General Bee Installation question

kenglert · March 12, 2011, 09:22:23 AM

Hi guys. As you can see from my handle I'm a "new bee". Last year was my first year having a hive and I really enjoyed it. I'll be getting my bees for this year around the first of April. My question is, do I prophylactically treat for diseases when I install the bees. Some of my books don't mention it but I've watched some online videos and they have treated for diseases upon installation. I put mite stripes in my hive last year but it wasn't until later in the summer.
My second question is do I need to put a feeder on them upon installation. I'm going to have them on 6 acres with plenty of flowers/plants but here in kansas city in early april they may not be ready to provide food.
Thanks
Kurt

iddee · March 12, 2011, 09:25:58 AM

1...No, never treat until you see signs of trouble, unless it's for nosema, which can't always be seen.

2...Yes, feed 1:1 sugar syrup. If they need it, it's there. If not, they will ignore it.

edward · March 12, 2011, 09:28:58 AM

To make , draw new wax comb bees need allot of sugar/honey 8-10kg to make 1kg wax.

feed feed feed. :-D

mvh edward :-P

brooksbeefarm · March 12, 2011, 10:09:05 AM

I agree with Iddee, he's old,been around a long time and knows his beeswax. :-D Jack

phil c · March 12, 2011, 10:22:01 AM

Yes feed!
Yes treat for foulbrood! An early season treat ment may save your entire hive later! Its no fun burning an entire hive for foulbrood

iddee · March 12, 2011, 10:39:25 AM

I'm not old, brooks.
I'm antique.
Antique sounds more valuable. :mrgreen:

Michael Bush · March 12, 2011, 11:18:38 AM

You need to decide what your philosophy of beekeeping and of life is,and then act accordingly.

http://bushfarms.com/beesphilosophy.htm

I never treat for anything. Ever.

T Beek · March 12, 2011, 12:00:18 PM

I'm with MB. I've still got the unopened 'treatments' I bought when getting into this five, no six years ago.

thomas

Acebird · March 12, 2011, 12:15:52 PM

QuoteI never treat for anything. Ever.

We decided that before we went to class and had our first hive. That is not going to change for us.

iddee · March 12, 2011, 05:58:25 PM

I hope none of you have children..................

Acebird · March 12, 2011, 07:16:00 PM

QuoteI hope none of you have children..................

It is a little late for that.

iddee · March 12, 2011, 07:48:57 PM

People go to jail for not treating when they have sick kids.

brooksbeefarm · March 12, 2011, 08:04:15 PM

Iddee, i can feel the heat coming from the, I Don't Treat Crowd. :-D :evil: Jack

iddee · March 12, 2011, 09:07:17 PM

Gotta keep'em awake someway, Brooks. Don't want'em goin' to sleep at the keyboard. :evil: :-D

Acebird · March 13, 2011, 11:39:32 AM

QuotePeople go to jail for not treating when they have sick kids.

Nonsense, the republicans would have to pay room and board for the parents give them Home box and the movie channels, take over the welfare of the kids which would include full healthcare.

never happen. :evil:

iddee · March 13, 2011, 06:41:51 PM

Confucious say... "Man keep quiet may be thought to be fool, but when he open his mouth, he removes all doubt".

Brian D. Bray · March 13, 2011, 11:16:33 PM

One of my many philosophies is that a Mastergardener is not a Mastergardener if he has to resort to chemicals to achieve a beautiful garden. He might be a chemist but he's not a gardener. (Most MastergardenersI've meant react insulted when I make that observation.)
My philosophy on beekeeping is the same.
Until you can do it without props or chemicals you can't call yourself either an accomplished beekeeper or an accomplished gardener.

brooksbeefarm · March 14, 2011, 12:46:22 AM

Sounds like famous last words to me. :-D I don't claim to be a master gardener,but i have truck patched 5 acres for the last thirty years. I know several master gardeners and some come to my farm or question me at our farmers market on how i have such big crops of certain kinds of vegetables. I've not had one that was opposed to using chemicals. We do have organic gardeners who bring there vegetables to sell and go home with most of it, customers complain about how awful it looks.They usually don't have much to sell and only come to the market two or three times. I've tried the no treatment(chemicals) on some of my hives and have two that has survived for going on 10 years this year. I only use essential oils on my other hives and not opposed to using Fumagilin-B if need be. I've had bees since 1964 and have found that if you don't keep on top of things, you will soon be on the bottom, and out of business. Things don't stay the same over time, if you don't believe me, go look in the mirror :brian: :-D Jack

iddee · March 14, 2011, 09:21:55 AM

To throw a bunch of chemicals "medicines"? at something just on the hope it might help is quite dumb, in my opinion.

To sit and watch something die when you could keep it alive and healthy ain't no smarter.

Everything in moderation..........

Acebird · March 14, 2011, 10:17:24 AM

QuoteUntil you can do it without props or chemicals you can't call yourself either an accomplished beekeeper or an accomplished gardener.

:) :)

QuoteWe do have organic gardeners who bring there vegetables to sell and go home with most of it, customers complain about how awful it looks.

That's kinda like trying to sell Bibles at a strip joint. Customers that would eat poisoned food will never see the advantage of eating food that isn't poisoned UNTIL it is too late and they find that they can't live without a regiment of 15 to 30 pills a day. Think about what that is costing the tax payer. The whole wealfare budget wouldn't pay for six months of prescriptions for senior citizens. Most people haven't a clue what a real egg taste like or looks like when they get them from the super market yet they would claim the real egg is inferior because of what they got use to eating. Would a kid choose a home prepared hambuger made with grass fed beef over one at McD's? Don't worry, you and they will pay later and then you will see the real costs.