become established in a colony, they are often very difficult to eliminate before significant damage is done. Organic beekeepers are reportedly not experiencing as many problems with colony collapse, and they believe that the lack of pesticide use is the probable reason for the difference.
In addition, conventional beekeepers are more likely to transport their colonies across great distances to provide pollination services. As CCD becomes an even more widespread problem, beekeepers who offer pollination services for hire find themselves with more such work, which stresses their own colonies even further.
It is not conclusive that organic beekeepers' colonies are completely protected from CCD. Mites appear to be a substantial problem for all beekeepers, and it is unknown how significant the role of pesticide use is in colony collapse. Scientists are hoping to find the answer before it's too late.
By Holly Case
Natural Food Network Newsletter Editor
The huge numbers of bees lost to the mysterious "colony collapse disorder" (CCD) continue to baffle scientists. However, some organic beekeepers say that they have not been experiencing the problem to the same degree that conventional beekeepers have.
According to anecdotal reports of members of a large email list for organic beekeepers, all beekeepers have been fighting a difficult battle against Varroa mites. Mites have been previously named as a possible cause of CCD; however, this problem is not entirely new. However, many conventional beekeepers are allegedly engaging in practices which may put their colonies at greater risk of collapse.
Many beekeepers have been using large quantities of pesticides to fumigate for the Varroa mites. When mites become established in a colony, they are often very difficult to eliminate before significant damage is done. Organic beekeepers are reportedly not experiencing as many problems with colony collapse, and they believe that the lack of pesticide use is the probable reason for the difference.
In addition, conventional beekeepers are more likely to transport their colonies across great distances to provide pollination services. As CCD becomes an even more widespread problem, beekeepers who offer pollination services for hire find themselves with more such work, which stresses their own colonies even further.
It is not conclusive that organic beekeepers' colonies are completely protected from CCD. Mites appear to be a substantial problem for all beekeepers, and it is unknown how significant the role of pesticide use is in colony collapse. Scientists are hoping to find the answer before it's too late.
Saturday, May 12, 2007
Second Hive Body
Nice warm day. Tons of activity in and out of both hives. Smoked Reese's hive, cracked the top, and peered in. They had eaten 3/4 of the syrup. I checked the frames and they are just working on the 7th frame. I figured that why not put the hive body on top. So I did and replaced the syrup and took out the entrance reducer. I spoke to Harry P. who had gone to the club meeting where Howard had suggested that the entrance reducer be taken out. So I did.
Then, smoked and checked in to see the girls. WOW. Huge progress. Almost all the frames filled or at least bing worked on. I did the same thing to my hive: additional hive body, 1/4 syrup left and entrance reducer out! Check out the pictures.
Then, smoked and checked in to see the girls. WOW. Huge progress. Almost all the frames filled or at least bing worked on. I did the same thing to my hive: additional hive body, 1/4 syrup left and entrance reducer out! Check out the pictures.
Saturday, May 5, 2007
Sunny Saturday
No pictures this time. Took some but haven't downloaded them yet.
Went with Reese on Saturday to check out the girls. Nice sunny day. There was lots of activity around both hives. Bright orange pollen, dark green and some electric yellow. We saw some large ants walking in and out of the hive. The bees tended to repel them but the ants were persistent enough to walk in. We'll watch that next weekend to see if it continues. Maybe put some cinnamon down around the hive.
Reese's hive had about 5 frames nicely drawn. 3 of the were nice and heavy. He did have some buckling of the foundation on one frame which resulted in huge piece of burr comb with capped brood, etc on it. We moved that out so that it faced the exterior edge of the hive. Not sure that was the right move since burr comb is only going to get worse. We just felt bad to destroy that huge piece.
My hive seemed a little further along. The bees were very gentle and a few puffs of smoke had them tamed down below. 6 or 7 frames nicely drawn with 4-5 full frames. Capped brood, and some honey cells. Lots of big fat brood hanging out in their cells. Still no sign of the queen but at this point, we know she is around and we'll let her be. No pun intended...
Both hives had eaten a good amount of syrup but only 1/2 to 2/3 of the pail. We switched the pails out and wondered if that was the last time we fed them. Dandelions are out as well as a ton of other flowering plants.
Other Notes
Matt Smith dropped by with his friend. He reported that his hive was doing ok and he hadn't really opened it a lot recently.
Harry Peper said that he applied the powdered sugar last weekend and it was a colossal mess. He said it got everywhere and was a bit of a logistical nightmare. The powdered sugar is part of an attempt to stem the onset of the Varoa Mite. Apparently they can't cling on as well to the bees with the sugar on top. Otherwise, his hive was ok.
Went with Reese on Saturday to check out the girls. Nice sunny day. There was lots of activity around both hives. Bright orange pollen, dark green and some electric yellow. We saw some large ants walking in and out of the hive. The bees tended to repel them but the ants were persistent enough to walk in. We'll watch that next weekend to see if it continues. Maybe put some cinnamon down around the hive.
Reese's hive had about 5 frames nicely drawn. 3 of the were nice and heavy. He did have some buckling of the foundation on one frame which resulted in huge piece of burr comb with capped brood, etc on it. We moved that out so that it faced the exterior edge of the hive. Not sure that was the right move since burr comb is only going to get worse. We just felt bad to destroy that huge piece.
My hive seemed a little further along. The bees were very gentle and a few puffs of smoke had them tamed down below. 6 or 7 frames nicely drawn with 4-5 full frames. Capped brood, and some honey cells. Lots of big fat brood hanging out in their cells. Still no sign of the queen but at this point, we know she is around and we'll let her be. No pun intended...
Both hives had eaten a good amount of syrup but only 1/2 to 2/3 of the pail. We switched the pails out and wondered if that was the last time we fed them. Dandelions are out as well as a ton of other flowering plants.
Other Notes
Matt Smith dropped by with his friend. He reported that his hive was doing ok and he hadn't really opened it a lot recently.
Harry Peper said that he applied the powdered sugar last weekend and it was a colossal mess. He said it got everywhere and was a bit of a logistical nightmare. The powdered sugar is part of an attempt to stem the onset of the Varoa Mite. Apparently they can't cling on as well to the bees with the sugar on top. Otherwise, his hive was ok.
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