Looking forward to learning from experience members. I am planning on raising my own queens this year, 2017, also I plan to artificially inseminate (AI)my queens to produce/maintain hygienic qualities of my Cordovan Italians. AI will be new to me, I have a lot to learn.
I am a retired genetic engineer, however my expertise is antiquated with limitations to disease causing bacteria. I have little knowledge of the genetics of these super organisms, we call honey bees.
Blessings, Van
Oh, I should note, I started raising bee as a kid in the 1960s. No varroa, no small hive beetle, just wax moths and little worries with bees. Now, these days, the small hive beetle is as much a threat as varroa. I use Freeman bottom boards (beetle traps) baited with pollen patty surrounded with diatomaceous earth to control the beetles. Understand, in summer my beetle traps can average up to 20 beetles a night migrating into each hive. North Arkansas was plagued with beetles in 2016. Many hives were lost to beetles in this area. I was fortunate, my traps kept beetles at a manageable level.
I hear people say with a cavalier attitude, a strong hive will manage the beetles, no problem,,,,,, well 600 beetles a month is a tuff one to overcome for my hives and I consider my hives to be strong.
Blessings
Great to have you. You will probably be teaching me
welcome, Van! :smile:
Welcome :happy:
Welcome to Beemaster
Put your bees on bases with oil trays. If you have a lot of hives, you can devistate the SHB population.
Jim
Yes, oil trays would be helpful. However my hives are not on level ground. I do place hives on bases to somewhat level the hives but I leave each hive slightly tilted forward to prevent rain accumulation. That's is why I'd use diatoms, does not have to be level.
Welcome