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The Beekeeper's Handbook. Diana Sammataro (Muy Recomendado, Extensa Bibliografía) PDF
The Beekeeper's Handbook. Diana Sammataro (Muy Recomendado, Extensa Bibliografía) PDF
I
ekeeper’s
Handbook
by Diana Sammataro and Alphonse Avitabile
Foreword by E. C. Martin
Illustrations by Diana Sammataro and Jan Propst
$”
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Acknoudedgments
So many people, students, teachers, and relatives alike contributed so much to make
this book possible that we could not possibly list them all. However, the following
people are acknowledged for their physical, spiritual, intellectual, and financial support
in ,the creation and production of this effort. We love you all for what you gave and
are humbled when all we can saysay is thank you.
Special thanks to Linda Stafford for her skillful editing of the manuscript, to Jan
Propst for her fine drawings, and Carol Conkey for preparing an excellent index.
Props-t
A steadily growing interest in bee- but there is an almost universal complaint open a hive, examine a few combs, diag-
keeping has been evident during the that beginners’ books are not sufficiently nose the needs of the colony, and perform
1970s. This has been partly stimulated explicit. This book is designed basically the appropriate manipulations needed to
by increases in the price of honey during for beginners. It will not only give you keep the colony progressing towards
the 1970s and some people have started a good understanding of the life history maximum production. When that day
beekeeping with the idea that they could and behavior of bees, but it also tells arrives, you will be a beekeeper. Bee-
make a profit from it. But more have you how to manage bees, how to control keeping isn’t simple, but if it intrigues
been caught up in what I think is a very their diseases, how to remove and pro- you, stay with it. It will take three or
commendable trend. They want to work cess honey, and many other “how-to-do- four seasons before you feel that you
in a garden to produce their own vege- it” aspects. It also discusses reasons, ad- are definitely mastering the art. Even
tables, to raise goats to produce their vantages, and disadvantages of carrying out the most experienced beekeepers con-
own milk, or keep bees to produce their major hive manipulations. This is good. tinue to learn new ways each season.
very own delicious honey. This is part It will cause you to think and ponder If this book starts you securely on
of a yearning to do something that and more fully understand what beekeep- your way, it will be one of the impor-
brings us closer to nature, to get away ing is all about. There is a good section tant investments of your life. As you
from the machines and computers and on life history and behavior of bees, and progress, join a beekeepers association,
ti:e synthetic quality of much of mod- don’t underestimate the need to under- subscribe to one or two bee journals,
ern life, to experience the thrill of pro- stand bees and their natural behavior if continue to build your beekeeping library,
ducing something from the earth. Along you are to learn how to manage them. and become part of a great fraternity.
with this has come an interest in pre- Honey bees are still wild creatures, in
serving the many wild, beautiful, natural spite of their long association with man. E. C. Martin
aspects of our environment, a feeling Much of beekeeping consists of modify- Agricultural Research Service
that these things are important if we are ing the natural behavior of bees to ac- Beltsville, Maryland
to maintain our world as a piace worth complish our purposes.
living in. Beginners, naturally, want to be
Beginning beekeepers usual!y have..to told precisely what to do at different
rely on literature to guide their progress times of the year, and this book at-
in mastering the art and science of api- tempts to provide this information in a
culture. Those who can get help from concise and accurate way. Keep in
knowledgeable beekeepers are fortunate. mind, however, that you do not become
There are hundreds of beekeeping books, an accomplished beekeeper until you can
Contents
1
Introduction
2
What You Should Know First
Understanding Bees 3
18
Equipment and Beekeeping Supplies
Before the Bees Arrive 24
28
Obtaining Bees
Working with Bees 30
38
Starting Bees from Packages
44
Feeding Bees
General Seasonal Management 53
Special Management Problems 68
Products of the Hive 93
Bee Pests and Diseases 99
Bee Pfants 109
Appendices
A Bee Sting Reaction Physiology 112
B Anatomy of the Honey Bee 114
C Observation Hives 118
D Basic Hive Parts 119
References 120
Index 129
I Introduction
I
failures.
What You Should Know First
LEGAL REQUIREMENTS -Exposing combs and equipment Signs that indicate this more dangerous
infected with American foulbrood reaction are itching all over the body
All states have some laws that pertain is illegal. (hives), breathing difficulty, sneezing, or
to keeping honey bees and registering hives -Penalties are provided for viola- loss of consciousness. This type of reac-
containing bees. Some city and state laws tions of these apiary inspection tion occurs when the body is allergic to
limit the number of hives (the wooden laws. the bee venom and, if not treated, could
boxes that colonies of bees live in) in For specific legal requirements, check your be fatal.
urban areas. Since bees can be declared a state department of agriculture’s Apiary People generally develop either an
nuisance in some cities, local laws must be Inspection Law (see REFERENCES:. Man- immunity or an allergy to bee venom over
studied before an apiary is established. agement of Bee Colonies). time and repeated exposure to the poison.
Most states have an Apiary Inspection Law The individual’s unique body chemistry
developed to aid the beekeeper by provid- will react in its characteristic way. If there
ing statutory means for controlling and BEE STING REACTIONS is ever any question about whether one is
eradicating American foulbrood, once the developing an allergy, a physician or local
most destructive of bee diseases. The An important question that beekeepers allergy clinic should be consulted imme-
law’s general requirements are: must consider is their individual response diately!
-All beekeepers must register hives to bee stings. Although most beekeepers Detailed information on the treat-
containing honey bees with their become immune to bee stings after a few ment of bee stings is included in the sec-
state’s department of agriculture. years, some individuals may develop an tion on HANDLING BEES; the physiology
-The director of agriculture and allergy to bee venom. of bee sting reactions is shown in APPEN-
appointed deputies have the right Reaction patterns vary among individ- DIX A.
to inspect, treat, quarantine, dis- uals, but there are two types of reactions
infect, and/or destroy any diseased -the local reaction and the systemic reac-
hives. tion, both of which are accompanied by
-Transportation of bees and equip- some pain at the sting site.
ment must be certified by the bee In the first, a localized swelling
inspector or other designated occurs, like a mosquito bite, which is red
state official. and itchy and which usually lasts a few
-All beekeepers shall have bee colo- days. The systemic or general reaction,
nies in hives containing moveable on the other hand, means that the entire
frames. body is reacting to the venom proteins.
EVOLUTION OF SOCIAL STRUCTURE
ANATOMY
The honey bee, like most insects, has three main body parts: a head, a thorax,
and an abdomen (see illus.). Located on the head are five eyes (two compound and
three simple ones), the antennae, and the feeding structures like the tongue (proboscis)
and the jaws (mandibles).
The thorax, or middle section of the bee, contains the muscles which control
the two pairs of wings; other muscles control the three pairs of legs. The legs are
the specialized structures which assist the bee in cleaning itself and in collecting and
carrying pollen. The armor-plated thorax is perforated with three pairs of holes,
called spiracles, which are part of the breathing or respiratory system.
The abdomen is the longest part of the bee. It too is armor-plated with hard
scale-like segments and is also perforated with seven more pairs of spiracles. The
worker bee’s sting is located on the tip of the abdomen. The wax secreting glands,
on the underside of the abdomen, and the scent gland, just above the sting, are im-
portant abdominal glands. The queen’s abdomen contains, among other things,
ovaries for egg production, a storage sac for drone semen, and a sting but no wax
glands. More detailed information on the digestive and glandular anatomy of the
honey bee is included in APPENDIX B.
External Anatomy of a Worker Bee
fore wing # // \
wing hooks
antenn- ,
Stinging insects belong to the Order The most numerous members of a bee colony are the workers, reaching a peak
Hymenoptera which includes both social population of 40,000 or more by midsummer in a normal hive. The workers are
and solitary bees and wasps. The more smaller ,than the drones and have a shorter abdomen than the queen. The eggs from
aggressive species of stinging insects are the which workers and queens emerge are fertilized; drone eggs are not.
hornets and the yellow jackets (both of The eggs of worker bees hatch in three days; after hatching, they are first lavishly
the Vespidae Family); less aggressive are or mass-fed a high-protein substance called royal jelly (produced by the hypopharyngeal
the bumble bees (Bombidae) and the glands of adult workers) for a few days. Beginning on the fourth day these larvae are
honey bees (Apidae). fed, as needed, with a mixture of honey and pollen. The switch from a royal jelly diet
The venoms of these insects are not to one of pollen and honey appears to be responsible for the differentiation of larvae
chemically alike. Thus, a beekeeper who so fed into worker bees; similar larvae which are fed royal jelly throughout their larval
is allergic to yellow jacket venom will not life develop into queens.
necessarily develop an allergy to honey After six days of feeding, the openings of the cells containing the larvae are
bee venom or the venom of other sting- capped over with a slightly convex wax cover. Inside the capped cell, the larva begins
ing inse@s. to spin a cocoon initiating the pupal stage; 12 days later, an adult worker bee chews
The newcomer to beekeeping should its way from beneath the capping and begins the first of many tasks which she will
find it interesting that drone bees have no perform during her life span.
stinging structure, and that queens general- T$$;!wokker bee’s age and the needs of the colony dictate the work she is to do.
ly use their stings only to dispatch rival Gen#@lly, ,wQrkers from one to three weeks of age remain within the hive. There they:
queens. ‘~;7;jyt. ~* ,
The stinging mechanism is a modifica- -!&3 and clean larvae and their cells
,tion of the egg-laying equipment (or ovi- -tend the queen (feed, groom, help spread queen pheromones)
positor) of female insects. The entire -clean the cells and the hive
structure consists of an acid gland, an -secrete wax
alkali gland, and a poison sac; the venom -build new comb and cap cells containing honey, pollen, and brood
is a mixture of the contents of these -guard the entrance and other areas of the hive
glands. -patrol the hive, look for intruders
The barbed lancets of the sting catch -help to heat or cool the hive, as needed
in the victim’s skin and, as the bee pulls -accept nectar from foragers; store and cure it
away, the poison sac attached to the sting -pack pollen
awaratus is ripped out of the bee’s body. -take brief orientation flights to familiarize themselves with landmarks near the
Pumps near the base of the poison sac hive, also called play flights
force more venom into the wound for After about three weeks of hive duties, the glands that produce the larval food and
several minutes. To minimize the amount wax have begun to atrophy, These workers then move away from the warm broodnest
of venom received, it is important to (where the eggs, larvae, and pupae are) onto broodless combs. Here they come in con-
promptly remove the sting by scraping or tact with returning foragers and are eventually recruited to food sources.
flicking it off with a fingernail, not by As foragers, they will usually collect one of the following items: honeydew,
pulling it out. pollen, nectar, water, or propolis. Foraging activities take a heavy toll on workers and
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The queen is the longest bee in the colony; her lorlg abdomen, usually without
mlor bands, distinguishes her from both workers and drones. Any larva which
hatches from a fertilized egg is a potential queen. Thus worker bees can raise a The Queen
new queen from larvae when their old queen has been accidently lost, or when
she is injured or too old to perform her duties well. This fact also permits queen
breeders to raise queens from very young worker larvae.
The destiny of larvae hatched from fertilized eggs depends upon their diet.
Larvae which are fed royal jelly (the high-protein substance secreted by young
workers) throughout their larval period will develop into queens.
Worker bees prepare special cells for the rearing of queens. These cup-shaped
cells are usually located on the lower edges of the combs. Many queen cups con-
structed in the spring may indicate that the colony is beginning swarm preparation
(see SPECIAL MANAGEMENT PROBLEMS: Swarming).
If, on the other hand, a small number of these cups are found elsewhere on the
comb or worker cells are modified into queen cells it may indicate that bees are pre-
paring to supersede or replace their existing queen. This may be due to her age, an
inadequate amount of queen substances (queen pheromones), low egg production,
injury, disease, or some combination of these deficiencies (see SPECIAL MANAGE-
MENT PROBLEMS: Queen Supersedurejl.
The cup-shaped cells become queen cc//s after eggs are layed in them by the
queen. The larvae in these cells are fed copiously with royal jelly and, as the larvae
grow, the cells are elongated and take on the characteristic peanut-like appearance and
hang vertically from the comb.
In cases where a queen is suddenly lost due to some accident, no queen cells will
exist (unless, by coincidence, the bees are in the process of swarming or superseding
their queen). In such cases, the worker bees “select” and feed larvae in worker cells
which are less than two days old. The workers add wax to the cells as the larvae grow,
and peanut-shaped queen cells gradually form in the midst of the capped worker ceils.
i After emerging, a virgin queen may begin to search for and partially destroy any
other queen cells, leaving the workers to discard the pupae or larvae inside. Some
cells may contain queens ready to emerge, in which case she will partially open these
dells and sting the occupants. While performing these tasks, she may also encounter
other emerged queens; fighting ensues and ultimate1.y only one virgin queen survives.
About six days after emerging, the queen wiii leave the hive on a mating flight;
if weather is inclement, this flight will be delayed until more favorable weather appears.
During her flight, the queen’s pheromones attract male bees from drone-congregating
a==, and she may mate with up to ten or more drones in succession. When her sperm
sac (spermatheca) is filled, she returns to the hive and will never leave it, unless it is in Notes
the accompaniment of a swarm. Three days or so after mating, the now bigger and
heavier queen will begin to lay eggs. The queen continues to lay eggs the rest of her
life, pausing for a month or so late each fall. It has been reported that a good queen
is able to lay up to 2,000 eggs a day for brief periods.
Genetic Traits
Since the queen mates in the open, the beekeeper has limited control over which
drones will inseminate her. Those few that do mate with her may be from several
apiaries and/or from “wild” colonies.
As a consequence of this random mating pattern, the queen’s sperm sac may con-
tain semen from genetically different drones, Her worker bee and queen progeny,
therefore, will consist of individuals that are not necessarily genetically alike (that is,
they will be half-sisters). The drones, hatching from unfertiiized eggs (parthenogenesis),
would all be full brothers, since the queen will lay genetically similar drone eggs
whether she has been inseminated or not. Only when the queen has been artificially
inseminated with semen from known drone stock will a colony’s workers be nearly
identical.
Since the queen is the sole egg producer, she is responsible for all the genetic
traits of a colony; if the characteristics in a colony are undesirable, requeening should
change the hive’s genetic makeup and therefore its character. Unless hybridized, the
queen should be of superior purebred stock to optimize the desirable traits.
The queen is responsible for all of the following characteristics of the colony:
-color -longevity
-temperament --cleanliness
-industry and production -total hive population
-swarming tendency -brood pattern
-winter hardiness -tongue length
-propolizing tendency -handling ease !
-burr-comb building -whiteness of honey cappings
-nectar-carrying capacity -conservation of stores in inclement
-disease resistance weather
-
THE DRONE
The drone, or male bee, is a large, chunky, blunt-ended bee with very large com-
pound eyes that meet at the top of his head. The drone larvae hatch from unfertillied
eggs. Under normal conditions, unfertilized eggs are laid by a mated queen in the
hexagonal wax ceils similar to, but larger than, worker cells.
After six and one half days of feeding, the ceils of drone larvae are capped with
The Drone
wax. The capped drone cell is dome-shaped, like a bullet’s head, and is readily distin-
guished from the slightly convex shape of the capped worker cell. Beginners often
mistake these drone cells for queen cells. Capped ceils lying on a horizontal plane are
either worker or drone ceils;. those which are ultimately peanut-shaped and suspended
on a vi3Tical plane are queen cells.
The newly emerged adult drone begs food from a worker bee, but later he feeds
himself from the honey stores. Adult drones have no sting (the sting is a modified
female egg-laying structure) and have very short tongues (unsuitable for gathering
nectar). Drones never collect food, secrete wax, or feed the young. Their sole known
function is to mate with virgin or newly mated queens.
Drones first leave the hive (about six days after emerging) on a warm, windless,
and sunny afternoon. As they get older, they fly to locations known as drone-
congregating areas. Whenever the drones in these areas detect the pheromones of a
virgin queen or newly mated queen they pursue her, and a few succeed in mating with
her; those few die soon after mating.
Whenever there is a dearth of nectar (when no food is being collected), worker
bees expel drone brood and adult drones from the hive. During the summer, bee-
keepers often see workers dragging drones in various stages of metamorphosis out of
their cells and dropping them in front of the hive. Normally in the fall ail adult
drones and any remaining drone brood are gradually evicted from the hive. The
evicted drones probably die of starvation or exposure. Queenless hives and those with
laying workers or drone-laying or failing queens, usually retain drones longer.
Colony Defense Foragh7g. Foraging bees fly out the bees increases the efficiency of food
and away from the hive in a definite direc- gathering activities by recruiting more bees
Worker bees will defend their hive tion in search of food, propolis, and water. to available and abundant food sites.
by flying at and often stinging an intruder. Their return flight usually takes them A worker bee orients herself according
Such action should not be interpreted as straight into the hive or onto the bottom to various external stimuli as she comes
“meanness” but rather as a defensive board. from and goes to collecting locations:
action. When an intruder approaches and Robbing. Unlike orientation flights,
enters or begins to open a hive, some bees -the sun’s position and polarized
which are short in duration, robbing activity light
raise their abdomens, begin fanning, and is similar to foraging activity. Upon first
thereby disperse the alarm odor being re- -landmarks, both horizontal and
approaching a hive, the robbers sway to and vertical
leased by a gland at the base of the sting. fro in front of a hive to be robbed in a man- -ultraviolet light, enabling her to
This pheromone has an odor similar to ner somewhat similar to a figure eight. see the sun on cloudy days
that of banana oil. It incites other bees Once the hive has been invaded, other rob-
to defend the colony. Once some of the A worker bee is able to inform other
bing bees are “recruited” to it, bees about the location of a food source
attacking bees sting clothing or skin, some Cleansing or Defecating Flights. On
alarm odor remains at the site, tagging through a series of body movements, called
warm winter days, when the air is calm, dances, which include wing vibrations,
the victim. The tagged victim may be- bees fly out of the hive to defecate. Often,
come the target of further aggressive acts odor, and glandular secretions. (The func-
they circle in the vicinity of the hive releas- tion of these dances was first reported by
as long as the alarm odor remains on the ing body wastes in the air. Package bees
clothing or skin. Karl von Frisch.) Bees returning from a
also take cleansing flights after being re- particularly rich food source will excite
leased, since they have been confined for other foragers and notify them about
Flight several days. The outside of the hive can where to find it by dancing. There are
Except for occasional orientation be spotted with brown or yellowish spots two basic dances-the Round Dance and
flights, worker bees generally remain as a result of winter cleansing flights or the Wag-Tail or Figure Eight Dance. The
within the hive for the first three weeks package bee flights. If the flight takes Round Dance communicates distance (up
of their adult life, cleaning, feeding, build- place when the ground is covered with to 300 feet, or 100m) from the hive in
ing comb, ripening honey, and packing snow, these yellow or brown spots appear any direction. The Wag-Tail or Figure
pollen. These routines are more or less peppered on the snow. Eight Dance communicates both distance
discontinued at the end of the third week and direction (see illus.). The flavor,
as bees turn to tasks which requi:e flight. Foraging and Communication
odor, and sugar concentration of the food
An ability to recognize the different The gathering of food for feeding act as both a stimuli and guide to recruit-
types of flying activity will permit the bee- larvae and for storage requires a high degree ed bees.
keeper to interpret activities at or near the of cooperation and communication among Another type of foraging that bees en-
hive entrance. the members of a colony. Haphazard gage in is robbing. Bees occasionally ob-
Orientation. Bees on orientation searches for food by the older worker bees tain honey, nectar, or sugar syrup from
flights familiarize themselves with land- would require too much energy and could other colonies. Robbing often occurs
marks surrounding their hive. These bees not be sustained over long periods of time when a beekeeper is examining or feeding
hover near the hive entrance for very short without adversely affecting the well-being a colony; bees from other hives fly over
periods of time. of the colony. Communication among and steal some food from the exposed
c
Round Dance
bee
GENERAL INFORMATION
During the summer, a bee hive which houses a full colony of bees normally con-
sists of a bottom board, two deep hive bodies for the broodnest, a queen excluder,
one or more standard or shallow stipers (the number depending on the abundance of
nectar, or the honeyflow), and an inner and outer cover.
Some beekeepers use only standard supers for their hives; others use the shallow-
er supers for both the brood and the honey. If only the deep hive bodies are used,
lifting off the honey will be very strenuous. If, on the other hand, only shallow
supers are used, finding the queen becomes much more time consuming and disrup-
tive to the colony.
The number of hive bodies left for bees in the winter can vary. Some beekeep-
ers winter their bees in two deeps and a shallow, using the shallow for winter stores
of honey and pollen. In certain parts of the country colonies are wintered in one
deep and one shallow, or two deeps, or sometimes even in three deeps (see
SPECIAL MANAGEMENT PROBLEMS: Wintering). In all cases, an ample supply
of food must be provided.
It has been traditional to paint the hive bodies white to reflect the sun’s heat in
the summer months and help keep the colony cool. Even the metal top of the outer
cover might be painted white to reflect more heat during the hottest summer months.
While white is most favorable in southern climates, beekeepers in northern areas might
consider painting hives darker shades to reta;;) the heat longer. For hives located on
wooded sites, where it is shady most of the time, darker colors might prove especially
beneficial.
Whatever color is used, the outer sides and rims of the wooden hive parts should
be painted in order to extend the life of the equipment and to retard rotting. Since
bees produce moisture as a part of their metabolic activity, a latex paint would be
least likely to blister as the moisture leaks out; lead-based or other toxic paints should
never be used.
Some equipment, like frames and hive bodies, is now available in plastic. Any
experimentation with plastic equipment should be done slowly; the beekeeper who
buys all plastic equipment may risk losing all the bees if they should suddenly decide
-as bees sometimes do-that they don’t like plastic (see REFERENCES: Equipment).
In areas where loss of beehives through theft is a concern, all wooden hive parts
should be branded and registered with individual identification.
BASIC HIVE PARTS
Optional Equipment:
-bee gloves $ 8.00
tie off -bee suit 18.00
-queen excluder 5.00
-bee escape .50
-extra hive tool 2.50
-bee brush 1.50
-division-board feeders (10) 20.00
-pollen substitute (for 10 colonies) 3.00
-uncapping knife 21 .oo
-honey extractor (2-frame hand powered) 116.00
-jars, bottles, labels 4.00
-branding iron 60.00
The prices listed are approximate 1977 prices which will vary some depending on
make, supplier, etc.
FOR THE BEGINNER on lips, scalp, or inside the nose or ear Bee suits should be washed occasion-
canal are extremely painful; it is down- ally to keep down accumulated dirt.
To the beginning beekeeper, the pleth- right foolish to risk them. All sensible Lighter weight material is best, since the
ora of equipment available from the bee beekeepers wear veils. Veils can be pur- best part of the day for working with bees
catalogues may prove somewhat confusing; chased separately or attached to helmets. is usually also the hottest part of the day.
the basic equipment listed under the Begin- Unbleached muslin is an excellent mate-
ner’s List provides a starting point. Bee Suit rial for a bee suit because it is inexpensive
It is generally not a good idea to keep Homemade bee suits, or those pur- and easy to wash.
just one hive, since the queen could become chased from a supply house, are of white
injured or die, perhaps leaving the colony cotton and have pockets and pouches to
with laying workers. Two to five colonies Bee Gloves
carry hive tools, matches, and the like.
would be a manageable number of hives for For the do-it-yourselfer, a jumpsuit pat- Many old-time beekeepers distain
the beginner. tern made two sizes larger than one or- using bee gloves, but for the beginner it
While used hive bodies and frames are dinarily wears and with an extra long collar is a good idea to start with them, -Gloves
less expensive than new equipment, they and sleeves works very well. The suit that do not fit well will make handling
could be contaminated with brood diseas- will not only protect against stings, but frames more awkward and may even in-
es which are not readily apparent. If will keep one‘s clothing free of propolis, vite more stings than no gloves at all. All
equipment is questionable, it should be which is very hard to remove. The collar bee supply houses carry men’s sizes, and
sterilized. The most economical way to should be turned up before putting on a the smaller women’s sizes can be ordered
sterilize such equipment is to place it in an bee veil. from British supply houses (see REFER-
ethyline oxide chamber. Some state agri- Trouser and sleeve cuffs should be ENCES: Beekeeping Supplies: foreign).
cultural departments now have these cham- designed to close tightly. Gauntlets made Gloves are a great help in keeping wax,
bers, and the cost for sterilizing old equip- for wrists and ar,kles will keep bees from honey, and propolis off your hands, but
ment is minimal. getting beneath clothing, Some beekeep- should be washed periodically (especially
Other more expensive equipment, ers tuck their trousers into shoes or socks after working with diseased bees). One
such as honey extractors, can be shared by or fit cuffs with elastic; leg straps for disadvantage of gloves is that they may
several beekeepers on a cooperative basis. trousers are also available. If clothing is retain the alarm odor long after bees
Hobbyists are cautioned not to buy every not closed tightiy, bees wiii crawi under- sting them.
gadget on the market. When in doubt neath unnoticed, and when a bee is After gaining a bit of experience
about the usefulness of a particular piece pressed between clothing and skin it will and increased confidence in working with
of equipment, seek the advice of other sting. Once a bee gets inside the clcth- bees, even the relatively new beekeeper
beekeepers. ing, one may attempt to release it or may sometimes choose to work without
crush it before it stings. gloves. Gauntlets that fit over the arms,
Bee Veil
Bees are less likely to sting people keeping the hands free, are an added pro-
.A bee veil is a must. Although photos wearing light-colored attire. Bees are tection, but leather watch bands should
appear in bee magazines and elsewhere more prone to sting dark, furry objects, be pocketed during barehanded apiary
which show beekeepers working without so avoid dark clothing when working with work since they seem to incite bees to
veils, such practice is discouraged. Stings bees. sting.
Bee Smoker Bee Escapes
Two types of hive tools are available. The smoker is a metal cylinder with Bee escapes are primarily use to re-
I
One type can usually be found in most attached bellows in which a fire is lit. move bees from hive bodies containing
large hardware stores (see illus.). Either Smoke blown from the smoker’s nozzle honey so that the honey can be harvested
tool is an invaluable aid to the beekeeper (see illus.) is directed into the hive and free of bees (see illus.). These devices can
when prying apart hive bodies and frames between the frames to encourage bees to also be used when one has to move a hive
that have been propolized. gorge honey. Once engorged, bees are that consists of more than two hive bodies,
It is a good idea to have several hive more docile and less prone to sting. When by first placing the escape board above the
tools on hand since they are easy to mis- purchasing a smoker, get the largest avail- second body. After the bees exit, the ex-
place. The hive tool should be periodical- able size (see HANDLING BEES; smoker). tra bodies are removed and the remaining
ly sanded clean of excess propolis and hive can easily be lifted and moved.
wax. Brightly colored paint will help See GENERAL SEASONAL MAN-
keep them from being lost in the grass. Smoker AGEMENT: Harvesting the Honey; re-
The ends should be sharpened at least moving bees from honey supers, and
once a year. SPECIAL MANAGEMENT PROBLEMS:
I
Moving Established Hives.
gate
TOP VIEW
Ideal Site
Before
the Ekes Arrive air drainage
prevailing
THE APIARY
I/ ’ :
I I:- I ‘I!- w _ -
L,; ___
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$4 ! ,.,,. I
i..-._-..-..-LITj sh:Ztrposition
t-t-- -----~ -
32” (81.3 cm)
27
RESOURCES
- -
OTHER METHODS Notes
A co/any of bees-consisting of several thousand workers, usually one queen, and
sometimes drones-which is living in a building or in a tree can often be obtained free
of charge from the owner of the premises, with appropriate permission. A swarm of
bees is a small portion of a colony between homesites. While swarms are free and
generally easy to collect, as a precaution they should be treated as if diseased and be
given medicated sugar syrup after installation in a hive (see SPECIAL MANAGEMENT
PROBLEMS: Catching Swarms).
Bee colonies in buildings are difficult to remove and can cost much in time and
stings. The only way to successfully remove the entire colony and its combs involves
tearing off the outer and/or the inner portion of the building covering the colony.
Removing bees and combs from bee trees usually involves felling the tree and splitting
it. Much of the comb and many of the bees, perhaps even the queen, are often
crushed when the tree hits the ground. Bees removed from buildings or trees
should also be given medicated syrup.
Other methods of obtaining colonies from buildings or trees usually involve
leaving an empty hive or a hive with a frame or two of bees and brood near the re-
duced entrance of the colony to be trapped; this process may take months and often
only a portion of the colony may be captured.
Several beekeeping books and/or an experienced beekeeper should be consulted
before deciding on any one method of removing bees (see REFERENCES: Beekeep-
ing Pamphlets).
Advantages:
-interesting and educational
-free bees to augment weak hives, make nuts, or start new hives
-extra wax and honey from removed combs
Disadwntages:
-bees could be diseased
-queen might be injured or killed
-could require a great deal of labor with little reward
-bees could be inferior stock
-queen is often difficult to find and capture
WHEN TO EXAMINE A HIVE
The queen’s presence and the extent of her activity can be established without Good Disposition
finding her. If one finds brood frames with a concentrated pattern of capped worker To minimize the likelihood of being
cells, frames mostly filled with eggs or larvae (uncapped brood), or a combination of stung, ii: is best to work the hive on days
both, her presence and quality are indicated.
when most field bees are foraging.
If it is necessary to find her, the hive should be opened gently (as outlined in Generally, bees are gentlest:
WORKIAIG WITH BEES: Opening the Hive) and the outermost frame should be re- -in the spring, when populations are
moved. She will seldom be found on frames with just honey and pollen or on frames low and a honeyflow is on
with capped brood; she wili most likely be found on or near frames containing eggs -during a good honeyflow
and uncapped larvae. -on warm, sunny, calm days
The queen can often be spotted in the midst of her encircling “attendants.” -when populations are low, as with
When a queen moves slowly along the frame from cell to cell, the other bees will package bees
clear her path, but the circle will be reformed when she pauses (see illus.). -when bees are well-gorged with
If the queen must be found-whether before requeening, to kill her before unit- food, as with a swarm or package
ing colonies, to mark her or clip her wing, or just to satisfy the need to see her-but bees
cannot be located within 15 minutes or without disrupting the entire hive, it may be -between late morning and early
helpful to use the following method: afternoon (roughly between IO a.m.
-Place a queen excluder between the two brood chambers (usually the two and 2 p.m. depending on season
lower hive bodies). and time zone)
-Five days later the queen will be in the hive body whose frames contain
eggs. Since ail eggs hatch in three days, the brood chamber from which she Irritable Di’rposition
was excluded will have no eggs.
Bees are more prone to sting when
most of the foragers are in the hive. The
reason for the foragers not being out is +
related to conditions outside the hive
(usually weather). The following condi-
tions are those under which bees are
more likely to sting:
-in the fall, after the honeyflow
-during a poor honeyflow when
there is little food Corning in
-when disturbed by skunks or other
pests
-before a thunderstorm
-on cool, wet, cloudy days The sting should be scraped off with -baking soda
-on hot, sultry, humid days a fingernail or hive tool as soon as possible -ammonia
-on windy days to minimize the amount of venom pumped -meat tenderizer, as a paste
-in the early morning or the late into the wound. Start to scrape the skin -mud
afternoon or evening with your nail about an inch awsv from All of the above treatments work
-when queenless the sting and continue scraping through best if applied immediately after being
-when laying workers are present the sting; it will pull out easily. One stung. Immediate application of these
-when many bees are killed by should never attempt to remove the sting items, however, is usually impossible if
improper handling by pinching it, since the pinching action the beekeeper gets stung away from home
-when the hive or a hive part is will squeeze the poison sac, forcing more or through a bee suit.
jarred venom ‘into the victim’s tissue. To give relief to the itching red welt
-when diseased Since an alarm pheromone accom- that appears following a bee sting one
-in reaction to pungent hair oils, panies a sting, other bees are likely to might apply calamine lotion or other in-
lotions, or perfumes sting in that vicinity; smoke should be sect bite/poison preparation, or hot water.
-when examined without using applied to the area of the sting to mask
smoke the alarm odor. Systemic Reaction
-when honey is removed and rob
Persons who break out in hives or
bing activities are stimulated TREATMENT OF BEE STINGS have difficulty breathing after being stung
by a honey bee may be allergic to bee
WHAT TO DO WHEN STUNG Local Reaction venom. For all systemic or general aller-
Once a worker bee does succeed in For local reactions, there is very gic reactions, immediate medical aid is
piercing the beekeeper’s skin with the little an individual can do except to re- strongly recommended even though some
barbed lancets of its sting, the bee can- lieve the itching. Since the sting barbs medication may be at hand.
not withdraw the lancets from the skin. are so tiny and the puncture so small, no Bee sting reaction medication can
As the bee struggles to free itself, the ’ treatment will be effective in reducing the only be obtained with a prescription. The
poison sac attached to the lancets is amount of venom other than the prompt, drugs commonly prescribed are an anti-
ripped from the bee’s abdomen. This proper removal of the sting structure. histamine and adrenaline. Here are some
means that the bee will ultimately die; and Every beekeeper has a favorite treat- examples:
having left most of its sting imbedded in ment for bee stings. The treatment does Od:
the victim’s tissue, it will obviously not not “cure” the sting but gives a different -1soproterenol Hydrogenchloride”
be able to sting again before it dies. sensation to the area, and thus it takes (Isuprel Sublingual; three-year
Other stinging insects have either one’s mind off the momentary pain. The shelf life) in 10 mg pills; placed
smooth lancets or lancets with ineffec- following items are often used to relieve under the tongue, followed by:
tual barbs; they can therefore withdraw bee stings: -0iphenh ydramine H ydrogenchlo -
that portion of the sting and repeatedly -bee sting treatment kits ride* (Benadryl; four-year shelf
reinsert it. The queen honey bee has -ice packs or cold water life) in 50 mg pills; an antihicta-
such a sting, but she rarely if ever directs -vinegar mine
it at victims other than rival queens. -raw onions rubbed on the area *generic name oC’:drug
Injected: the face; or walk behind a tree or queen with syrup, then place
-Anakit@ or other insect sting kits bush, trying not to let other bees her on a frame of uncapped
are available with a prescription follow you, and remove the veil brood.
and include a syringe filled with quickly to release the trapped bee. -Requeen.
Epinephrine (Adrenaline), with -If your smoker goes out: cover
instructions for it to be injected exposed supers with extra outer
under the skin (subcutaneously). cover(s) or cloth to prevent rob-
Keep refrigerated and do not use bing and relight the smoker. Notes
if cloudy; do not inject directly -If you are chased by a lot of bees:
into veins. blow smoke on yourself and walk
Aerosol: casually behind bushes or trees;
-An aerosol bronchial applicator, as be sure your smoker does not
for asthma sufferers, will offer throw out flame, otherwise your
quick relief of breathlessness as a clothing might ignite. Bees are
result of a bee sting. The dosage very myopic; they see movement
of two puffs should be repeated (like fleeing bodies) very easily but
after 15 minutes. are confused if many objects like
Although the above information branches or leaves are between
provides an outline of what might be them and their target.
done for systemic or general allergic -If the queen is balled when re-
reactions to bee stings, exact and precise leased directly into a colony of
medical information should be strictly package bees or when introduced
adhe& to. No one should attempt to into a hive that is being requeened
selfdiagnose their response to bee stings or to one which already has a queen
or to prescribe medications for themselves (in these cases the bees consider
or others but should instead seek the ad- her foreign and commence to sur-
vice of a physician. round or “ball” and attack her) or
(A discussion of bee sting reaction when the hive is roughiy handled
physiology is included in Appendix A. do one of the following:
See also REFERENCES: Bee Sting.) -Cover the hive quickly and hope
for the best.
UNEXPECTED OCCURRENCES -Break up the ball with smoke or
water and cage the queen; rein-
When working with bees, situations troduce her using the Indirect
sometimes arise for which the beekeeper Release Method (see STARTING
is not prepared. These are some of the FROM PACKAGES and SPE-
more common ones: CIAL MANAGEMENT PROB-
-If a bee gets in your veil: kill it LEMS).
quickly, before it stings you on -Break up the ball and spray the
Starting Bees from Packages
Package of Bees
ABOUT PACKAGE BEES
A package of bees is a screened box containing several pounds of bees, a laying lid
queen in a separate cage, and a feeder can of sugar syrup (see illus.). The package queen cage
is prepared by a bee breeder or package dealer who opens a hive, isolates the queen, I I
and shakes the bees clinging to the frames into a funnel which is attached to the cir-
cular opening of the screened box. After the desired number of bees (measured in
pounds) has been shaken into the package, a newly mated queen taken from a queen-
mating box is enclosed in a queen cage and placed in the package, usually suspended
next to the circular opening for the feeder can. The feeder can containing sugar
syrup is then inserted into the circular opening, a lid is placed over it, and the pack-
age is ready to ship.
The bees in the package now have a foreign queen (not their own), but since
she is caged, they are unable to harm her. While in transit, the bees will come to
accept her as their own.
There are many methods used to install bee packages, the basic differences
being in the manner in which the queen is released from her cage. In the Indirect
Release Methods, the queen remains caged and the bees are allowed access to a
candy plug which they must remove in order to release her. This method simply \ \feeder can
wooden frame
delays the queen from being freed among the other bees for a few more hours or
days and increases the likelihood of their accepting her. bee cluster
In the Direct Release Methods, the screen or cork is removed from the queen
cage, allowing the queen to walk out onto the top bars of the hive among the other
bees or into the entrance. When the queen is released directly, the bees may still
not be fully acquainted with her and, as a consequence, they may form a tight ball
of bees around her and begin stinging and tearing her apart. This process, called
balling tie queen may result in the queen’s death or permanent injury (see WORK-
ING WITH BEES: Unexpected Occurrences). Combinations and variations of the
Direct and Indirect Release Methods are covered in STARTING BEES FROM PACK-
AGES: Installing Packages.
ORDERING PACKAGES and uncapped larvae from an established drawn comb, a bottom board, inner cover,
hive, they will raise a new queen. outer cover, and entrance cleat (see
If possible, packages should be or- EQUIPMENT AND BEEKEEPING SUP-
dered directly through the breeder (other WHEN THE PACKAGES ARRIVE PLIES: Basic Hive Parts). Hive entrances
beekeepers may be able to provide a list of should be closed until the bees are in-
reliable sources), or they can be obtained The bees may be buzzing loudly and stalled to prevent mice from entering the
through a local bee supply house. Ad- wandering all over the package when it hive and damaging the comb.
vertisements by local dealers may be arrives. They are not “mad” or ferocious.
found in publications of state beekeeping As soon as possible, the package should INSTALLING PACKAGES
organizations, and beekeeping journals be placed in a cool (not cold), draft-free,
quiet, and darkened area, and the bees Indirect Release Method I
like the American Bee Journal, Gleanings
in Bee Culture, and the s;Oeedy Bee in- should be fed heavily with sugar syrup. The bees should be fed with syrup
clude advertisements for almost all pack- They will soon become calm. Feed the almost continuously for the last half hour
age bee dealers (see REFERENCES: bees liberally with sugar syrup from a before the package is installed so the bees
Journals and Publications). spray bottle (but do not soak them) or will remain calm (see FEEDING BEES:
sprinkle the syrup on the screened sides Sugar Syrup). Follow this procedure:
A week before the bees are expect-
of the package. Some beekeepers brush -Take the package to the pre-
ed, call the post office and leave a phone
the syrup on the screen, but this can in- assembled hive.
number where you can be reached so the
jure the bees-many of whom will have -Shake or jar the package so the
postal clerks can contact you when the
bees arrive. If the bottom of the package their tongues and feet protruding through bees drop to the bottom of the
the screen. package.
has well over an inch of dead bees, have
the postal clerk or express agent sign a The syrup, which should consist of -Spray the bees with syrup or water
Bad Order Receipt; this may allow the a mixture of one or two parts white sugar to coat their wings, but do not
shipper to collect from the express agency. to one part warm water, should be pre- soak them.
If the package is guaranteed and the pared before the bees arrive (see FEED- -Remove the lid, exposing the top
queen is found to be dead and/or the ING BEES: Sugar Syrup). The syrup of the feeder can and the queen
package has well over an inch of dead should be medicated with Fumidil-B, cage;
bees, the shipper should be notified and sulfathiozol, or terramycin TM25 or -if the queen cage is attached to
asked when replacements can be expected. TM50 (see BEE PESTS AND DISEASES: a metal tab adjacent to the feed-
~~em&yqy j_ er, remove the cage and replace
If the queen is dead, replacement Install the package in the late after- the lid.
must not be delayed or some workers noon; if the weather is unusually cold, -if the queen cage is’hung from
will undergo ovary maturation and begin wait for the weather to improve (but do a wire or piece of screen next
to lay eggs. Laying workers can only not wait more than a few days), and con- to the feeder, grasp the wire tab
produce drone eggs and, thus, the colony tinue the feeding. to keep the cage from falling
would be doomed (see SPECIAL MAN- All equipment should be readied and into the package; remove the
AGEMENT PROBLEMS: Laying Work- in place well before the bees’ arrival; feeder can and then the queen
=). If the queenless package bees can equipment should include a deep hive cage; replace the lid to contain
be provided with a frame or two of eggs body with ten frames of foundation or the bees.
I d
-If the queen is alive, remove the
cork from the end of the quran
cage which contains the white
candy; scrape and remove most of
the candy plug with a nail, leaving
a l/4 to l/8 inch (3-C mm) candy
Indirect Release Method I barrier. The candy will delay the
queen’s release, helping to insure
her acceptance by the other bees.
‘h
~cu~fd of bees -If no candy is present, after re-
moving the cork, plug the hole
with a midget marshmallow.
-Suspend the queen cage between
; top bar of frame
F the fifth and sixth frames of the
hive, screen-face forward and
u candy-end up (see illus.); the cage
FL emntv Ijive
should not be placed directly under
candy burlap the oblong hole of the inner cover
comb so as to avoid syrup dripping on
the cage.
-Remove the package lid and shake
approximately a cupful of bees
cover onto the queen cage; replace the
-queen cage package lid.
-Place the inner cover on the hive,
frames rim-side down, to allow extra
room above the top bars; invert
CLOSE UP the feeder can or jar over the ob-
long hole of the inner cover; invert
’ the jar so that initial drippings will
kii&f-entrance fall on the ground away from the
hive, otherwise syrup dripped on
the hive or inner cover may invite
robbing bees; if ths feeder leaks,
get another (see FEEDING BEES:
Friction- Top Jar or Sue w- Top
Pail).
-Place an empty hive body over the
inner cover and feeder can; place
the outer cover on top. up the empty feeder, direct smoke into later date
-Again spray the remaining bees in the oblong hole of the inner cover to -egg-laying delayed since queen is
the package with syrup. move the bees away, place a full feeder not immediately released
-Remove the package lid and shake on top, and close the hive.
a third of the bees out in front of Open the hive on the 15th day after Indirect Release Method II
the hive allowing them to walk in- installing the package, weather permitting, Follow the same procedures as in
I I to the entrance. However, if it is (see WORKING WITH BEES: General) the first method as far as removing the
cold, use the Direct Release Meth- using smoke as needed. If one or more of queen cage, and then follow this sequence:
od instead. the frames shows a fairly compact brood -If the weather is cool, place the
-The freed group of bees will soon pattern (capped cells and open cells full of queen cage in your pocket, screen
begin to scant (their heads will face eggs and larvae), all is well. Close the hive side away from your body; if the
the entrance, abdomens raised, and leave it undisturbed for another week. weather is warm, place the queen
wings fanning), releasing an odor During the next visit to the hive, remove cage in the shade.
or pheromone to attract other bees the queen cage and refill the feeder; con- -Remove four or five frames from
to the hive. tinue feeding the colony until the first one side of the hive body,
-When the bees begin to enter the major honeyflow. Two months after in- -Suspend the queen cage between
hive rapidly, shake the rest of the stalling the package, add a second hive two frames, after scraping away
bees from the package slowly to body with frames if the first is full of some of the candy plug (as in
keep the bees from drifting in drawn comb and brood. If there is no Method I).
front of the hive. major honeyflow and the new hive body -If the weather is cool, shake some
-After most of the bees have en- contains frames with foundation only, bees onto the queen cage to keep
tered, partially block the entrance feed the bees with syrup. If the bees are her from becoming chilled.
of the hive with a reducer cleat or not fed they -will chew the foundation. -Place the entire package in the
with grass; leave the entrance par- Advan tagas: vacant space in the hive (where
tially blocked for two months (re- -excellent chance of queen being the frames have been removed),
placing grass when needed) to dis- accepted being sure that the open-end of
courage robbing. -no additional trips to apiary needed the package is up to allow the bees
-Leave the package near the hive -syrup located in vicinity of bees to escape (see illus.).
entrance overnight, open-end up, and queen, so likelihood of starva- -Replace the inner cover, rim-side
to let any remaining bees escape tion is slight down, and feed the colony as de-
into the hive. -easy way to feed medicated syrup scribed in the previous section,
-Check to see if queen is released -bees will not leave hive if queen with sugar syrup from a feeder can
after one week. is caged and unable to fly or jar (see FEEDING BEES: Sugar
For the next 14 days, do not disturb Disadvantages: SYfUP).
the colony except to replace syrup in the -some drifting occurs -After placing an empty hive body
feeder can. When replacing the syrup, -an extra hive body is needed on top and covering it with the
have a lit smoker ready and first blow -may take a little more time than outer cover, reduce the entrance
smoke into the empty hive body at the other methods with a cleat or with grass (as in
top. Smoke around the feeder, then tilt -have to remove queen cage at a Method I).
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crawl
.feeder pan
..
empty hive
body
bees in
I ‘inner
-control
c(3ver
clip
crawl space-
Diision-board Feeder .syrup
-frames
V-shaped screen as
platform for bees
OR
&
floatatio~evice CROSS-SECTION
$Yc
-- syrup
Filling Empty Drawn Comb
Feeding by Sugar
frame of dry,
drawn comb
bardman Feeder
Rim Feeder
jar
Boardman feeder
holder
I I
oottom board
stand
I I
I I
J
I
control clip allows the bees to cling to later fed to larvae, broad diseases like If the bees are unable to store honey in
its sides without drowning in the syrup; American f5ulbrood could result (see the early spring, feeding dry sugar in !ate
it can be placed over the crawl space SPECJAL MANAGEMENT PROBLEMS: spring, prior to a honeyflow, may help
(see illus.). Hit&g a Swarm). It is very important prevent starvation.
The Miller feeder (also called a to ensure that any combs used for feed- The sugar should be located as close
Miller super) is placed at the top of the ing syrup have no history of brood dis- to the bees as possible. It can be spread
hive beneath the inner and outer coveti; eases. around the oblong hole of the inner
it can hold up to four gallons of syrup cover (rim-side up), on the back portion
and can be rapidly fiiled or refilled. Boardman Feeder of the bottom board, or on the top bars
Variations on the same principle are also of the frames near the bee cluster. Or,
A Boardman feeder is a wooden or
available. If this type of feeder is used, the sugar can be spread over a single
plastic holder for a quart-size mason jar.
the super should be bee tight on the out- sheet of newspaper placed over the top
The portion of the holder’s base with an
side or else robbing may result. bars of the hive body where the bees are
entrance platform is inserted into the
located; the bees will chew through the
hive entrance. The bees can obtain syrup
Empty Drawn Comb newspaper to obtain the sugar.
by crawling into the holder’s entrance.
Only strong colonies will benefit
Frames of empty drawn comb can The Boardman feeder is not recom-
from the feeding of dry sugar; weaker
be filled with syrup and placed in the mended since bees from other colonies
colonies may not have sufficient numbers
hive. Slowly dip the frames into a tub can rob syrup from it, and this tends to of bees to obtain the needed water.
of syrup or sprinkle them with a sprinkler encourage further robbing activity. If the
can or other device. A steady stream of weather is cold, the colony being fed will
syrup poured directly from a container not break the cluster to reach the feeder
will not fill the cells, since the air in the and may starve whenever stores are low.
cells will act as a barrier to the liquid. The feeder only holds a quart of syrup
This method can be used for emergency and would require frequent refilling.
feeding, especially if the combs are lo- Furthermore, in this highly exposed con-
cated near or adjacent to the broodnest. dition, the liquid could freeze, or the sun
As with other feeding methods, one has may decompose chemicals in the syrup
to look into the hive (and remove these which were added to medicate the bees.
frames) to determine whether or not they
need refilling. DRY SUGAR
This method is often used when in-
stalling package bees in a hive with drawn Dry, white, granulated sugar can be
comb. Newly hived swarms, however, used as an emergency food in late spring
should not be fed by this method. Bees when outside temperatures are high
in a swarm have full honey sacs and if enough to permit the bees to obtain
put on drawn comb may regurgitate the water for dissolving the sugar; occasional-
contents of their sacs into these cells; if ly, water that has condensed in the hive
such honey contains disease spores and is may be used by the bees for this purpose.
49
Fondant candy can be made and fed to bees in small molds or with a special The best food of all-when properly
rim feeder. This method is less sloppy than feeding syrup or dry sugar, but the ripened, capped, and free of disease-is,
preparations take much longer. The basic fondant candy recipe (to feed one colony) of course, a super of honey placed above
is: the broodnest, or several frames of .honey
-2 cups white sugar placed next to the broodnest in weak
-2 tablespoons corn syrup (light), or l/8 teaspoon cream of tartar (tartaric hives. Honey obtained from old combs
acid) and cappings, as well as crystalized honey,
-1 l/2 cups boiling water can be diluted and fed to the bees using
-Combine and heat ingredients, stirring until sugar dissolves; heat without any of the methods used for feeding
stirring’ to 238” F (115”C, or until a Medium Ball on a candy thermometer); syrup. Supers with frames that are “wet”
pour out onto cold platter and cool until warm; beat until light and pour or sticky after having been through an
into molds or shallow dishes. extractor can be placed above or below
The molds can be inverted over the top bars near the cluster. the broodnest or over the inner cover for
Another variation is to make up a rim feeder, which is a hardwood or masonite the bees to clean.
board, the size of an inner cover but with a l-inch or deeper rim. It is filled with But caution is urged when bees are
candy and then inverted over the cluster. fed with diluted honey or wet combs:
The recipe for fondant candy to fill 40 rim feeders (as given on page 360 of The the odor of honey will stimulate robbing.
Him and the Honey Bee, edited by Dadant & Sons, Hamilton, Illinois, 1975) is: Therefore, feed honey or place wet combs
-209 pounds sugar on the hives in the early evening so that
-30 pounds honey the bees will have sufficient time to re-
-2 l/2 gallons water move and store it before morning. If
-1 cup vinegar this food is given to weak hives, reduce
-medication (optional) their entrances as a further precaution
-Heat over double boiler to 240” F (116°C) for 2 hours; cool slightly and against robbers. Supers with wet combs
pour into rim to solidify. Each rim will have about 6 l/2 pounds of food. should not be put on colonies in the late
fall or winter. The entire colony of bees
might move up into them and not return
to stores below and, thus, they may die
from starvation.
It should be stressed that store-
bought honey should not be fed to bees.
Honey from hives with foulbrood is some-
times extracted, bottled, and sold. There
is an excellent chance that this honey
contains foulbrood spores which remain
viable in the honey and will likely cause
an outbreak of brood disease (American
or European foulbrood). (Fortunately nectar, and pollen. Without pollen, bees
for us, disease spores contained in honey could not manufacture royal jelly.
are not harmful to humans.) Be certain During the period when flowers are
that any honey fed to the bees is free available, bees usually have sufficient
from spores that cause brood diseases. supplies of pollen in the hive. The de-
Honey mixed with cappings, scrap- mand for pollen increases in the winter
ings, or debris can be fed to bees if it is when brood rearing resumes and the
placed in a container above the inner remaining pollen stores are quickly con-
cover. The remaining wax can then be sumed. The beekeeper, wishing to main-
recovered and melted. tain or stimulate brood rearing, may have Pollen Trap
to supply bees with pollen pellets, pollen,
POLLEN or pollen supplements.
- -
Storing Pollen Pellets sugar and pollen will ensure that proper Notes
proportions are maintained when prepar-
Drying Fresh Poliqn Pellets. Fresh
ing mixes with brewer’s yeast and soy
pellets collected from a pollen trap can
flour.
be dried in a few days in the sun, in a
Advantages:
warm oven, or with a lamp. The pellets
-attractive to bees
are ready when they will not crush when
Disadvantages:
rolled between the fingers Store them in
-difficult to separate pollen and
closed containers at room temperature.
Dry pollen may be fed directly to sugar if you want to feed straight
the bees or mixed with other dry mate- pollen
r rials. If the dry pollen is to be added to
wet mixes, it should first be soaked in Methods of Feeding Pollen
water for an hour. Pollen may be placed into frames of
I Advantages: empty drawn comb. Using the dry or
-inexpensive way of presenting frozen pellets:
I I pollen -Fill the comb on one side of a
Disadvkges: frame with pollen pellets.
-less attractive to bees -Replace the frame in the hive over-
Fiatzing Pellets. Place fresh pollen night to allow the bees to pack the
pellets in containers and store them di- pollen; it will fall out if not first
rectly in a deep freezer (at 0” F or -17.8” packed down by bees before re-
C) until ready to use; they will be moist peating for other side.
when defrosted. Pollen may also be fed in the spring
Adwntages: in an open, screened, covered container
-attractive to bees that lets in only bees. Place the pollen
-cant be used separately or added to container about 10 feet (3 m) from the
mixes apiary and the bees will forage for it.
Disadvantages: Since only the stronger hives will benefit
-more costly to preserve from open feeding, feed the weaker col-
Sugar Storage. Pollen pellets can be onies separately by placing pollen on the
presented with sugar. Fill a container al- portion of the bottom board that is cov-
ternately with layers of pollen and white ered by the hive or by pouring some
sugar, topping it with several inches of around the oblong hole of the inner
sugar. Close the container tightly and cover.
store it in a cool place. Pollen should be
mixed with twice its weight of sugar (1
Part pollen:2 parts sugar). Careful label-
ing of the container as to its amount of
POLLEN SUPPLEMENT Notes
To supplement trapped pollen, a formula of soy flour and brewer’s yeast can be
made or bought. When making your own formula, use the proper ingredients. The
soy flour used in mixtures of pollen supplement or pollen extender must be made by
the low-fat “expeller” or “screw-press” method; bees will not eat the coarsely ground
soy flour used for cattle feed. The fat content should be between 5 and 7 percent.
The proper kind of soy flour for bees can be obtained from most bee supply houses.
Purchase brewer’s yeast from a feed store-any animal-feed grade is adequate, or pur-
chase it from a bee supply house. Different mixtures of these materials, with or with-
out pollen, sugar, or medication, can also be obtained from dealers and supply houses.
Dry pollen supplements can be fed like the pollen pellets, when mixed in a 1:1:3
ratio (by weight) of pollerubrewer’s yeast:soy flour. Some beekeepers add anise or
fennel oil to attract bees, feed it with candy, or even mix it with a 5 percent dried
egg yolk additive to make it more nutritious.
Supplements can be made into patties so they form a stiff dough. One-pound
patties L45 kg) are made from a 1:2:3 proportion (by weight) of pollen:hot water
(or I:1 sugar:water):soyflour. Feed one patty per week for three weeks; freeze extra
patties between wax paper. Once you start a feeding regimen, keep it up or the bees
might starve; provide food until they will no longer take it or until they again begin
to collect ample pollen.
POLLEN EXTENDER
The following apiary tasks should also be incorporated into the spring manage-
ment work during the dandelion/fruit bloom period and when all danger of frost is
past:
-Unwrap and/or take down winter protection.
-Remove temporary winter windbreaks.
-Remove any insulating or moisture absorbing materials above the inner cover.
a
-When temperatures are around 75” to 80” F (23.9” to 26.7”(Z), inspect the hives
for disease, brood pattern, and remaining stores.
-Replace poor queens (see SPECIAL MANAGEMENT PROBLEMS: Requeen-
ing) .
-Reverse the upper and lower hive bodies of strong colonies to put the brood-
nest at the bottom (see SPECIAL MANAGEMENT PROBLEMS: Swarm
Prevention Techniques; reversing).
-Replace old, sagging, and drone combs; broken frames; etc.
-Clean bottom boards and scrape off excess propolis and burr comb.
-Check water sources or provide water.
-Provide additional space (hive bodies or supers) as needed.
-Make increases only when the weather is warm enough so the brood will not
become chilled (see SPECIAL MANAGEMENT PROBLEMS: Swarm Preven-
tion Techniques; relieving congestion 1.
-Medicate the colonies against brood diseases and/or nosema; do not give med-
ication once the bees have begun to store honey or it will contaminate the
honey.
-Look for signs of swarming and, if nerzessary, initiate swarm prevention/
control techniques (see SPECIAL MANAGEMENT PROBLEMS: Swarm-
ing) .
-Remove entrance reducers from strong colonies.
-Register hives and apiaries with state agricultural department.
,
I -bees are easy to work eased colonies that must be medi- -Bait an empty honey super with a
( -fresh, white wax evident on ends cated must not be used for human frame or two of capped or un-
of drawn comb and on top bars consumption. capped honey; this should make
-wax foundation drawn out quickly -Requeen poor, weak, or diseased the bees move into this super.
-large amounts of nectar ripening in colonies (see SPECIAL MAdvAGE- -It becomes increasingly difficult to
cells MENT PROBLEMS: Requeening). cut away the cappings of combs
-bees fanning at hive entrance that have been darkened with
-lots of foraging activity propolis. These frames should be
Super Sizes
/‘, -odor of nectar (honey) often per- used only for brood rearing (if
I vades apiary When a honeyflow is on, the bees full depth) or should be rendered
I During the honeyflow, the beekeeper will deposit nectar in supers placed above into wax.
!
should not break down the hive to look the brood chamber. These supers may -Some beekeepers use drone foun-
,
at the brood, nor should pollen traps be vary in size from full depth supers (deep dation in their honey supers since
t placed on hives. The colonies should be hive bodies) to the shallow or section the cells are larger and honey seems
all checked prior to a major honeyflow. comb supers (see illus.). There is no to extract readily from these cells.
Entering the broodnest during a flow will hard and fast rule about which super
disrupt the nest and the bees’ gathering size to use; personal preference, physical Methods of Supering
activities and may even reduce the amount strength, and the quantity of the expect-
of honey being brought in for several days. ed surplus should be your guide. There are two basic ways to super
for honey; they are called reverse super-
Apiary Tasks ing and top supering.
Rules for Supering
Reverse Supering. This method can
In general, the tasks at the apiary The most important rule for supering also be used for comb honey and general-
I during the major honeyflow should in- is to keep the queen out of the honey ly needs a queen excluder to keep the
I
clude the following: supers. Use one of the following methods queen from laying in the honey supers (see
-Super hives as needed, placing to accomplish this: illus.). A super with foundation or dry
honey supers above the broodnest -Place a queen excluder above the combs (S-l) is always placed below a
(see GENERAL SEASONAL MAN- broodnest. super at least half full of honey (S-2).
AGEMEN T: Rules for Supering) . -Keep a hive body filled with honey Top Supering. This method does
-Reverse honey supers. directly above the broodnest. not require a queen excluder since the
-Provide adequate ventilation. Some general guidelines for supering queen rarely will go above a super full
-Keep supers on until honey is bees during a honeyflow are listed below: of honey. Put supers with dry comb
capped. -Stagger the honey supers to hasten or foundation (S-l) abpve honey supers
-Avoid adding too many supers, as the ripening of honey. that are at least half firled with honey
bees may partially fill all of them -Use only 8 or 9 frames in the 6-2).
instead of filling one completely. supers for honey that is to be ex- There are many methods of supering
-Never medicate colonies at this tracted so the bees will draw cells using these two themes; talking with local
time as it will contaminate the out more, making it easier to cut beekeepers may be helpful in determining
honey. Honey collected by dis- the cappings. how to super in your particular area.
/
Reverse Supering Sizes of Supers
shallow
4 5/8” (12.2 cm)
full weight 25 Ibs (11.3 kg)
half depth
5 11116” (14.4 cm)
full weight 35 Ibs (15.8 leg)
three-quarters depth
Top Supering 6 5/8” (16.8 cm)
full weight 65 Ibs (29.3 kg)
full depth
9 5/8” (24.5 cm)
full weight 90 Ibs (40.5 kg)
-reverse Begin supering withq.e. -reverse brooanesr as neeaea -reverse Drooanest as neecled -take o:f honey,
-remove entrance extract and
reducer prepare for winter
split hive, shake -all ss go below q.e. -remove q.e. and ss.
bees, put on q.e.
Removing Bees from Honey Supers -relatively easy if bees remain calm out within 25 days.
-inexpensive for one who has few There must be no cracks or holes in
The methods listed below describe
hives supers placed above an escape board
five ways of removing bees from honey
Disadvantages: since bees from the same hive and/or
supers. Honey supers will also be free
-may promote robbing robbing bees and other insects will invaae
of bees when it gets very cold (in the
early fall) after the bees leave the honey -time consuming and remove the honey. Tape or otherwise
-brushing may excite bees to sting close off these entrances to the unprotect-
supers to join the warm cluster below.
Bee Escape. The Porter bee escape ed honey supers. If the outer cover is
Shaking. Remove a frame with
is an inexpensive metal gadget which al- warped and you are using the inner cover
sealed honey from the super and shake
lows bees to pass through it in only one as an escape board, put an extra inner
the bees off in front of the hive entrance,
direction. The escape fits into the oblong cover above the topmost super to close
then gently brush off the remaining bees.
hole of the inner cover, or any cover that off the top and to keep all bees out.
Brushing. Use a soft, flexible bee
has been modified to hold 4 or 5 bee es- Advan rages:
brush (see illus.), or a handful of grass
-does not excite bees
and gently brush the bees off the frames, capes in order to facilitate the passage of
-easy
allowing them to fall at the hive entrance. bees. When an inner cover or modified
-inexpensive
Tnen place the frames, free of bees, into cover contains one or more bee escapes,
--usually effective
al empty super and cover it with burlap it is referred to as an escape board.
Disadvantages:
or a thick, wet cotton sack to keep out The escape board is placed directly -honey could be removed by bees
robbers. If robbing is particularly intense, below the honey supers the beekeeper from the same hive or by robbers
an additional cloth might be needed to wishes to remove (see illus.). Usually if supers are not bee-tight
cover the super you are working. If rob- within 48 hours after the escape board -not always effective
bing becomes unmanageable, put the hon- is in place, the bees will move down to -drones or dead bees may block
ey frames into a vehicle and close all seek the warmth of the broodnest or the escape, keeping bees in supers to
doors and windows. bee cluster and, since many of these bees be vacated
Adwntages: are field bees, they may want to leave the -involves extra trips to apiary to
-able to select frames containing honey supers to resume foraging activities.
insert board, remove supers, and
capped honey (honey covered by In extremely warm weather, place so forth
thin layer of wax) the escape board on during the later after- Repellent board. Repellent boards
noon and remove the supers before noon are used by some beekeepers to drive
the next day. This will prevent the wax bees out of the honey supers. An ab-
comb from melting since the bees can no sorbent pad or cloth is placed inside a
The Bee Brush
longer fan it. spare outer cover or other holder. The
If the supers contain brood, the bees pad is then saturated with a chemical
will be less likely to abandon them. All which repels bees. Some fume boards
the brood should be allowed to emerge. have a black metal top which will ab-
To do this, place these supers above a sorb heat and make the chemicals work
queen excluder so the queen cannot get better. These boards work best when
up ,there and lay; all the brood should be the bees are in shallow supers.
To use a fume board:
-Saturate a pad with the repellent
chemical.
-Remove the outer and inner covers,
using smoke as needed.
-Scrape any burr comb off the top
bars.
-Use smoke to drive the bees down-
Removing Honey Supers
ward between the frames.
-Place the saturated repellent board
over the frames (see illus.).
-After no more than five minutes,
the bees will have left the super. USING FUME BOARD
-Remove the first super and repeat
the process for subsequent supers USING ESCAPE BOARD
below.
-Air the supers thoroughly and store
them in a covered place to prevent
robbing. \
Use the repellent board only long honey supers
enough to get the bees out of the supers. to be removed -
Do not leave it on the hive for more
than a few minutes.
Some chemicals used as repellents
are:
-glacial acetic acid
-propionic anhydride
-butyric anhydride
-benzaldehyde
Federal and state laws may restrict the
use of some or all of these chemicals as
bee repellents, so comply with all regu-
lations in this regard.
The use of these chemicals is further
complicated by the fact that their efficien-
cy is governed by the air temperature;
y..*l’?“,-~~‘ ( I ,I
I,/ -.
,’
63
_,
therefore, the desired result is not always EXTRACTING THE HONEY stored, each colony should be checked
certain. and attended to as follows:
Advantages: The usual process for getting honey -If possible, pick a day when there
-one trip to remove honey out of the wax cells is to remove the cap- may still be a light honeyflow and
-easy pings with a hot knife (uncapping knife) forager bees are out, since in the
-inexpensive and put the uncapped frames into a huge fall bees are more prone to sting
~ Disadvan taps: centrifuge, called an extractor. As the when a hive is being manipulated.
-excites bees extractor spins, the honey is forced out -Check for brood diseases.
-dependent on temperature of the cells and against the cylindrical -Do not attempt to overwinter a
-could adversely flavor honey wall of the extractor, leaving the frames colony found to have American
-may be illegal to use of wax combs empty of most of the foulbrood; destroy the colony.
The Bee Blovver. A bee blower is a honey. A small gate at the bottom of -Medicate for nosema and American
portable gas or electrically powered de- the extractor can be opened to let the and European foulbrood as a pre-
vice that produces a blast of air strong honey flow out into other containers. ventive measure (see BEE PESTS
enough to blow the bees off the frames Honey that is kept in supers prior AND DISEASES).
and from the supers. to extraction can be ruined if it is stored -Remove queen excluder.
Advantages: in a humid or wet area since even capped -If requeening, check after 7 days
-fast honey can absorb water vapor. To pre- to see if the queen has been ac-
-effective : vent this, stack the supers in a staggered cepted.
Disadvantages: arrangement to allow ventilation and -Check winter stores (60 to 80 Ibs.,
-expensive either use a dehumidifier or blow warm, 132 to 176 kg, of surplus honey
-during cold weather, bees blown dry air over the combs before extracting. should be left for each colony).
out may be unable to return to This will further reduce or maintain the -Feed the colonies whose stores
hive existing low moisture content of the hon- are low.
-requires two people-one to load ey. -Replace damaged equipment.
supers-to work efficiently Frames to be extracted should be -Reduce bottom entrance or cover
completely or almost completely capped. with hardware cloth; provide a top
Getting Along with Your Back Uncapped cells will contain honey with entrance.
Lifting off supers full of honey a higher moisture content; extracting too -Unite weak colonies.
might be the reward of a productive many partially capped frames will increase -Remove and store empty hives.
year, but it can also be a literal pain in the moisture of the extracted honey and
the back. Unless you are careful in lift- invite spoilage by fermenting yeasts (see
PRODUCTS OF THE HIVE: Honey; ex- WINTERING
ing these heavy boxes, serious damage
could be done to your back. Proper lift- tracting).
General Rules
ing and strengthening exercises might be
needed if chronic backpain is a problem. FALL Colonies can survive very well with-
In any case, medical advice should be out elaborate wintering techniques as long
sought. For some general information After the fall crop has been removed as the bees are protected from winter
on back care see REFERENCES: Honey. and the supers have been cleaned and winds. However, following the minimum
I
procedures for wintering hives can be the
difference that makes for overwintering The amount of heat generated by
success. These are the most common the cluster depends, among other things,
wintering practices: on whether or not brood is present. In
-Invert the inner cover (to rim-side the late fall, the colony is without brood
down) to allow moisture to escape. and, therefore, the cluster will be produc-
-Reduce the entrance with a wooden ing only around 57”- 60°F temperatures
cleat. Make sure that the opening (13.9”-15.6”CI-enough to keep the colony
from freezing. When the queen resumes
of the cleat is turned up against
her egg laying in midwinter, the cluster
the hive body, not against the bot- temperature in the vicinity of the eggs
tom board; this will prevent the and brood will be maintained at around
opening from becoming blocked 93°F (33.9”C) (see illus.).
by a layer of dead bees which may
accumulate on the bottom board The Winter Cluster Connective clusters of bees join the
during the winter. main cluster to the food stores. If these
-Provide top ventilation and/or en- connectives are cut off, or if ‘the winter
trance by propping up the inner is unusually long and very cold, the bees
cover slightly or boring an auger could. starve even though there is honey
hole, not more than 1 inch (2.5 elsewhere in the hive. The cluster must
cm) in diameter, in an upper corner be able to move to the food periodically
or below the handhold of the top throughout the winter. In general, the
super; this lets moist air out of the cluster will move into the upper stories
hive. during the cold weather, and if the honey
-Unite weak hives. is not placed or stored above the cluster
-Place weights on top of hives so in the fall the bees may move up into
the covers will not biow off in high the empty supers and starve.
winds. Bees retain their feces when confined
-Remove queen excluders. to the hive as they commonly are during
-Remove bee escapes. the winter. Periodically, air temperatures
-Leave ample honey (or cured sugar reach 57” F (13.9”C) or above, and on
syrup) and pollen stores. such days bees are able to break their
Adapted from C. L. Farrar: “Production Management of Honeybee confinement to take cleansing flights and
The Winter Cluster Colonies in the Northern United States,” USDA circular #702, defecate outside the hive. If the bees are
July 1944. confined to the hive over long periods,
Honey bees do not “hibernate” in
the winter but cluster in a ball when the the hive floor and frames can become lit-
air temperatures are below 57°F (13.9X). tered with fecal material and dysentery
They remain relatively active in the cluster can weaken the bees further.
because of the heat generated by the con- High winter survival depends on:
traction of their wing muscles. -cold winters interspersed with warm
sunny days
J
65
-dry winters warm so it can be properly cured; the wind as it approaches the hives, but
-long springs syrup should be 2:1, sugar:water (see they should still permit air drainage to
Low winter survival is due to: FEEDING BEES). take place.
-wet, cool winters The following are essential for a A suitable w.indbreak would be a 6-
-long, cold winters with few sunny, colony to overwinter successfu Ily, emerge foot high snow fence, or slotted board
warm days (reducing or eliminating in the spring with sufficient numbers, fence, set up on one or all sides of the
opportunities for cleansing flights) and be capable of taking fuii advantage apiary; the boards should be about 1 inch
-nosema disease of spring and early summer nectar flows: apart to allow air to filter through but
-a young, vigorous queen (prodi- block the wind flow. The first row of
Dn Warm Climates gious egg layer) hives should be about 5 feet (1.5 m)
-large population of bees (20,000 from the windbreak.
If winter temperatures do not get to 30,000)
much below 45” to 68“ F (10” to 20” C), -adequate supply of honey, cured Wrapping
it is not necessary to provide the same sugar syrup, and pollen
winter protection, such as wrapping and Hives can be wrapped with a light
-disease-free condition (medicate)
insulation, that is required in colder re- tar paper or blackjack to protect the
-an upper entrance (auger hole in
gions. However, to ensure a strong colony bees from chilling winds; the dark color
top super)
when the nectar flows again, a colony will also absorb the sun’s heat. There arc
-top ventilation to release moist
should have the following: several procedures for wrapping hives, and
air (prop up inner cover)
-a young, vigorous queen most of them incorporate these features:
-protection from prevailing winds
-adequate food stores (about 30 -top ventilation
-reduced front entrance
pounds of honey) -top and bottom entrances
-periodic inspections
-protection from extreme temper- -absorbant material enclosed in a
-maximum sunlight
atures (reduced bottom entrance, super over an inner cover to draw
Specific wintering techniques such
an upper entrance, shelter from off moisture (straw, shavings, por-
as wrapping, insulating, and the like are
cold winds) ous pads, corregated paper, fiber-
discussed in the rest of this section.
-periodic inspections glass, insulite board, or other build-
ing insulation)
Windbreaks
In Coke Climates or High Altitudes -dead air space underneath hive
Apiaries should be located where -use of mouse poison, like treated
In regions where average tempera- they will be sheltered from prevailing grain, on the bottom board and/or
tures during the coldest months are winds to reduce the amount of cold the inner cover, or other mouse
around 20°F (- 6.7”C), one should leave drafts in winter and spring. Hives should protection
about 70 pounds of honey on each colo- be situated where barriers such as ever- Advantages:
ny or feed an amount of sugar syrup that green, thick deciduous growth, walls, or -protects from piercing winds
will equal 70 pounds of honey. If sugar buildings will take the brunt of the pre- -allows hive to warm up when sun
syrup is to be fed to bring the food vailing winds. When no windbreaks are is nut
stores up to 70 pounds, it must be present temporary ones should be con- -bees can recluster on honey if in-
given to them while the weather is still structed to lessen the velocity of the side temperature is warm enough
5
Di’vantages:
-time consuming Wintering Bees (different kinds of insuhtion)
-vapor barrier may form between
hive and tar paper resulting in ex-
cess moisture accumulation in the
hive which, if it freezes, will encase
bees in an “ice-box”
straw, shavings, news-
-hive may warm up too much and .paper, or old blanket
bees may begin premature cleans-
ing flights outside before air tem- reversed (rim-side
peratures are high enough to pro- down) inner cover
tect them from being chilled 1” insulite board
(can also be placed on
-top of inner cover)
Insulation
OR
Insulation will provide colonies with
extra protection against cold winter tem- straw, shavings,
peratures. Any one or a combination of ieaves, efc’.
these insulating materials and devices super with screened
have been found to be of some aid (see bottom and %”
illus.): vent holes
-Provide dead air space underneath
the hive.
-Place follower boards against the
inside walls. A follower board is 3/W plywood frame-
a solid piece of board the size of sized follower boards,
a deep frame, of variable thickness, or division-board
feeder (can be kept
that hangs like a frame; it can be on all year)
used to reduce the interior size of
a deep super by substituting it for
one or more frames.
3/W auger hole
-Insert a division-board feeder (can
substitute for follower board). ,reduced entrance
-Insulate the top with moisture-
absorbing material (one or a com-
bination of the materials listed be- -_
1)
b 1
removing the empty lower hive outer cover while transporting so
bodies, place the hive bodies con- the screened top is exposed.
Moving an Established Hive
taining bees (usually two deeps) -The hives should be placed close
directly on the bottom board. together on the truck with the
-Tape or screen all holes and cracks frames parallel to the road; this will
in the two remaining deep hive prevent the frames from sliding to-
bodies. gether if the truck stops suddenly.
-If the weather is warm, place a -While loading and unloading, keep
screened board (like a division the engine running since the vibra-
screen) or screened inner cover on tion of the vehicle will help keep
top of~the hive beneath the outer the bees in their hives.
cover. -Smoke the entrances before and screen I
-Using smoke as needed, hammer ly removed)
after unloading, then remove the
in hive staples on all sides (slant entrance screen.
staples in opposite directions, alter- -Fill the hive entrance loosely with I screened hole can
nating on each side; see illus.); grass to slow the bees’ exit and to
steel or plastic strapping lath might keep them from drifting.
also be used. Do not use electrician’s -Replace the outer cover.
staples as they could split the wood. -Inspect the hive after a few days
-If the hive is very populous or if to see if all is well.
the weather is very hot, add a Problems in moving hives:
shallow super with empty frames -bees can suffocate if weather is
above the top hive body to collect too hot
the overflow of bees; otherwise, -queen could be killed, injured, or
the bees might be hanging outside balied v-shaped
the hive when you return to move -hive bodies might break screen pushed
them. +zombs could break into entrance
-if moving in winter or very early
Loading and Unloading spring, the winter cluster could be
-In the evening, smoke the entrance broken resulting in bees recluster-
to drive the bees in and use a piece ing on empty combs and starving,
of screen the length of the entrance or in the existing brood being
-Move the hive off its stand to the
and about 5 inches wide to close chilled before the bees have a
new location,
off the entrance (see illus.). Slide chance to resettle
-In its old location, put a nut box
the screen into the entrance so it (small hive with four or five frames)
will spring against the bottom Moving Short Distances
or one deep hive body with bottom
board and hive body. Follow these procedures to move an board and top cover.
-If the weather is hot, remove the established hive less than 3 miles (4.8 km): -Fill the hive at the old location
with dry comb frames and at least MARKING OR CLIPPING THE QUEEN
two frames of brood, with or with-
out a queen or queen cells; if you Some beekeepers choose to mark the queen with a spot of color or a color disc
wish, make a split (see SPECIAL (with or without numbers) on her thorax, or they clip her fore and hind wings on
MANAGEMENT PROBLEMS: one side. Marking or clipping the queen allows the beekeeper to keep a record of
Swarm Control Techniques; re- the ages of his queens and the use of color will also make it easier to find her,
lieving conga tion 1. especially if she is dark. Clipping the wings of a queen will not control swarming,
-Field bees of the original hive will although this erroneous fact is stated in the literature.
return to the new hive at the old Never hold the queen by the abdomen when picking her up to mark or clip her.
location; this hive with the low bee If the queen is picked up this way, she can become injured and her egg-laying ability
population can be left and then will be reduced; as a result of this or any injury to the queen, the colony may super-
moved at one’s convenience. sede (replace) her.
Or: To avoid the possibility of injuring a queen, first practice on a few drones. To
-After two or more days, if the mark the queen:
weather has been good, move the -Grasp the queen by the wings, then transfer the hold to the sides of her
small hive from its original location thorax.
to a new site at least three miles -If marking with a color spot, use a fast-drying paint like nail polish; mark
away. only the thorax.
-After three weeks, this hive may -If marking with a disc, apply adhesive on thorax, then the disc.
be moved to a desired location or -Allow paint or adhesive to dry before returning queen gently to frame on
it may be united to original colony which she was found, or place her on the top bar of a frame and let her
bee SPECIAL MANAGEMENT walk down the comb.
PROBLEMS: Uniting Colonies; If clipping the queen’s wings, pick her up as described above and use manicure
newspaper method). scissors to cut half of both the fore and hind wing on one side only (see illus.).
Or: The queen can be removed from the hive without alarming the other bees; in
-Move all the hives to be relocated fact, for short periods (5-10 minutes) they will not be aware she is absent.
over three miles away for three
weeks and then move them again
to the desired location.
-It is often recommended that clip both fore
when moving established hives and hind wings
numbered disc
very short distances, each hive be or color spot
moved 1 foot each day (0.3m/day)
until the hive is in the desired lo-
cation (the bees will not return to
the original location). However,
this process is slow and not recom-
mended unless the distance is less
Some beekeepers requeen every other year to maintain quality stock. To keep Notes
track of the queen’s age, they clip her on the right side on even years and on the
left side on odd years. The same system can be used with two colors. In Europe,
beekeepers use a color system on a five-year sequence: Blue, gray, orange, red, and
green, starting again with blue on the sixth year (the color for 1977 is orange).
Advantaps of marking the queen:
-queen is easily found
-queen’s age can be determined and recorded
-queen’s absence will be indicative of some colony change
Advantages of clipping the queen:
-queen’s age easily determined
-absence of clipped queen will indicate colony change
Disadvantages of marking and clipping:
-bees might supersede “maimed” queen
-clipping does not prevent or control swarming
-queen could be injured
-queen clipped may be a virgin and thus would be unable to fly and mate
-virgin queen might sting when handled (but this is not likely)
Relieving Congestion
Hives that are very congested due to poor combs or inadequate space for brood
will be more likely to swarm, Listed below are some techniques for relieving such
conditions:
-Add extra frames or supers full of foundation.
-Stagger supers slightly to allow for more ventilation.
Reversing
Interchanging Hives
I In an apiary where the hives are in
long rows, the bees tend to drift toward
the row ends. As a result, the colonies in
the middle may be weaker than the colo-
nies on the ends (see BEFORE THE
BEES ARRIVE: Hive Orientation).
If a hive is very populous and seems
likely to swarm at some point but has
not yet made preparation to do so, inter-
change it with a weaker hive (see illus.).
This way more incoming, food-bearing
foragers will return to the stronger hive’s
location but will enter the weaker hive,
augmenting its population. Conversely,
the strong hive will have a sudden de-
crease of incoming field bees, and any idle
tizizlHONEY q DRY
COMB bees that might have normally initiated
swarm preparations would soon be forag-
ing, Foreign bees entering the switched
-Separate brood and queen: hives should not fight if there is a honey-
-Place the queen, with unsealed brood, eggs, and bees in the lowest super. .flovr in progress. To decrease chances of
-Above this, place a super with foundation. fighting, wait for a good honeyflow be-
-Above this, place a super filled with capped brood and the rest of the bees. fore interchanging the hives.
-Decrease the number of bees or brood in the hive by splitting the hives to
make additional ones, called irxreases (see illus.): Demaree Method
-Place frames of capped brood and bees taken from several different hives
into a new hive (one deep body). The Demaree method, made popular
-If there is no food coming in, spray each frame of bees with syrup to by a beekeeper of that name, allows one
reduce any fighting among the bees on the frames taken from different to retain the complete population of a
hives. hive while practicing swarm prevention
-Give the new hive a frame of eggs from your best hive so they may make and control. Basically, ‘it separates the
their own queen; or, requeen the split with a new queen; or, provide some brood from the queen and decreases the
queen cells (usually swarm cells). congestion. Here is one way to Demaree
-Each increase hive should have four frames of brood, four frames of foun- (see illus.):
dation and two frames of honey or empty drawn comb filled with syrup. -Fill two deep bodies (#4 and #5)
-Reduce the entrance to discourage robbing and bees returning to their with frames of dry drawn comb
original hives; check after one week. from which brood has already
emerged. -After one week, cut out any new -ventilation-to increase air flow
-Foundation or a combination of queen cups in the upper story (#l within a hive:
both drawn comb and foundation or in #4). -hive bodies can be staggered
can also be used; if no honeyflow -Two weeks later, if the queen’s -inner or outer cover can be
is on, use less foundation since the hive body (#4, below excluder) is vowed up
bees will chew it; if you have only congested and full of queen cells, -bottom front entrance can be
foundation, feed bees with syrup remove the queen cells and De- raised on small blocks
so foundation will be drawn out. maree again. -these techniques might encourage
-Place these two hive bodies beside -One week later, remove any queen robbing so only strong colonies
the hive to be Demarreed. cells above the excluder. should be manipulated in the
-Find the queen and place her on a -Fifteen days after the last manipu- ways described
frame containing very young larvae lation, since the queen can’t get
and eggs. above the excluder to lay, the top
-There should be no queen cups or supers will be free of brood and
cells on the frame with the queen; will be used for honey storage or
if present remove them or replace remain empty.
the frame. Variations of this method are used to rear
-Remove some dry comb frames or queens (in warm weather), run a two-queen
foundation from the middle of one colony, or make increases; a division
of the new hive bodies (#4) and screen can be used in place of a queen
place the frame with the queen and excluder.
clinging bees there. Advantages:
-Add two or three frames of honey -population kept at a peak for
and pollen to #4 on the bottom honeyflow
board. Disadvantages:
-Place a queen excluder above #4 -must find queen
and place body #5 (full of founda- -many manipulations necessary
tion or dry comb) above the ex- -time consuming
cluder. -many trips to the apiary needed
-Remove any queen cups from re-
maining brood frames and place Other Factors
them and clinging bees in #l. In addition to the other techniques
-Any remaining frames of brood or described, the following factors may also
honey without the clinging bees be of importance in helping to decrease
can be given to other colonies; any swarming in some hives:
empty frames can be stored or -young, vigorous queens
placed in a super and added to a -queens raised from nonswarm stock
populous colony for additionai -hybrid queens with nonswarming
room. tendencies
8
b----- .’ -1
1 reduce1 czI
entrance
capped brood,
honey, bees bees
BEFORE
. . .
” .
-. .
northern
. . windbreak
AFTER -
~a:;
‘2,
.- . . . - . .-_ - .- <-.
-. .
-, .I - ..w- ‘_
. w-
- -.
4
CATCHING SWARMS Hiving a Swarm
Swarm Traps
It is generally not possible to check one’s apiary on an hourly basis, and such at-
tention to outyards throughout the swarming season is impossible. Despite good man-
agement procedures for swarm prevention or control, occasionally a colony preparing
to swarm is overlooked. In addition, many beekeepers are constrained from devoting
the time necessary for proper management. Thus, some swarming probably takes
plite in most apiaries. If one is not able to capture the swarm, the opportunity to
increase one’s holdings or to return the swarm to its hive is lost.
Some beekeepers who are unable to visit their apiaries frequently may attempt
to compensate for their absence by capturing swarms lured to bait hives or by pro-
viding sites near the apiary for swarms to cluster. Such swarms can be readily seen
and caught if they remain clustered until the beekeeper arrives. Some swarm traps
are listed below:
-Decoy or bait hives-with drawn comb or foundation-can be placed at vari-
ous distances and directions from the apiary. Wax, propolis, and vrher odors
may attract the scout bees and, ultimately, the swarm, but they might also
attract mice and wax moths, so any remaining bait hives should be removed
at the end of the season.
-Low, dark objects close to the ground-such as a burlap bag wrapped around
a low branch in a rough sphere-may attract a swarm to cluster there.
-Empty frames of old, dry drawn comb in tree crotches may attract swarms;
be sure the combs are free of disease.
Some states have laws concerning the use of bait hives or restricting the use of
exposed combs for baiting swarms. Find out what laws apply locally before using - -
these techniques- spray bees with
medicated syrup
Swarm Containers or water
To be prepared the beekeeper should always have extra hives full of foundation
for hiving swarms. If the swarms have to be collected some distance from the apiary,
bring along a hive, or nut box, with the bottom board stapled on. The swarrn can
then be shaken in front of the hive, and after most bees have entered the entrance can
be closed with a piece of screen. The hive can then either be carried off or left there
unscreened until the evening so that any stray bees can rejoin the swarm; its entrance
should be screened when the hive is retrieved in the evening, shake swarm
.in front of
Other containers that can be used for collecting swarms are:
prepared hive
-a screened box, like an old bee package; shake the swarm into the box and
81
LAYING WORKERS colony and there is still time for the queening colonies that show these ten-
colony to build up its population and dencies:
When a colony loses its queen and is stores before the winter. -low bee populations for no appar-
unable to rear a replacement due to a ent reason
lack of eggs or proper-aged larvae, some REQUEENING -inferior queen, laying more drone
workers may start to lay. The ovaries of than worker eggs
these females will mature and, after these Although queens may live for four -unmated or injured queen, laying
bees are fed the high-protein royal jelly, years, the most productive queens are drone eggs or having some drone
eggs will develop. Since workers are in- usually between one and two years old. and worker larvae scattered over
capable of mating, the eggs they lay will Many beekeepers replace an older, exist- the comb
be only unfertilized or drone eggs. The ing queen with a younger queen annually -diseased queen, brood, or workers
worker population within a colony with or every other year (see SPECIAL MAN- -aggressiveness
laying workers, therefore, will slowly de- AGEMENT PROBLEMS: Marking or -excessive propolizing
cline since the rearing of new workers Clipping the Queen); others replace only -poor wintering success (very weak
stops with the loss of the queen. queens who perform poorly. in spring)
To correct this situation, several If the bees are preparing to swarm -high honey consumption
methods have been developed, all of or supersede their queen, they are in -poor honey production
which involve the introduction of a queen, effect requeening the colony themselves. -high tendency to swarm
queen cells, or a frame containing larvae This natural process of requeening is not
less than three days old. Often bees beneficial to the beekeeper. Queen re- Types of Queens
within a laying worker colony are first placement as a consequence of swarming,
shaken from their frames at a distance for example, results in a loss of a portion Queens can be obtained by:
of 100 yards from their hive just before of the colony along with the old queen, -purchasing
the introduction of a queen, queen cells, unless the swarm is captured and reunited -raising one’s own
or young larvae. Unfortunately, these with the colony. But because swarming -obtaining them from colonies
attempts at rescuing a colony of laying traits are hereditary, that queen and preparing to swarm or supersede
workers from inevitable doom have never colony might swarm again, as might the their queen
worked to anyone’s satisfaction-frequent- daughter queens in the old hive. There- Queens can come from any one of
ly the colony will reject the introduced fore, both the remaining colonies and four categories:
queen or queen cells, or it will rear any captured swarms should be requeened. -virgin queens
workers rather than queens from the in- Queen supersedure, on the other -untested queens (have been ob-
troduced larvae-and there is always the hand, takes place only after the colony served to lay)
risk of losing valuable time. The best has been declining due to a failing queen -tested queens (have been retained
one can do is to unite a colony of lay- (see SPECIAL MANAGEMENT PROB- in mating boxes :-:ntil the first
ing workers with a queenright hive. Ex- LEMS: Queen Supersedure). Her replace- brood emerges in order to deter-
perimenting with various methods of ment may be inferior, especially if the mine purity of mating)
requeening may be worth the experience, colony numbers and stores are not ade- -select-tested queens (have been
however-if one has no other colonies quate for rearing good quality queens. placed in colonies and tested not
with which to unite a laying worker The beekeeper should think of re- only for purity of mating but for
other characteristics such as disease the excluder, otherwise the caged queens population
resistance, gentleness, and produc- may be killed. -colony emerges in spring with high
tiveness) bee population ready for honey-
Seasonal flow and/or increase
Care of Caged Queens Requeening can be done in the Disadvantages:
spring, summer, or fall. It is preferable -hive populous
Mated queens, packaged in Benton to requeen during a honeyflow, since a -old queen difficult to find
maihhg caps, are mailed from dealers to colony is almost certain to accept a new -if no honeyflow is on, bees prone
all parts of this country and to some queen when food is coming in. to sting and run when hive is
other countries. Some of the procedures opened
for notifying the postal service when Spring Requeening -time consuming
awaiting bee packages should also be -in fall, fewer opportunities to
Advantages: check if queen was accepted if
followed when queens have been ordered.
-colony less likely to swarm weather turns inclement
When the queens arrive, they should
-vigorous egg layer will produce -less time to assess queen’s perfor-
be properly cared for. If the cages con-
strong bee populations for subse- mance
tain candy and four or five attendant bees,
quent honeyflows -could end up with queenless colo-
they can be kept in a warm, dark place
-colony will enter winter with a ny and laying workers
free of drafts for a period of about two
large population
weeks. Each cage should be provided
-old queen easier to find since colo-
with a small drop of water twice a day.
ny numbers are low
If the queens are to be introduced by the
“Indirect Method” described in the fol- -bees calm, less prone to sting or
run
lowing sections, the attendant bees should
-plenty of time to assess queen’s
be removed beforehand.
To store caged queens for longer performance and to change her if
necessary
periods, first remove the attendant bees,
Disadvantages:
then place one end of the cage against
-queen more costly to purchase
the under side of the top bar of an empty
-dependent on weather
frame (without comb or foundation) and
-queen could be superseded if in-
rest the other end on a bar of wood
clement weather sets in
which has been nailed in to run the
length of the frame (see illus.). The
Summer-Fall Requeening
frame with the caged queens can be in-
serted into a queenless colony or into a Advantages:
queenright hive above a queen excluder. -queen less expensive
The queens will be cared for until they -less chance of swarming the follow-
are needed. A free queen must not be ing year
allowed in the queenless colony or above -colony enters winter with a strong
85
I(
-Shake these queenless bees into a separates the queen and bees in a lower -Check hive after one week.
screened box, old bee package, or hive from the queen cells or new queen -Three weeks later, replace the
swarm box (the container should and bees in a hive placed above. This division screen with a queen ex-
be large enough so bees are not way, the smaller colony above can take cluder. The hive can now be run
overcrowded and should be screened advantage of the heat generated from the on a two-queen system until after
for ventilation); after the bees have colony below. the honeyflow, or the hives can
been “shook” off the frames into To requeen by this method, follow be united by removing the exclud-
the container, any frames with these steps: er just before a major honeyflow.
brood should be given to another -Remove from any strong hive(s) Find and remove the older queen;
(weaker) coiony. The empty hive three or more frames of capped otherwise, just unite the colonies
should be closed to prevent rob- brood from which bees are emerg- by removing the excluder.
bing of remaining frames of honey. ing.
-Put the bees in a cool, dark place -Shake the frames to remove all
and feed them with 1: 1 sugar syrup adult bees.
as needed (see STARTING BEES -Place the frames of brood in the
FROM PACKAGES: When the center of an empty hive body (#3
packages arrive). as illustrated).
-Seven to eight hours later, intro- -Place frames of sealed honey with
duce the queen into the container; some pollen on each side of the
she can be sprayed, along with the brood frames.
bees, when introduced; a scented -Fill the remaining space with frames
syrup can even be used. of dry comb.
-After one hour, reopen the old -Place the division screen above the
hive and install the bees as you broodnest of the hive that is to be
would a swarm. requeened.
-Or, the queen can be put into a -Place the hive body with honey
queen cage, and the bees and queen and brood above the division
can be installed by the Indirect screen; heat from the colony below
Release Method for Packages (see will keep the emerging brood warm.
STARTING BEES FROM PACK- --Requeen the top hive body with a
AGES). queen cell or a queen (by any
method). As the young bees
Divisiordcreen Method emerge, they will accept the queen
as their own.
A division screen is a double-screened, -The entrance of the division screen
rimmed partition which has a small en- should be small so only a few bees
trance on one side of the rim (see illus.). can pass through at one time; close
It is used to make an increase or to start this with loosely packed grass for
a two-queen colony or a split; the Screen a week until the brood emerges.
REQUEENING AGGRESSIVE HIVES
I
dequeened) Miller frame. The next day re-
-queen might mate with inferior move all frames with open brood
Letting Bees Raise Their Own
drones from dequeened colony (or at
Some b&keepers prefer to raise least frames with young brood).
their own queens rather than purchase Miller Method -Insert the Miller frame into the
them from a commercial breeder. While The Miller Method of queen rearing dequeened colony and place a
educational and exciting, the rearing of may be the easiest for the beginner. Pre- frame of older larvae next to it;
queens can be tricky, t,l;me consuming, pare an empty brood frame by fitting it insert some frames of pollen and
and often unsuccessful. with four pieces of foundation, 2 inches honey; the young larvae on the
A superb queen can probably be wide and 4 inches long (see illus.). Cut Miller frame will receive ample
found in any apiary with two or more the unattached lower half of each strip care and royal jelly.
colonies. Obviously, if queens could be of foundation to form a triangle with its -Nine days after inserting the
raised from the larvae of such a colony apex pointing downward. Do not wire Miller frame, remove the sealed
and later be introduced sucwssfully to foundation to frame. queen cells by cutting them from
other colonies, the entire apiary could -Remove all but two frames of the Miller frame and attaching
be upgraded. However, if bees are in- sealed brood from a hive whose them to combs in queenless hives
bred they deteriorate rapidly. Good queen is of superior quality. or nut boxes.
queens are reared by bees of a strong -Insert the prepared frame between -Queens from these nut hives will
hatch and mate. These queens
can then be left in the hives from
which they mated or used for re- Queen-Cage Holding Frame
queening after they have begun to
lay eggs.
Notes
.
I ’ II
d
I
t
\
MAJOR INSECT ENEMIES MINOR INSECT ENEMIES
ADULT BEE DISEASE with many circular constrictions rags in 114 pint 80 percent acetic
(see illus.) acid (available from photo supply
Nosema Disease For positive diagnosis of nosema, houses); place pad on top bars of
tease apart some bee guts and place them combs.
Nosema is the most common adult
under a microscope; spores will be evident. -Add hive bodies above first, plac-
bee disease. It is the most prevalent in
the spring, especially after winter weather ing soaked pad above the top bars
Treatment for Nosema of each hive body in the stack.
has confined bees to their hive. Nosema
greatly reduces adult bee populations, Good management practices and the -Make the stack airtight by sealing
feeding of Fumidil-B as a preventative adjacent hive bodies with masking
and it is a factor in the supersedure of
package bee queens, further delaying the measure help insure healthy colonies (see tape and cover the top with a
board.
growth of a hive in which packages are ADUL T BEE DISEASE: Chemotherapy).
installed. To prevent or control the disease from -One week later, disassemble the
Some symptoms of the disease, listed spreading the beekeeper should also: stack and air out combs for two
below, are also associated with pesticide -provide fresh, clean water days.
poisoning, but if most of these are ob- -provide young queen Dysentery
served in the spring, nosema should be -locate hives at sunny sites, sheltered Dysentery is not caused by a micro-
suspected: from piercing winds but with organism and is not a disease at all, but
-bees cannot fly or can fly or:!y- good air drainage is primarily the result of poor food and
short distances -maintain adequate stores of pollen, long periods of confinement. In general,
-bees seen trembling and quivering, honey, or cured sugar syrup; if dysentery is caused by:
colony appears restless stores are short, bees should be -fermented stores
-feces on combs, bottom boards, fed a heavy medicated syrup in -diluted syrup fed in fall
and outside walls of hive early fall -syrup with impurities such as raw
-bees seen crawling aimlessly on -keep only clean combs; sterilize or or brown sugar
bottom board, near entrance, or dispose of those that are soiled with -dampness
on ground; some dragging along fecal material or are diseased -long periods of confinement
as if their legs were paralyzed -provide upper hive entrance for the -too much moisture in the air
-wings positioned at various angles winter -poor drainage
from body-not folded in normal Combs with nosema spores can be -honeydew in stores
position over abdomen sterilized if heated to 120” F (49°C) for The symptoms of dysentery are:
-abdomen distended (swollen) 24 hours; combs should be free of honey -languid bees
-when bee is dissected, mid-gut and pollen and temperature should not -swollen abdomens
(ventriculus) is swollen, dull, get above 120°F or wax will melt. -hive stained with yellow to brown-
grayish-white color and circular Diseased combs can also be fumigat- ish fecal material
constrictions of gut (similar to con- ed in a well-ventilated place: To treat dysentery:
strictions on an earthworm’s body) -Place a hive body on a board or -provide winter exit so bees can
are no longer evident; normal gut upturned outer cover. take cleansing flight on warm win-
color is brownish-red or yellowish, -Soak a pad of cotton or wad of ter days
Effects of Nosema Disease on Midgut -provide good stores, with low
water concentration (properly
cured honey and sugar syrup)
-feed thick syrup in fall if bees
healthy, tan midgut showing
need more stores
-medicate as for nosema as a pre-
ventative measure
Septicemia
m The cause of septicemia is a bacteria
found in the blood of bees, called Pseudo-
monas aspiseptica. It rarely if ever debili-
tates bee colonies and can be recognized
by these symptoms:
-dying bees are sluggish
-dead bees decay rapidly
swollen, whitish gut with -dead bees become dismembered
hard to distinguish bands when touched
-dead bees have putrid odor
The disease is transmitted by soil,
water, and infected bees by way of their
breathing organs (tracheae). To’treat this
disease, place hives in locations that are
sunny and dry and that have good air
drainage.
Nosema Spores Pesticide Poisoning
Bees are vulnerable to many of the
insecticides used by orchardists, farmers,
nder microscope and other growers to control harmful
insect pests. This problem will continue
to be serious if the amount of insecti-
cides used continues to increase.
Signs of bee poisoning are evident
by the sudden decrease in the foraging
force of a hive due to their destruction
in a sprayed field. Look for:
-weakened hives, low honey pro-
duction
---_ ..,..
~*.-____
-disorganized hive routine (to make -Fenthion (Baytex) (and Ethy! Para- -propoxur -carbofuran
up for bee loss) -Diazinon thion) (Baygon) (Furadan)
-masses of dead bees, those that -Dursban -Trithion -Banal -metacil
made it back, at hive entrance -Dimethoate -Phosdrin (Mevin- -carbaryl -methomyl (lan-
-brood killed by contaminated -EPN phos) (Sevin) nate and Nudrin)
pollen stores; hive may appear to -Ethyl Guthion -Phosphamidon
have a brood disease (Azinphos-ethyl) (Dimecron)
-adult bees killed by contaminated -FensuIfothion -Sumithion
water in puddles by the fields (Dasanit) -Supracide Dinitrophenyl poisoning is recog-
sprayed with insecticides; bees -Guthion -Systox (Demeton) nized by:
will collect contaminated water (Azinphos-methyl) -Jew -regurgitation of the digestive tract
on hot days and die at the hive -Malathion -Vapona (Dichlor- contents, as in organophophate
entrance -Methyl Parathion vous; D DVP) poisoning
-aggressive hives -Penncap-M -high percentage of bees die at hive
The types of insecticides generally The most toxic to bees in this class
used in this country are: is:
Chlorinated Hydrocarbon poisoning -dinoseb (dinitrobutylphenol)
-organophosphates
is recognized by:
-chlorinated hydrocarbons
r -spasmodic movements
-carbamates
-semi-paralyzed appearance
-dinitrophenyl
-wings held away from body
-botanicals Botanical poisoning is recognized by:
-high percentage die in the field
-pathogens -regurgitation of digestive tract
as well as in the hive
The following symptoms summarize contents
The most toxic insecticides in this
the information given by E. L. Atkins in -spasmodic movements
class are:
the Hive and the Honey Bee, edited by -paralysis
-Lindane
Dadant and Sons, Inc., Hamilton, Illinois, -bees die quickly between hive and
-Chlordane (only the stock formu-
1975. field since botanical kills on con-
lated prior to July 25, 1975)
Organophophate poisoning is recog- tact but does not last long in the
nized by these symptoms: environment
-wet bees, regurgitating Carbamate poisoning is recognized The most toxic insecticides in this
-disoriented, awkward movements by: class are:
-lazy, semi-paralyzed appearance -aggressive attitude of bees -the pyrethroids
-erratic cleaning attempts -spasmodic movements Other insecticides include the inor-
-wings hooked but held away from -stupefied, paralyzed attitude ganic materials and have to be ingested
the body -high percentage die at hive by the bee (as in a syrup or waterj to be
-high percentage of dead bees at -queen ceases to lay, supersedure poisonous. These are:
colony entrance attempted -calcium arsenate
The most toxic of this class of in- The most toxic insecticides in this -crylolite
secticides are: class are: -lead arsenate
Pathogen insecticides, unless specific trance with screen may be a way Treatment of hives with chalkbrood
for hymenopterous insects, are not toxic to protect bees; keep burlap wet. includes:
to bees. Some pathogens used to control If bees are covered for more than -moving hive to sunny location
many lepidopteran insects (like the Wax a few days there is the danger -removing infected combs
Moth or Gypsy Moth) are: they will be smothered. Move -adding bees to strengthen weak-
-Bacteria: Bacillus thuringiensis hives out of area and move back ened, diseased hive
(Dipel, Biotrol, Thuricide) into the area only when the po- -requeening if disease is severe
-Virus: Trichoplusia polyhedrosis tency of the particular insecticide (See REFERENCES: Diseases.)
(Polyhedrosis Virus) is rendered innocuous.
Federal Indemnity Programs, European Foulbrood (E FB)
Protecting Bees from Pesticides developed to reimburse beekeepers
European foulbrood is caused by a
due to pesticide losses, are available
Since insecticide poisoning is a spore-forming bacteria Streptococcus
through local state agencies, coop-
serious problem in some areas, this section pluton, although other bacteria may also
erative extension offices, or agricul-
gives some guidelines to help protect your infect larvae at the same time. It is
tural stabilization agencies. commonly found in weak hives. The
bees from destruction by poisoning:
-Time of spraying: Do not spray disease slows the growth of the colony
BROOD DISEASES and is usually prevalent in the spring.
when bees are actively flying.
Never spray plants in bloom nor Not as serious as American foulbrood
Chalkbrood (AFB), EFB should be treated with drugs
let spray drift to blooms.
-Field conditions: Spray during Although common in Europe for and the colony should be requeened and/
cold, inclement days, or at night decades, chalkbrood was first reported or strengthened with additional bees.
if below 70°F (21.1”C). in the United States in 1968 and has .The symptoms of a hive infected
-Dosage: Always use proper dosage; since spread throughout the country. It with EFB are:
if possible use materials less toxic is caused by a fungus Ascophaera apis -larvae die in a coiled or irregular
to bees. (Maassen ex. Clausen) and may reduce position in their cells
-Type of application: If spray is a honey production but usually will not -since most larvae die young, their
dust, try to prevent drifting of destroy a hive. The symptoms are cells are not capped
dust toward hives; coarse sprays white, mummified larvae which are easily -larvae color may change from
or granular materials are less hazard- removed from their cells. The larvae are light cream to grayish brown,
ous; use insecticides more specific most susceptible to disease when four darkening as the dead larvae dry
to pest, not the wide-spectrum days of age. up (normal color is pearly white)
chemicals that kill everything. This fungus is transmitted by: -dry scales (the remainder of the
-Familiarkation: Notify grower/ -wind larvae) are easily removed from
applicator of proximity of hives -soil their cells, unlike AFB scales
and request to be notified before -nectar, pollen, and water which are difficult to remove
any spraying begins. -drifting -some larvae die in capped cells,
-Moving hives: Covering hives with -diseased robber bees scattered over the brood comb;
burlap or plastic and closing en- -the queen cappings may be discolored,
concave, and punctured American Foulbrood (AFB)
-an odor may be present
American foulbrood disease (AFB) is caused by a bacteria Bacillus larvae, which
-dead larvae are normally not ropey
exists in both a spore and vegetative stage. The disease is transmitted by the spore
as in American foulbrood
and the infected brood is killed by the vegetative stage. This is the most destructive
-drones and queen larvae are also
of the brood diseases. Once the vegetative stages appear in a colony, the disease
affected
spreads rapidly and the colony weakens; in most cases the hive will eventually die.
EFB is transmitted from hive to
The symptoms of AFB are:
hive in these ways:
-brood pattern is irregular rather than compact
-cells in which larvae hatch may
-healthy larvae are glistening white color; diseased ones lose this appearance,
contain bacteria
and turn from light brown to dark brown
-bacteria are present in honey and/
-dead larvae develop a consistency of glue and are difficult for bees to remove
or pollen and are passed on to
-the death of larvae and pupae often occurs after their cells are capped; such
larvae by nurse bees feeding them
cappings become concave and some will be punctured by bees attempting
-as scales am removed by cleaning
to remove the dead brood (see illus.)
bees, bacteria are spread through-
-surface of cappings will be moist or wet rather than dry
out the hive
-eventually dead larvae dry out; the dried out remains or scales adhere to
-diseased robber bees enter the hive
the bottom, back, and side walls of the cell and are difficult to remove
-contaminated equipment
-some dead pupae, shrunken into scales, have their tongues protruding at a
-drifting of bees from diseased hives
right angle to their scale
To control EFB:
-unpleasant odor
-requesn
AFB is transmitted from hive to hive in these ways:
-use chemotheraputic agents
-cells in which larvae hatch may contain bacteria
(see Brood Dikease Chemo-
-bacteria are present in honey and/or pollen and are passed on to larvae by
therapy)
nurse bees feeding them
-cleaning bees spread bacteria throughout hive when attempting to remove
dead brood
-diseased robber bees enter the hive or bees rob from diseased hive
-contaminated equipment
-drifting bees from diseased hives
-swarms
-wax combs containing spores
If a colony is suspected of being diseased with AFB, follow these steps:
-Reduce entrance to minimize robbing.
-Distinguish it from the rest by color or symbol to reduce drifting.
-Begin medication (chemotheraputic) program.
-Call state bee inspector for advice and to confirm diagnosis or, to confirm
diagnosis, send a sample of brood comb which is free of honey, about 4 or
5 inches square, and contains as much of the diseased brood as possible.
Cut sample out of the frame and wrap it in newspaper so it will not get Appearance of Capped
motdy; do not use any other kinds of wrapping. Place it in a sturdy wooden
or cardboard box and mail to your state bee lab or to one of the national Brood Cells with AFB
bee labs operated by USDA (see REFERENCES: USDA Bee Labs).
Testing for AFB. Use the “ropey test,” described below, on larvae that have sunken, punctured
been dead for about three weeks. Since it is difficult to determine how long a cawinns
larva has been dead, randomly test five or more. An accurate way of determining
how long a larva has been dead is by checking the presence or absence of its
body segments or constrictions (like earthworm constrictions). If absent, the
larva has been dead for at least three weeks.
Insert a match, stem, or twig into a cell, stir the dead material, then slowly
withdraw the testing stick. If a portion of the decaying larvae clings to the twig
and can be drawn out about 1 inch (2.5 cm) or more while adhering to the
other end (the dead larva), its death was probably due to AFB. BE SURE TO
BURN THE TEST STICK.
Treatment of Hives. Before the availability of chemotherapy and ethylene
oxide gas chambers, the only acceptable method of dealing with colonies infected
with AFB was to destroy them by burning. Three methods of treating diseased
hives, other than medication, are discussed here: ndrmal convex
Burning: capping
-Kill all adult bees with Resmethrin or other poison.
-Burn bees and frames in a deep pit.
-Cover with dirt.
-Invert and stack hive bodies. Ropey Test for AFB
-Pour kerosene inside stack and ignite it; when insides of hive bodies are
scorched, extinguish fire. (A propane torch can also be used; wood should sunken capping,
be lightly browned.)
-Also scorch inner and outer covers and bottom boards.
Exchanging Hives:
-Exchange diseased hive with a cleaned hive full of foundation.
-Shake adult bees from diseased hive into one with foundation; these bees
must not drift to other colonies. Place new hive on newspapers to catch
honey which may drop while shaking and then burn the newspaper. Shake
the bees in the evening, using extreme caution to prevent drifting. If
necessary, screen entrances or move adjacent colonies away before shaking
diseased hive.
-Feed medicated syrup to bees now on foundation.
-Burn diseased hive as explained above.
Fumigafion: After killing bees or placing them on foundation (see above),
larval remains phpal tongue
place hive bodies, covers, and bottom Terramycin (Animal Formula Soluble (sugar: water) syrup
boards in an ethylene oxide gas chamber. Powder from farm and bee supply stores): Or, for six packages:
This method kills the disease spores and -in syrup (TM loses viability in 0.5 grams per 6 gallons of 2:l
allows the equipment to be re-used. syrup after one week) syrup
Before burning, exchanging, or using mix 2 teaspoons of TM-25 per NOTE:
chemotherapy on bees with AFB, check gallon of 2:l or 1:l syrup -proper dosage, especially for bees
with your state’s bee inspector to be sure Or, confined for long periods of time,
the procedure is legal and to determine mix 1 teaspoon of TM-50 per is 2 gallons medicated syrup per
the amount and kind of medication that gallon in 2:l or 1 :l syrup hive
is permissible. If you intend to kill the --dry -one gallon of 2:l syrup equals
bees, inquire from the inspector as to mix 2 tablespoons TM-25 in 20 7 3/4 pounds of sugar and l/2
the poison you should use and the avail- tablespoons sugar gallon of water
ability of an ethylene oxide chamber. Or, -one gallon of 1:l syrup equals 4
mix 1 tablespoon TM-50 in 20 pounds sugar and l/2 gallon water
BROOD DISEASE CHEMOTHERAPY tablespoons sugar
Then, dust 4 tablespoons of either
Drugs can be given to bees for both above mixture on ends of top
AFB and EFB once the disease has been bars and/or bottom board; do
diagnosed or as a preventative measure. not dust directly on top of brood
The two drugs sodium suhthiozole frames containing uncapped larvae
(sulfa) and terramycin (TM) are used and since TM is toxic to them
mixed with syrup, dry sugar, or in a -Pam/
patty. Drugs used as a preventative meas- mix l/4 pound confectioner’s
ure should be applied in the spring and (powdered) sugar with-
fall, not during a honeyflow. If drugs are 1 tablespoon TM-25 or 1
used during a honeyflow, the honey must teaspoon TM-50
not be used for human consumption. l/4 pound shortening
Here are some formulas: blend together and roll into a ‘li4
Sodium Sulfathiozole (from bee inch thick patty; place on top
supply houses): bars as if feeding pollen patties
-in syrup
mix l/4 teaspoon per gallon of a ADULT BEE DISEASE
1 :l or a 2: 1 (sugar:water) syrup CHEMOTHERAPY
-dry
mix 3 tablespoons of sulfa with a The drug used to control nosema
1 pound bag of confectioner’s disease is Fumidil-B, sold at bee supply
sugar or with granulated sugar; houses. It is fed in this formula:
then dust 2 tablespoons of mix- -sYruP
ture on top bars of brood frames 1 teaspoon per gallon of 2: 1
109
mast cell/immunoglobulin
(IaEl cnmnla lantihnrlr
blood vessels
more permeable passages :
dilate
constrict
-; I
swelling, inflammation breathlessness
are stored in this sac. Since the walls of on the illustration Glands and Some
the honey sac can expand readily due to Muscles of the Worker Bee.
invaginations, a heavy load of liquid can
be carried in it. A valve at the posterior
Appendix B Queen Pheromones
part of the sac called the stomach mouth,
Anatomy of the h. ey Bee or proventriculus, controls whether or not Located in the mandibles of a
the contents of the honey sac pass into queen’s head are the mandibular glands
the remaining parts of the alimentary which produce and secrete the phero-
canal. On returning to the hive, most of mone called queen substance (9-oxodec-
INTRODUCTION the contents of the honey sac are brought Trans-2-enoic acid). This substance
up and transferred to young hive bees elicits various responses in worker and
The anatomy of the honey bee is who work the nectar with the probos- drone honey bees. Inside the hive this
similar to that of other insects except cis for some time to remove moisture and substance has been shown to inhibit
for the specialization of certain organs then place it in cells for further drying. ovary development in workers and deters
and structures needed by bees to carry them from constructing queen cells. Its
out functions peculiar to them. Parts ANTENNAE absence invokes the opposite response-
common to other insects include: the queen cell construction is undertaken.
three basic insect parts-head, thorax, Most of the tactile (touch) and (If bees are unsuccessful in rearing a
and abdomen; the hard, waxy protein olfactory (smell) receptors of bees are replacement, ovary development takes
(chiton) covering; the free respiratory located on the antenna1 segments. These place in worker bees.)
system (no lungs); the ventral or bottom receptors guide bees both inside and out- A swarm-either flying out of the
spinal cord; and the free circulatory sys- side the hive and enable them to differ- hive or to a homesite or in a cluster-is
tem (no veins). These are labeled and entiate between hive, floral, and phero- aware of its queen’s presence by means
defined on the diagram Internal Organs mone odors. Once detected, odor and of the same substance. Queen substance
of a Worker Honey Bee. tactile stimulation is transmitted down also guides drones towards queens who
Some of the more specialized struc- the nerve cord from the brain, ending are on mating flights.
tures and functions not seen externally in the affected area.
include the honey sac, the significance Worker Pheromones
of the antennae and eyes, and the phero- PHEROMONES Three different chemical pheromones
mones and glands of the bee. are produced by workers. Two of these
Honey bee behavior both inside and are alarm pheromones. One alarm odor
HONEY SAC outside the hive is regulated to a large (isopentyl-acetate) is released from a
extent by chemical substances called membrane at the base of the sting. The
The esophagus of the bee begins at pheromones. Pheromones are secreted dispersal of this chemical is enhanced
the back of the mouth and continues by an animal and trigger certain behav- by the fanning action of the bee secret-
through the thorax, terminating in the ioral responses or physiological activities ing it. This substance stimulates bees
anterior part of the abdomen where it in other members of the same species. to sting or fly at intruders.
expands into the crop or honey sac. Important queen and worker pheromones Another alarm odor (2-heptanone)
Collected nectar, honeydew, and water are discussed below. Others are shown is released by the mandibular glands of
workers. Items annointed with this odor sun’s position and the bee’s direction Notes
are attacked by bees. are the factors determining which section
A third pheromone is the scenting of the ommatidia will receive full, partial,
or orientation Odin and is comprised of or no ligtit. The effect of this on the
four chemicals (neralic, geranic, and compound eye will be patterns of light,
citrol acids and geroniol). This chemical dark, or shaded regions. This pattern
complex is produced by the Nasanoff serves as a “compass” to the bee, giving
or scent gland near the dorsal tip of the directional information. The bee is able
abdomen. Dispersal of these substances to continually monitor these shifting
is aided by the fanning action of bees patterns as it flies and, if necessary, ad-
secreting it. Upon smelling these chem- justs its course.
icals, bees move towards the source
(as in a swarm). POLLENCOLLECTING STRUCTURES
BEE VISION
The hind legs of worker bees are
Bees have five eyes-three simple specialized for collecting and carrying
(ocelli) and two compound. The com- pollen. An inner segment on the hind leg
pound eyes are composed of thousands is covered with numerous hairs, forming
of individual lightsensitive cells called the pollen combs. Bees actively collect
ommatidia. It is with the compound pollen by scraping it off of flowers with
eyes that bees perceive color, light, and their jaws and legs; as the pollen is re-
directional information from the sun’s moved, a small amount of honey is added
ultraviolet rays. to make it sticky. Additional pollen ad-
The color range of bee vision has heres to the bee’s body as it is being col-
been shown to include the violet, blue, lected. The collected pollen is then trans-
blue-green, green, yellow, and orange ferred by the bee to areas on its body
colors as well as ultraviolet light which where it can be reached and removed by
is invisible to humans. Flowers which the pollen combs.
depend on bee pollination are within Removal of the pollen from the
these color ranges since they compete pollen combs is accomplished by rubbing
with each other for available pollinators. the legs together so the pollen is squeezed
Those plants which succeeded in attract- from the inside to the outside of the legs.
ing bees with their color, nectar, and The pollen will deposit eventually into a
pollen gained an edge over other plants depression called the pollen basket. When
during their evolutionary development. the baskets are full, the bee returns to the
The structures and arrangement of hive, backs into a cell, and deposits the
me ommatidia permits polarized light pollen pellets. The hive bees will pack the
to pass through certain parts of each pollen in solidly, eventually capping it
ommatidium at any given instance. The with honey for winter stores.
116
k midgut or ventriculus
rsal diaphram
rectum (expanded)
Adapted from: The Hive and the Honey Bee. Copyright 01975
by Dadant 81 Sons, Hamilton, Illinois. Used by permission of
Dadant & Sons.
Glands and Some Muscles of the Worker Honey Bee
intersegmental membrane
of abdominal seaments
thoracic salivary gland
\
alkali gland
I flight muscles
proboscis
Adapted from a drawing by Barry Siler in Charles 0. Michener: The Social Behavior of Bees.
Copyright @I974 by the President and Fellows of Harvard College. Used by permission of
the publisher, The Belknap Press of Harvard University Press.
RESPIRATORY SYSTEM
FLIGHT MUSCLES
chae
tracheal body cells
contracted longitudinal 5X
flight muscles racheole
r .4
INSTALLING BEES
INTRODUCTION
Many beekeepers maintain observa- Swarms or packages are somewhat
tion hives in their homes or in some difficult to install into an observation
nearby enclosure. They are useful when hive. The best way to install bees into
teaching others about bees, without this hive is by taking frames from an es-
having to disturb or interrupt the activi- tablished hive. The deep frames should
ties of the colony. A lecture to a school contain brood, some honey and plenty
or other groups on bees is enhanced if of adult bees. A new queen or queen
one can bring along an observation hive cells can be introduced, or the queen
which practically does the talking for the from the old hive can be used, requeening
lecturer. Observation hives are also used that hive with a new queen.
at fairs to attract people to the honey Since new wax looks neater and
stands. cleaner than old comb (a selling factor
By observing bee activities in these if used with a honey display), a frame
hives, the beekeeper may obtain a general of foundation cap be inserted into an
picture of what is taking place in his box established hive and, when it contains
hives. brood, it can be transferred to the obser-
vation hive. Another method to obtain
BASIC COMPONENTS a clean-looking observation hive would be
Observation hives usually consist of to install a small swarm or package into
two deep frames, or one deep and one a hive with foundation and feed it syrup.
shallow frame, or a deep frame with a In five to six weeks several frames of
comb section frame above it. A 3/8 inch brood and bees can be transferred to the
bee space must be maintained between observation hive.
hive parts as in a regular hive. Glass or To keep bees from building comb
thick plexiglass can be used to enclose onto the glass, a very thin coating of
the frames. Plexiglass, although more ex- Vaseline will keep bees off, but might
pensive than glass, will reduce the likeli- distort viewers sight.
Appendix D
Basic Hive Parts
Metal cover
OUTER COVER
CALIFORNIA COVER
2x%x16
FRAME
Side
BOTTOM BOARD iu ~-
Side 314 x 1 15i16x 22
Measurements are in inches. Metric
equivalents to these hive dimensions
vary somewhat. For proposed
Bottom Cleat 3/8 x
314 x 14 11116 standardization of metric measure
mews see REFERENCES: Equipment.
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!2
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!8