Blog Profile / Canaries in a Coal Mine
| URL : | http://canariesinacoalmine.blogspot.com/ | |
|---|---|---|
| Filed Under: | Hobbies / Beekeeping | |
| Posts on Regator: | 56 | |
| Posts / Week: | 0.5 | |
| Archived Since: | February 17, 2011 | |
Blog Post Archive
Line: Mad Urban Beekeepers
Here is a new bee business in Madison, WI: Mad Urban Beekeepers.
Link: Mad Urban Beekeepers
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1585113421/mad-urban-bees-an-urban-apiary
Fox Blocks As Hive Insulation
For the last few years I've been searching for a convenient, yet effective way to winterize my hives in the cold Minnesota environment I live in. Hay bales were effective but tended to attract vermin, and presented me with a problem after winter: I could not find enough people who wanted to utilized these bales after their winter use. Show More Summary
Getting Metpropolis Ready for Fall/Winter
Yesterday, I spent the afternoon moving bars of honey around in the top bar hive, Metpropolis. The hive surprised me. I'd been thinking that, while watching from the outside the last few days, it was rather weak. This was not the case. Show More Summary
Article: Beekeeping "Gangs of New York"
This is a very interesting article which shows just how far beekeeping has come in the American imagination.
Playing Catch Up On the Blog
I've neglected to write in this blog for a few weeks, all for good reasons. This entry is meant to catch everyone up on "doins" in Beelandia.. I have reluctantly finished 4 of the hives treatnent with Api-Var. While I would like to treat...Show More Summary
Mite Counts
The mite counts have been high, so a tough decision needs to be made. I've read and heard all sides in the "treat-don't treat" debate. I am committed to sustainable beekeeping but also cannot buy and build up packages each year. More later but I will probably choose the compromise of Api-Var.
Photo: Visitor To Beelandia
Click here to see a photo of a beautiful butterfly (swallowtail?) foraging in Beelandia Sunday morning. The butterfly seemed to hangout all morning. The photo was taken by the mosaic artist Monta May.
It's Been a Long Time
I have not written in a few weeks. I have not been able to really beekeep either. (I have done some really cursory examinations, especially of the top bars.) Three or so weeks ago I had unexpected abdominal surgery. It may take awhile...Show More Summary
Inspections: Top Bars Only Good
I went out late morning to inspect my two top bar hives as storm clouds started blowing into Winona. I went to inspect the hives with a bit of fear and discouragement. I was disappointed with the langstroths the last two days and expected the same in the top bars. Show More Summary
Inspections: The Good and the Bad
I did two sets of inspections on my langstroth hives the last two days. Somethings look better then they were, others looks worse. The weather has been hot, clear and muggy finally! Yesterday, I inspected Worker Bees... and Lib-BEE-taria and things look a bit better in these hives then last week. Show More Summary
24 Hour Mite Drop Count
I did a 24 hour mite drop count on the three langstroth hives. The counts were as followed: Worker Bees... - 2 Lib-BEE-taria - 2 Bee Glad... - 1 Looking back at my records, these are unusually low counts which I can't yet explain. I will look back at my records and look for any possible patterns to explain this.
Video: Bees on a Hot Summer Day
I filmed the above video this afternoon. Please forgive the mess up on Bee Glad... The view finder is so hard to see in the bright sun.
Best Hive?
In my last post, I offered some of my reflections on Oliver's excellent article in the July 2011 issue of American Bee Journal. In this post I would like to comment on a small side issue (p. 656-7) written in his "Best Hive" sectionShow More Summary
Reflecting on Oliver's "Rules" for Successful Beekeeping
This month's American Bee Journal (July 2011) contained an important article, "Rules" for Successful Beekeeping, by Randy Oliver. I have always liked reading Mr. Oliver's works whether in a bee publication or on his website. Oliver approaches beekeeping as an empiricist, subjecting beekeeping "wisdom" to experimental verification. Show More Summary
Top Bars, Nucs, and Swarm Cells
Today's entry is a "catch-up" post. With my busy schedule this week, I neglected to report on Sunday's inspections of my two top bar hives. I will also report on today's inspections of the "walk-way nuc" I created a few weeks ago, and my examination of Bee Glad... Sunday, my grand-daughter Taylor and I inspected the two top bar hives. Show More Summary
Chalkbrood Continues, Mite Count Is Minimal
I did an inspection today of the langstroth hive, Worker Bees... and the chalkbrood problem has returned. I suspect the unseasonably damp and cool weather is partly to blame. The chalkbrood problem probably accounts for the spotty brood pattern in the hive. Show More Summary
Video: You Can Lead a Bee To Water...
In between activities, I was able to film a bit of Beelandia bee activity at their chief watering hole, Lake No-Bee-Gone.
Who'll Stop the Rain?
We've had 4 straight days of intermittent rain and unseasonable cold. It has not only kept me from inspecting the bees but has kept the bees "indoors". Like last summer, the bees have not had the chance to forage as much as the "should". I plan on placing some sticky sheets under the hives today in order to test for mites.