Guilfordbeekeepers.org

The general public is still afraid of bees. I do not think that any amount of education will overcome that.
Perhaps once the Africanized bees get here they will have a genuine concern.

Kurt

Assuming it just went queenless recently...
If you have a queen cell started, why give them a frame of brood?
I think requeening if possible is still the best option.

Kurt

I agree that for the first year or so that it would be best to not use a queen excluder. Unless you are active in the management, this could discourage the bees full potential.

This would be the one I recommend - https://www.dadant.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=364 Versitile and made to last a long time. I have had Brushy's extractor which I found to be a good value but it had some concerns. I have owned this one for several seasons and prefer it. I would howeve...

Most books were written before the problem with SHB. The temperature of the hive is regulated by the bees in order to maintain a proper brood rearing environment. Outside of the brood, the hive is less regulated by the bees. Apparently full sun makes it uncomfortable for the beetles to do what they ...

SHB is most likely in 100% of the hives in NC and does not pose a problem except in weak colonies. Keep your bees in the full sun and strong and SHB will not be a problem. There are different methods of killing SHB, some that are natural and some that are not. Proceed with caution. I have never trat...

Freeze it and give it back to one of the strong colonies. They will clean it up in no time.

I seriously doubt that any of the old strains grow well here. There may be some hybrids that do well in this heat.
The retail building most likely carries it at the Piedmont Triad Farmers market as they did last year. Not to plant but to eat.

Kurt

Nice pics.
It might be time take off the entrance reducers.

Kurt

Bumble bees and carpenter bees are out in force now. Everything competes for the Spring build up.
No on around here raises bumble bees that I am aware of. Usually these are reserved for greenhouse pollination.

Feel free to bring them with you tonight.
Come see me and I will make an announcement if you like.

Kurt

I am in need of a speaker for the Montessori school up off of Horse Pen Creek rd in Greensboro.
Dates are flexible, ages 6-9 and possibly 5-6 year olds
Life cycle and overall importance of bees are the issues of interest.
PM me for contact info.

thanks,
Kurt

One of Guilford County's members took it upon himself to rewrite the beekeepers calendar and make it specific to the Piedmont Triad.
Take a look when you get a chance.
It is posted on the home page.

http://www.guilfordbeekeepers.org/THE-B ... lendar.doc

I have to get the practical tests from the state before being able to give them. I have found that almost all years having a practical at the field day found the beginners unprepared.
The officers and board felt it better not to have a practical at the field day this year.

Kurt

If you all read your newsletter you would have noticed no mention of a practical test.
I will be pushing the practical into September to give the beginners more time to familiarize themselves with the bees.

Kurt

Thats a good one.
I do not know of anyone ever killing their bees the first month. More experienced beekeepers wait a few months or even years to kill them.

Remember, you are dealing with the state.
It used to take several months to get results, last year I believe that the results came in about 4-6 weks.

best of luck,

Kurt

As a beekeeper, you may fall into a category via farming that would exempt you from liability from bees. I keep bees all over and have not secured insurance. Obviously, I keep my bees in locations not easily accessed thus doing my part to protect the general public. I think you should talk to a poll...

Perhaps I should edit my response now before everyone realizes I did not read your post correctly. Now to get back on topic. My observations and obviously others would indicate the bees certainly do use top entrances. The problem lies in figuring out how to manage your honey supers. This is most lik...

Jae:

I am a little confused.
Please clarify what you mean by top entrance feeder.
Can you provide a link?

thanks,
Kurt