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showlatestpostswiththumbs({"version":"1.0","encoding":"UTF-8","feed":{"xmlns":"http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom","xmlns$openSearch":"http://a9.com/-/spec/opensearchrss/1.0/","xmlns$blogger":"http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008","xmlns$georss":"http://www.georss.org/georss","xmlns$gd":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005","xmlns$thr":"http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0","id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1644096506760919907"},"updated":{"$t":"2021-04-28T19:55:19.308-07:00"},"category":[{"term":"Beekeeping winter preparation"},{"term":"Nucs vs Packages"},{"term":"bee plants"},{"term":"Beekeeping education"},{"term":"pesticides and bees"},{"term":"Beekeeping charities"},{"term":"Chinese laundered honey"},{"term":"Feeding Bees"},{"term":"Mason beekeeping"},{"term":"Bee photography"},{"term":"Beekeeping traditions"},{"term":"Biocontrol of Varroa Mites"},{"term":"Canadian import restrictions on U.S bees"},{"term":"Charles Darwin and bees"},{"term":"Christmas gifts for beekeepers"},{"term":"Cottonwood Community Garden Fire"},{"term":"Free online beekeeping course"},{"term":"Grafting queen cells"},{"term":"Happy New Years Bees"},{"term":"Honey bee drifting"},{"term":"Honey bee nucs"},{"term":"Honey jar labelling"},{"term":"Killer bees"},{"term":"La Nina beekeeping"},{"term":"Mayan stingless beekeeping"},{"term":"Nepalese honey harvesting"},{"term":"Solar eclipse and honey bees"},{"term":"The Sun Hive"},{"term":"Top Bar Hive Split"},{"term":"Vancouver beekeeping"},{"term":"Vancouver pesticides and bees"},{"term":"Wolves and bees"},{"term":"beekeeping art"},{"term":"children and bees"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Strathcona Beekeepers"},"subtitle":{"type":"html","$t":""},"link":[{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#feed","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/strathconabeekeepers.blogspot.com\/feeds\/posts\/default"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/1644096506760919907\/posts\/default?alt=json-in-script\u0026orderby=published"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/strathconabeekeepers.blogspot.com\/"},{"rel":"hub","href":"http://pubsubhubbub.appspot.com/"},{"rel":"next","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/1644096506760919907\/posts\/default?alt=json-in-script\u0026start-index=26\u0026max-results=25\u0026orderby=published"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Unknown"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"generator":{"version":"7.00","uri":"http://www.blogger.com","$t":"Blogger"},"openSearch$totalResults":{"$t":"51"},"openSearch$startIndex":{"$t":"1"},"openSearch$itemsPerPage":{"$t":"25"},"entry":[{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1644096506760919907.post-2854666400994794390"},"published":{"$t":"2021-03-13T12:52:00.001-08:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2021-03-27T21:49:42.242-07:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Nucs vs Packages"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Nucs vs Packages"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-ewNskYM-TxQ\/VOLOsZ9eeGI\/AAAAAAAAAfM\/yXDVgxphE4E\/s1600\/Untitled%2Bpicture.jpg\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"282\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-ewNskYM-TxQ\/VOLOsZ9eeGI\/AAAAAAAAAfM\/yXDVgxphE4E\/s1600\/Untitled%2Bpicture.jpg\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;Whether to buy a bee nuc or package depends like a lot of things on your location and needs. \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003Cu\u003ENucs\u003C\/u\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;A nuc (nucleus of a colony) consists of 4-5 frames of bees in a half sized Langstroth deep box which should include a laying queen, 2 frames of brood, 2 frames of honey and\/or pollen and possibly a fifth frame of drawn comb.\u0026nbsp; Local nucs for us are usually available starting in mid May.\u0026nbsp; The reason for this is the queen requires temperatures 15-20 C. (60-70 F.) to mate and the formation of drone congregation zones.\u0026nbsp; In some locations there is a supply of overwintered nucs which are made in August.\u0026nbsp; The benefits of using a nucleus over a package are that you have a fully functioning colony with a laying queen and brood pattern you can see.\u0026nbsp; You also have bees in all stages of development from egg to forager.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\u003Ctable align=\"center\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" class=\"tr-caption-container\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003E\u003Ctbody\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-hGhf9E4Ct1U\/YB7efTfiFCI\/AAAAAAAAEq0\/Dru9AY3VBc4XXBHc7upVzSdfkUDTdd9HgCLcBGAsYHQ\/image.png\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\"\" data-original-height=\"430\" data-original-width=\"576\" height=\"299\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-hGhf9E4Ct1U\/YB7efTfiFCI\/AAAAAAAAEq0\/Dru9AY3VBc4XXBHc7upVzSdfkUDTdd9HgCLcBGAsYHQ\/w400-h299\/image.png\" width=\"400\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd class=\"tr-caption\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003EGood brood pattern\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003C\/tbody\u003E\u003C\/table\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;Unless it is an overwintered nuc produced in the late summer the queen should be a new queen (born this spring). The queen is established (brood pattern visible) and the worker bees in a nucleus colony know their roles so there are nurse bees and foragers and the foundation is set (drawn comb) which will put them at least a few weeks ahead of an imported package.\u0026nbsp; Because there are foragers and at least 2 frames of honey and pollen the nucleus will not require as much feeding.\u0026nbsp; Also, with local nucs there is no climatic and forage stress. A negative aspect of nucs is they are available for us l.5-2 months later than packages and may come on old, dark colored frames and nuc boxes that may contain diseases.\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\u003Ctable align=\"center\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" class=\"tr-caption-container\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003E\u003Ctbody\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-YpJTQeP19vA\/YB7eoogm-iI\/AAAAAAAAEq4\/QMrlpKfsBUIV_-_5u6ycqJmpQAf55_iqACLcBGAsYHQ\/image.png\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\"\" data-original-height=\"204\" data-original-width=\"300\" height=\"272\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-YpJTQeP19vA\/YB7eoogm-iI\/AAAAAAAAEq4\/QMrlpKfsBUIV_-_5u6ycqJmpQAf55_iqACLcBGAsYHQ\/w400-h272\/image.png\" width=\"400\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd class=\"tr-caption\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003EHoney frame\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003C\/tbody\u003E\u003C\/table\u003E\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-yF19PPwlIG0\/YCSYKHouaGI\/AAAAAAAAErs\/o7ugvpn0ihYEH1sakGKg29YW8U84L4b2ACLcBGAsYHQ\/s910\/Screenshot_2.png\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"364\" data-original-width=\"910\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-yF19PPwlIG0\/YCSYKHouaGI\/AAAAAAAAErs\/o7ugvpn0ihYEH1sakGKg29YW8U84L4b2ACLcBGAsYHQ\/s16000\/Screenshot_2.png\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb style=\"font-size: x-large;\"\u003E\u003Cu\u003EPackages\u003C\/u\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;A typical package consists of 2-3 pounds of bees, a can of syrup and a queen. A 3 lb package is optimum for most as a 2 lb will be underpopulated and a 4 lb may experience some die off with less accessibility to the syrup can. Normally the package bees are from production hives where they shake out bees into the package box til the required weight is reached. A mated queen is then placed in the package, protected in a queen cage. \u0026nbsp;There is usually a container of syrup in the package to feed the bees for the few days of travel before they are transferred to a hive. The bees generally fair well for up to a week in a package. A package is usually put together a few days before sold and in the case of cold weather beekeepers in spring comes from a warmer location to the south. In our case because of government restrictions (\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/strathconabeekeepers.blogspot.ca\/2013\/11\/no-us-bees-for-canada.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ENo U.S. Bees to Canada\u003C\/a\u003E) this means thousands of miles south from New Zealand, Australia or Chile. Many backyard beekeepers will not have drawn frames to install their packages on to so a lot of energy and feeding will be required to produce the wax to draw out the frames. With a package close attention needs to spent on the survival and performance of the new queen.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\u003Ctable align=\"center\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" class=\"tr-caption-container\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ctbody\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-V-fPdbSCIlM\/VOPiTkffdgI\/AAAAAAAAAf0\/SuFcipCQsgo\/s1600\/bad-comb.jpg.jpeg\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-V-fPdbSCIlM\/VOPiTkffdgI\/AAAAAAAAAf0\/SuFcipCQsgo\/s1600\/bad-comb.jpg.jpeg\" width=\"400\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd class=\"tr-caption\"\u003EA lot of energy and feeding is required to draw out the comb\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003C\/tbody\u003E\u003C\/table\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003EThe video below shows the process of creating a package of bees.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ciframe allowfullscreen=\"\" frameborder=\"0\" height=\"480\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/TYcF8DeQOt0\" width=\"640\"\u003E\u003C\/iframe\u003E \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; The main advantage of the package is that in cold weather areas they are available a few months before local nucs which allows beekeepers to take advantage of spring fruit blossoms and to lengthen the beekeeping season.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;Packages are a necessity in some areas because of the lack of nucs  available. \u0026nbsp;They are usually cheaper, have less pests and diseases (no comb) and can be  installed into any type of hive.\u0026nbsp; Unlike the nuc you don't have bees in all stages of development and if queen acceptance and performance goes well it will take 3 weeks for new brood to be born and several weeks for the population to reach that of a 5 frame nuc.\u0026nbsp; Despite the added challenges most beekeepers have some success with packages.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-cTSyIXUSdnU\/YB7fvAUwRlI\/AAAAAAAAErE\/coL_aATtOxYXL1TZK1ZoL8U913_cX_3kgCLcBGAsYHQ\/image.png\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\"\" data-original-height=\"301\" data-original-width=\"889\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-cTSyIXUSdnU\/YB7fvAUwRlI\/AAAAAAAAErE\/coL_aATtOxYXL1TZK1ZoL8U913_cX_3kgCLcBGAsYHQ\/s16000\/image.png\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;In most areas the packages come from a  warmer climate so winter survival may be less likely as proven in a good,  small scale study carried out in New England by master beekeeper Erin  MacGregor-Forbes (\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/app.box.com\/s\/2arfqeyue2ktnodr5z6u\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EComparison of colony strength and survivability between nucs and packages\u003C\/a\u003E).  \u0026nbsp;This single study is certainly not conclusive evidence but suggests a problem with imported warm weather packages and a  need for more projects like this. \u0026nbsp;Erin found a significant difference  in winter survival between the  southern package and nucleus (the nucs had twice the survival rate) but also found that a southern package with  a replaced local queen performed as well as the nucleus.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-xLK5Gv2GxbU\/VOPoNNUk1wI\/AAAAAAAAAgM\/rrs1Kij9K8s\/s1600\/Table2HiveStrength-xn5kvh.jpg\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"190\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-xLK5Gv2GxbU\/VOPoNNUk1wI\/AAAAAAAAAgM\/rrs1Kij9K8s\/s1600\/Table2HiveStrength-xn5kvh.jpg\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; In our situation bee packages come from a similar climate but the opposite hemisphere so they leave the southern hemisphere in late summer and arrive in Canada a few days later in early Spring where it can be freezing temperatures and snowing (I have experienced this). \u0026nbsp;This obviously can be hard on the bees. \u0026nbsp;Erin also found in her study that the packages outperformed the nucs in terms of honey  production which she attributed to a high rate of swarming by the  nucleus colonies. I don't know if she  took measures to prevent swarming but this has not been my experience . \u0026nbsp;I've not had exceptional problems  with nucs swarming but have used swarm prevention methods like  checkerboarding and splits (Check out the \"\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/strathconabeekeepers.blogspot.com\/p\/the-beekeepers-library.html#swarms\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ESwarms\u003C\/a\u003E\" section in our Beekeepers' Library).\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-LnjLqMcUTsI\/VOPrPpBI6PI\/AAAAAAAAAgY\/4v0GEmMOpk4\/s1600\/Table1SurplusHoney-1lsa0rh.jpg\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"244\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-LnjLqMcUTsI\/VOPrPpBI6PI\/AAAAAAAAAgY\/4v0GEmMOpk4\/s1600\/Table1SurplusHoney-1lsa0rh.jpg\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;The Prince William Regional Beekeepers Association in Virginia carried out a study which compared hives started from packages to those started from nucs which found a higher survival rate in nuc started hives, particularly evident in the second year (\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/drive.google.com\/file\/d\/1a444FYMRWOUk_Q5OqdnWirdWM_dIrQrn\/view?usp=sharing\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EPromoting Sustainable Beekeeping Practices Through Local Production of Nucs and Local Honeybee Queens\u003C\/a\u003E).\u0026nbsp; One aspect of their study was the importation of Africanized bee genetics and small hive beetles.\u0026nbsp; Importation of diseases and pests is perhaps the biggest challenge for beekeepers presently.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;A \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/pwrbeekeepers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/08\/BANV-2011-Queen-Colony-Survival.pdf\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Esurvey\u003C\/a\u003E by the Beekeepers Assocition of North Virginia to determine if the source of queens effected colony winter survival found significant differences between southern imported queens (23%) and local queens (87%).\u0026nbsp; While this is an extreme example I thinks it supports the theory of the benefits of local nucs over imported southern packages.\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; Biologist and author Mark Winston (\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/books.google.ca\/books?id=oDyWBAAAQBAJ\u0026amp;source=gbs_similarbooks\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EBee Time: Lessons from the Hive\u003C\/a\u003E) suggests we need to wean ourselves off of this dependence on imported bees.\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;In l985 he wrote \"it is estimated that, at present colony densities, BC has the potential to produce 75,520 spring packages each year, and increased colony density and a higher level of commercial beekeeping could elevate this figure. Continued and increased package and nucleus production, coupled with increased wintering and queen production, could result in a high degree of Canadian self-sufficiency within the next few years (\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/app.box.com\/s\/ucmicus2gf8guzzv7lu5d4gxjzs9hwho\" target=\"_blank\"\u003El989 Study on package and nuc production in B.C.\u003C\/a\u003E).\" \u0026nbsp;That self-sufficiency was never realized. \u0026nbsp;Large scale package and nuc production was never developed and with current 25-30% winter colony losses our dependence on imported packages will continue. The solution may be in the lowering of the winter loss rate through the development of a strong local, survivor stock with hygienic behavior and supporting the development of a large scale, local bee colony production industry.\u0026nbsp; Government initiative, leadership and support may be essential for this to be realized.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Ciframe allowfullscreen=\"\" frameborder=\"0\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/9ah-w_K-ht4\" width=\"640\"\u003E\u003C\/iframe\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;In the video below Michael Palmer\u0026nbsp;describes some of the difficulties associated with starting a bee hive from scratch using package bees including the lack of nurse bees for the new brood.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Ciframe allowfullscreen=\"\" frameborder=\"0\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/N_-jNK18aYY\" width=\"640\"\u003E\u003C\/iframe\u003E \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/bchoneyproducers.ca\/bc-beebreeders\/questions-for-nuc-suppliers\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EHere are some questions you may want to ask your nuc supplier\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;and\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/bchoneyproducers.ca\/bc-beebreeders\/questions-for-queen-producers\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Esome questions for queen purchasers\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;as suggested by the BC Honey Producers Association.\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; For more information on nucs and packages check out \"\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/strathconabeekeepers.blogspot.ca\/p\/the-beekeepers-library.html#splits,nucsandpackages\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ESplits, Nucs and Packages\u003C\/a\u003E\" in the \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/strathconabeekeepers.blogspot.ca\/p\/the-beekeepers-library.html#basicbeekeeping\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EBasic Beekeeping\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;section of the \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/goo.gl\/doxovX\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EBeekeepers' Library\u003C\/a\u003E.\u0026nbsp; Also check out the articles on overwintering nucs by Kirk Webster, Mel Disselkoen and others in the \"\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/strathconabeekeepers.blogspot.ca\/p\/the-beekeepers-library.html#wintermanagement\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EWinter Management\u003C\/a\u003E\" section of our library.\u0026nbsp; In Vancouver Urban Bee, B.C. Beekeeping and Dancing Bee Apiary will be selling packages in April (\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/strathconabeekeepers.blogspot.ca\/p\/bees-for-sale-in-vancouver.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EVancouver Bees for Sale\u003C\/a\u003E).\u0026nbsp; Good luck.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/strathconabeekeepers.blogspot.com\/feeds\/2854666400994794390\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/strathconabeekeepers.blogspot.com\/2021\/03\/nucs-vs-packages.html#comment-form","title":"0 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/1644096506760919907\/posts\/default\/2854666400994794390"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/1644096506760919907\/posts\/default\/2854666400994794390"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/strathconabeekeepers.blogspot.com\/2021\/03\/nucs-vs-packages.html","title":"Nucs vs Packages"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Unknown"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-ewNskYM-TxQ\/VOLOsZ9eeGI\/AAAAAAAAAfM\/yXDVgxphE4E\/s72-c\/Untitled%2Bpicture.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"0"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1644096506760919907.post-4645875661154245182"},"published":{"$t":"2021-01-02T19:48:00.000-08:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2021-01-02T19:48:50.753-08:00"},"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Feeding Bees in Winter"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-ZK86uNLSPHk\/UshWb7aiviI\/AAAAAAAAGDk\/289z0Hbuufs\/s1600\/IMG_0517.JPG\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-ZK86uNLSPHk\/UshWb7aiviI\/AAAAAAAAGDk\/289z0Hbuufs\/s1600\/IMG_0517.JPG\" width=\"400\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;One of the main reasons for bees not surviving winter is starvation, particularly in late winter\/early spring.\u0026nbsp; Depending on the length of your winter (no natural food source or too cold to forage) a full colony of bees in our northern regions will consume between 27-40 kgs (60-90 lbs) of honey. \u0026nbsp;In our apiary\u0026nbsp;in Vancouver we have found that a average sized colony requires 10-12 deep frames (30 kg or 66 lbs) to overwinter in a normal year.\u0026nbsp; Every location is different.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;Opening the hive in winter should be avoided but if necessary you can check if your hive is in need of winter feeding with a quick check on a nice day (not snowing or windy).\u0026nbsp; This should take less than a minute and not require the lifting of frames.\u0026nbsp; It's possible to avoid opening the hive by monitoring the weight (vs weight at beginning of winter) by simply lifting the back of the hive if you have experience or using a simple \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.ebay.ca\/itm\/331418539867?chn=ps\u0026amp;dispItem=1\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Eluggage scale\u003C\/a\u003E.\u0026nbsp; Here is an example of a winter hive check.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Ciframe allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen=\"\" frameborder=\"0\" height=\"315\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/psuAswYFSG4\" width=\"560\"\u003E\u003C\/iframe\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;In beekeeping it may vary yearly but months are either negative or positive in terms of food accumulation.\u0026nbsp; In our temperate northern climate April to October are positive accumulation months, March and October are neutral depending on the weather and November through February are negative.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;In some areas where there is a late summer dearth (lack of forage) beekeepers will feed a 2 to 1 sugar syrup mixture to ready their bees for winter.\u0026nbsp; When the weather is still warm and there is not good forage, the bees are still very active and can consume a lot of their winter food supplies.\u0026nbsp; This can occur for us in October.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;Sugar syrup is sometimes fed to bees in the spring and fall but below a certain temperature (approximately 12 C \/ 54 F) the bees are unable to dehydrate the liquid to store it. \u0026nbsp;One issue to keep in mind when autumn feeding is the accumulation of stored uncapped syrup in frames which acts as a hive humidifier in winter. \u0026nbsp;It's a good idea to minimize this. \u0026nbsp;Some beekeepers maintain that the warmth from the cluster will be sufficient to heat a plastic baggy of syrup placed above the cluster at colder temperatures.\u0026nbsp; I've not tried this.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;When it is colder beekeepers can use a solid sugar feed in dry form as a sugar cake.\u0026nbsp; In the \"\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/strathconabeekeepers.blogspot.ca\/p\/the-beekeepers-library.html#feeding\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EFeeding\u003C\/a\u003E\" section of our \"\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/strathconabeekeepers.blogspot.ca\/p\/the-beekeepers-library.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EBeekeepers Library\u003C\/a\u003E\" you will find recipes for syrup, candy, pollen patties, grease patties, pollen substitute, essential oil mixtures, inverted sugar syrup and other bee food products.\u0026nbsp; If you are using sugar make sure it is refined sucrose (table sugar) without impurities.\u0026nbsp; Unrefined sugars have poisoned bees and brown sugar and molasses are toxic to bees (\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/app.box.com\/s\/sl2jnjkw60o8czk76r85\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ESelecting sugars for feeding to Honey Bees\u003C\/a\u003E). \u0026nbsp;While it was previously thought that high fructose corn syrup, which is used by many commercial beekeepers was chemically indistinguishable from honey a recent study (\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/app.box.com\/s\/rkrzqem5f5ngcv2nz6hgh1jb1cvyhl9u\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EHoney elements induce detoxification and immunity\u003C\/a\u003E) found that honey contains important elements of pollen and propolis. \u0026nbsp;These elements induce the detoxification and immunity genes and may help the bees cope with pesticides and pathogens. \u0026nbsp;Feeding anything but their own honey is not a long term healthy alternative. \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;Some beekeepers believe that if you invert the sucrose (refined table sugar) by adding an acid (i.e vinegar) you will create a more natural food similar to honey and easier to digest.\u0026nbsp; The inversion process changes the sucrose to fructose and glucose essentially the same as honey.\u0026nbsp; However, there is no scientific evidence supporting this and bees actually perform the inversion in the digestive process in their honey stomach.\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;When feeding in winter you want to apply the food so that the girls do not have to leave their winter cluster.\u0026nbsp; You can invert your inner cover to leave space to place the sugar cake or patty on top of the frames or build a simple spacer or eke.\u0026nbsp; I use 2 inch feeding spacers similar to those used by Anita at Beverley Bees (\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.beverlybees.com\/i-want-candy-so-lets-make-a-candyboard-for-winter-feeding\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EBeverley Bees Candy Board\u003C\/a\u003E) and a simple no cook sugar and water mixture.\u0026nbsp; Remember to make your spacer as small as possible as the ladies love to fill that space with comb and may do so rather quickly in the spring.\u0026nbsp; You can feed the ladies dry sugar on paper (Michael Bush uses a \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/bushfarms.com\/beesfeeding.htm\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Edry granulated sugar\u003C\/a\u003E for cold weather feeding) on top of the frames wetted down with water (the hive humidity should keep it moist)\u0026nbsp; or make a Sugar Cake.\u0026nbsp; You can check quickly throughout the winter on nicer days (avoid windy,snowy days) and add as needed.\u0026nbsp; Here is a demonstration by Philip from \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/mudsongs.org\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EMudsongs.org\u003C\/a\u003E adding a sugar cake on a winter day.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ciframe allowfullscreen=\"\" frameborder=\"0\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/gS4y3kSo2Hc\" width=\"640\"\u003E\u003C\/iframe\u003E \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003EHere is a few simple recipes for those not as lazy as me:\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003EFondant from Granulated Sugar\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv span=\"\" style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: normal;\"\u003EFondant can be fed directly to the bees once cooled. They are a good food source for mini-mating nucs because there is no drowning involved when you have a small amount of bees. It is also common to use this recipe in small quantities to plug the hole on a Queen Cage.  \u003Cbr \/\u003EEquipment:\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u0026lt; 1 large saucepan\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u0026lt; 1 Hand or electric mixer\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u0026lt; 1 Cooking themometer\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u0026lt; Shallow disposable setting pans (pizza)\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EIngredients:\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: normal;\"\u003E\u0026lt; 4 parts (by volume) granulated white sugar\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: normal;\"\u003E \u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u0026lt; 1 parts (by volume) water\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u0026lt; Optional 1 teaspoon white vinegar\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: normal;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: normal;\"\u003EBoil water and slowly add the sugar until dissolved, stirring constantly. Continue heating until the mixture reaches 238°F (114°C). Without mixing allow the solution to cool until it is slightly warm to the touch (200F). Then begin to mix (in a mixer) and aerate the\u003C\/span\u003E \u003Cspan style=\"font-size: normal;\"\u003Esolution. As you do this the color should turn white and creamy with air bubbles. Pour into shallow dishes or \u003C\/span\u003Emold and allow to cool. \u0026nbsp;To feed it can be placed directly on top of the frames or in a feeding spacer. \u0026nbsp;You can make the fondant thin enough to where it can be worked into an empty frame of drawn comb.\u003C\/span\u003E     \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: normal;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003EThis video is a step by step process of how to make their version of fondant by the Northwest New Jersey Beekeepers Association.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ciframe allowfullscreen=\"\" frameborder=\"0\" height=\"315\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/SyvOfdhdtfw?rel=0\" width=\"560\"\u003E\u003C\/iframe\u003E \u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: normal;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003EBee Candy\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: medium;\"\u003ECandy is not used as much as in the past because it's harder to make and work with. \u0026nbsp;However here is the recipe for those not deterred by hard work.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: normal;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: normal;\"\u003EEquipment:\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: normal;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: normal;\"\u003E\u0026lt; Heavy duty cooking pans\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: normal;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: normal;\"\u003E\u0026lt; Large spoon for stirring\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: normal;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: normal;\"\u003E\u0026lt; Measuring jug\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: normal;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: normal;\"\u003E\u0026lt; Cooking themometer\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: normal;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: normal;\"\u003E\u0026lt; Plastic containers\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: normal;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: normal;\"\u003E\u0026lt; Enameled or pyrex dishes\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: normal;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: normal;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: normal;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: normal;\"\u003EIngredients:\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: normal;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: normal;\"\u003E\u0026lt; Refined granulated white sugar\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: normal;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: normal;\"\u003E\u0026lt; Water\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: normal;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: normal;\"\u003E\u0026lt; Cooking oil\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: normal;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: normal;\"\u003E\u0026lt; Newspapers\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: normal;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: normal;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: normal;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: normal;\"\u003EPour 500 ml (1 pint) of water in a heavy saucepan and add 2 kgs. granulated sugar. Heat to the boiling point, stirring constantly to prevent the sugar burning on the bottom. Continue to boil til the syrup reaches 117 degrees centigrade (242 fahrenheit). \u0026nbsp;Prepare your enamel or pyrex glass dish by coating with vegetable oil, then lining with a sheet of newspaper. \u0026nbsp;Also, soak an old towel in cold water and lay it on a waterproof heat proof work surface. \u0026nbsp;Once the boiling syrup has reached 117 degrees centigrade place it on the wet towel to cool. \u0026nbsp;Stir the mixture continuously as it thickens. \u0026nbsp;Stir only so long that the mixture can still be poured into the lined dishes. \u0026nbsp;Allow to set and cool and to remove (when cooled) pull gently on the edges of the paper liner.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: normal;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: normal;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: normal;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: normal;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;Here are a few other versions of fondant recipes from \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/brookfieldfarmhoney.wordpress.com\/2014\/01\/30\/making-bee-candy-aka-fondant\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EBrookfield Farm\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;and\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.303beekeeper.com\/2009\/11\/recipe-fondant-for-winter-feeding.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EBackyard Beehive\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;or you can purchase it from a retailer. \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EWhether you use the above recipes or just dry granulated sugar you can check on your feed and add as needed whenever there is a break in the weather.\u0026nbsp; Here is another video showing feeding at 40 fahrenheit (4 celsius).\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Ciframe allowfullscreen=\"\" frameborder=\"0\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/w2-eBbYhSgE?rel=0\" width=\"640\"\u003E\u003C\/iframe\u003E \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; Pollen patties (with sugar) provide both the carbohydrates from sugar and the proteins from pollen (or pollen substitute) and stimulate brood production. \u0026nbsp;In Vancouver pollen patties can be added as early as February. There is a\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003Etheory to begin feeding pollen patties 8 weeks prior to the heavy pollen flow (for us fruit tree blossom). \u0026nbsp;3 weeks for the girls to be born, 3 weeks to become foragers and two weeks to build up the forager numbers. \u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003ERemember the presence of new pollen in the hive triggers the queen to produce brood which is why there is little to no brood production through the winter. \u0026nbsp;Pollen is the source of protein and nutrients for bees. \u0026nbsp;The level of body protein in bees varies seasonally between 21-67% depending on the availability and type of pollen available and the amount of energy expended foraging and brood raising. Different blossoms produce different quality pollen. \u0026nbsp;For example dandelions and blueberries produce a fairly low nutritional pollen while almond pollen is fairly high in nutrition.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Ctable align=\"center\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" class=\"tr-caption-container\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ctbody\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-Q0Atua6FENc\/TxSunjAH12I\/AAAAAAAAA2s\/j7W-2eLoj_8\/s1600\/dandelion.jpg\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"478\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-Q0Atua6FENc\/TxSunjAH12I\/AAAAAAAAA2s\/j7W-2eLoj_8\/s640\/dandelion.jpg\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd class=\"tr-caption\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003EDandelion pollen, although attractive to bees lacks certain amino acids. \u0026nbsp;Other types of pollen must be gathered in order to fully utilize the protein. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; Bees store protein in their bodies in the form of vitellogenin which directly determines their life span and immunological strength \u0026nbsp;to fight diseases and pests. \u0026nbsp;When the body protein level in bees drops it may take several weeks to recover. \u0026nbsp;Low body protein level means low brood and honey production. \u0026nbsp;A wide variety of pollens are essential for optimum bee health as each pollen provides different essential nutrients. \u0026nbsp;The report, \"\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/app.box.com\/s\/2sl1a6ecu7u31y5q86op\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ENutritional Value of Bee Collected Pollens\u003C\/a\u003E\" is an qualitative analysis of the pollen from different plants and trees. \u0026nbsp;This is why pollen patties or pollen substitute patties are not a healthy alternative to a natural variety of stored pollens but rather a diet supplement. \u0026nbsp;Having said that research has shown that colonies receiving pollen supplements in early spring can produce 2-4 times the brood of a non supplemented colony. \u0026nbsp;In addition the life span of worker bees is increased up to 15 days and consequently mid summer honey production is also increased. \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;The best protein source for supplemental feeding is of course pollen. \u0026nbsp;Studies show that bees are attracted to pollen and consume significantly more when the patties contain pollen rather than pollen substitute. \u0026nbsp;The graph below illustrates the benefits of pollen in supplemental feeding. \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-M15fSSqmMPY\/VNvIzRJXVSI\/AAAAAAAAAak\/GNsWllxPuy8\/s1600\/Capturewwww.PNG\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"238\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-M15fSSqmMPY\/VNvIzRJXVSI\/AAAAAAAAAak\/GNsWllxPuy8\/s1600\/Capturewwww.PNG\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003EHaving said that pollen can be a carrier of bee diseases and if the source is unknown should be irradiated before use in a pollen patty. Since most beekeepers don't want to irradiate use your own pollen collected from healthy hives. \u0026nbsp;The nutritional value of pollen diminishes quickly when dried and stored so it is best to freeze your pollen immediately after collecting without drying. \u0026nbsp;It is recommended that you use between 3-5% pollen in your pollen patty and that your overall protein level be about 25%. \u0026nbsp;The best protein supplements or alternatives to pollen are yeast and soy flour. \u0026nbsp;Brewer's yeast has a 48-56% protein content and is a good but expensive protein source to stimulate brood production. \u0026nbsp;The more affordable soy flour (48-50% crude protein level) appears to be more of an adult bee food stimulating activity in the hive. \u0026nbsp;Due to these different benefits a combination of these protein sources is recommended. \u0026nbsp;Other additives like pollard (mixture of fine bran and flour- vitamin and essential oil source), vegetable oil (feed palatability), vitamins and minerals and sugar (carbohydrate and energy source) can be utilized. \u0026nbsp;I read recently where a local beekeeper is using herring meal as a protein source and no his honey doesn't taste like fish. Human vitamin and mineral supplements are made for mammals not bees so are not recommended. \u0026nbsp;Always use fresh ingredients as nutritional values decrease with time and old soy flour may even be toxic to bees. \u0026nbsp;Sugar is an attractant in your feed and vegetable oil (like soy or cotton seed) can make it more palatable. \u0026nbsp;The patty should be placed directly over the winter bee cluster which is normally in the middle of the brood box as the bees will not leave the cluster if it is cold. \u0026nbsp;You can invert your inner cover to make room for the pollen patty. \u0026nbsp;If you find there is not enough room between your hive frames and your inner cover you can make a simple hive eke (an extender frame or shallow box). When I made my insulated moisture quilt (\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/strathconabeekeepers.blogspot.com\/2011\/10\/moisture-quilt-insulated-hive-cover.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EInsulated Moisture Quilt\u003C\/a\u003E) I left space over the frames for supplemental feeding. \u0026nbsp;Here are a few pollen or substitute pollen patty recipes.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: x-large;\"\u003EPollen Patty\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003Cb style=\"font-size: medium;\"\u003E \u003C\/b\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E(3 different recipes)\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E(\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.al.gov.bc.ca\/apiculture\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EGovernment of B.C. Apiculture Department\u003C\/a\u003E)\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003EIn supplement mixes, the percentage of pollen can be increased or decreased depending on availability.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E#1 \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; 3 parts soybean flour\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;1 part pollen\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E#2 \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; 4 parts Brewer’s Yeast\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; 2 parts dry sugar\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;1 part pollen\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;2 parts lighter sugar syrup (2 sugar : 1 water)\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E#3 \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;10 parts Torula Type S Yeast\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; 10 parts Brewer’s Yeast\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;1 part pollen\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003ENote: use 2 parts dry mix to 3 parts syrup\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"font-size: small;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: x-large;\"\u003ESubstitute Pollen Patty \u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E(3 different recipes)\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E#1 \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; soybean flour only\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E#2 \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; 4 parts soybean flour\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;1 part Brewer’s Yeast\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E#3 \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; 10 parts soybean flour\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; 6 parts casein\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;3 parts Brewer’s Yeast\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;1 part egg yolk powder\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003EIn each case, add 4-5 parts of the dry mix to 2 parts heavy sugar syrup as indicated below in directions on preparation of patties.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003EPrepare patties as follows: \u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003EMix dry ingredients thoroughly.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003EMix a heavy syrup of 3 parts sugar to 1 part water.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003ESlowly add 2 parts of syrup to 4-5 parts of dry mix (see dry mix formulas above), while kneading.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003ELeave overnight and knead again before flattening into a 1.5 cm cake.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003ECut into squares weighing about 0.5 kg (1 lb).\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003EPlace on wax paper and cover with another wax paper to prevent drying.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003EHere is a video from\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/dchoneybees.com\/DC_Honeybees_Site\/Home.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EDC Honeybees\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;showing how to make a substitute pollen patty using these ingredients:\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E1\/2 lb yeast;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E1\/2 lb dried milk;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E1.5 lb soy flour;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E1\/3 cup canola oil\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003Ejuice of 1\/2 lemon\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003Ea multi vitamin\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003C\/tbody\u003E\u003C\/table\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Ciframe allowfullscreen=\"\" frameborder=\"0\" height=\"315\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/WX4O1yeSf8I?rel=0\" width=\"560\"\u003E\u003C\/iframe\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EHere are the folks from\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/mudsongs.org\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EMudsongs\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;installing a pollen patty.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ciframe allowfullscreen=\"\" frameborder=\"0\" height=\"315\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/cBZCL33fNHY?rel=0\" width=\"560\"\u003E\u003C\/iframe\u003E \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; For more information on feeding bees go to the \"\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/strathconabeekeepers.blogspot.ca\/p\/the-beekeepers-library.html#feeding\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EFeeding\u003C\/a\u003E\" section of our \"\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/strathconabeekeepers.blogspot.ca\/p\/the-beekeepers-library.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EBeekeepers' Library\u003C\/a\u003E\".\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cblockquote class=\"tr_bq\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cblockquote class=\"tr_bq\" style=\"margin: 0in;\"\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"margin: 0in;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;calibri\u0026quot;; font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\"There is no other field of animal husbandry like beekeeping. It has the appeal to the scientist, the nature lover, and even (or especially) the philosopher. It is a chance to work with some of the most fascinating of God's creatures, to spend time and do work in the great outdoors, to challenge my abilities and continue to learn. My hope is that I never become so frail with old age that I cannot spend my days among the bees. It gives credence to the old saw that \"the best things in life are free\". I thank God daily for the opportunity and privilege to be a beekeeper.\"\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/blockquote\u003E\u003C\/blockquote\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-fdT9tr29Opk\/VEw1wmzTMOI\/AAAAAAAAAOs\/lGXu5_iDv5Q\/s1600\/988269_529322600470973_1120105532_n.jpg\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"547\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-fdT9tr29Opk\/VEw1wmzTMOI\/AAAAAAAAAOs\/lGXu5_iDv5Q\/s1600\/988269_529322600470973_1120105532_n.jpg\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/strathconabeekeepers.blogspot.com\/feeds\/4645875661154245182\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/strathconabeekeepers.blogspot.com\/2021\/01\/feeding-bees-in-winter.html#comment-form","title":"0 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/1644096506760919907\/posts\/default\/4645875661154245182"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/1644096506760919907\/posts\/default\/4645875661154245182"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/strathconabeekeepers.blogspot.com\/2021\/01\/feeding-bees-in-winter.html","title":"Feeding Bees in Winter"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Unknown"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-ZK86uNLSPHk\/UshWb7aiviI\/AAAAAAAAGDk\/289z0Hbuufs\/s72-c\/IMG_0517.JPG","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"0"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1644096506760919907.post-1934983106891396148"},"published":{"$t":"2020-12-13T15:55:00.001-08:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2020-12-14T19:50:26.818-08:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Christmas gifts for beekeepers"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Christmas Gifts for Beekeepers"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg height=\"524\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-UZEjk7ZDzXE\/UrHSOJyQodI\/AAAAAAAAGBw\/GMJeaNSTzlk\/s640\/xmas+bees.jpg\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; At this time of year I'm especially appreciative that I have a roof over my head and food in my belly when so many in the world have neither, especially in this time of Covid-19.\u0026nbsp; You don't need to be a Christian to celebrate the idea of Christmas  which should be a time of peace, love and selfless giving rather than  the modern concept of commercialized over consumption.\u0026nbsp; Here are a few Christmas gift suggestions that we can give to beekeepers less fortunate than ourselves.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;In many countries beekeeping is a practical solution to reduce poverty and relieve suffering. \u0026nbsp; Beekeeping requires little space, minimal cost and offers much needed income from the sales of honey, beeswax and pollen. In addition increased pollination from the introduction of these bees can substantially increase fruit and vegetable yields as well as pollinating native plants. \u0026nbsp;For most beekeeping has become a supplement to the family income but for an increasing number it has become a major part of the village economy.\u0026nbsp; This is one of reasons we created our \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/strathconabeekeepers.blogspot.ca\/p\/the-beekeepers-library.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EBeekeepers' Library\u003C\/a\u003E, to provide free localized information to beekeepers worldwide.\u0026nbsp; There are many good philanthropic beekeeping organizations worthy of your Christmas donations like \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/charity.gofundme.com\/o\/en\/campaign\/bahamas-beekeepers-hurricane-relief-fund?utm_source=American+Bee+Journal\u0026amp;utm_campaign=0927c53566-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2019_04_19_08_03_COPY_01\u0026amp;utm_medium=email\u0026amp;utm_term=0_8cdd94c05c-0927c53566-194248025\u0026amp;mc_cid=0927c53566\u0026amp;mc_eid=fcbf8fdeef\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EBahama Beekeeper's Hurricane Relief\u003C\/a\u003E,\u0026nbsp; \"\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.beesfordevelopment.org\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EBees for Development\u003C\/a\u003E\", \"\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.oxfamgifts.com\/gifts\/honey-bees\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EOxfam's Gift of Bees\u003C\/a\u003E\", \"\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.icimod.org\/?q=1497\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EICIMOD\u003C\/a\u003E\", \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.trocaire.org\/gifts\/honey-bees\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ETrocaire Gift of Honey Bees\u003C\/a\u003E and \"\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/beesabroad.org.uk\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EBees Abroad\u003C\/a\u003E\".\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;One organization on my gift list is \"\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.heifer.org\/gift-catalog\/animals-nutrition\/honeybees-donation.html?msource=kwg2396\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EHeifer International\u003C\/a\u003E\" which has been operating throughout the world for over 70 years. \u0026nbsp;For a mere $30 you can give the gift of honey bees. \u0026nbsp; \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ciframe allowfullscreen=\"\" frameborder=\"0\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/Dikfjz-9Rxw?rel=0\" width=\"640\"\u003E\u003C\/iframe\u003E \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; Although I grow much of my own food and support local, organic farmers an organization that I support at Christmas and throughout the year is \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.fairtrade.net\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EFair Trade\u003C\/a\u003E. \u0026nbsp;Farmers in developing countries have traditionally been exploited by greedy food distribution corporations. \u0026nbsp;A small portion of the price you pay for agricultural products from developing countries goes to the farmer. \u0026nbsp;The concept of \"Fair Trade\" has empowered these farmers and provided them and their communities with a fair income which has allowed them a healthier, happier lifestyle. This documentary \"Hope is Golden\" is about the beekeeping cooperatives in Brazil’s arid Caatinga region that produce Fair Trade certified honey.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ciframe allowfullscreen=\"\" frameborder=\"0\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/UHvHqjRt4yI?rel=0\" width=\"640\"\u003E\u003C\/iframe\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;The Fair Trade organizations provide funding for the infrastructure required by farming cooperatives in developing countries. \u0026nbsp;\"\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.fairtrade.net\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EFair Trade International\u003C\/a\u003E\" began 25 years ago and in 2012 the number of Fairtrade producing organizations grew by 16%. \u0026nbsp;It works and it is growing. \u0026nbsp;Each time you buy a Fair Trade product you are supporting the farmer and their family in the developing world rather than the multinational food distribution corporation. \u0026nbsp; Buying \"Fair Trade\" products (honey, tea, chocolate, sugar, fruit, flowers and coffee), easily identifiable by the \"Fair Trade\" symbol is a good idea throughout the year.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;Organizations that I do not support or legitimize are Bayer\/Monsanto's Bee Care\u0026nbsp;and Syngenta's Operation Pollinator. \u0026nbsp;There are a number of factors contributing to the demise of all species of bees including imported diseases, pests and diminished available forage, global warming but a major cause is the overuse of agrichemicals. \u0026nbsp;Monsanto, Bayer and Syngenta are in the process of monopolizing the world seed market with patented genetically modified seeds that contain or are designed to accept massive quantities of \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/strathconabeekeepers.blogspot.ca\/p\/the-beekeepers-library.html#pesticidesandbees\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Eagrichemicals\u003C\/a\u003E that are dangerous to both bees and humans. \u0026nbsp;Their bee programs are a public relations ploy to divert you from the true danger of their products.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-fiyJr1rz2Rk\/VmxmkaWSvWI\/AAAAAAAABck\/3LXtXby4mRo\/s1600\/dc476c28d0e9d027427587851b7df767.jpg\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"400\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-fiyJr1rz2Rk\/VmxmkaWSvWI\/AAAAAAAABck\/3LXtXby4mRo\/s400\/dc476c28d0e9d027427587851b7df767.jpg\" width=\"400\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;A free gift I recommend to beekeepers of all ages is the wonderful book, \"\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/drive.google.com\/file\/d\/0Bx7DrOGMiXtlRlFBTTh2RVhzRWc\/view?usp=sharing\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EThe Travelling Beehive\u003C\/a\u003E\". \u0026nbsp;This book is\u0026nbsp; written by Elena Garcia and Manuel Angel Rosado and beautifully illustrated by \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.juanhernaz.com\/en\/latest-work\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EJuan Hernaz\u003C\/a\u003E. \u0026nbsp;It is published by \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/apolo.entomologica.es\/index.php?d=colmena\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EApolo\u003C\/a\u003E which is an organization dedicated to the preservation of pollinators and their habitat. \u0026nbsp;You can follow Polli the honey bee and her friend Dipter the hover fly as they face the challenges of a disappearing green space. \u0026nbsp;They are joined in their struggle by Bazumba the wild bee, Missus Bombus the bumblebee, Lepi the butterfly, her majesty the queen, Dorian the farmer and Ramon the beekeeper. Sit back with your children or grandchildren and enjoy the \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.juanhernaz.com\/en\/portfolio\/the-travelling-beehive\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EThe Travelling Beehive.\u003C\/a\u003E \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cimg src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-8ENOaRwRLCE\/VJDLF22P-TI\/AAAAAAAAATc\/8Naw7_8zykQ\/s1600\/Untitled%2Bpicture.png\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; The bees are snuggled in their hives waiting for Santa. \u0026nbsp;Penny, from the Natural Beekeeping Trust of the United Kingdom says \"Traditionally, Christian beekeepers have visited their colonies at midnight on Christmas Eve to tell the bees of the nativity. \u0026nbsp;They also hoped to hear the special melodious humming that the bees were said to perform at this time, portending health and prosperity throughout the coming year. \u0026nbsp;It was thought that this custom was predated by an earlier pre-Christian one when the return of the sun was by no means guaranteed!\"  If you're wondering what to recite to your bees on Christmas Eve here is a poem by Carol Ann Duffy.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: red; font-size: x-large;\"\u003E\u003Cu\u003EThe Bee Carol\u003C\/u\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: normal;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003ESilently on Christmas Eve,\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E \u003Cbr \/\u003Ethe turn of midnight's key;\u003Cbr \/\u003Eall the garden locked in ice -\u003Cbr \/\u003Ea silver frieze -\u003Cbr \/\u003Eexcept the winter cluster of the bees.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EFlightless now and shivering,\u003Cbr \/\u003Earound their Queen they cling;\u003Cbr \/\u003Eevery bee a gift of heat;\u003Cbr \/\u003Eshe will not freeze\u003Cbr \/\u003Ewithin the winter cluster of the bees.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EBring me for my Christmas gift\u003Cbr \/\u003Ea single golden jar;\u003Cbr \/\u003Elet me taste the sweetness there,\u003Cbr \/\u003Ebut honey leave\u003Cbr \/\u003Eto feed the winter cluster of the bees.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ECome with me on Christmas Eve\u003Cbr \/\u003Eto see the silent hive -\u003Cbr \/\u003Etrembling stars cloistered above -\u003Cbr \/\u003Eand then believe,\u003Cbr \/\u003Ebless the winter cluster of the bees.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;If you have any favorite bee projects that could use our financial assistance I would love to hear of them.\u0026nbsp; I hope that you, your bees and your family have a wonderful Christmas and a happy and healthy New Year.\u0026nbsp; Peace on earth and good will to all.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: red;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: x-large;\"\u003EMerry Christmas!\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: red;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: x-large;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-D2WdT-4TFak\/UrHurYJJFoI\/AAAAAAAAGCU\/ujMZIUwsIJo\/s1600\/xmas+bees+2.jpg\" style=\"color: blue; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-D2WdT-4TFak\/UrHurYJJFoI\/AAAAAAAAGCU\/ujMZIUwsIJo\/s1600\/xmas+bees+2.jpg\" style=\"border: medium none; position: relative;\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/strathconabeekeepers.blogspot.com\/feeds\/1934983106891396148\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/strathconabeekeepers.blogspot.com\/2020\/12\/christmas-gifts-for-beekeepers.html#comment-form","title":"0 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/1644096506760919907\/posts\/default\/1934983106891396148"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/1644096506760919907\/posts\/default\/1934983106891396148"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/strathconabeekeepers.blogspot.com\/2020\/12\/christmas-gifts-for-beekeepers.html","title":"Christmas Gifts for Beekeepers"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Unknown"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-UZEjk7ZDzXE\/UrHSOJyQodI\/AAAAAAAAGBw\/GMJeaNSTzlk\/s72-c\/xmas+bees.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"0"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1644096506760919907.post-2065531816715535797"},"published":{"$t":"2020-09-21T16:03:00.001-07:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2020-09-22T09:42:32.618-07:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Beekeeping winter preparation"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Vancouver beekeeping"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Winter Preparation for Vancouver Beekeepers"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-HcbOWZ4hH4k\/Vip3-LRLDNI\/AAAAAAAABPs\/bK63xEaZn1w\/s1600\/bees-need-rain-too2.jpg\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"395\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-HcbOWZ4hH4k\/Vip3-LRLDNI\/AAAAAAAABPs\/bK63xEaZn1w\/s640\/bees-need-rain-too2.jpg\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003EIt's September and time for Vancouver beekeepers to prepare for winter.\u0026nbsp; Actually winter preparation is an ongoing task (\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www2.gov.bc.ca\/assets\/gov\/farming-natural-resources-and-industry\/agriculture-and-seafood\/animal-and-crops\/animal-production\/bee-assets\/api_fs103.pdf\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EBeekeeping Calendar for B.C.\u003C\/a\u003E).\u0026nbsp; The main reasons our bees die over the winter is starvation, colonies suffering from parasitic mite syndrome, too few bees to heat the cluster and moisture.\u0026nbsp;  I complete my winter hive setup by the middle of October.\u0026nbsp; Much of what  you do in preparation depends on your management style of beekeeping  (virtually nothing for the extreme natural beekeeper to intense  management for others).\u0026nbsp; This is a revised post from last year and are just a few  suggestions based on my experience keeping bees in Vancouver.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003EFood\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: medium;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E \u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003ETo address the food issue you will need about 10 deep frames or 12+ medium frames of honey (65 lbs or 30 kgs) for an average sized colony to survive the winter.\u0026nbsp; In our specific location (Strathcona) we still have a strong availability of nectar and pollen with many different plant species still in flower in our 4 acre garden and the surrounding area.\u0026nbsp; Due to global warming plants in Vancouver can begin to flower 2-3 weeks earlier than in the past so our forage shortage begins in mid September.\u0026nbsp; The problem occurs when the temperatures are still warm and dry enough from mid September through October for the colony to stay active.\u0026nbsp; An active colony without a natural food source will consume much of the winter food supply.\u0026nbsp; I'm fortunate this year to have a good supply of honey frames from my stronger hives that I can share with my weaker hives.\u0026nbsp; This is why I prefer to wait til October to extract honey when I know the state of my winter supply. \u0026nbsp;Some beekeepers have started feeding 2 to 1 syrup to their hives now because their honey reserves are low.\u0026nbsp; This is a personal decision based on your style of beekeeping and your location.\u0026nbsp; I usually like to reserve my feeding to emergency late winter feeding. \u0026nbsp;An issue with syrup feeding this time of year is making sure most of the syrup the bees store gets capped. \u0026nbsp;The uncapped syrup will become a source of winter moisture and mold. \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; I've identified our main foraging shortage to occur from mid September to mid October so to address this issue I have separated the root balls of common Asian Asters for planting and transplanted the invasive Canadian Goldenrod (Aster). \u0026nbsp;When mature the common Asian Aster becomes a 1.5 by 1.5 metre (4 by 4 foot) bush with hundreds of flowers and can bloom well into October.\u0026nbsp; We have about a few hundred autumn flowering variety Asters in our 4 acre garden.\u0026nbsp; Other late bloomers in our garden are Japanese Anemone, Mint, Autumn Joy Sedum, Scarlet Runner Bean, Jersulam Artichoke, and the invasive \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/bcinvasives.ca\/search\/results\/1708aa0cb72d0a47fbd5641916571b79\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EJapanese Knotweed\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp; (\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www2.gov.bc.ca\/assets\/gov\/farming-natural-resources-and-industry\/agriculture-and-seafood\/animal-and-crops\/animal-production\/bee-assets\/api_fs904.pdf\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ENectar Plants of British Columbia\u003C\/a\u003E).\u0026nbsp; A mixed diet is essential for the girls so some other late blooming plants are Caryopteris 'Dark Knight' (Blue Mist Spirea), Dahlia, Hardy Fushia, Seven Sons flower (Autumn Lilac), Impatiens omeianan, Camellia sinensis (Hardy tea bush) and Osmanthus fragrans (Fragrant Olive) (\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/app.box.com\/s\/2sl1a6ecu7u31y5q86op\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ENutritional Value of Bee Collected Pollens\u003C\/a\u003E and \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/strathconabeekeepers.blogspot.de\/p\/plants_5661.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EPollen Sources\u003C\/a\u003E).\u0026nbsp; I will avoid the temptation to plant the invasive late blooming ivy and Himalayan Balsam.\u0026nbsp; \u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ctable align=\"center\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" class=\"tr-caption-container\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ctbody\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-4xt-xPHCYhg\/Vip8IlsbDHI\/AAAAAAAABP4\/JzQziCQpovc\/s1600\/800px-Bee_and_Goldenrod_3.jpg\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"227\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-4xt-xPHCYhg\/Vip8IlsbDHI\/AAAAAAAABP4\/JzQziCQpovc\/s400\/800px-Bee_and_Goldenrod_3.jpg\" width=\"400\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd class=\"tr-caption\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003EGoldenrod\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003C\/tbody\u003E\u003C\/table\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Ctable align=\"center\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" class=\"tr-caption-container\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ctbody\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-IiN_rDM25Us\/Vip8bnMGQ9I\/AAAAAAAABQA\/HxXHXrjP6t8\/s1600\/asterrrrr_5.jpg\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"285\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-IiN_rDM25Us\/Vip8bnMGQ9I\/AAAAAAAABQA\/HxXHXrjP6t8\/s400\/asterrrrr_5.jpg\" width=\"400\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd class=\"tr-caption\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003EAster\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003C\/tbody\u003E\u003C\/table\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E \u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: normal;\"\u003EIt's good at this point to make sure you have your emergency winter  feeders ready if you plan to use them.  A major cause of colony death is late winter starvation   (February - April) which can be solved by the use of an emergency  winter feeder (\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.beverlybees.com\/i-want-candy-so-lets-make-a-candyboard-for-winter-feeding\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ECandy Board\u003C\/a\u003E).\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ctable align=\"center\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" class=\"tr-caption-container\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ctbody\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/--58JC4iEDfA\/Vip-URQ3VTI\/AAAAAAAABRA\/Kz3qw5TFiRM\/s1600\/Candy%2Bboard_5.jpg\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"384\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/--58JC4iEDfA\/Vip-URQ3VTI\/AAAAAAAABRA\/Kz3qw5TFiRM\/s400\/Candy%2Bboard_5.jpg\" width=\"400\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd class=\"tr-caption\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003ECandyboard\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003C\/tbody\u003E\u003C\/table\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003EThey're  easy to build with 1x2's and quarter inch wire mesh and can be a colony  lifesaver.\u0026nbsp; You can quickly check on the feeders through the late  winter to gauge the status of the food supply.\u0026nbsp; Some beekeepers begin feeding in August.\u0026nbsp; This  article \"\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/strathconabeekeepers.blogspot.ca\/2014\/01\/feeding-bees-in-winter.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EFeeding Bees in Winter\u003C\/a\u003E\"  describes the different methods of feeding at different temperatures.\u0026nbsp;   The girls will take a 2 to 1 syrup down to about 12 celsius (53  fahrenheit) after which they find it too difficult to dehydrate for  storage.\u0026nbsp; Some beekeepers will feed syrup baggies on top of the frames in colder temperatures  on the theory that heat from the cluster warms the syrup.\u0026nbsp; I've not  tried this.\u0026nbsp; In the Greater Vancouver area there are very big  differences in winter food requirements based on available foraging days  and available forage.  Because of the\u0026nbsp; effect of the North Shore  Mountains precipitation varies from 150+ inches (380 centimeters)  annually at the upper altitudes of the mountains to 30 inches (75  centimeters) along the U.S. border.\u0026nbsp; This effect reduces precipitation  and increases hours of sunlight as you move southward.\u0026nbsp; The graph below  divides Greater Vancouver into 9 zones with 9 being the upper altitudes  of the North Shore Mountains and 1 being the southern region along the  U.S. border (\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.dropbox.com\/s\/clzry9yrghgpdyf\/Greater%20Vancouver%20Rainfall.pdf?dl=0\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EGreater Vancouver Precipitation\u003C\/a\u003E).\u0026nbsp; As the crow flies this is a distance of less than 30 kilometers or 20 miles.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-CZokFOmPV5U\/Vh03HG27_kI\/AAAAAAAABBs\/XjaowzOTMko\/s1600\/precip.PNG\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"640\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-CZokFOmPV5U\/Vh03HG27_kI\/AAAAAAAABBs\/XjaowzOTMko\/s640\/precip.PNG\" width=\"564\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-gbibcgARWQU\/Vh1kckB7nJI\/AAAAAAAABDc\/eQRqlRvT_Q4\/s1600\/Rain2.PNG\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"436\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-gbibcgARWQU\/Vh1kckB7nJI\/AAAAAAAABDc\/eQRqlRvT_Q4\/s640\/Rain2.PNG\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-KGTOqrbcGZE\/Vh1koN770nI\/AAAAAAAABDk\/-Qj3AkG76Cw\/s1600\/Temp.PNG\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"404\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-KGTOqrbcGZE\/Vh1koN770nI\/AAAAAAAABDk\/-Qj3AkG76Cw\/s640\/Temp.PNG\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003EThough  active at lower temperatures I have found high population foraging in  our apiary at 12 degrees celsius (53 fahrenheit) in March (Willow trees,  Forsythia, Flowering Cherry).\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-z6Iq_mzBHoE\/Vh1kzaJoKTI\/AAAAAAAABDs\/J9-vE0BXeI4\/s1600\/Daylight.PNG\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"384\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-z6Iq_mzBHoE\/Vh1kzaJoKTI\/AAAAAAAABDs\/J9-vE0BXeI4\/s640\/Daylight.PNG\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003EThis  means more flyable, foraging weather the further south you live and the  more active the colony with the additional needed sunshine warming the  hive and bees.  I have observed the activity of the bees throughout the  lower mainland to be directly linked to the number of hours of sunlight  on the hives.\u0026nbsp; Conclusion, for optimum colony health move to a southern  suburb like Tsawwassen, Ladner, White Rock or Abbotsford or maximize the  sun exposure on your hives (South to southeast exposure with minimal  shade).\u0026nbsp; We moved our apiary because it was surrounded by fast growing  Black Locust, Willow and Cottonwood trees (Great pollen and nectar  sources).\u0026nbsp; \u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; Also effecting hive performance is available  forage which can vary according to whether you are in a rural  agricultural or urban setting.  The rural, agricultural areas in Surrey,  Delta and the Fraser Valley tend to have extreme honey and brood  production during crop blossoms but can suffer in the off season while  the urban areas tend to have a more consistent food source availability  throughout the foraging period (March - November) due to urban  landscaping and irrigation.  We're fortunate to have 7 cultivated acres  in our 2 combined community gardens surrounded by fields of clover and  flowering trees.\u0026nbsp; Unfortunately this year it has become a homeless camp.\u0026nbsp; While it varies by region, because of the reasons  discussed above (weather and available forage) and the size of the  colony we need on average 10 deep or 12 medium frames of honey  (65 lbs or 30 kilograms) to over winter.\u0026nbsp;  The honey frames should be  positioned on both sides of the cluster in the bottom box and above the  cluster in the second super (super = hive box).\u0026nbsp; If the cluster is in an  upper box it's recommended to switch the box to the bottom in  preparation for winter.\u0026nbsp; In the spring you can reverse that process as  the girls will have worked their way up to upper part of the second box.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ctable align=\"center\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" class=\"tr-caption-container\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ctbody\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-hgYgbfjxi5Q\/Vip-oL4OCkI\/AAAAAAAABRI\/ulGSBTHXXLA\/s1600\/Capture_0.jpg\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"310\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-hgYgbfjxi5Q\/Vip-oL4OCkI\/AAAAAAAABRI\/ulGSBTHXXLA\/s400\/Capture_0.jpg\" width=\"400\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd class=\"tr-caption\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003EWinter cluster at the end of winter \u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003C\/tbody\u003E\u003C\/table\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003EFor  a Kenyan Top Bar put the cluster at one end and the honey frames next  to the cluster.\u0026nbsp; I've always run all deep supers in my Langstroth hives  because universal boxes and frames are easier to manage.\u0026nbsp; I can add  honey frames from my third or fourth box to the brood boxes to over  winter.\u0026nbsp; Many new beekeepers and some old are moving towards all medium  boxes because of the lighter weight.\u0026nbsp; This makes sense as a deep box of  honey can weigh 80 lbs (36 kgs).\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; All beekeepers have plus  and negative food accumulation months and generally April 1 to Oct 1 are  positive food accumulation months for us in the Strathcona area of  Vancouver.\u0026nbsp;  March and October can be neutral but are usually negative depending on  the available foraging days (weather).\u0026nbsp;  November through February are  winter cluster, negative food accumulation months.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u0026nbsp; \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/strathconabeekeepers.blogspot.com\/p\/the-beekeepers-library.html#honeybeediseasesandpests\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EPest and Disease Control\u003C\/a\u003E \u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: x-large;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003EThe biggest problem I see with new beekeepers is not planning ahead. \u0026nbsp; In our beekeeping coop new beekeepers are always rushing around for needed hive boxes and frames, feeders, robber screens, quilts ….  The best advice I could give new beekeepers is to plan 2 months ahead of where you are at. \u0026nbsp;  Pest and disease identification and control should be an ongoing process and if you are beginning now it may be too late.\u0026nbsp; Evidence of chalk brood or nosema would indicate a weak colony (\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/strathconabeekeepers.blogspot.ca\/p\/the-beekeepers-library.html#honeybeediseasesandparasites\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EHoney Bee Diseases and Parasites\u003C\/a\u003E).\u0026nbsp; Increased ventilation and removal of old comb can be done to combat the chalk brood and a \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/scientificbeekeeping.com\/nosema-ceranae\/treatment-for-nosema\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Epollen patty\/fumagillin mixture\u003C\/a\u003E may help combat the nosema.\u0026nbsp; Mite counts throughout the year and subsequent treatments should let you know whether you have a major issue.\u0026nbsp;  \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/strathconabeekeepers.blogspot.com\/p\/the-beekeepers-library.html#varroamites\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EMite treatments\u003C\/a\u003E like formic acid can continue into October as long as there is a day time high temp of 10c and oxalic acid is usually done in December when there is little to no brood present.\u0026nbsp; A mistake made by many beekeepers is to treat in August and with a large, healthy colony assume everything is fine.\u0026nbsp; Continue mite tests and treatment through September.\u0026nbsp; A reduced screened entrance using eighth inch hardware cloth can be used to allow for needed ventilation during formic acid treatments while providing a more easily defended (against wasps) reduced entrance.\u0026nbsp; The video below \"Getting Your Hives Ready for Winter\" is a recorded webinar with Kim Flottum (Bee expert and editor of Bee Culture magazine) which does a very good job of discussing winter preparation for bee colonies focusing on year around mite control.\u0026nbsp; Controlling mites goes a long way to controlling virus transmission and overall colony health.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ciframe allowfullscreen=\"\" frameborder=\"0\" height=\"480\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/Wxk5at5Pqps?rel=0\" width=\"640\"\u003E\u003C\/iframe\u003E \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u0026nbsp; \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003ECold and Moisture\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003EThe \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/beeinformed.org\/results\/the-bee-informed-partnership-national-management-survey-2014-2015\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EU.S. Bee Informed Survey\u003C\/a\u003E of wintering hives (the only large scale North American winter survival survey) showed that only 3 conditions determined winter survival success and they were adequate food, strong colonies (equalization or combining hives) and ventilation (moisture reduction).\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-8L85MOvSvSM\/Vip9FREI4pI\/AAAAAAAABQQ\/-ejW9AUktJI\/s1600\/Bee%2BInformed_4.png\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"380\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-8L85MOvSvSM\/Vip9FREI4pI\/AAAAAAAABQQ\/-ejW9AUktJI\/s640\/Bee%2BInformed_4.png\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003EThe survey is extensive and includes the results for geographic region, all types of pest and disease management, feeding and winter preparation.\u0026nbsp; \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/bip2.beeinformed.org\/survey\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EThe Bee Informed Survey 2016 - 2017\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-KzGdPsj71_w\/Vip9RZh9tEI\/AAAAAAAABQY\/-dojneHcxxA\/s1600\/vent_3.jpg\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"305\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-KzGdPsj71_w\/Vip9RZh9tEI\/AAAAAAAABQY\/-dojneHcxxA\/s400\/vent_3.jpg\" width=\"400\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003EWrapping and insulation showed no benefit but I think that depends on where you live.\u0026nbsp;  If you live in cold northern climates like \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.cbc.ca\/news\/canada\/manitoba\/winnipeg-deep-freeze-as-cold-as-uninhabited-planet-1.2479967\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EWinterpeg\u003C\/a\u003E either you wrap and insulate or you bring the girls inside.  40 below is 40 below.\u0026nbsp;          Insulation is not necessary in Vancouver and can be counter productive by keeping the heat out and preventing the hive from warming up.\u0026nbsp; Some local beekeepers wrap their hives with black roofing paper to prevent wind penetration and to help absorb the heat (\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/scienceline.ucsb.edu\/getkey.php?key=3873\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EBlack objects absorb more heat\u003C\/a\u003E).\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; The argument against this is that the girls take care of any wind penetration with use of propolis and do we want a warmer hive in the winter?\u0026nbsp; Warmer means more active bees and more food consumption.\u0026nbsp; For us wrapping in March may be a good option as we have lots of blossoms (Willow, forsythia, flowering cherry, bulbs ...) but marginal foraging temperatures.\u0026nbsp; Wrapping would warm the hives and get the girls flying earlier in the day increasing their pollen and nectar intake and stimulate egg laying.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ctable align=\"center\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" class=\"tr-caption-container\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ctbody\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-PGvPthoUMLQ\/Vip9a7H0bGI\/AAAAAAAABQg\/LXSabubNR4Y\/s1600\/black_5.jpg\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-PGvPthoUMLQ\/Vip9a7H0bGI\/AAAAAAAABQg\/LXSabubNR4Y\/s1600\/black_5.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd class=\"tr-caption\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003ETemperature difference on black and white surface\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003C\/tbody\u003E\u003C\/table\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003EWintering your bees is like real estate value in that the 3 most important  considerations are location, location and location. \u0026nbsp;Location  dictates the methods you will use to protect your bees from the  elements. Windbreaks are essential in some areas where there are cold,  winter winds, especially for rooftop beekeepers.\u0026nbsp; In winter Vancouver has a predominant, low pressure weather pattern with  winds from the southeast that bring with it fairly constant cool, wet weather.\u0026nbsp; We have only a few snow falls per year and a few weeks of freezing temperatures.\u0026nbsp; Therefore moisture, not cold is our biggest issue.\u0026nbsp; The moisture is created when warm air created by the cluster of bees rises and contacts the cold inner cover creating cold condensation which drips onto the cluster.\u0026nbsp; There are a lot of different methods to reduce moisture in the hive like tilting the hive forward by putting a 2x4 under the back of the hive to allow the moisture to run down the front of the hive and not on the cluster.\u0026nbsp; Another option is an \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/strathconabeekeepers.blogspot.ca\/2011\/10\/moisture-quilt-insulated-hive-cover.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EInsulated Moisture Quilt\u003C\/a\u003E placed above the hive boxes to reduce cold  condensation dripping on the winter cluster.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ctable align=\"center\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" class=\"tr-caption-container\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ctbody\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-wd4w9mUaOEY\/VjaNvl2EK_I\/AAAAAAAABTE\/StQU-_OUCag\/s1600\/Stage%2B18_1.jpg\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"568\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-wd4w9mUaOEY\/VjaNvl2EK_I\/AAAAAAAABTE\/StQU-_OUCag\/s640\/Stage%2B18_1.jpg\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd class=\"tr-caption\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003EThe bee hive in winter without any form of moisture reduction\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003C\/tbody\u003E\u003C\/table\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ctable align=\"center\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" class=\"tr-caption-container\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ctbody\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-7eDAhZ46Z3Q\/Vip95KHxVDI\/AAAAAAAABQw\/QLhMH7A6oYY\/s1600\/Insulated%2BMoisture%2BQuilt_2.jpg\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-7eDAhZ46Z3Q\/Vip95KHxVDI\/AAAAAAAABQw\/QLhMH7A6oYY\/s400\/Insulated%2BMoisture%2BQuilt_2.jpg\" width=\"400\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd class=\"tr-caption\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003EInsulated Moisture Quilt\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003C\/tbody\u003E\u003C\/table\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003EThe heat produced by the cluster rises to contact the warmer insulated cover producing less condensation, which then drips onto the wood chips (not the bees) which are dried by the vent holes.\u0026nbsp; They are easy to make out of scrap material and the link above provides detailed building instructions.\u0026nbsp; During winter you must have an upper entrance in your Langstroth hive for ventilation and because dead bees can block the lower entrance.\u0026nbsp; I presently have my upper entrance covered with eighth inch hardware cloth to keep out robber bees and wasps.\u0026nbsp; I will remove this once those threats have passed.\u0026nbsp; For moisture reduction in a Kenyan Top Bar Hive beekeepers can use an insulated moisture quilt, carpet over the top bars (\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/app.box.com\/s\/gfxqpkmaz4e4mf41u5oi\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EBill Stagg's method\u003C\/a\u003E) or reflective insulation (\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/app.box.com\/s\/gfxqpkmaz4e4mf41u5oi\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ESam Comfort's method\u003C\/a\u003E).\u0026nbsp; Whether you leave your screened bottom board open or not (for increased ventilation) is debatable but if left open you must block the drafts from blowing under the hive.\u0026nbsp; I put the mite test board in to block the winter winds but have friends who do not and successfully overwinter their bees.\u0026nbsp; One moisture issue is that if you feed syrup to your bees in September and October some of the stored syrup may not be capped before the arrival of winter and it may ferment and mold and increase the moisture within the hive.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; In Vancouver we get at least 2 major storms a year of 80+ km winds (50 miles per hr).\u0026nbsp;  For this reason and the presence of skunks and racoons we use cinder blocks (ratchet straps are another option) on our hives to prevent the outer cover from blowing off or being removed and have positioned the hives to have a natural wind break (berm to the south).\u0026nbsp;  A wind break is particularly important for roof top beekeepers.\u0026nbsp; Though not necessary some of us use pieces of plexiglass  extending 4+ inches over our outer covers to provide additional weather protection and extend the life of our beekeeping equipment.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: x-large;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003EWinter Hive\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-pLlOyx26qqI\/Vip-JVaGASI\/AAAAAAAABQ4\/9XOVKPR-4Ao\/s1600\/Winter%2BHive%2B9_6.png\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"588\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-pLlOyx26qqI\/Vip-JVaGASI\/AAAAAAAABQ4\/9XOVKPR-4Ao\/s640\/Winter%2BHive%2B9_6.png\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/strathconabeekeepers.blogspot.com\/p\/the-beekeepers-library.html#wasps\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EWasps\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;  \u0026nbsp; \u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003EWith the decrease in available forage robbing and  wasp attacks become a real concern starting in August so guard bees will become more  defensive and in the wild the colony may reduce the size of the entrance  with propolis and wax.\u0026nbsp; The beekeeper can assist by reducing the  entrance to as small as 1.5 centimeters or a half inch to make it easier  to defend.\u0026nbsp; In Vancouver wasps have been more aggressive, longer into the winter over the last few years.\u0026nbsp; I received a swarm call last year in December.\u0026nbsp; There had been a few hard frosts so out of interest (knowing it wasn't a swarm)\u0026nbsp; I went to see a very active paper yellowjacket nest in an unheated crawl space.\u0026nbsp; The \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Yellow_jacket\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EYellowjacket wasps\u003C\/a\u003Eand Bald Faced Hornets have been aggressive in our apiary for about 4 weeks, attempting to  enter hives and picking off stray bees at the entrance. \u0026nbsp; I have reduced the bottom  entrance of my hives to between a half inch (1.5 cm) for weaker colonies to 3 inches for stronger colonies and screened off the upper entrance (eigth  inch hardware cloth).\u0026nbsp; This blocks potential wasp intrusion and robbing  by other  bees  if you are feeding and still allows ventilation.  The girls are better able  to defend the reduced single entrance. \u0026nbsp;Wasps will stay active at cooler temperatures than your bees so when the girls are in cluster the wasps may enter the hive. \u0026nbsp;I don't indiscriminately kill  wasps (I've identified 9 different types in our garden including  recently a parasitic wasp in my blue mason and leaf cutter bee cocoons) but have found them  increasingly aggressive towards our colonies for a longer period of time  in the fall (last year until December).\u0026nbsp; I've found the pheremone lure variety to  be very effective on our greatest threat which are the common \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Yellow_jacket\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EYellowjacket wasps\u003C\/a\u003E (does not attract Bald Faced Hornets).\u0026nbsp; This lure trap can also be used in the spring to kill the emerging wasp queens.\u0026nbsp; The \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.rescue.com\/product\/why-trap-wasps-hornets-yellowjackets\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ERescue\u003C\/a\u003E brand lure variety works well.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ctable align=\"center\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" class=\"tr-caption-container\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ctbody\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-oiHtTrPCkfU\/Vip--_JHLTI\/AAAAAAAABRQ\/IHvYKZ7wNFE\/s1600\/wasp_2.jpg\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-oiHtTrPCkfU\/Vip--_JHLTI\/AAAAAAAABRQ\/IHvYKZ7wNFE\/s1600\/wasp_2.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd class=\"tr-caption\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003EWasp trap\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003C\/tbody\u003E\u003C\/table\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003EYou can also make your own wasp trap.\u0026nbsp; Here is a  study from the University of Athens showing the effectiveness of 3  different types of traps (\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.bulletinofinsectology.org\/pdfarticles\/vol59-2006-135-145bacandritsos.pdf\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EWasp Traps\u003C\/a\u003E).\u0026nbsp; Maybe the easiest and most popular is the\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Make-a-Wasp-Trap\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E pop bottle trap\u003C\/a\u003E.\u0026nbsp; We have a number of these out now with a 50\/50 mixture of sugar and water and a capfull of vinegar poured in the entrance to keep the bees away.\u0026nbsp; They have worked very well but you need to add a capfull of vinegar occasionally to dissuade the bees.\u0026nbsp; Here is a study from the University of California  on the effectiveness of different baits (\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.pestboard.ca.gov\/howdoi\/research\/2009_yellowjacket.pdf\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EBaits for the Control of Yellowjackets\u003C\/a\u003E).\u0026nbsp; I've not had much success with fish or meat baits\u0026nbsp; later in the summer.\u0026nbsp; These protein baits are successful earlier in the season when the wasps are feeding their brood.\u0026nbsp; Wasps prefer a sugar and water bait at this time of year.\u0026nbsp; For more information on wasps go to the \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/strathconabeekeepers.blogspot.com\/p\/the-beekeepers-library.html#wasps\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EWasp\u003C\/a\u003E section of our \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/strathconabeekeepers.blogspot.com\/p\/the-beekeepers-library.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EBeekeeping Library\u003C\/a\u003E. \u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-0OCln7VlWko\/V83IXDPDuyI\/AAAAAAAACME\/uIDnavsgOGEGE49L43n3T9LXVaYUEqsaACLcB\/s1600\/materials_trapc.jpg\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"320\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-0OCln7VlWko\/V83IXDPDuyI\/AAAAAAAACME\/uIDnavsgOGEGE49L43n3T9LXVaYUEqsaACLcB\/s320\/materials_trapc.jpg\" width=\"240\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp; \u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003EIf wasp attacks or robbing persists you can use a \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/entomology.ucdavis.edu\/files\/147611.pdf\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Erobber screen\u003C\/a\u003E which are easy to make.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-X7nMvZsLlHU\/Vip8xyiuKZI\/AAAAAAAABQI\/kTkLV374NLw\/s1600\/Capture1_1.png\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"187\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-X7nMvZsLlHU\/Vip8xyiuKZI\/AAAAAAAABQI\/kTkLV374NLw\/s640\/Capture1_1.png\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003EEqualization or Combining Colonies\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: medium;\"\u003E \u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E It is recommended that new beekeepers have  2 hives rather than 1 because inevitably one will be stronger than the other.\u0026nbsp; This allows you to strengthen the weaker hive with bees from the  stronger colony (\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/countryrubes.com\/template\/images\/Equalization_of_Bee_Colonies_Strength_update_9_09.pdf\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EEqualization of Bee Colonies Strength by Khalil Hamdan\u003C\/a\u003E) or to split the stronger hive if you lose the weaker colony.\u0026nbsp; Though this can be done in the spring it can also be done in preparation for winter by adding 2-3 frames  of bees and brood as needed and available every 3-4 weeks starting in July.\u0026nbsp; If you find you have a weak colony now you can combine the colony with a stronger one using the newspaper method (\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.dave-cushman.net\/bee\/unitenewspaper.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EUniting Honey Bees by David Cushman\u003C\/a\u003E).\u0026nbsp; Although some will insist it imperative to kill the weaker queen others like the late, great \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.dave-cushman.net\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EDavid Cushman\u003C\/a\u003E suggest that it is not necessary: \"Many texts will tell you to kill the least desirable queen in one of the  two groups to be united, but I find it is often prudent to leave both  queens, so that the bees can make the choice, in most cases the younger  and fitter queen remains, but there may be subtle things in a queen's  make up that the bees are better able to make  choices about rather than the beekeeper (David Cushman).\"\u0026nbsp; Some beekeepers (not me) like to requeen as part of their winter preparation to make sure they have young, active queens the following spring.\u0026nbsp; In October most beekeepers reduce their Langstroth hives to 2 deep supers and Kenyan Top Bar hives are reduced by moving your follower board or your false backs forward (\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/app.box.com\/s\/cv4940rtyau4hivphwed\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EWinterizing your Top Bar Hive\u003C\/a\u003E).\u0026nbsp; Queen excluders should be removed so the queen can move with the cluster as it moves upward.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ctable align=\"center\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" class=\"tr-caption-container\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ctbody\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-leJlMGMy7Wk\/V85Xa-YN8XI\/AAAAAAAACMU\/a3KULa6_JasqBWFoKYtY92qVk4ds7pUIACLcB\/s1600\/newspaper_uniting.gif\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"320\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-leJlMGMy7Wk\/V85Xa-YN8XI\/AAAAAAAACMU\/a3KULa6_JasqBWFoKYtY92qVk4ds7pUIACLcB\/s320\/newspaper_uniting.gif\" width=\"196\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd class=\"tr-caption\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003EThe newspaper method of combining hives\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003C\/tbody\u003E\u003C\/table\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003EMice\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E \u003C\/span\u003E\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003EThough still mild it's time to think of mice which like to winter  in the hives.  There are a hundred different varieties of mouse proof  entrances from quarter inch screened mesh, drilled metal sheet to simple  nails minimizing the entrance.\u0026nbsp; The mice can get through a fairly small area and will chew through wood.\u0026nbsp; I use a simple wood entrance reducer with a nail reducing the entrance to just over the width of a bee.\u0026nbsp; This allows for the removal of dead bees which the girls do as part of winter house cleaning.\u0026nbsp; If you find the mice chewing on the entrance reducer you can wrap it in wire mesh.\u0026nbsp; Here is an easy \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/brookfieldfarmhoney.wordpress.com\/2013\/11\/04\/making-mouse-guards-2013\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Estep by step guide to making a mouse guard from Brooksfield Farm\u003C\/a\u003E just south of us near Mt. Baker.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Ctable align=\"center\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" class=\"tr-caption-container\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ctbody\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-epi2lHG7gh8\/Vip_LSvV2rI\/AAAAAAAABRY\/EsViKYmurWg\/s1600\/mouse_6.jpg\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"246\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-epi2lHG7gh8\/Vip_LSvV2rI\/AAAAAAAABRY\/EsViKYmurWg\/s400\/mouse_6.jpg\" width=\"400\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd class=\"tr-caption\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003EDifficult house cleaning\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003C\/tbody\u003E\u003C\/table\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Ctable align=\"center\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" class=\"tr-caption-container\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ctbody\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-xVSkqxClBlk\/Vip_T6FrqsI\/AAAAAAAABRg\/n63V-dUOvTE\/s1600\/mouse2_5.jpg\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-xVSkqxClBlk\/Vip_T6FrqsI\/AAAAAAAABRg\/n63V-dUOvTE\/s400\/mouse2_5.jpg\" width=\"400\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd class=\"tr-caption\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003EWire mesh mouse proof entrance reducer\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003C\/tbody\u003E\u003C\/table\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003EFor more information on wintering your colonies check out the recorded webinars by Kim Flottum, \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/youtu.be\/Wxk5at5Pqps\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\"Getting your hives ready for winter\" \u003C\/a\u003E or \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/youtu.be\/OdA1SnRKi90\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\"Putting the hive to bed for winter\"\u003C\/a\u003E.\u0026nbsp; You may also want to check out \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/app.box.com\/s\/x1ewocs9t5tt94xltb21\"\u003EThe Biology and Management of Colonies in Winter\u003C\/a\u003E , \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/app.box.com\/s\/gfxqpkmaz4e4mf41u5oi\"\u003EWinterization Guide for Beekeeping\u003C\/a\u003E , \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/app.box.com\/s\/ajcqvuu8e6z3yutmxkzl\"\u003EThe Thermology of Wintering Honey Bee Colonies\u003C\/a\u003E or \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/app.box.com\/s\/csires9qmv2ylz0c21o5\"\u003EWrapping a Honey Bee Colony with Tar Paper\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp; from the \"\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/strathconabeekeepers.blogspot.ca\/p\/the-beekeepers-library.html#wintermanagement\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EWinter Management\u003C\/a\u003E\" section of the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/strathconabeekeepers.blogspot.ca\/p\/the-beekeepers-library.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EBeekeepers' Library\u003C\/a\u003E.\u0026nbsp; Good luck to you and your bees and stay dry. \u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"400\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-WixOtKh6D98\/Vip_t5pW9sI\/AAAAAAAABRo\/IIlCLZ8cJAc\/s400\/bees%2Bin%2Brain_2.jpg\" width=\"400\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/strathconabeekeepers.blogspot.com\/feeds\/2065531816715535797\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/strathconabeekeepers.blogspot.com\/2020\/09\/winter-preparation-for-vancouver.html#comment-form","title":"0 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/1644096506760919907\/posts\/default\/2065531816715535797"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/1644096506760919907\/posts\/default\/2065531816715535797"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/strathconabeekeepers.blogspot.com\/2020\/09\/winter-preparation-for-vancouver.html","title":"Winter Preparation for Vancouver Beekeepers"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Unknown"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-HcbOWZ4hH4k\/Vip3-LRLDNI\/AAAAAAAABPs\/bK63xEaZn1w\/s72-c\/bees-need-rain-too2.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"0"},"georss$featurename":{"$t":"Vancouver, BC, Canada"},"georss$point":{"$t":"49.2827291 -123.1207375"},"georss$box":{"$t":"20.972495263821152 -158.27698750000002 77.59296293617885 -87.9644875"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1644096506760919907.post-7199282706361308750"},"published":{"$t":"2020-04-12T16:35:00.000-07:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2020-05-29T16:08:44.089-07:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"pesticides and bees"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Vancouver pesticides and bees"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"The Effects of Vancouver City's Pesticide Spraying on Bees"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Ciframe allowfullscreen=\"\" frameborder=\"0\" height=\"405\" src=\"\/\/www.cbc.ca\/i\/caffeine\/syndicate\/?mediaId=1479804995976\" width=\"720\"\u003E\u003C\/iframe\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;The Vancouver Park Board began it's annual pesticide spraying to remove the invasive Japanese beetle on April 3rd.\u0026nbsp; \"April 3 2020 – The Vancouver Park Board is set to begin larvicide treatment to eradicate Japanese beetle larvae in more than 30 parks, boulevards, medians, and other city land beginning April 6.\"\u0026nbsp; This is the third year of treatment of an area that includes\u0026nbsp;the West End, Downtown, Strathcona, Mount Pleasant, Fairview and Kitsilano neighbourhoods.\u0026nbsp; The spraying has been effective in reducing the population of this potentially devastating intruder.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Ciframe height=\"480\" src=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/maps\/d\/embed?mid=1k0NiquyPGeWK55N7Uxgf8JkynJUoWUkA\" width=\"640\"\u003E\u003C\/iframe\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;As stated the effects of the Japanese Beetle could be significant.\u0026nbsp; \"Japanese beetle larvae feed on the roots of lawns and other plants.\u0026nbsp; Adults are heavy feeders, attacking the flowers, foliage, and fruit of more than 250 plant species, including roses, blueberries, and grapevines.\u0026nbsp; The damage they cause is significant compared to other pests like European chafer beetles.\" (\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/vancouver.ca\/home-property-development\/japanese-beetle.aspx?utm_campaign=japanese-beetle\u0026amp;utm_medium=Vanity\u0026amp;utm_source=japanese-beetle_Vanity#redirect\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Efrom City of Vancouver\u003C\/a\u003E)\u0026nbsp; Here is a mug shot of the deviant offender.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ctable align=\"center\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" class=\"tr-caption-container\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ctbody\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-VHdrDCaZuA4\/XpOTpzPe7mI\/AAAAAAAAEQ4\/381SiRudq1Ep_iCigCj2B0YiJugKJKX3wCLcBGAsYHQ\/s1600\/japanese-beetle-by-katja-schulz-news-landing.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"300\" data-original-width=\"640\" height=\"187\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-VHdrDCaZuA4\/XpOTpzPe7mI\/AAAAAAAAEQ4\/381SiRudq1Ep_iCigCj2B0YiJugKJKX3wCLcBGAsYHQ\/s400\/japanese-beetle-by-katja-schulz-news-landing.jpg\" width=\"400\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd class=\"tr-caption\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003EJapanese Beetle\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003C\/tbody\u003E\u003C\/table\u003E\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EThe pesticide they are using is the low impact, effective larvicide, Acelepryn which is produced by the agrichemical corporation Syngenta.\u0026nbsp; The active ingredient is the insecticide chlorantraniliprole.\u0026nbsp; The City claims there is \"\u003Cb\u003Eno\u003C\/b\u003E\" impact on anything other than the Japanese beetle (\"\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/vancouver.ca\/news-calendar\/treatment-for-invasive-japanese-beetle-set-to-begin-in-parks-2020.aspx\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ewill not impact people, pets, mammals, birds, bees, butterflies or other animals\u003C\/a\u003E\").\u0026nbsp; I heard this statement repeated over and over by representatives of the city to assure the public of safety.\u0026nbsp; From the \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www2.gov.bc.ca\/assets\/gov\/farming-natural-resources-and-industry\/agriculture-and-seafood\/animal-and-crops\/plant-health\/acelepryn.pdf\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Eprovincial government\u003C\/a\u003E, \"Why is Acelepryn being used for Japanese Beetle in B.C.?\u0026nbsp; Japanese beetle is a new invasive pest found for the first time in B.C. in the False Creek area of Vancouver in 2017. This pest is a significant threat to agriculture in B.C. An eradication program is underway to address this threat. One component of the eradication program is a larvicide treatment in areas where the beetle is known to be present. Acelepryn was selected because it has a very favourable health and environmental profile, is also very effective against Japanese beetle larvae, and does not impact mammals, birds, bees, butterflies or other animals.\"\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;As a long time beekeeper and farmer who has heard these claims of bee friendly insecticides far too often in the past only to be proven later to have significant negative impact I had to check it out.\u0026nbsp; Most of the studies I read agreed that Chlorantraniliprole had little or no effect on bees or other critters.\u0026nbsp; It was often stated that bees would not be interested in turf which it is usually applied to since there was usually no flowers and that if there were flowers in the turf that the grass should be mowed before to remove the flowers and irrigated soon after. I've been running the Vancouver seawall for many years and the part by David Lam Park since it was built after expo.\u0026nbsp; During my runs I observed the grass portion of the park covered in small flowers which were being heavily foraged upon by bumble bees.\u0026nbsp; I observed them spraying on the flowers and foraging bumble bees while I ran by.\u0026nbsp; In addition to this bumble bees nest in the ground and it's likely their nesting areas are being sprayed.\u0026nbsp; We have found over the years a problem with studies that observe the effects on bees is that they are usually not long term and do not observe the sublethal effects (which over time become lethal).\u0026nbsp; Here are a few studies that shows a potential significant negative impact of\u0026nbsp; chlorantraniliprole on bee populations.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Ch4 style=\"margin: 0px 0.25em 0px 0px; text-transform: uppercase;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\"BACKGROUND:\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/h4\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"margin-bottom: 0.5em;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EPollinators such as the bumblebee, Bombus terrestris, fulfil a crucial role in agriculture. In this context, tests were conducted with the insecticide chlorantraniliprole (Coragen®) as a model compound active on the ryanodine receptor of insects.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Ch4 style=\"float: left; margin: 0px 0.25em 0px 0px; text-transform: uppercase;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003ERESULTS:\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/h4\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"margin-bottom: 0.5em;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EChronic oral exposure via pollen induced lethargic behaviour in B. terrestris workers and their offspring (drones). Indeed, in nests exposed to 0.4 mg L(-1) , representing 1\/100 of the concentration recommended for use in the field, workers and drones did not take their defensive position upon stimulation and they were less active than non-exposed insects. The different risk assessment tests used here demonstrated that contact and pollen exposure had no effect on bumblebee worker survival, whereas oral exposure via sugar water caused both acute (72 h LC50  = 13 mg L(-1) ) and chronic (7 week LC50  = 7 mg L(-1) ) toxicity. Severe sublethal effects on reproduction were recorded in nests orally exposed to pollen treated with chlorantraniliprole.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Ch4 style=\"float: left; margin: 0px 0.25em 0px 0px; text-transform: uppercase;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003ECONCLUSION:\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/h4\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"margin-bottom: 0.5em;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EThe present study identified an important physiological endpoint of sublethal effects on reproduction, as this is associated with lethargic behaviour after oral intake. As such, this is a factor that should now be incorporated into future risk assessments. Secondly, it confirmed that the assessment of sublethal effects on behaviour is needed for adequate risk assessment of 'potentially deleterious' compounds with a neurogenic target, as is also pointed out in the recent European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) guidelines (from \"\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pubmed\/23564706\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EDietary chlorantraniliprole suppresses reproduction in worker bumblebees\u003C\/a\u003E\").\"\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;Here is a study of the effects on honey bees (\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.nature.com\/articles\/s41598-019-39193-3\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EHoney bees long-lasting locomotor deficits after exposure to the diamide chlorantraniliprole are accompanied by brain and muscular calcium channels alterations\u003C\/a\u003E).\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EThe point here is not to vilify\u0026nbsp;Acelepryn as it is a much needed low impact\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003Elarvacide\u0026nbsp;\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E(not no impact as stated by city sources) but to be clear and honest about the potential impact on other living things and to take the necessary steps to reduce that impact. All pesticides are toxic to some degree. The city field (Strathcona Park) adjacent to our apiary which at present houses both honey and blue mason bees is covered in clover and other assorted small flowers\u0026nbsp; much of the growing year and has not as yet been cut similar to David Lam Park during the spraying of past years. In past years I have requested that the Parks Board cut the field adjacent to our apiary early in the morning to minimize the killing of the honey bees but as of yet they continue to cut in the middle of the day when the fields are covered in bees. As someone who has dealt with and worked for the federal, provincial and city governments for many years this is not a surprise. Maybe some day .....\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"margin-bottom: 0.5em;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-tWJkydtHOOE\/XpPsZhqy48I\/AAAAAAAAERQ\/tCbtkLhjeo0wWIkLHjPOyABGR8fMakucgCLcBGAsYHQ\/s1600\/images1.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"246\" data-original-width=\"205\" height=\"320\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-tWJkydtHOOE\/XpPsZhqy48I\/AAAAAAAAERQ\/tCbtkLhjeo0wWIkLHjPOyABGR8fMakucgCLcBGAsYHQ\/s320\/images1.jpg\" width=\"266\" \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"margin-bottom: 0.5em;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;On a happier note my hives and those of friends have wintered well and are thriving with the warm, dry weather.\u0026nbsp; The norm for us is 200 ml of precipitation for March and April and so far we have had 40 ml.\u0026nbsp; Good foraging weather.\u0026nbsp; Time for some early splits.\u0026nbsp; Speaking of which as a result of Covid-19 a number of the flights from New Zealand and Australia (our primary source of spring bees) have been cancelled substantially reducing the number of packages available to replace winter losses and for spring pollination (\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/mailchi.mp\/f9b018f2e221\/bc-bee-survey-april-2020?e=511ab232e7\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EBCHPA\u003C\/a\u003E).\u0026nbsp; The BCHPA is doing a survey to identify sources of spring bees in B.C.\u0026nbsp; There are plenty of available queens but a shortage of bulk bees.\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.surveymonkey.com\/r\/CLKZ2T2\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EHere is the survey\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;One positive aspect of the Covid-19 pandemic is substantially cleaner air worldwide with the reduction in industry and auto use as seen in gas prices (more supply than demand).\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-C_dSjQyLJMc\/XpVUokA8RdI\/AAAAAAAAERs\/RE1U0RFkKow87IwXcvgirqVpps_UKoxoACLcBGAsYHQ\/s1600\/Capture1.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"216\" data-original-width=\"629\" height=\"217\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-C_dSjQyLJMc\/XpVUokA8RdI\/AAAAAAAAERs\/RE1U0RFkKow87IwXcvgirqVpps_UKoxoACLcBGAsYHQ\/s640\/Capture1.JPG\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; This cleaner air should increase bee foraging efficiency as floral scent is masked by pollutants. \"Results indicate that even \u003Cb\u003Emoderate air pollutant levels\u003C\/b\u003E (e.g., ozone mixing ratios greater than 60 parts per billion on a per volume basis, ppbv) \u003Cb\u003Esubstantially degrade floral volatiles\u003C\/b\u003E and alter the chemical composition of released floral scents. As a result, insect \u003Cb\u003Esuccess rates of locating plumes of floral scents were reduced\u003C\/b\u003E and foraging times increased in polluted air masses due to considerable degradation and changes in the composition of floral scents. Results also indicate that plant-pollinator interactions could be sensitive to changes in floral scent composition, especially if insects are unable to adapt to the modified scentscape. The increase in foraging time could have severe cascading and pernicious impacts on the fitness of foraging insects by reducing the time devoted to other necessary tasks.\" (from a study \"\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/science\/article\/abs\/pii\/S1352231016305210?via%3Dihub\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EAir pollutants degrade floral scents and increase insect foraging times\u003C\/a\u003E\").\u0026nbsp; This reduced air pollution accompanied by the warm, dry weather mentioned earlier has created prime foraging conditions (urban irrigation has provided needed water).\u0026nbsp; A real fear is that countries will sacrifice environmental regulations to financially recover from the pandemic (\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.oilandgas360.com\/china-pushes-coal-power-to-fight-economic-slump-analysis\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EChina pushes coal power to fight economic slump\u003C\/a\u003E).\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;The restriction of movement brought about by Covid-19 has meant difficulty moving bees or getting feed for bees (\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.sixthtone.com\/news\/1005217\/chinas-beekeepers-feel-the-sting-of-covid-19-epidemic\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EChinese beekeeper kills himself after his colonies starve\u003C\/a\u003E).\u0026nbsp; Hopefully this pandemic will be over soon.\u0026nbsp; Stay safe.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-qUxdToYZS8w\/XpVgZb6u-3I\/AAAAAAAAER4\/2MKy9p77WtgyjP3gp20gA2R-QDS1X4_XgCLcBGAsYHQ\/s1600\/serveimage.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"679\" data-original-width=\"679\" height=\"320\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-qUxdToYZS8w\/XpVgZb6u-3I\/AAAAAAAAER4\/2MKy9p77WtgyjP3gp20gA2R-QDS1X4_XgCLcBGAsYHQ\/s320\/serveimage.jpg\" width=\"320\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 1.04em;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 1.04em;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/strathconabeekeepers.blogspot.com\/feeds\/7199282706361308750\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/strathconabeekeepers.blogspot.com\/2020\/04\/the-effects-of-vancouver-citys.html#comment-form","title":"0 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/1644096506760919907\/posts\/default\/7199282706361308750"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/1644096506760919907\/posts\/default\/7199282706361308750"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/strathconabeekeepers.blogspot.com\/2020\/04\/the-effects-of-vancouver-citys.html","title":"The Effects of Vancouver City's Pesticide Spraying on Bees"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Unknown"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-VHdrDCaZuA4\/XpOTpzPe7mI\/AAAAAAAAEQ4\/381SiRudq1Ep_iCigCj2B0YiJugKJKX3wCLcBGAsYHQ\/s72-c\/japanese-beetle-by-katja-schulz-news-landing.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"0"},"georss$featurename":{"$t":"Vancouver, BC, Canada"},"georss$point":{"$t":"49.2827291 -123.1207375"},"georss$box":{"$t":"49.1169156 -123.443461 49.448542599999996 -122.79801400000001"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1644096506760919907.post-4589782208456353474"},"published":{"$t":"2020-02-07T20:48:00.000-08:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2020-02-07T20:48:43.793-08:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Nucs vs Packages"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Honey Bee Nucs vs Packages"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-ewNskYM-TxQ\/VOLOsZ9eeGI\/AAAAAAAAAfM\/yXDVgxphE4E\/s1600\/Untitled%2Bpicture.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"282\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-ewNskYM-TxQ\/VOLOsZ9eeGI\/AAAAAAAAAfM\/yXDVgxphE4E\/s1600\/Untitled%2Bpicture.jpg\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;There are few hard, set in concrete rules in beekeeping despite what some will tell you. Whether to buy a bee nuc or package depends like a lot of things on your location and your needs. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; A nuc (nucleus of a colony) consists of 4-5 frames of bees in a half sized Langstroth deep box which should include a laying queen, 2 frames of brood and 2 frames of honey and\/or pollen.\u0026nbsp;A typical package consists of 3 pounds of bees, and a queen. Normally the package bees are from production hives where they shake out bees into the package box. A mated queen is then placed in the package, protected in a queen cage.\u0026nbsp; These are usually production queens that are caged as soon as eggs are verified so performance evaluation is impossible.\u0026nbsp; There is usually a container of syrup in the package to feed the bees for the days before they are transferred to a hive.\u0026nbsp;A package is usually put together a few days before sold and in the case of cold weather beekeepers in spring comes from a warmer location to the south. In our case because of government restrictions (\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/strathconabeekeepers.blogspot.ca\/2013\/11\/no-us-bees-for-canada.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ENo U.S. Bees to Canada\u003C\/a\u003E) this means thousands of miles south from New Zealand, Australia or Chile. The video below shows the process of creating a package of bees.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ciframe allowfullscreen=\"\" frameborder=\"0\" height=\"480\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/TYcF8DeQOt0\" width=\"640\"\u003E\u003C\/iframe\u003E \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; The main advantage of the package is that in cold weather areas they are available (March) a few months before local nucs (May) which allows beekeepers to take advantage of spring fruit blossoms. \u0026nbsp;Fortunately for us \"overwintered nucs\" are often available.\u0026nbsp; However, in British Columbia the supply does not meet the demand as over 3,000 packages of bees will be imported this March from New Zealand to help pollinate the Fraser Valley blueberries. \u0026nbsp;In l985 biologist and author Mark Winston wrote \"it is estimated that, at present colony densities, BC has the potential to produce 75,520 spring packages each year, and increased colony density and a higher level of commercial beekeeping could elevate this figure. Continued and increased package and nucleus production, coupled with increased wintering and queen production, could result in a high degree of Canadian self-sufficiency within the next few years (\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/app.box.com\/s\/ucmicus2gf8guzzv7lu5d4gxjzs9hwho\" target=\"_blank\"\u003El989 Study on package and nuc production in B.C.\u003C\/a\u003E).\" \u0026nbsp;That self-sufficiency was never realized. \u0026nbsp;Large scale package and nuc production was never developed and with current 30% winter colony losses our dependence on imported packages will continue.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; Packages are a necessity in some areas because of the lack of nucs  available. \u0026nbsp;They are usually cheaper, have less pests and diseases (no comb) and can be  installed into any type of hive. \u0026nbsp;In most areas the packages come from a  warmer climate so winter survival is less likely as proven in a good, small scale study carried out in New England by master beekeeper Erin  MacGregor-Forbes (\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/app.box.com\/s\/2arfqeyue2ktnodr5z6u\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EComparison of colony strength and survivability between nucs and packages\u003C\/a\u003E) and a study by the Prince William Regional Beekeepers Association (\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/pwrbeekeepers.com\/sare\/sare-final-report-2011.pdf\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EPromoting Sustainable Beekeeping Practices\u003C\/a\u003E).\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; Erin found a significant difference  in winter survival between the  southern package and nucleus (the nucs had twice the survival rate) but also found that a southern package with  a replaced local queen performed as well as the nucleus. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-xLK5Gv2GxbU\/VOPoNNUk1wI\/AAAAAAAAAgM\/rrs1Kij9K8s\/s1600\/Table2HiveStrength-xn5kvh.jpg\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"190\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-xLK5Gv2GxbU\/VOPoNNUk1wI\/AAAAAAAAAgM\/rrs1Kij9K8s\/s1600\/Table2HiveStrength-xn5kvh.jpg\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; Erin also found in her study that the packages outperformed the nucs in terms of honey  production which she attributed to a high rate of swarming by the  nucleus colonies. I don't know if she  took measures to prevent swarming but this has not been my experience . \u0026nbsp;I've not had exceptional problems  with nucs swarming but have used swarm prevention methods like  checkerboarding and splits (Check out \"\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/strathconabeekeepers.blogspot.com\/p\/the-beekeepers-library.html#swarms\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ESwarms\u003C\/a\u003E\" section of our library).\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-LnjLqMcUTsI\/VOPrPpBI6PI\/AAAAAAAAAgY\/4v0GEmMOpk4\/s1600\/Table1SurplusHoney-1lsa0rh.jpg\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"244\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-LnjLqMcUTsI\/VOPrPpBI6PI\/AAAAAAAAAgY\/4v0GEmMOpk4\/s1600\/Table1SurplusHoney-1lsa0rh.jpg\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;A Pan European Genotype Environment Interactions experiment found a higher survival rate of local bees over imported bees (\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/coloss.org\/accomplishments\/the-gei-experiment\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EColoss Report\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp; and\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/toc\/tjar20\/53\/2?nav=tocList\u0026amp;\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EJournal of Apicultural Research\u003C\/a\u003E).\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;In our situation bee packages come from a similar climate but the opposite hemisphere so they leave New Zealand in late summer and arrive in Canada a few days later in early spring where it can be freezing and snowing (I have experienced this). \u0026nbsp;This obviously can be hard on the bees.\u0026nbsp; In the package the queen is released within 2-5 days and eggs take 21 days to hatch so with die off the population of the package after one month will be 60-80 % of the original.\u0026nbsp; The nuc population will expand from day 1 and obviously the queen's performance can be observed.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-j-wtjt2QZ5g\/VOPwhfo1G-I\/AAAAAAAAAgo\/HM2suOC8Ihk\/s1600\/Packages%2Bpros%2Band%2Bcons.PNG\" style=\"clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-j-wtjt2QZ5g\/VOPwhfo1G-I\/AAAAAAAAAgo\/HM2suOC8Ihk\/s1600\/Packages%2Bpros%2Band%2Bcons.PNG\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;The benefits of using a nucleus over a package are that the queen is established, she is laying, you can see the brood pattern and there are usually at least 2 frames of brood.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Ctable align=\"center\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" class=\"tr-caption-container\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ctbody\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-7cojZNMvva4\/VOPjNQKD69I\/AAAAAAAAAf4\/QwTCWMlZX5w\/s1600\/varroahsc-4.jpg.jpeg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"297\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-7cojZNMvva4\/VOPjNQKD69I\/AAAAAAAAAf4\/QwTCWMlZX5w\/s1600\/varroahsc-4.jpg.jpeg\" width=\"400\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd class=\"tr-caption\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003EGood brood pattern\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003C\/tbody\u003E\u003C\/table\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; The worker bees in a nucleus colony know their roles so there are nurse bees and foragers and the foundation is set (drawn comb) which will put them at least a few weeks ahead of an imported package.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Ctable align=\"center\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" class=\"tr-caption-container\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ctbody\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-V-fPdbSCIlM\/VOPiTkffdgI\/AAAAAAAAAf0\/SuFcipCQsgo\/s1600\/bad-comb.jpg.jpeg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-V-fPdbSCIlM\/VOPiTkffdgI\/AAAAAAAAAf0\/SuFcipCQsgo\/s1600\/bad-comb.jpg.jpeg\" width=\"400\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd class=\"tr-caption\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003EBees with a sense of humour drawing out a frame\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003C\/tbody\u003E\u003C\/table\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; Many backyard beekeepers will not have drawn frames to install their packages on to so a lot of energy and \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/strathconabeekeepers.blogspot.com\/p\/the-beekeepers-library.html#feeding\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Efeeding\u003C\/a\u003E will be required to produce the wax to draw out the frames. \u0026nbsp;Because there are foragers and at least one frame of honey and pollen the nucleus may not require feeding (depending on spring weather conditions).\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Ctable align=\"center\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" class=\"tr-caption-container\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ctbody\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-NbCuCPmdqVg\/VOPkMX8bvZI\/AAAAAAAAAgA\/HY20vmUAO-U\/s1600\/frame-few-bees.gif\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"272\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-NbCuCPmdqVg\/VOPkMX8bvZI\/AAAAAAAAAgA\/HY20vmUAO-U\/s1600\/frame-few-bees.gif\" width=\"400\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd class=\"tr-caption\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003EFrame of honey\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003C\/tbody\u003E\u003C\/table\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-N_dTg4dk2WU\/VOP6fg9fFwI\/AAAAAAAAAg4\/kk8UR8U0Oes\/s1600\/Nucleus.PNG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-N_dTg4dk2WU\/VOP6fg9fFwI\/AAAAAAAAAg4\/kk8UR8U0Oes\/s1600\/Nucleus.PNG\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; A \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/pwrbeekeepers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/08\/BANV-2011-Queen-Colony-Survival.pdf\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Esurvey\u003C\/a\u003E by the Beekeepers Assocition of North Virginia to determine if the source of queens effected colony winter survival found significant differences between southern packages (23%) and local nucs (87%).\u0026nbsp; While this is an extreme example I thinks it supports the theory of the benefits of local nucs over imported southern packages.\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; While the package may be a necessity for the commercial beekeeper, in my humble opinion if available the nuc from local, survivor stock is a better option even two months after the package particularly for the new beekeeper. \u0026nbsp;With the nuc, because you have an established colony (Queen) with drawn comb and stores there is less likelihood of problems like absconding or queen failure that can occur with packages. \u0026nbsp;Biologist and author Mark Winston (\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/books.google.ca\/books?id=oDyWBAAAQBAJ\u0026amp;source=gbs_similarbooks\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EBee Time: Lessons from the Hive\u003C\/a\u003E) suggests we need to wean ourselves off of this dependence on imported bees. \u0026nbsp;The solution lies in the lowering of the winter loss rate possibly through the development of a strong local, survivor stock with hygienic behavior.\u0026nbsp; The increasing popularity of overwintering nucs may also be helpful.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Ciframe allowfullscreen=\"\" frameborder=\"0\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/9ah-w_K-ht4\" width=\"640\"\u003E\u003C\/iframe\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;In the video below Michael Palmer\u0026nbsp;describes some of the difficulties associated with starting a bee hive from scratch using package bees including the lack of nurse bees for the new brood.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Ciframe allowfullscreen=\"\" frameborder=\"0\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/N_-jNK18aYY\" width=\"640\"\u003E\u003C\/iframe\u003E \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; For more information on nucs and packages check out \"\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/strathconabeekeepers.blogspot.ca\/p\/the-beekeepers-library.html#splits,nucsandpackages\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ESplits, Nucs and Packages\u003C\/a\u003E\" in the \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/strathconabeekeepers.blogspot.ca\/p\/the-beekeepers-library.html#basicbeekeeping\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EBasic Beekeeping\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;section of the \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/goo.gl\/doxovX\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EBeekeepers' Library\u003C\/a\u003E.\u0026nbsp; Be sure to check out the articles on overwintering nucs by Kirk Webster, Mel Disselkoen and others in the \"\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/strathconabeekeepers.blogspot.ca\/p\/the-beekeepers-library.html#wintermanagement\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EWinter Management\u003C\/a\u003E\" section of our library.\u0026nbsp; In Vancouver Urban Bee, B.C. Beekeeping, West Coast Bee Supplies and Dancing Bee Apiary will be selling packages in March - April and B.C. Beekeeping will be selling local, overwintered nucs in May (\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/strathconabeekeepers.blogspot.ca\/p\/bees-for-sale-in-vancouver.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EVancouver Bees for Sale\u003C\/a\u003E).\u0026nbsp; Just a note of caution.\u0026nbsp; It's best to know the bee breeder you are buying your nucs from.\u0026nbsp; Some commercial beekeepers will sell nucs after pollination which may be weakened from agrichemical exposure.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;Spring is just around the corner which means for some of us time to buy some bees.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-eVXH8OuXpSE\/XIFIHKW5LuI\/AAAAAAAAD4s\/w3xbqQCkQN0NJCB5ltLmmKgqJY_bdHbywCLcBGAs\/s1600\/a%2Bbeehive%2Bin%2Bmy%2Bheart.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"960\" data-original-width=\"685\" height=\"640\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-eVXH8OuXpSE\/XIFIHKW5LuI\/AAAAAAAAD4s\/w3xbqQCkQN0NJCB5ltLmmKgqJY_bdHbywCLcBGAs\/s640\/a%2Bbeehive%2Bin%2Bmy%2Bheart.jpg\" width=\"456\" \/\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003EFrom the \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.ca\/ABC-Xyz-Bee-Culture-Encyclopedia\/dp\/0936028017\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EABC and XYZ of Bee Culture\u003C\/a\u003E \u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/strathconabeekeepers.blogspot.com\/feeds\/4589782208456353474\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/strathconabeekeepers.blogspot.com\/2020\/02\/honey-bee-nucs-vs-packages.html#comment-form","title":"0 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/1644096506760919907\/posts\/default\/4589782208456353474"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/1644096506760919907\/posts\/default\/4589782208456353474"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/strathconabeekeepers.blogspot.com\/2020\/02\/honey-bee-nucs-vs-packages.html","title":"Honey Bee Nucs vs Packages"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Unknown"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-ewNskYM-TxQ\/VOLOsZ9eeGI\/AAAAAAAAAfM\/yXDVgxphE4E\/s72-c\/Untitled%2Bpicture.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"0"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1644096506760919907.post-6321076491407344024"},"published":{"$t":"2020-01-05T21:53:00.002-08:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2020-01-11T21:55:37.815-08:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Feeding Bees"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Feeding Bees in Winter"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-ZK86uNLSPHk\/UshWb7aiviI\/AAAAAAAAGDk\/289z0Hbuufs\/s1600\/IMG_0517.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-ZK86uNLSPHk\/UshWb7aiviI\/AAAAAAAAGDk\/289z0Hbuufs\/s1600\/IMG_0517.JPG\" width=\"400\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;First let me start by saying that I don't usually feed my bees unless it is a late winter\/early spring emergency feed. There are exceptions such as extreme drought but in most areas of the world where honey bees are kept the bees produce enough honey to overwinter.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;Depending on the length of your winter (no natural food source or too cold to forage) a full colony of bees in our northern regions will consume between 27-40 kgs (60-90 lbs) of honey. \u0026nbsp;In our apiary\u0026nbsp;in Vancouver we have found that a average sized colony requires 10-12 deep frames (30 kg or 66 lbs) to overwinter in a normal year.\u0026nbsp; Every location is different.\u0026nbsp; Opening the hive in winter should be avoided but if necessary you can check if your hive is in need of winter feeding with a quick check on a nice day (not snowing or windy).\u0026nbsp; This should take less than a minute and not require the lifting of frames.\u0026nbsp; It's possible to avoid opening the hive by monitoring the weight (vs weight at beginning of winter) by simply lifting the back of the hive if you have experience or using a simple \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.ebay.ca\/itm\/331418539867?chn=ps\u0026amp;dispItem=1\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Eluggage scale\u003C\/a\u003E.\u0026nbsp; Here is an example of a winter hive check.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Ciframe allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen=\"\" frameborder=\"0\" height=\"315\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/psuAswYFSG4\" width=\"560\"\u003E\u003C\/iframe\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;In beekeeping it may vary yearly but months are either negative or positive in terms of food accumulation.\u0026nbsp; In our temperate northern climate April to October are positive accumulation months, March and October are neutral depending on the weather and November through February are negative.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;In some areas where there is a late summer dearth (lack of forage) beekeepers will feed a 2 to 1 sugar syrup mixture to ready their bees for winter.\u0026nbsp; When the weather is still warm and there is not good forage, the bees are still very active and can consume a lot of their winter food supplies.\u0026nbsp; This can occur for us in October.\u0026nbsp; The recipes listed here are not as good as the natural food (honey) bees make for themselves but there are some situations when beekeepers will choose to supplement their bees' diet with a carbohydrate and\/or protein feed. \u0026nbsp;Sugar syrup is sometimes fed to bees in the spring and fall but below a certain temperature (approximately 12 C \/ 54 F) the bees are unable to dehydrate the liquid to store it. \u0026nbsp;One issue to keep in mind when autumn feeding is the accumulation of stored uncapped syrup in frames which acts as a hive humidifier in winter. \u0026nbsp;It's a good idea to minimize this. \u0026nbsp;Some beekeepers maintain that the warmth from the cluster will be sufficient to heat a plastic baggy of syrup placed above the cluster at colder temperatures.\u0026nbsp; I've not tried this.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;When it is colder beekeepers can use a solid sugar feed in dry form as a sugar cake.\u0026nbsp; In the \"\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/strathconabeekeepers.blogspot.ca\/p\/the-beekeepers-library.html#feeding\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EFeeding\u003C\/a\u003E\" section of our \"\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/strathconabeekeepers.blogspot.ca\/p\/the-beekeepers-library.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EBeekeepers Library\u003C\/a\u003E\" you will find recipes for syrup, candy, pollen patties, grease patties, pollen substitute, essential oil mixtures, inverted sugar syrup and other bee food products.\u0026nbsp; If you are using sugar make sure it is refined sucrose (table sugar) without impurities.\u0026nbsp; Unrefined sugars have poisoned bees and brown sugar and molasses are toxic to bees (\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/app.box.com\/s\/sl2jnjkw60o8czk76r85\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ESelecting sugars for feeding to Honey Bees\u003C\/a\u003E). \u0026nbsp;While it was previously thought that high fructose corn syrup, which is used by many commercial beekeepers was chemically indistinguishable from honey a recent study (\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/app.box.com\/s\/rkrzqem5f5ngcv2nz6hgh1jb1cvyhl9u\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EHoney elements induce detoxification and immunity\u003C\/a\u003E) found that honey contains important elements of pollen and propolis. \u0026nbsp;These elements induce the detoxification and immunity genes and may help the bees cope with pesticides and pathogens. \u0026nbsp;Feeding anything but their own honey is not a long term healthy alternative. \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;Some beekeepers believe that if you invert the sucrose (refined table sugar) by adding an acid (i.e vinegar) you will create a more natural food similar to honey and easier to digest.\u0026nbsp; The inversion process changes the sucrose to fructose and glucose essentially the same as honey.\u0026nbsp; However, there is no scientific evidence supporting this and bees actually perform the inversion in the digestive process in their honey stomach.\u0026nbsp; Another issue you may wish to consider is whether your sugar contains pesticides. \u0026nbsp;That will depend on your supplier. \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;When feeding in winter you want to apply the food so that the girls do not have to leave their winter cluster.\u0026nbsp; You can invert your inner cover to leave space to place the sugar cake or patty on top of the frames or build a simple spacer or eke.\u0026nbsp; I use 2 inch feeding spacers similar to those used by Anita at Beverley Bees (\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.beverlybees.com\/i-want-candy-so-lets-make-a-candyboard-for-winter-feeding\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EBeverley Bees Candy Board\u003C\/a\u003E) and a simple no cook sugar and water mixture.\u0026nbsp; Remember to make your spacer as small as possible as the ladies love to fill that space with comb and may do so rather quickly in the spring.\u0026nbsp; You can feed the ladies dry sugar on paper (Michael Bush uses a \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/bushfarms.com\/beesfeeding.htm\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Edry granulated sugar\u003C\/a\u003E for cold weather feeding) on top of the frames wetted down with water (the hive humidity should keep it moist)\u0026nbsp; or make a Sugar Cake.\u0026nbsp; You can check quickly throughout the winter on nicer days (avoid windy,snowy days) and add as needed.\u0026nbsp; Here is a demonstration by Philip from \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/mudsongs.org\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EMudsongs.org\u003C\/a\u003E adding a sugar cake on a winter day.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ciframe allowfullscreen=\"\" frameborder=\"0\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/gS4y3kSo2Hc\" width=\"640\"\u003E\u003C\/iframe\u003E \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003EHere is a few simple recipes for those not as lazy as me:\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003EFondant from Granulated Sugar\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv span=\"\" style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: normal;\"\u003EFondant can be fed directly to the bees once cooled. They are a good food source for mini-mating nucs because there is no drowning involved when you have a small amount of bees. It is also common to use this recipe in small quantities to plug the hole on a Queen Cage.  \u003Cbr \/\u003EEquipment:\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u0026lt; 1 large saucepan\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u0026lt; 1 Hand or electric mixer\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u0026lt; 1 Cooking themometer\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u0026lt; Shallow disposable setting pans (pizza)\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EIngredients:\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: normal;\"\u003E\u0026lt; 4 parts (by volume) granulated white sugar\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: normal;\"\u003E \u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u0026lt; 1 parts (by volume) water\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u0026lt; Optional 1 teaspoon white vinegar\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: normal;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: normal;\"\u003EBoil water and slowly add the sugar until dissolved, stirring constantly. Continue heating until the mixture reaches 238°F (114°C). Without mixing allow the solution to cool until it is slightly warm to the touch (200F). Then begin to mix (in a mixer) and aerate the\u003C\/span\u003E \u003Cspan style=\"font-size: normal;\"\u003Esolution. As you do this the color should turn white and creamy with air bubbles. Pour into shallow dishes or \u003C\/span\u003Emold and allow to cool. \u0026nbsp;To feed it can be placed directly on top of the frames or in a feeding spacer. \u0026nbsp;You can make the fondant thin enough to where it can be worked into an empty frame of drawn comb.\u003C\/span\u003E     \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: normal;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003EThis video is a step by step process of how to make their version of fondant by the Northwest New Jersey Beekeepers Association.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ciframe allowfullscreen=\"\" frameborder=\"0\" height=\"315\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/SyvOfdhdtfw?rel=0\" width=\"560\"\u003E\u003C\/iframe\u003E \u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: normal;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003EBee Candy\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: medium;\"\u003ECandy is not used as much as in the past because it's harder to make and work with. \u0026nbsp;However here is the recipe for those not deterred by hard work.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: normal;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: normal;\"\u003EEquipment:\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: normal;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: normal;\"\u003E\u0026lt; Heavy duty cooking pans\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: normal;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: normal;\"\u003E\u0026lt; Large spoon for stirring\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: normal;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: normal;\"\u003E\u0026lt; Measuring jug\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: normal;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: normal;\"\u003E\u0026lt; Cooking themometer\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: normal;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: normal;\"\u003E\u0026lt; Plastic containers\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: normal;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: normal;\"\u003E\u0026lt; Enameled or pyrex dishes\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: normal;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: normal;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: normal;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: normal;\"\u003EIngredients:\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: normal;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: normal;\"\u003E\u0026lt; Refined granulated white sugar\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: normal;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: normal;\"\u003E\u0026lt; Water\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: normal;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: normal;\"\u003E\u0026lt; Cooking oil\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: normal;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: normal;\"\u003E\u0026lt; Newspapers\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: normal;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: normal;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: normal;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: normal;\"\u003EPour 500 ml (1 pint) of water in a heavy saucepan and add 2 kgs. granulated sugar. Heat to the boiling point, stirring constantly to prevent the sugar burning on the bottom. Continue to boil til the syrup reaches 117 degrees centigrade (242 fahrenheit). \u0026nbsp;Prepare your enamel or pyrex glass dish by coating with vegetable oil, then lining with a sheet of newspaper. \u0026nbsp;Also, soak an old towel in cold water and lay it on a waterproof heat proof work surface. \u0026nbsp;Once the boiling syrup has reached 117 degrees centigrade place it on the wet towel to cool. \u0026nbsp;Stir the mixture continuously as it thickens. \u0026nbsp;Stir only so long that the mixture can still be poured into the lined dishes. \u0026nbsp;Allow to set and cool and to remove (when cooled) pull gently on the edges of the paper liner.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: normal;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: normal;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: normal;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: normal;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;Here are a few other versions of fondant recipes from \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/brookfieldfarmhoney.wordpress.com\/2014\/01\/30\/making-bee-candy-aka-fondant\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EBrookfield Farm\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;and\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.303beekeeper.com\/2009\/11\/recipe-fondant-for-winter-feeding.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EBackyard Beehive\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;or you can purchase it from a retailer like \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.brushymountainbeefarm.com\/Fondant\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EBrushy Mountain Bee Farm\u003C\/a\u003E. \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EWhether you use the above recipes or just dry granulated sugar you can check on your feed and add as needed whenever there is a break in the weather.\u0026nbsp; Here is another video showing feeding at 40 fahrenheit (4 celsius).\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Ciframe allowfullscreen=\"\" frameborder=\"0\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/w2-eBbYhSgE?rel=0\" width=\"640\"\u003E\u003C\/iframe\u003E \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; Pollen patties (with sugar) provide both the carbohydrates from sugar and the proteins from pollen (or pollen substitute) and stimulate brood production. \u0026nbsp;In Vancouver pollen patties can be added as early as February. There is a\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003Etheory to begin feeding pollen patties 8 weeks prior to the heavy pollen flow (for us fruit tree blossom). \u0026nbsp;3 weeks for the girls to be born, 3 weeks to become foragers and two weeks to build up the forager numbers. \u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003ERemember the presence of new pollen in the hive triggers the queen to produce brood which is why there is little to no brood production through the winter. \u0026nbsp;Pollen is the source of protein and nutrients for bees. \u0026nbsp;The level of body protein in bees varies seasonally between 21-67% depending on the availability and type of pollen available and the amount of energy expended foraging and brood raising. Different blossoms produce different quality pollen. \u0026nbsp;For example dandelions and blueberries produce a fairly low nutritional pollen while almond pollen is fairly high in nutrition.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Ctable align=\"center\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" class=\"tr-caption-container\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ctbody\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-Q0Atua6FENc\/TxSunjAH12I\/AAAAAAAAA2s\/j7W-2eLoj_8\/s1600\/dandelion.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"478\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-Q0Atua6FENc\/TxSunjAH12I\/AAAAAAAAA2s\/j7W-2eLoj_8\/s640\/dandelion.jpg\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd class=\"tr-caption\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003EDandelion pollen, although attractive to bees lacks certain amino acids. \u0026nbsp;Other types of pollen must be gathered in order to fully utilize the protein. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; Bees store protein in their bodies in the form of vitellogenin which directly determines their life span and immunological strength \u0026nbsp;to fight diseases and pests. \u0026nbsp;When the body protein level in bees drops it may take several weeks to recover. \u0026nbsp;Low body protein level means low brood and honey production. \u0026nbsp;A wide variety of pollens are essential for optimum bee health as each pollen provides different essential nutrients. \u0026nbsp;The report, \"\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/app.box.com\/s\/2sl1a6ecu7u31y5q86op\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ENutritional Value of Bee Collected Pollens\u003C\/a\u003E\" is an qualitative analysis of the pollen from different plants and trees. \u0026nbsp;This is why pollen patties or pollen substitute patties are not a healthy alternative to a natural variety of stored pollens but rather a diet supplement. \u0026nbsp;Having said that research has shown that colonies receiving pollen supplements in early spring can produce 2-4 times the brood of a non supplemented colony. \u0026nbsp;In addition the life span of worker bees is increased up to 15 days and consequently mid summer honey production is also increased. \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;The best protein source for supplemental feeding is of course pollen. \u0026nbsp;Studies show that bees are attracted to pollen and consume significantly more when the patties contain pollen rather than pollen substitute. \u0026nbsp;The graph below illustrates the benefits of pollen in supplemental feeding. \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-M15fSSqmMPY\/VNvIzRJXVSI\/AAAAAAAAAak\/GNsWllxPuy8\/s1600\/Capturewwww.PNG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"238\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-M15fSSqmMPY\/VNvIzRJXVSI\/AAAAAAAAAak\/GNsWllxPuy8\/s1600\/Capturewwww.PNG\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003EHaving said that pollen can be a carrier of bee diseases and if the source is unknown should be irradiated before use in a pollen patty. Since most beekeepers don't want to irradiate use your own pollen collected from healthy hives. \u0026nbsp;The nutritional value of pollen diminishes quickly when dried and stored so it is best to freeze your pollen immediately after collecting without drying. \u0026nbsp;It is recommended that you use between 3-5% pollen in your pollen patty and that your overall protein level be about 25%. \u0026nbsp;The best protein supplements or alternatives to pollen are yeast and soy flour. \u0026nbsp;Brewer's yeast has a 48-56% protein content and is a good but expensive protein source to stimulate brood production. \u0026nbsp;The more affordable soy flour (48-50% crude protein level) appears to be more of an adult bee food stimulating activity in the hive. \u0026nbsp;Due to these different benefits a combination of these protein sources is recommended. \u0026nbsp;Other additives like pollard (mixture of fine bran and flour- vitamin and essential oil source), vegetable oil (feed palatability), vitamins and minerals and sugar (carbohydrate and energy source) can be utilized. \u0026nbsp;I read recently where a local beekeeper is using herring meal as a protein source and no his honey doesn't taste like fish. Human vitamin and mineral supplements are made for mammals not bees so are not recommended. \u0026nbsp;Always use fresh ingredients as nutritional values decrease with time and old soy flour may even be toxic to bees. \u0026nbsp;Sugar is an attractant in your feed and vegetable oil (like soy or cotton seed) can make it more palatable. \u0026nbsp;The patty should be placed directly over the winter bee cluster which is normally in the middle of the brood box as the bees will not leave the cluster if it is cold. \u0026nbsp;You can invert your inner cover to make room for the pollen patty. \u0026nbsp;If you find there is not enough room between your hive frames and your inner cover you can make a simple hive eke (an extender frame or shallow box). When I made my insulated moisture quilt (\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/strathconabeekeepers.blogspot.com\/2011\/10\/moisture-quilt-insulated-hive-cover.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EInsulated Moisture Quilt\u003C\/a\u003E) I left space over the frames for supplemental feeding. \u0026nbsp;Here are a few pollen or substitute pollen patty recipes.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: x-large;\"\u003EPollen Patty\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003Cb style=\"font-size: medium;\"\u003E \u003C\/b\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E(3 different recipes)\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E(\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.al.gov.bc.ca\/apiculture\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EGovernment of B.C. Apiculture Department\u003C\/a\u003E)\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003EIn supplement mixes, the percentage of pollen can be increased or decreased depending on availability.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E#1 \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; 3 parts soybean flour\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;1 part pollen\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E#2 \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; 4 parts Brewer’s Yeast\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; 2 parts dry sugar\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;1 part pollen\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;2 parts lighter sugar syrup (2 sugar : 1 water)\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E#3 \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;10 parts Torula Type S Yeast\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; 10 parts Brewer’s Yeast\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;1 part pollen\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003ENote: use 2 parts dry mix to 3 parts syrup\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"font-size: small;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: x-large;\"\u003ESubstitute Pollen Patty \u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E(3 different recipes)\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E#1 \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; soybean flour only\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E#2 \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; 4 parts soybean flour\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;1 part Brewer’s Yeast\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E#3 \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; 10 parts soybean flour\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; 6 parts casein\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;3 parts Brewer’s Yeast\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;1 part egg yolk powder\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003EIn each case, add 4-5 parts of the dry mix to 2 parts heavy sugar syrup as indicated below in directions on preparation of patties.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003EPrepare patties as follows: \u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003EMix dry ingredients thoroughly.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003EMix a heavy syrup of 3 parts sugar to 1 part water.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003ESlowly add 2 parts of syrup to 4-5 parts of dry mix (see dry mix formulas above), while kneading.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003ELeave overnight and knead again before flattening into a 1.5 cm cake.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003ECut into squares weighing about 0.5 kg (1 lb).\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003EPlace on wax paper and cover with another wax paper to prevent drying.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003EHere is a video from\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/dchoneybees.com\/DC_Honeybees_Site\/Home.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EDC Honeybees\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;showing how to make a substitute pollen patty using these ingredients:\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E1\/2 lb yeast;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E1\/2 lb dried milk;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E1.5 lb soy flour;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E1\/3 cup canola oil\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003Ejuice of 1\/2 lemon\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003Ea multi vitamin\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003C\/tbody\u003E\u003C\/table\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Ciframe allowfullscreen=\"\" frameborder=\"0\" height=\"315\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/WX4O1yeSf8I?rel=0\" width=\"560\"\u003E\u003C\/iframe\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EHere are the folks from\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/mudsongs.org\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EMudsongs\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;installing a pollen patty.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ciframe allowfullscreen=\"\" frameborder=\"0\" height=\"315\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/cBZCL33fNHY?rel=0\" width=\"560\"\u003E\u003C\/iframe\u003E \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;I checked my hives a few days ago on a warm (8 C or 46 fahrenheit), sunny day and found lots of food remaining.\u0026nbsp; Don't worry Spring is just around the corner.\u0026nbsp; I saw my first cherry blossoms of the year yesterday.\u0026nbsp; For more information on feeding bees go to the \"\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/strathconabeekeepers.blogspot.ca\/p\/the-beekeepers-library.html#feeding\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EFeeding\u003C\/a\u003E\" section of our \"\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/strathconabeekeepers.blogspot.ca\/p\/the-beekeepers-library.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EBeekeepers' Library\u003C\/a\u003E\".\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cblockquote class=\"tr_bq\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cblockquote class=\"tr_bq\" style=\"margin: 0in;\"\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"margin: 0in;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;calibri\u0026quot;; font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\"There is no other field of animal husbandry like beekeeping. It has the appeal to the scientist, the nature lover, and even (or especially) the philosopher. It is a chance to work with some of the most fascinating of God's creatures, to spend time and do work in the great outdoors, to challenge my abilities and continue to learn. My hope is that I never become so frail with old age that I cannot spend my days among the bees. It gives credence to the old saw that \"the best things in life are free\". I thank God daily for the opportunity and privilege to be a beekeeper.\"\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/blockquote\u003E\u003C\/blockquote\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-fdT9tr29Opk\/VEw1wmzTMOI\/AAAAAAAAAOs\/lGXu5_iDv5Q\/s1600\/988269_529322600470973_1120105532_n.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"547\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-fdT9tr29Opk\/VEw1wmzTMOI\/AAAAAAAAAOs\/lGXu5_iDv5Q\/s1600\/988269_529322600470973_1120105532_n.jpg\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/strathconabeekeepers.blogspot.com\/feeds\/6321076491407344024\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/strathconabeekeepers.blogspot.com\/2020\/01\/feeding-bees-in-winter.html#comment-form","title":"0 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/1644096506760919907\/posts\/default\/6321076491407344024"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/1644096506760919907\/posts\/default\/6321076491407344024"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/strathconabeekeepers.blogspot.com\/2020\/01\/feeding-bees-in-winter.html","title":"Feeding Bees in Winter"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Unknown"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-ZK86uNLSPHk\/UshWb7aiviI\/AAAAAAAAGDk\/289z0Hbuufs\/s72-c\/IMG_0517.JPG","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"0"},"georss$featurename":{"$t":"Vancouver, BC, Canada"},"georss$point":{"$t":"49.2827291 -123.12073750000002"},"georss$box":{"$t":"49.1169156 -123.44346100000001 49.448542599999996 -122.79801400000002"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1644096506760919907.post-1454298211054950112"},"published":{"$t":"2019-12-06T08:50:00.000-08:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2019-12-07T17:25:37.635-08:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Beekeeping charities"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Christmas Gifts for Beekeepers"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg height=\"524\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-UZEjk7ZDzXE\/UrHSOJyQodI\/AAAAAAAAGBw\/GMJeaNSTzlk\/s640\/xmas+bees.jpg\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; At this time of year I'm especially appreciative that I have a roof over my head and food in my belly when so many in the world have neither.\u0026nbsp; You don't need to be a Christian to celebrate the idea of Christmas  which should be a time of peace, love and selfless giving rather than  the modern concept of commercialized over consumption.\u0026nbsp; Here are a few Christmas gift suggestions that we can give to beekeepers less fortunate than ourselves.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;In many countries beekeeping is a practical solution to reduce poverty and relieve suffering. \u0026nbsp; Beekeeping requires little space, minimal cost and offers much needed income from the sales of honey, beeswax and pollen. In addition increased pollination from the introduction of these bees can substantially increase fruit and vegetable yields as well as pollinating native plants. \u0026nbsp;For most beekeeping has become a supplement to the family income but for an increasing number it has become a major part of the village economy.\u0026nbsp; This is one of reasons we created our \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/strathconabeekeepers.blogspot.ca\/p\/the-beekeepers-library.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EBeekeepers' Library\u003C\/a\u003E, to provide free localized information to beekeepers worldwide.\u0026nbsp; There are many good philanthropic beekeeping organizations worthy of your Christmas donations like \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/charity.gofundme.com\/o\/en\/campaign\/bahamas-beekeepers-hurricane-relief-fund?utm_source=American+Bee+Journal\u0026amp;utm_campaign=0927c53566-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2019_04_19_08_03_COPY_01\u0026amp;utm_medium=email\u0026amp;utm_term=0_8cdd94c05c-0927c53566-194248025\u0026amp;mc_cid=0927c53566\u0026amp;mc_eid=fcbf8fdeef\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EBahama Beekeeper's Hurricane Relief\u003C\/a\u003E,\u0026nbsp; \"\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.beesfordevelopment.org\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EBees for Development\u003C\/a\u003E\", \"\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.oxfamgifts.com\/gifts\/honey-bees\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EOxfam's Gift of Bees\u003C\/a\u003E\", \"\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.icimod.org\/?q=1497\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EICIMOD\u003C\/a\u003E\"\u0026nbsp;and \"\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/beesabroad.org.uk\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EBees Abroad\u003C\/a\u003E\".\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;One organization on my gift list is \"\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.heifer.org\/gift-catalog\/animals-nutrition\/honeybees-donation.html?msource=kwg2396\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EHeifer International\u003C\/a\u003E\" which has been operating throughout the world for over 70 years. \u0026nbsp;For a mere $30 you can give the gift of honey bees. \u0026nbsp; \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ciframe allowfullscreen=\"\" frameborder=\"0\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/Dikfjz-9Rxw?rel=0\" width=\"640\"\u003E\u003C\/iframe\u003E \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; Although I grow much of my own food and support local, organic farmers an organization that I support at Christmas and throughout the year is \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.fairtrade.net\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EFair Trade\u003C\/a\u003E. \u0026nbsp;Farmers in developing countries have traditionally been exploited by greedy food distribution corporations. \u0026nbsp;A small portion of the price you pay for agricultural products from developing countries goes to the farmer. \u0026nbsp;The concept of \"Fair Trade\" has empowered these farmers and provided them and their communities with a fair income which has allowed them a healthier, happier lifestyle. This documentary \"Hope is Golden\" is about the beekeeping cooperatives in Brazil’s arid Caatinga region that produce Fair Trade certified honey.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ciframe allowfullscreen=\"\" frameborder=\"0\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/UHvHqjRt4yI?rel=0\" width=\"640\"\u003E\u003C\/iframe\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;The Fair Trade organizations provide funding for the infrastructure required by farming cooperatives in developing countries. \u0026nbsp;\"\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.fairtrade.net\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EFair Trade International\u003C\/a\u003E\" began 25 years ago and in 2012 the number of Fairtrade producing organizations grew by 16%. \u0026nbsp;It works and it is growing. \u0026nbsp;Each time you buy a Fair Trade product you are supporting the farmer and their family in the developing world rather than the multinational food distribution corporation. \u0026nbsp; Buying \"Fair Trade\" products (honey, tea, chocolate, sugar, fruit, flowers and coffee), easily identifiable by the \"Fair Trade\" symbol is a good idea throughout the year.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;Another organization that I support is \"\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.schoolsforchiapas.org\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ESchools for Chiapas\u003C\/a\u003E\". \u0026nbsp;Mexico is a prime example of how corporate agriculture exploits local farmers in developing worlds. \u0026nbsp;The Zapatista organization \"Schools for Chiapas\" struggles to educate (\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.schoolsforchiapas.org\/advances\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ESchools for Chiapas projects\u003C\/a\u003E) and empower local, native communities. \u0026nbsp;One part of this is the promotion and education of the beekeeping tradition of Meliponiculture. \u0026nbsp;Melipona beecheii are \u0026nbsp;stingless bees native to Mexico, Central America, the Carribean, and many parts of South America (\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/strathconabeekeepers.blogspot.ca\/2012\/09\/the-stingless-honey-bee-of-maya.html?utm_source=BP_recent\u0026amp;utm-medium=gadget\u0026amp;utm_campaign=bp_recent\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EStingless Honey Bee of the Maya\u003C\/a\u003E) which were domesticated by the Mayan people long before the arrival of Europeans in the Americas. \u0026nbsp;In much of Latin America stingless beekeeping has been replaced by the introduction of the Africanized European Honey Bee (\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/strathconabeekeepers.blogspot.ca\/2012\/09\/killer-bees.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EKiller Bees\u003C\/a\u003E). \u0026nbsp;The native stingless bees are the only honey bee native to the Americas and are essential for the pollination of some native plants and Schools for Chiapas is supporting a revival of this traditional beekeeping practice. \u0026nbsp;You can support this initiative through the \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.schoolsforchiapas.org\/store\/gifts-of-change\/stingless\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EAmerican Stingless Bee Recuperation Gift of Change\u003C\/a\u003E.\u0026nbsp; They are also working to preserve the native, non gm varities of corn. (\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.schoolsforchiapas.org\/gifts-of-change\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Eother Gifts of Change\u003C\/a\u003E).\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;In this video a group of Mayan women are challenging social norms and preserving an endangered species (\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/strathconabeekeepers.blogspot.ca\/p\/the-beekeepers-library.html#nativepollinators\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EThe stingless bee, Melipona Beecheii\u003C\/a\u003E). \u0026nbsp;Traditionally the prerogative of men in Mayan culture, beekeeping is providing this collective with a source of income and a reason to keep the species from going extinct.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ciframe allowfullscreen=\"\" frameborder=\"0\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/4c4v1E2mRhw?rel=0\" width=\"640\"\u003E\u003C\/iframe\u003E \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; Organizations that I do not support or legitimize are \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.monsanto.com\/improvingagriculture\/pages\/honey-bee-health.aspx\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EMonsanto's Honey Bee Health\u003C\/a\u003E, \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/beecare.bayer.com\/home\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EBayer's Bee Care\u003C\/a\u003E and \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.operationpollinator.com\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ESyngenta's Operation Pollinator\u003C\/a\u003E. \u0026nbsp;There are a number of factors contributing to the demise of all species of bees including imported diseases, pests and diminished available forage, global warming but a major cause is the overuse of agrichemicals. \u0026nbsp;Monsanto, Bayer and Syngenta are in the process of monopolizing the world seed market with patented genetically modified seeds that contain or are designed to accept massive quantities of \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/strathconabeekeepers.blogspot.ca\/p\/the-beekeepers-library.html#pesticidesandbees\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Eagrichemicals\u003C\/a\u003E that are dangerous to both bees and humans. \u0026nbsp;Their bee programs are a public relations ploy to divert you from the true danger of their products.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-fiyJr1rz2Rk\/VmxmkaWSvWI\/AAAAAAAABck\/3LXtXby4mRo\/s1600\/dc476c28d0e9d027427587851b7df767.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"400\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-fiyJr1rz2Rk\/VmxmkaWSvWI\/AAAAAAAABck\/3LXtXby4mRo\/s400\/dc476c28d0e9d027427587851b7df767.jpg\" width=\"400\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;A free gift I recommend to beekeepers of all ages is the wonderful book, \"\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/drive.google.com\/file\/d\/0Bx7DrOGMiXtlRlFBTTh2RVhzRWc\/view?usp=sharing\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EThe Travelling Beehive\u003C\/a\u003E\". \u0026nbsp;This book is\u0026nbsp; written by Elena Garcia and Manuel Angel Rosado and beautifully illustrated by \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.juanhernaz.com\/en\/latest-work\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EJuan Hernaz\u003C\/a\u003E. \u0026nbsp;It is published by \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/apolo.entomologica.es\/index.php?d=colmena\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EApolo\u003C\/a\u003E which is an organization dedicated to the preservation of pollinators and their habitat. \u0026nbsp;You can follow Polli the honey bee and her friend Dipter the hover fly as they face the challenges of a disappearing green space. \u0026nbsp;They are joined in their struggle by Bazumba the wild bee, Missus Bombus the bumblebee, Lepi the butterfly, her majesty the queen, Dorian the farmer and Ramon the beekeeper. Sit back with your children or grandchildren and enjoy the \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.juanhernaz.com\/en\/portfolio\/the-travelling-beehive\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EThe Travelling Beehive.\u003C\/a\u003E \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cimg src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-8ENOaRwRLCE\/VJDLF22P-TI\/AAAAAAAAATc\/8Naw7_8zykQ\/s1600\/Untitled%2Bpicture.png\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; The bees are snuggled in their hives waiting for Santa. \u0026nbsp;Penny, from the Natural Beekeeping Trust of the United Kingdom says \"Traditionally, Christian beekeepers have visited their colonies at midnight on Christmas Eve to tell the bees of the nativity. \u0026nbsp;They also hoped to hear the special melodious humming that the bees were said to perform at this time, portending health and prosperity throughout the coming year. \u0026nbsp;It was thought that this custom was predated by an earlier pre-Christian one when the return of the sun was by no means guaranteed!\"  If you're wondering what to recite to your bees on Christmas Eve here is a poem by Carol Ann Duffy.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: red; font-size: x-large;\"\u003E\u003Cu\u003EThe Bee Carol\u003C\/u\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: normal;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003ESilently on Christmas Eve,\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E \u003Cbr \/\u003Ethe turn of midnight's key;\u003Cbr \/\u003Eall the garden locked in ice -\u003Cbr \/\u003Ea silver frieze -\u003Cbr \/\u003Eexcept the winter cluster of the bees.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EFlightless now and shivering,\u003Cbr \/\u003Earound their Queen they cling;\u003Cbr \/\u003Eevery bee a gift of heat;\u003Cbr \/\u003Eshe will not freeze\u003Cbr \/\u003Ewithin the winter cluster of the bees.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EBring me for my Christmas gift\u003Cbr \/\u003Ea single golden jar;\u003Cbr \/\u003Elet me taste the sweetness there,\u003Cbr \/\u003Ebut honey leave\u003Cbr \/\u003Eto feed the winter cluster of the bees.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ECome with me on Christmas Eve\u003Cbr \/\u003Eto see the silent hive -\u003Cbr \/\u003Etrembling stars cloistered above -\u003Cbr \/\u003Eand then believe,\u003Cbr \/\u003Ebless the winter cluster of the bees.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;If you have any favorite bee projects that could use our financial assistance I would love to hear of them.\u0026nbsp; I hope that you, your bees and your family have a wonderful Christmas and a happy and healthy New Year.\u0026nbsp; Peace on earth and good will to all.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: red;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: x-large;\"\u003EMerry Christmas!\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: red;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: x-large;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-D2WdT-4TFak\/UrHurYJJFoI\/AAAAAAAAGCU\/ujMZIUwsIJo\/s1600\/xmas+bees+2.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"color: blue; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-D2WdT-4TFak\/UrHurYJJFoI\/AAAAAAAAGCU\/ujMZIUwsIJo\/s1600\/xmas+bees+2.jpg\" style=\"border: medium none; position: relative;\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/strathconabeekeepers.blogspot.com\/feeds\/1454298211054950112\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/strathconabeekeepers.blogspot.com\/2019\/12\/at-this-time-of-year-im-especially.html#comment-form","title":"0 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/1644096506760919907\/posts\/default\/1454298211054950112"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/1644096506760919907\/posts\/default\/1454298211054950112"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/strathconabeekeepers.blogspot.com\/2019\/12\/at-this-time-of-year-im-especially.html","title":"Christmas Gifts for Beekeepers"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Unknown"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-UZEjk7ZDzXE\/UrHSOJyQodI\/AAAAAAAAGBw\/GMJeaNSTzlk\/s72-c\/xmas+bees.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"0"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1644096506760919907.post-3672420806360893882"},"published":{"$t":"2019-08-27T14:50:00.000-07:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2019-08-31T18:38:35.279-07:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Beekeeping winter preparation"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Winter Preparation for Vancouver Beekeepers"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-HcbOWZ4hH4k\/Vip3-LRLDNI\/AAAAAAAABPs\/bK63xEaZn1w\/s1600\/bees-need-rain-too2.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"395\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-HcbOWZ4hH4k\/Vip3-LRLDNI\/AAAAAAAABPs\/bK63xEaZn1w\/s640\/bees-need-rain-too2.jpg\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003EIt's August and time for Vancouver beekeepers to prepare for winter.\u0026nbsp; Actually winter preparation is an ongoing task (\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www2.gov.bc.ca\/assets\/gov\/farming-natural-resources-and-industry\/agriculture-and-seafood\/animal-and-crops\/animal-production\/bee-assets\/api_fs103.pdf\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EBeekeeping Calendar for B.C.\u003C\/a\u003E).\u0026nbsp; The main reasons our bees die over the winter is starvation, colonies suffering from parasitic mite syndrome, too few bees to heat the cluster and moisture.\u0026nbsp;  I complete my winter hive setup by the middle of October.\u0026nbsp; Much of what  you do in preparation depends on your management style of beekeeping  (virtually nothing for the extreme natural beekeeper to intense  management for others).\u0026nbsp; This is a revised post from last year and are just a few  suggestions based on my experience keeping bees in Vancouver.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003EFood\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: medium;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E \u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003ETo address the food issue you will need at least 10 deep frames or 12+ medium frames of honey (65 lbs or 30 kgs) for an average sized colony to survive the winter.\u0026nbsp; In our specific location (Strathcona) we still have a strong availability of nectar and pollen with many different plant species still in flower in our 4 acre garden and the surrounding area.\u0026nbsp; Due to global warming plants in Vancouver can begin to flower 2-3 weeks earlier than in the past so our forage shortage begins in mid September.\u0026nbsp; The problem occurs when the temperatures are still warm and dry enough from mid September through October for the colony to stay active.\u0026nbsp; An active colony without a natural food source will consume much of the winter food supply.\u0026nbsp; I'm fortunate this year to have a good supply of honey frames from my stronger hives that I can share with my weaker hives.\u0026nbsp; This is why I prefer to wait til October to extract honey when I know the state of my winter supply. \u0026nbsp;Some beekeepers have started feeding 2 to 1 syrup to their hives now because their honey reserves are low.\u0026nbsp; This is a personal decision based on your style of beekeeping and your location.\u0026nbsp; I usually like to reserve my feeding to emergency late winter feeding. \u0026nbsp;An issue with syrup feeding this time of year is making sure most of the syrup the bees store gets capped. \u0026nbsp;The uncapped syrup will become a source of winter moisture and mold. \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; I've identified our main foraging shortage to occur from mid September to mid October so to address this issue I have separated the root balls of common Asian Asters for planting and transplanted the invasive Canadian Goldenrod (Aster). \u0026nbsp;When mature the common Asian Aster becomes a 1.5 by 1.5 metre (4 by 4 foot) bush with hundreds of flowers and can bloom well into October.\u0026nbsp; We have about a few hundred autumn flowering variety Asters in our 4 acre garden.\u0026nbsp; Other late bloomers in our garden are Japanese Anemone, Mint, Autumn Joy Sedum, Scarlet Runner Bean, Jersulam Artichoke, and the invasive \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/bcinvasives.ca\/search\/results\/1708aa0cb72d0a47fbd5641916571b79\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EJapanese Knotweed\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp; (\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www2.gov.bc.ca\/assets\/gov\/farming-natural-resources-and-industry\/agriculture-and-seafood\/animal-and-crops\/animal-production\/bee-assets\/api_fs904.pdf\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ENectar Plants of British Columbia\u003C\/a\u003E).\u0026nbsp; A mixed diet is essential for the girls so some other late blooming plants are Caryopteris 'Dark Knight' (Blue Mist Spirea), Dahlia, Hardy Fushia, Seven Sons flower (Autumn Lilac), Impatiens omeianan, Camellia sinensis (Hardy tea bush) and Osmanthus fragrans (Fragrant Olive) (\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/app.box.com\/s\/2sl1a6ecu7u31y5q86op\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ENutritional Value of Bee Collected Pollens\u003C\/a\u003E and \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/strathconabeekeepers.blogspot.de\/p\/plants_5661.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EPollen Sources\u003C\/a\u003E).\u0026nbsp; I will avoid the temptation to plant the invasive late blooming ivy and Himalayan Balsam.\u0026nbsp; \u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ctable align=\"center\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" class=\"tr-caption-container\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ctbody\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-4xt-xPHCYhg\/Vip8IlsbDHI\/AAAAAAAABP4\/JzQziCQpovc\/s1600\/800px-Bee_and_Goldenrod_3.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"227\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-4xt-xPHCYhg\/Vip8IlsbDHI\/AAAAAAAABP4\/JzQziCQpovc\/s400\/800px-Bee_and_Goldenrod_3.jpg\" width=\"400\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd class=\"tr-caption\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003EGoldenrod\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003C\/tbody\u003E\u003C\/table\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Ctable align=\"center\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" class=\"tr-caption-container\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ctbody\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-IiN_rDM25Us\/Vip8bnMGQ9I\/AAAAAAAABQA\/HxXHXrjP6t8\/s1600\/asterrrrr_5.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"285\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-IiN_rDM25Us\/Vip8bnMGQ9I\/AAAAAAAABQA\/HxXHXrjP6t8\/s400\/asterrrrr_5.jpg\" width=\"400\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd class=\"tr-caption\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003EAster\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003C\/tbody\u003E\u003C\/table\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E \u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: normal;\"\u003EIt's good at this point to make sure you have your emergency winter  feeders ready if you plan to use them.  A major cause of colony death is late winter starvation   (February - April) which can be solved by the use of an emergency  winter feeder (\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.beverlybees.com\/i-want-candy-so-lets-make-a-candyboard-for-winter-feeding\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ECandy Board\u003C\/a\u003E).\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ctable align=\"center\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" class=\"tr-caption-container\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ctbody\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/--58JC4iEDfA\/Vip-URQ3VTI\/AAAAAAAABRA\/Kz3qw5TFiRM\/s1600\/Candy%2Bboard_5.jpg\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"384\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/--58JC4iEDfA\/Vip-URQ3VTI\/AAAAAAAABRA\/Kz3qw5TFiRM\/s400\/Candy%2Bboard_5.jpg\" width=\"400\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd class=\"tr-caption\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003ECandyboard\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003C\/tbody\u003E\u003C\/table\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003EThey're  easy to build with 1x2's and quarter inch wire mesh and can be a colony  lifesaver.\u0026nbsp; You can quickly check on the feeders through the late  winter to gauge the status of the food supply.\u0026nbsp; Some beekeepers begin feeding in August.\u0026nbsp; This  article \"\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/strathconabeekeepers.blogspot.ca\/2014\/01\/feeding-bees-in-winter.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EFeeding Bees in Winter\u003C\/a\u003E\"  describes the different methods of feeding at different temperatures.\u0026nbsp;   The girls will take a 2 to 1 syrup down to about 12 celsius (53  fahrenheit) after which they find it too difficult to dehydrate for  storage.\u0026nbsp; Some beekeepers will feed syrup baggies on top of the frames in colder temperatures  on the theory that heat from the cluster warms the syrup.\u0026nbsp; I've not  tried this.\u0026nbsp; In the Greater Vancouver area there are very big  differences in winter food requirements based on available foraging days  and available forage.  Because of the\u0026nbsp; effect of the North Shore  Mountains precipitation varies from 150+ inches (380 centimeters)  annually at the upper altitudes of the mountains to 30 inches (75  centimeters) along the U.S. border.\u0026nbsp; This effect reduces precipitation  and increases hours of sunlight as you move southward.\u0026nbsp; The graph below  divides Greater Vancouver into 9 zones with 9 being the upper altitudes  of the North Shore Mountains and 1 being the southern region along the  U.S. border (\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.dropbox.com\/s\/clzry9yrghgpdyf\/Greater%20Vancouver%20Rainfall.pdf?dl=0\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EGreater Vancouver Precipitation\u003C\/a\u003E).\u0026nbsp; As the crow flies this is a distance of less than 30 kilometers or 20 miles.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-CZokFOmPV5U\/Vh03HG27_kI\/AAAAAAAABBs\/XjaowzOTMko\/s1600\/precip.PNG\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"640\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-CZokFOmPV5U\/Vh03HG27_kI\/AAAAAAAABBs\/XjaowzOTMko\/s640\/precip.PNG\" width=\"564\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-gbibcgARWQU\/Vh1kckB7nJI\/AAAAAAAABDc\/eQRqlRvT_Q4\/s1600\/Rain2.PNG\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"436\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-gbibcgARWQU\/Vh1kckB7nJI\/AAAAAAAABDc\/eQRqlRvT_Q4\/s640\/Rain2.PNG\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-KGTOqrbcGZE\/Vh1koN770nI\/AAAAAAAABDk\/-Qj3AkG76Cw\/s1600\/Temp.PNG\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"404\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-KGTOqrbcGZE\/Vh1koN770nI\/AAAAAAAABDk\/-Qj3AkG76Cw\/s640\/Temp.PNG\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003EThough  active at lower temperatures I have found high population foraging in  our apiary at 12 degrees celsius (53 fahrenheit) in March (Willow trees,  Forsythia, Flowering Cherry).\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-z6Iq_mzBHoE\/Vh1kzaJoKTI\/AAAAAAAABDs\/J9-vE0BXeI4\/s1600\/Daylight.PNG\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"384\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-z6Iq_mzBHoE\/Vh1kzaJoKTI\/AAAAAAAABDs\/J9-vE0BXeI4\/s640\/Daylight.PNG\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003EThis  means more flyable, foraging weather the further south you live and the  more active the colony with the additional needed sunshine warming the  hive and bees.  I have observed the activity of the bees throughout the  lower mainland to be directly linked to the number of hours of sunlight  on the hives.\u0026nbsp; Conclusion, for optimum colony health move to a southern  suburb like Tsawwassen, Ladner, White Rock or Abbotsford or maximize the  sun exposure on your hives (South to southeast exposure with minimal  shade).\u0026nbsp; We moved our apiary because it was surrounded by fast growing  Black Locust, Willow and Cottonwood trees (Great pollen and nectar  sources).\u0026nbsp; \u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; Also effecting hive performance is available  forage which can vary according to whether you are in a rural  agricultural or urban setting.  The rural, agricultural areas in Surrey,  Delta and the Fraser Valley tend to have extreme honey and brood  production during crop blossoms but can suffer in the off season while  the urban areas tend to have a more consistent food source availability  throughout the foraging period (March - November) due to urban  landscaping and irrigation.  We're fortunate to have 7 cultivated acres  in our 2 combined community gardens surrounded by fields of clover and  flowering trees.\u0026nbsp; While it varies by region, because of the reasons  discussed above (weather and available forage) and the size of the  colony we need on average a minimum of 10 deep or 12 medium frames of honey  (65 lbs or 30 kilograms) to over winter.\u0026nbsp;  The honey frames should be  positioned on both sides of the cluster in the bottom box and above the  cluster in the second super (super = hive box).\u0026nbsp; If the cluster is in an  upper box it's recommended to switch the box to the bottom in  preparation for winter.\u0026nbsp; In the spring you can reverse that process as  the girls will have worked their way up to upper part of the second box.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ctable align=\"center\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" class=\"tr-caption-container\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ctbody\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-hgYgbfjxi5Q\/Vip-oL4OCkI\/AAAAAAAABRI\/ulGSBTHXXLA\/s1600\/Capture_0.jpg\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"310\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-hgYgbfjxi5Q\/Vip-oL4OCkI\/AAAAAAAABRI\/ulGSBTHXXLA\/s400\/Capture_0.jpg\" width=\"400\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd class=\"tr-caption\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003EWinter cluster at the end of winter \u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003C\/tbody\u003E\u003C\/table\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003EFor  a Kenyan Top Bar put the cluster at one end and the honey frames next  to the cluster.\u0026nbsp; I've always run all deep supers in my Langstroth hives  because universal boxes and frames are easier to manage.\u0026nbsp; I can add  honey frames from my third or fourth box to the brood boxes to over  winter.\u0026nbsp; Many new beekeepers and some old are moving towards all medium  boxes because of the lighter weight.\u0026nbsp; This makes sense as a deep box of  honey can weigh 80 lbs (36 kgs).\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; All beekeepers have plus  and negative food accumulation months and generally April 1 to Oct 1 are  positive food accumulation months for us in the Strathcona area of  Vancouver.\u0026nbsp;  March and October can be neutral but are usually negative depending on  the available foraging days (weather).\u0026nbsp;  November through February are  winter cluster, negative food accumulation months.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u0026nbsp; \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003EPest and Disease Control \u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: x-large;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003EThe biggest problem I see with new beekeepers is not planning ahead. \u0026nbsp; In our beekeeping coop new beekeepers are always rushing around for needed hive boxes and frames, feeders, robber screens, quilts ….  The best advice I could give new beekeepers is to plan 2 months ahead of where you are at. \u0026nbsp;  Pest and disease identification and control should be an ongoing process and if you are beginning now it may be too late.\u0026nbsp; Evidence of chalk brood or nosema would indicate a weak colony (\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/strathconabeekeepers.blogspot.ca\/p\/the-beekeepers-library.html#honeybeediseasesandparasites\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EHoney Bee Diseases and Parasites\u003C\/a\u003E).\u0026nbsp; Increased ventilation and removal of old comb can be done to combat the chalk brood and a \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/scientificbeekeeping.com\/nosema-ceranae\/treatment-for-nosema\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Epollen patty\/fumagillin mixture\u003C\/a\u003E may help combat the nosema.\u0026nbsp; Mite counts throughout the year and subsequent treatments should let you know whether you have a major issue.\u0026nbsp;  Mite treatments like formic acid can continue into October as long as there is a day time high temp of 10c and oxalic acid is usually done in December when there is little to no brood present.\u0026nbsp; A mistake made by many beekeepers is to treat in August and with a large, healthy colony assume everything is fine.\u0026nbsp; Continue mite tests and treatment through September.\u0026nbsp; A reduced screened entrance using eighth inch hardware cloth can be used to allow for needed ventilation during formic acid treatments while providing a more easily defended (against wasps) reduced entrance.\u0026nbsp; The video below \"Getting Your Hives Ready for Winter\" is a recorded webinar with Kim Flottum (Bee expert and editor of Bee Culture magazine) which does a very good job of discussing winter preparation for bee colonies focusing on year around mite control.\u0026nbsp; Controlling mites goes a long way to controlling virus transmission and overall colony health.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ciframe allowfullscreen=\"\" frameborder=\"0\" height=\"480\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/Wxk5at5Pqps?rel=0\" width=\"640\"\u003E\u003C\/iframe\u003E \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u0026nbsp; \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003ECold and Moisture\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003EThe \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/beeinformed.org\/results\/the-bee-informed-partnership-national-management-survey-2014-2015\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EU.S. Bee Informed Survey\u003C\/a\u003E of wintering hives (the only large scale North American winter survival survey) showed that only 3 conditions determined winter survival success and they were adequate food, strong colonies (equalization or combining hives) and ventilation (moisture reduction).\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-8L85MOvSvSM\/Vip9FREI4pI\/AAAAAAAABQQ\/-ejW9AUktJI\/s1600\/Bee%2BInformed_4.png\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"380\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-8L85MOvSvSM\/Vip9FREI4pI\/AAAAAAAABQQ\/-ejW9AUktJI\/s640\/Bee%2BInformed_4.png\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003EThe survey is extensive and includes the results for geographic region, all types of pest and disease management, feeding and winter preparation.\u0026nbsp; \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/bip2.beeinformed.org\/survey\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EThe Bee Informed Survey 2016 - 2017\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-KzGdPsj71_w\/Vip9RZh9tEI\/AAAAAAAABQY\/-dojneHcxxA\/s1600\/vent_3.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"305\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-KzGdPsj71_w\/Vip9RZh9tEI\/AAAAAAAABQY\/-dojneHcxxA\/s400\/vent_3.jpg\" width=\"400\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003EWrapping and insulation showed no benefit but I think that depends on where you live.\u0026nbsp;  If you live in cold northern climates like \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.cbc.ca\/news\/canada\/manitoba\/winnipeg-deep-freeze-as-cold-as-uninhabited-planet-1.2479967\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EWinterpeg\u003C\/a\u003E either you wrap and insulate or you bring the girls inside.  40 below is 40 below.\u0026nbsp;          Insulation is not necessary in Vancouver and can be counter productive by keeping the heat out and preventing the hive from warming up.\u0026nbsp; Some local beekeepers wrap their hives with black roofing paper to prevent wind penetration and to help absorb the heat (\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/scienceline.ucsb.edu\/getkey.php?key=3873\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EBlack objects absorb more heat\u003C\/a\u003E).\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; The argument against this is that the girls take care of any wind penetration with use of propolis and do we want a warmer hive in the winter?\u0026nbsp; Warmer means more active bees and more food consumption.\u0026nbsp; For us wrapping in March may be a good option as we have lots of blossoms (Willow, forsythia, flowering cherry, bulbs ...) but marginal foraging temperatures.\u0026nbsp; Wrapping would warm the hives and get the girls flying earlier in the day increasing their pollen and nectar intake and stimulate egg laying.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ctable align=\"center\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" class=\"tr-caption-container\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ctbody\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-PGvPthoUMLQ\/Vip9a7H0bGI\/AAAAAAAABQg\/LXSabubNR4Y\/s1600\/black_5.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-PGvPthoUMLQ\/Vip9a7H0bGI\/AAAAAAAABQg\/LXSabubNR4Y\/s1600\/black_5.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd class=\"tr-caption\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003ETemperature difference on black and white surface\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003C\/tbody\u003E\u003C\/table\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003EWintering your bees is like real estate value in that the 3 most important  considerations are location, location and location. \u0026nbsp;Location  dictates the methods you will use to protect your bees from the  elements. Windbreaks are essential in some areas where there are cold,  winter winds, especially for rooftop beekeepers.\u0026nbsp; In winter Vancouver has a predominant, low pressure weather pattern with  winds from the southeast that bring with it fairly constant cool, wet weather.\u0026nbsp; We have only a few snow falls per year and a few weeks of freezing temperatures.\u0026nbsp; Therefore moisture, not cold is our biggest issue.\u0026nbsp; The moisture is created when warm air created by the cluster of bees rises and contacts the cold inner cover creating cold condensation which drips onto the cluster.\u0026nbsp; There are a lot of different methods to reduce moisture in the hive like tilting the hive forward by putting a 2x4 under the back of the hive to allow the moisture to run down the front of the hive and not on the cluster.\u0026nbsp; Another option is an \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/strathconabeekeepers.blogspot.ca\/2011\/10\/moisture-quilt-insulated-hive-cover.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EInsulated Moisture Quilt\u003C\/a\u003E placed above the hive boxes to reduce cold  condensation dripping on the winter cluster.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ctable align=\"center\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" class=\"tr-caption-container\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ctbody\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-wd4w9mUaOEY\/VjaNvl2EK_I\/AAAAAAAABTE\/StQU-_OUCag\/s1600\/Stage%2B18_1.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"568\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-wd4w9mUaOEY\/VjaNvl2EK_I\/AAAAAAAABTE\/StQU-_OUCag\/s640\/Stage%2B18_1.jpg\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd class=\"tr-caption\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003EThe bee hive in winter without any form of moisture reduction\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003C\/tbody\u003E\u003C\/table\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ctable align=\"center\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" class=\"tr-caption-container\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ctbody\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-7eDAhZ46Z3Q\/Vip95KHxVDI\/AAAAAAAABQw\/QLhMH7A6oYY\/s1600\/Insulated%2BMoisture%2BQuilt_2.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-7eDAhZ46Z3Q\/Vip95KHxVDI\/AAAAAAAABQw\/QLhMH7A6oYY\/s400\/Insulated%2BMoisture%2BQuilt_2.jpg\" width=\"400\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd class=\"tr-caption\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003EInsulated Moisture Quilt\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003C\/tbody\u003E\u003C\/table\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003EThe heat produced by the cluster rises to contact the warmer insulated cover producing less condensation, which then drips onto the wood chips (not the bees) which are dried by the vent holes.\u0026nbsp; They are easy to make out of scrap material and the link above provides detailed building instructions.\u0026nbsp; During winter you must have an upper entrance in your Langstroth hive for ventilation and because dead bees can block the lower entrance.\u0026nbsp; I presently have my upper entrance covered with eighth inch hardware cloth to keep out robber bees and wasps.\u0026nbsp; I will remove this once those threats have passed.\u0026nbsp; For moisture reduction in a Kenyan Top Bar Hive beekeepers can use an insulated moisture quilt, carpet over the top bars (\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/app.box.com\/s\/gfxqpkmaz4e4mf41u5oi\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EBill Stagg's method\u003C\/a\u003E) or reflective insulation (\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/app.box.com\/s\/gfxqpkmaz4e4mf41u5oi\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ESam Comfort's method\u003C\/a\u003E).\u0026nbsp; Whether you leave your screened bottom board open or not (for increased ventilation) is debatable but if left open you must block the drafts from blowing under the hive.\u0026nbsp; I put the mite test board in to block the winter winds but have friends who do not and successfully overwinter their bees.\u0026nbsp; One moisture issue is that if you feed syrup to your bees in September and October some of the stored syrup may not be capped before the arrival of winter and it may ferment and mold and increase the moisture within the hive.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; In Vancouver we get at least 2 major storms a year of 80+ km winds (50 miles per hr).\u0026nbsp;  For this reason and the presence of skunks and racoons we use cinder blocks on our hives to prevent the outer cover from blowing off or being removed and have positioned the hives to have a natural wind break (berm to the south).\u0026nbsp;  A wind break is particularly important for roof top beekeepers.\u0026nbsp; Though not necessary some of us use pieces of plexiglass  extending 4+ inches over our outer covers to provide additional weather protection and extend the life of our beekeeping equipment.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: x-large;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003EWinter Hive\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-pLlOyx26qqI\/Vip-JVaGASI\/AAAAAAAABQ4\/9XOVKPR-4Ao\/s1600\/Winter%2BHive%2B9_6.png\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"588\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-pLlOyx26qqI\/Vip-JVaGASI\/AAAAAAAABQ4\/9XOVKPR-4Ao\/s640\/Winter%2BHive%2B9_6.png\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003EWasps\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;  \u0026nbsp; \u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003EWith the decrease in available forage robbing and  wasp attacks become a real concern starting in August so guard bees will become more  defensive and in the wild the colony may reduce the size of the entrance  with propolis and wax.\u0026nbsp; The beekeeper can assist by reducing the  entrance to as small as 1.5 centimeters or a half inch to make it easier  to defend.\u0026nbsp; In Vancouver wasps have been more aggressive, longer into the winter over the last few years.\u0026nbsp; I received a swarm call last year in December.\u0026nbsp; There had been a few hard frosts so out of interest (knowing it wasn't a swarm)\u0026nbsp; I went to see a very active paper yellowjacket nest in an unheated crawl space.\u0026nbsp; The \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Yellow_jacket\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EYellowjacket wasps\u003C\/a\u003Eand Bald Faced Hornets have been aggressive in our apiary for about 4 weeks, attempting to  enter hives and picking off stray bees at the entrance. \u0026nbsp; I have reduced the bottom  entrance of my hives to between a half inch (1.5 cm) for weaker colonies to 3 inches for stronger colonies and screened off the upper entrance (eigth  inch hardware cloth).\u0026nbsp; This blocks potential wasp intrusion and robbing  by other  bees  if you are feeding and still allows ventilation.  The girls are better able  to defend the reduced single entrance. \u0026nbsp;Wasps will stay active at cooler temperatures than your bees so when the girls are in cluster the wasps may enter the hive. \u0026nbsp;I don't indiscriminately kill  wasps (I've identified 9 different types in our garden including  recently a parasitic wasp in my blue mason and leaf cutter bee cocoons) but have found them  increasingly aggressive towards our colonies for a longer period of time  in the fall (last year until December).\u0026nbsp; I've found the pheremone lure variety to  be very effective on our greatest threat which are the common \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Yellow_jacket\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EYellowjacket wasps\u003C\/a\u003E (does not attract Bald Faced Hornets).\u0026nbsp; This lure trap can also be used in the spring to kill the emerging wasp queens.\u0026nbsp; The \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.rescue.com\/product\/why-trap-wasps-hornets-yellowjackets\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ERescue\u003C\/a\u003E brand lure variety works well.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ctable align=\"center\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" class=\"tr-caption-container\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ctbody\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-oiHtTrPCkfU\/Vip--_JHLTI\/AAAAAAAABRQ\/IHvYKZ7wNFE\/s1600\/wasp_2.jpg\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-oiHtTrPCkfU\/Vip--_JHLTI\/AAAAAAAABRQ\/IHvYKZ7wNFE\/s1600\/wasp_2.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd class=\"tr-caption\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003EWasp trap\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003C\/tbody\u003E\u003C\/table\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003EYou can also make your own wasp trap.\u0026nbsp; Here is a  study from the University of Athens showing the effectiveness of 3  different types of traps (\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.bulletinofinsectology.org\/pdfarticles\/vol59-2006-135-145bacandritsos.pdf\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EWasp Traps\u003C\/a\u003E).\u0026nbsp; Maybe the easiest and most popular is the\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Make-a-Wasp-Trap\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E pop bottle trap\u003C\/a\u003E.\u0026nbsp; We have a number of these out now with a 50\/50 mixture of sugar and water and a capfull of vinegar poured in the entrance to keep the bees away.\u0026nbsp; They have worked very well but you need to add a capfull of vinegar occasionally to dissuade the bees.\u0026nbsp; Here is a study from the University of California  on the effectiveness of different baits (\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.pestboard.ca.gov\/howdoi\/research\/2009_yellowjacket.pdf\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EBaits for the Control of Yellowjackets\u003C\/a\u003E).\u0026nbsp; I've not had much success with fish or meat baits\u0026nbsp; later in the summer.\u0026nbsp; These protein baits are successful earlier in the season when the wasps are feeding their brood.\u0026nbsp; Wasps prefer a sugar and water bait at this time of year.\u0026nbsp; For more information on wasps go to the \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/strathconabeekeepers.blogspot.com\/p\/the-beekeepers-library.html#wasps\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EWasp\u003C\/a\u003E section of our \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/strathconabeekeepers.blogspot.com\/p\/the-beekeepers-library.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EBeekeeping Library\u003C\/a\u003E. \u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-0OCln7VlWko\/V83IXDPDuyI\/AAAAAAAACME\/uIDnavsgOGEGE49L43n3T9LXVaYUEqsaACLcB\/s1600\/materials_trapc.jpg\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"320\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-0OCln7VlWko\/V83IXDPDuyI\/AAAAAAAACME\/uIDnavsgOGEGE49L43n3T9LXVaYUEqsaACLcB\/s320\/materials_trapc.jpg\" width=\"240\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp; \u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003EIf wasp attacks or robbing persists you can use a \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/entomology.ucdavis.edu\/files\/147611.pdf\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Erobber screen\u003C\/a\u003E which are easy to make.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-X7nMvZsLlHU\/Vip8xyiuKZI\/AAAAAAAABQI\/kTkLV374NLw\/s1600\/Capture1_1.png\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"187\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-X7nMvZsLlHU\/Vip8xyiuKZI\/AAAAAAAABQI\/kTkLV374NLw\/s640\/Capture1_1.png\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003EEqualization or Combining Colonies\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: medium;\"\u003E \u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E It is recommended that new beekeepers have  2 hives rather than 1 because inevitably one will be stronger than the other.\u0026nbsp; This allows you to strengthen the weaker hive with bees from the  stronger colony (\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/countryrubes.com\/template\/images\/Equalization_of_Bee_Colonies_Strength_update_9_09.pdf\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EEqualization of Bee Colonies Strength by Khalil Hamdan\u003C\/a\u003E) or to split the stronger hive if you lose the weaker colony.\u0026nbsp; Though this can be done in the spring it can also be done in preparation for winter by adding 2-3 frames  of bees and brood as needed and available every 3-4 weeks starting in July.\u0026nbsp; If you find you have a weak colony now you can combine the colony with a stronger one using the newspaper method (\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.dave-cushman.net\/bee\/unitenewspaper.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EUniting Honey Bees by David Cushman\u003C\/a\u003E).\u0026nbsp; Although some will insist it imperative to kill the weaker queen others like the late, great \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.dave-cushman.net\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EDavid Cushman\u003C\/a\u003E suggest that it is not necessary: \"Many texts will tell you to kill the least desirable queen in one of the  two groups to be united, but I find it is often prudent to leave both  queens, so that the bees can make the choice, in most cases the younger  and fitter queen remains, but there may be subtle things in a queen's  make up that the bees are better able to make  choices about rather than the beekeeper (David Cushman).\"\u0026nbsp; Some beekeepers (not me) like to requeen as part of their winter preparation to make sure they have young, active queens the following spring.\u0026nbsp; In October most beekeepers reduce their Langstroth hives to 2 deep supers and Kenyan Top Bar hives are reduced by moving your follower board or your false backs forward (\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/app.box.com\/s\/cv4940rtyau4hivphwed\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EWinterizing your Top Bar Hive\u003C\/a\u003E).\u0026nbsp; Queen excluders should be removed so the queen can move with the cluster as it moves upward.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ctable align=\"center\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" class=\"tr-caption-container\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ctbody\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-leJlMGMy7Wk\/V85Xa-YN8XI\/AAAAAAAACMU\/a3KULa6_JasqBWFoKYtY92qVk4ds7pUIACLcB\/s1600\/newspaper_uniting.gif\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"320\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-leJlMGMy7Wk\/V85Xa-YN8XI\/AAAAAAAACMU\/a3KULa6_JasqBWFoKYtY92qVk4ds7pUIACLcB\/s320\/newspaper_uniting.gif\" width=\"196\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd class=\"tr-caption\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003EThe newspaper method of combining hives\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003C\/tbody\u003E\u003C\/table\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003EMice\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E \u003C\/span\u003E\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003EThough still mild it's time to think of mice which like to winter  in the hives.  There are a hundred different varieties of mouse proof  entrances from quarter inch screened mesh, drilled metal sheet to simple  nails minimizing the entrance.\u0026nbsp; The mice can get through a fairly small area and will chew through wood.\u0026nbsp; I use a simple wood entrance reducer with a nail reducing the entrance to just over the width of a bee.\u0026nbsp; This allows for the removal of dead bees which the girls do as part of winter house cleaning.\u0026nbsp; If you find the mice chewing on the entrance reducer you can wrap it in wire mesh.\u0026nbsp; Here is an easy \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/brookfieldfarmhoney.wordpress.com\/2013\/11\/04\/making-mouse-guards-2013\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Estep by step guide to making a mouse guard from Brooksfield Farm\u003C\/a\u003E just south of us near Mt. Baker.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Ctable align=\"center\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" class=\"tr-caption-container\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ctbody\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-epi2lHG7gh8\/Vip_LSvV2rI\/AAAAAAAABRY\/EsViKYmurWg\/s1600\/mouse_6.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"246\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-epi2lHG7gh8\/Vip_LSvV2rI\/AAAAAAAABRY\/EsViKYmurWg\/s400\/mouse_6.jpg\" width=\"400\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd class=\"tr-caption\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003EDifficult house cleaning\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003C\/tbody\u003E\u003C\/table\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Ctable align=\"center\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" class=\"tr-caption-container\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ctbody\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-xVSkqxClBlk\/Vip_T6FrqsI\/AAAAAAAABRg\/n63V-dUOvTE\/s1600\/mouse2_5.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-xVSkqxClBlk\/Vip_T6FrqsI\/AAAAAAAABRg\/n63V-dUOvTE\/s400\/mouse2_5.jpg\" width=\"400\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd class=\"tr-caption\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003EWire mesh mouse proof entrance reducer\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003C\/tbody\u003E\u003C\/table\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003EFor more information on wintering your colonies check out the recorded webinars by Kim Flottum, \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/youtu.be\/Wxk5at5Pqps\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\"Getting your hives ready for winter\" \u003C\/a\u003E or \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/youtu.be\/OdA1SnRKi90\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\"Putting the hive to bed for winter\"\u003C\/a\u003E.\u0026nbsp; You may also want to check out \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/app.box.com\/s\/x1ewocs9t5tt94xltb21\"\u003EThe Biology and Management of Colonies in Winter\u003C\/a\u003E , \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/app.box.com\/s\/gfxqpkmaz4e4mf41u5oi\"\u003EWinterization Guide for Beekeeping\u003C\/a\u003E , \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/app.box.com\/s\/ajcqvuu8e6z3yutmxkzl\"\u003EThe Thermology of Wintering Honey Bee Colonies\u003C\/a\u003E or \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/app.box.com\/s\/csires9qmv2ylz0c21o5\"\u003EWrapping a Honey Bee Colony with Tar Paper\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp; from the \"\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/strathconabeekeepers.blogspot.ca\/p\/the-beekeepers-library.html#wintermanagement\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EWinter Management\u003C\/a\u003E\" section of the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/strathconabeekeepers.blogspot.ca\/p\/the-beekeepers-library.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EBeekeepers' Library\u003C\/a\u003E.\u0026nbsp; Good luck to you and your bees and stay dry. \u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"400\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-WixOtKh6D98\/Vip_t5pW9sI\/AAAAAAAABRo\/IIlCLZ8cJAc\/s400\/bees%2Bin%2Brain_2.jpg\" width=\"400\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-o6qiRaa5kH0\/XWsdIBn7y7I\/AAAAAAAAEDo\/Dik9RdmSeXkKk4Tmm2Ui5oAyj15bPOo2QCLcBGAs\/s1600\/Capture1.PNG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"171\" data-original-width=\"560\" height=\"194\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-o6qiRaa5kH0\/XWsdIBn7y7I\/AAAAAAAAEDo\/Dik9RdmSeXkKk4Tmm2Ui5oAyj15bPOo2QCLcBGAs\/s640\/Capture1.PNG\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; For more information and to register click on this \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/mailchi.mp\/952045f4b3d2\/early-bird-deadline-august-31st?e=77ba6df6c8\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Elink\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/strathconabeekeepers.blogspot.com\/feeds\/3672420806360893882\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/strathconabeekeepers.blogspot.com\/2019\/08\/winter-preparation-for-vancouver.html#comment-form","title":"0 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/1644096506760919907\/posts\/default\/3672420806360893882"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/1644096506760919907\/posts\/default\/3672420806360893882"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/strathconabeekeepers.blogspot.com\/2019\/08\/winter-preparation-for-vancouver.html","title":"Winter Preparation for Vancouver Beekeepers"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Unknown"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-HcbOWZ4hH4k\/Vip3-LRLDNI\/AAAAAAAABPs\/bK63xEaZn1w\/s72-c\/bees-need-rain-too2.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"0"},"georss$featurename":{"$t":"Vancouver, BC, Canada"},"georss$point":{"$t":"49.2827291 -123.12073750000002"},"georss$box":{"$t":"49.1169156 -123.44346100000001 49.448542599999996 -122.79801400000002"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1644096506760919907.post-5109615165918037211"},"published":{"$t":"2019-06-09T15:03:00.000-07:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2019-07-13T13:38:14.492-07:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"bee plants"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Bees Luv Dandelions"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\u003Ctable align=\"center\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" class=\"tr-caption-container\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ctbody\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-gDI0SHLqKV4\/UXcqJoFrqhI\/AAAAAAAAFC4\/fTsBfrW5H1k\/s1600\/IMG_1718.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"480\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-gDI0SHLqKV4\/UXcqJoFrqhI\/AAAAAAAAFC4\/fTsBfrW5H1k\/s640\/IMG_1718.JPG\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd class=\"tr-caption\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003EOne of our girls enjoying a Dandelion\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003C\/tbody\u003E\u003C\/table\u003E\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;It was a beautiful, sunny, 20 degree celsius (70 fahrenheit) day in the garden and the bees were very active. \u0026nbsp;At this time of year there are a wide assortment of blossoms available to be foraged upon but one of the favourites is an unplanted native, invasive plant, the Dandelion (\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Taraxacum\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ETaraxacum\u003C\/a\u003E) of the Asteraceae (Aster) Family. Many still think of the Dandelion as an unwanted weed but I hope that attitude is changing along with the need for a manicured lawn (\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/growfood-notlawns.com\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EGrow food not lawns\u003C\/a\u003E). \u0026nbsp;For us the Dandelion can flower throughout the growing period and if the seed heads are allowed to mature you are guaranteed a plentiful crop. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;My city garden is a 4 acre community garden close to downtown Vancouver and through the years I have grown to appreciate the invasive plants (weeds?). \u0026nbsp;Being a very multicultural city it is so interesting to hear the perspective of different cultures on particular plants. \u0026nbsp;Gout weed (\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Aegopodium_podagraria\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EAegopodium podagraria\u003C\/a\u003E) for example is an extremely invasive plant, native to Eurasia which although enjoyed by the bees is difficult to remove and an irritant to most gardeners. \u0026nbsp;One day two Asian Canadian women approached me and asked if they could harvest our gout weed. \u0026nbsp;Attempting to hide my enthusiasm I asked them why. \u0026nbsp;They told me of it's medicinal properties (primarily to treat stomach ailments- thus the name gout weed) and told me how they boil it and prepare a tea. \u0026nbsp;On the same day I saw two older men harvesting dandelion leaves. \u0026nbsp;They explained to me that in Italy they cherish the leaves and fry them in olive oil and garlic. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; The entire Dandelion plant is edible and the flower petals, along with other ingredients, are used to make dandelion wine. The leaves are best when they first appear or after the first frost (\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/allrecipes.com\/recipe\/dandelion-greens-with-a-kick\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ERecipes\u003C\/a\u003E). The ground, roasted roots can be used as a caffeine-free dandelion coffee. \u0026nbsp;Dandelion was also traditionally used to make the traditional British soft drink dandelion and burdock, and is one of the ingredients of root beer. \u0026nbsp;Also, Dandelions were once delicacies eaten by the Victorian gentry mostly in salads and sandwiches. \u0026nbsp;Dandelion leaves contain abundant vitamins and minerals, especially vitamins A, C, K, niacin, riboflaven and are good sources of calcium, potassium, iron, manganese and beta carotene. \u0026nbsp;Lecithin in the flower detoxifies the liver. \u0026nbsp;As well Dandelions nourish other plants through their long (up to 3 ft) tap root which brings minerals and nutrients from a less contaminated part of the soil to the surface where it is utilized by the shorter roots of neighbouring plants. \u0026nbsp;If you break the stem of a dandelion the white fluid that appears can be used to ease the pain of bee stings or sores. \u0026nbsp;Wow!\u0026nbsp; What an amazing plant.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-D8DPCeCAmRI\/WhGbsvhIC_I\/AAAAAAAADXo\/4PJ8StnQnGoAMLR5RoRvh07aolEHr1wQQCLcBGAs\/s1600\/Dandelion%2BRoot.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"624\" data-original-width=\"720\" height=\"553\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-D8DPCeCAmRI\/WhGbsvhIC_I\/AAAAAAAADXo\/4PJ8StnQnGoAMLR5RoRvh07aolEHr1wQQCLcBGAs\/s640\/Dandelion%2BRoot.jpg\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;Like us bees are healthier, live longer and perform better when feeding on a mixed diet.\u0026nbsp; \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\"There is a growing body of evidence showing that poor nutrition can be a major player in affecting honey bee health. Eischen and Graham (2008) demonstrated that well-nourished honey bees are less susceptible to Nosema ceranae than poorly nourished bees. \u0026nbsp;Naug (2009) tested the hypothesis that nutritional stress due to habitat loss has played a major role in causing CCD by analyzing the land use data in U.S. He showed a significant correlation between the number of colony loss from each state and the state’s ratio of open land relative to its developed land area.\" \u0026nbsp; \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/articles.extension.org\/pages\/28844\/honey-bee-nutrition\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EZachary Huang, Michigan State University\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/extension.oregonstate.edu\/sorec\/sites\/default\/files\/bee_friendly_farming_osu.pdf\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EBee Friendly Farming\u003C\/a\u003E practices are essential for a healthy bee population. \u0026nbsp;Specifically, adopting a diverse pollinator beneficial planting farming practice. \u0026nbsp;Different pollens have different nutritional value to bees and studies have shown a slight improvement in performance when feeding on Dandelion (\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.nbba.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/12\/Nutritional_Value_of_Bee_Collected_Pollens.pdf\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ENutritional Value of Bee Collected Pollens\u003C\/a\u003E). \u0026nbsp;Interestingly for me two of the most nutritious pollens for bees, blackberry and cottonwood trees are aggressive volunteers in our garden.\u0026nbsp; \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-9GTmW3sRkPU\/UXc0X6GchoI\/AAAAAAAAFDI\/wdXAySp99Vg\/s1600\/IMG_1715.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"480\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-9GTmW3sRkPU\/UXc0X6GchoI\/AAAAAAAAFDI\/wdXAySp99Vg\/s640\/IMG_1715.JPG\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; For many in search of that manicured, green lawn a remedy for the removal of dandelions is to use a herbicide.\u0026nbsp; I request that you put away the Roundup herbicide and let your dandelions grow or control them by removing the flowers before they go to seed.\u0026nbsp; Before Roundup became the most used herbicide in the world it was a metal chelator or cleaner.\u0026nbsp; \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.pan-europe.info\/sites\/pan-europe.info\/files\/Glyphosate%20Dismissal_Technical%20Report.pdf\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ENumerous studies\u003C\/a\u003E have proven the toxic effects of Glyphosate and\u0026nbsp; the World Health Organization has determined that Glyphosate is probably a \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.nrdc.org\/experts\/jennifer-sass\/glyphosate-herbicide-linked-cancer-iarc-world-health-organization-assessment\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ecarginogen\u003C\/a\u003E .\u0026nbsp; In a recent \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.beeculture.com\/catch-the-buzz-weed-killer-residues-found-in-98-percent-of-canadian-honey-samples\/?utm_source=Catch+The+Buzz\u0026amp;utm_campaign=f421bd4569-Catch_The_Buzz_4_29_2015\u0026amp;utm_medium=email\u0026amp;utm_term=0_0272f190ab-f421bd4569-256260329\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Estudy\u003C\/a\u003E Glyphosate was found present in 98% of Canadian honey samples.\u0026nbsp; A recent U.S. court awarded 2 billion dollars in damages for the causation of cancer in Albert Pilliod (\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/mailchi.mp\/gmwatch.org\/monsanto-hit-with-2-billion-damages-verdict-in-third-roundup-trial?e=24143f126d\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EMonsanto hit with $2 billion damages verdict in third Roudup trial\u003C\/a\u003E).\u0026nbsp; There are also studies showing the negative effects on our bees (\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/drive.google.com\/drive\/folders\/1ZEKFXYEmvMzZuQcjA1ARCRjLUoHGAVpx\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EEffects of Glyphosate on honeybee apetite and naviation\u003C\/a\u003E).\u0026nbsp; There is an alternative.\u0026nbsp; You and I as food producers and consumers can grow and eat organically and if desired we can control the spread of dandelions by removing the flowers (hand, scythe, lawnmower or weedeater) before they go to seed (\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.makewine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/09\/Dandelion-Wine.pdf\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EDandelion Wine ?\u003C\/a\u003E) or by hiring some unemployed goats (\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/rentagoat.com\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ERent a Goat\u003C\/a\u003E).\u0026nbsp; Your bees will thank you.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-Gv3R8SLsUcA\/UXc79cIVghI\/AAAAAAAAFD8\/ML14cAXrnU4\/s1600\/save+the+bees5.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"94\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-Gv3R8SLsUcA\/UXc79cIVghI\/AAAAAAAAFD8\/ML14cAXrnU4\/s640\/save+the+bees5.jpg\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/strathconabeekeepers.blogspot.com\/feeds\/5109615165918037211\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/strathconabeekeepers.blogspot.com\/2019\/06\/bees-luv-dandelions.html#comment-form","title":"0 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/1644096506760919907\/posts\/default\/5109615165918037211"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/1644096506760919907\/posts\/default\/5109615165918037211"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/strathconabeekeepers.blogspot.com\/2019\/06\/bees-luv-dandelions.html","title":"Bees Luv Dandelions"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Unknown"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-gDI0SHLqKV4\/UXcqJoFrqhI\/AAAAAAAAFC4\/fTsBfrW5H1k\/s72-c\/IMG_1718.JPG","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"0"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1644096506760919907.post-702371489282983073"},"published":{"$t":"2019-03-07T08:40:00.001-08:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2019-03-07T15:05:36.808-08:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Nucs vs Packages"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Honey Bee Nucs vs Packages"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-ewNskYM-TxQ\/VOLOsZ9eeGI\/AAAAAAAAAfM\/yXDVgxphE4E\/s1600\/Untitled%2Bpicture.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"282\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-ewNskYM-TxQ\/VOLOsZ9eeGI\/AAAAAAAAAfM\/yXDVgxphE4E\/s1600\/Untitled%2Bpicture.jpg\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;There are few hard, set in concrete rules in beekeeping despite what some will tell you. Whether to buy a bee nuc or package depends like a lot of things on your location and your needs. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; A nuc (nucleus of a colony) consists of 4-5 frames of bees in a half sized Langstroth deep box which should include a laying queen, 2 frames of brood and 2 frames of honey and\/or pollen.\u0026nbsp;A typical package consists of 3 pounds of bees, and a queen. Normally the package bees are from production hives where they shake out bees into the package box. A mated queen is then placed in the package, protected in a queen cage. \u0026nbsp;There is usually a container of syrup in the package to feed the bees for the days before they are transferred to a hive.\u0026nbsp;A package is usually put together a few days before sold and in the case of cold weather beekeepers in spring comes from a warmer location to the south. In our case because of government restrictions (\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/strathconabeekeepers.blogspot.ca\/2013\/11\/no-us-bees-for-canada.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ENo U.S. Bees to Canada\u003C\/a\u003E) this means thousands of miles south from New Zealand, Australia or Chile. The video below shows the process of creating a package of bees.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ciframe allowfullscreen=\"\" frameborder=\"0\" height=\"480\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/TYcF8DeQOt0\" width=\"640\"\u003E\u003C\/iframe\u003E \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; The main advantage of the package is that in cold weather areas they are available (March) a few months before local nucs (May) which allows beekeepers to take advantage of spring fruit blossoms. \u0026nbsp;Fortunately for us in Vancouver a supply of \"overwintered nucs\" are available this year at the same time as the package, cheaper than the package (devalued dollar) and a better option. \u0026nbsp;However, in British Columbia the supply does not meet the demand as over 3,000 packages of bees will be imported this March from New Zealand to help pollinate the Fraser Valley blueberries. \u0026nbsp;In l985 biologist and author Mark Winston wrote \"it is estimated that, at present colony densities, BC has the potential to produce 75,520 spring packages each year, and increased colony density and a higher level of commercial beekeeping could elevate this figure. Continued and increased package and nucleus production, coupled with increased wintering and queen production, could result in a high degree of Canadian self-sufficiency within the next few years (\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/app.box.com\/s\/ucmicus2gf8guzzv7lu5d4gxjzs9hwho\" target=\"_blank\"\u003El989 Study on package and nuc production in B.C.\u003C\/a\u003E).\" \u0026nbsp;That self-sufficiency was never realized. \u0026nbsp;Large scale package and nuc production was never developed and with current 30% winter colony losses our dependence on imported packages will continue.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; Packages are a necessity in some areas because of the lack of nucs  available. \u0026nbsp;They are usually cheaper, have less pests and diseases (no comb) and can be  installed into any type of hive. \u0026nbsp;In most areas the packages come from a  warmer climate so winter survival is less likely as proven in a good,  small scale study carried out in New England by master beekeeper Erin  MacGregor-Forbes (\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/app.box.com\/s\/2arfqeyue2ktnodr5z6u\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EComparison of colony strength and survivability between nucs and packages\u003C\/a\u003E).  \u0026nbsp;This single study is certainly not conclusive evidence but suggests a problem with imported warm weather packages and a  need for more projects like this. \u0026nbsp;Erin found a significant difference  in winter survival between the  southern package and nucleus (the nucs had twice the survival rate) but also found that a southern package with  a replaced local queen performed as well as the nucleus. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-xLK5Gv2GxbU\/VOPoNNUk1wI\/AAAAAAAAAgM\/rrs1Kij9K8s\/s1600\/Table2HiveStrength-xn5kvh.jpg\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"190\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-xLK5Gv2GxbU\/VOPoNNUk1wI\/AAAAAAAAAgM\/rrs1Kij9K8s\/s1600\/Table2HiveStrength-xn5kvh.jpg\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; In our situation bee packages come from a similar climate but the opposite hemisphere so they leave New Zealand in late summer and arrive in Canada a few days later in early Spring where it can be freezing and snowing (I have experienced this). \u0026nbsp;This obviously can be hard on the bees. \u0026nbsp;Erin also found in her study that the packages outperformed the nucs in terms of honey  production which she attributed to a high rate of swarming by the  nucleus colonies. I don't know if she  took measures to prevent swarming but this has not been my experience . \u0026nbsp;I've not had exceptional problems  with nucs swarming but have used swarm prevention methods like  checkerboarding and splits (Check out \"\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/strathconabeekeepers.blogspot.com\/p\/the-beekeepers-library.html#swarms\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ESwarms\u003C\/a\u003E\" section of our library).\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-LnjLqMcUTsI\/VOPrPpBI6PI\/AAAAAAAAAgY\/4v0GEmMOpk4\/s1600\/Table1SurplusHoney-1lsa0rh.jpg\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"244\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-LnjLqMcUTsI\/VOPrPpBI6PI\/AAAAAAAAAgY\/4v0GEmMOpk4\/s1600\/Table1SurplusHoney-1lsa0rh.jpg\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-j-wtjt2QZ5g\/VOPwhfo1G-I\/AAAAAAAAAgo\/HM2suOC8Ihk\/s1600\/Packages%2Bpros%2Band%2Bcons.PNG\" style=\"clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-j-wtjt2QZ5g\/VOPwhfo1G-I\/AAAAAAAAAgo\/HM2suOC8Ihk\/s1600\/Packages%2Bpros%2Band%2Bcons.PNG\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;The benefits of using a nucleus over a package are that the queen is established, she is laying, you can see the brood pattern and there are usually at least 2 frames of brood.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Ctable align=\"center\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" class=\"tr-caption-container\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ctbody\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-7cojZNMvva4\/VOPjNQKD69I\/AAAAAAAAAf4\/QwTCWMlZX5w\/s1600\/varroahsc-4.jpg.jpeg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"297\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-7cojZNMvva4\/VOPjNQKD69I\/AAAAAAAAAf4\/QwTCWMlZX5w\/s1600\/varroahsc-4.jpg.jpeg\" width=\"400\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd class=\"tr-caption\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003EGood brood pattern\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003C\/tbody\u003E\u003C\/table\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; The worker bees in a nucleus colony know their roles so there are nurse bees and foragers and the foundation is set (drawn comb) which will put them at least a few weeks ahead of an imported package.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Ctable align=\"center\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" class=\"tr-caption-container\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ctbody\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-V-fPdbSCIlM\/VOPiTkffdgI\/AAAAAAAAAf0\/SuFcipCQsgo\/s1600\/bad-comb.jpg.jpeg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-V-fPdbSCIlM\/VOPiTkffdgI\/AAAAAAAAAf0\/SuFcipCQsgo\/s1600\/bad-comb.jpg.jpeg\" width=\"400\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd class=\"tr-caption\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003EBees with a sense of humour drawing out a frame\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003C\/tbody\u003E\u003C\/table\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; Many backyard beekeepers will not have drawn frames to install their packages on to so a lot of energy and \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/strathconabeekeepers.blogspot.com\/p\/the-beekeepers-library.html#feeding\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Efeeding\u003C\/a\u003E will be required to produce the wax to draw out the frames. \u0026nbsp;Because there are foragers and at least one frame of honey and pollen the nucleus may not require feeding (depending on spring weather conditions).\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Ctable align=\"center\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" class=\"tr-caption-container\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ctbody\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-NbCuCPmdqVg\/VOPkMX8bvZI\/AAAAAAAAAgA\/HY20vmUAO-U\/s1600\/frame-few-bees.gif\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"272\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-NbCuCPmdqVg\/VOPkMX8bvZI\/AAAAAAAAAgA\/HY20vmUAO-U\/s1600\/frame-few-bees.gif\" width=\"400\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd class=\"tr-caption\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003EFrame of honey\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003C\/tbody\u003E\u003C\/table\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-N_dTg4dk2WU\/VOP6fg9fFwI\/AAAAAAAAAg4\/kk8UR8U0Oes\/s1600\/Nucleus.PNG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-N_dTg4dk2WU\/VOP6fg9fFwI\/AAAAAAAAAg4\/kk8UR8U0Oes\/s1600\/Nucleus.PNG\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; A \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/pwrbeekeepers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/08\/BANV-2011-Queen-Colony-Survival.pdf\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Esurvey\u003C\/a\u003E by the Beekeepers Assocition of North Virginia to determine if the source of queens effected colony winter survival found significant differences between southern packages (23%) and local nucs (87%).\u0026nbsp; While this is an extreme example I thinks it supports the theory of the benefits of local nucs over imported southern packages.\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; While the package may be a necessity for the commercial beekeeper, in my humble opinion if available the nuc from local, survivor stock is a better option even two months after the package particularly for the new beekeeper. \u0026nbsp;With the nuc, because you have an established colony (Queen) with drawn comb and stores there is less likelihood of problems like absconding or queen failure that can occur with packages. \u0026nbsp;Biologist and author Mark Winston (\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/books.google.ca\/books?id=oDyWBAAAQBAJ\u0026amp;source=gbs_similarbooks\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EBee Time: Lessons from the Hive\u003C\/a\u003E) suggests we need to wean ourselves off of this dependence on imported bees. \u0026nbsp;The solution lies in the lowering of the winter loss rate possibly through the development of a strong local, survivor stock with hygienic behavior.\u0026nbsp; The increasing popularity of overwintering nucs may also be helpful.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Ciframe allowfullscreen=\"\" frameborder=\"0\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/9ah-w_K-ht4\" width=\"640\"\u003E\u003C\/iframe\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;In the video below Michael Palmer\u0026nbsp;describes some of the difficulties associated with starting a bee hive from scratch using package bees including the lack of nurse bees for the new brood.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Ciframe allowfullscreen=\"\" frameborder=\"0\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/N_-jNK18aYY\" width=\"640\"\u003E\u003C\/iframe\u003E \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; For more information on nucs and packages check out \"\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/strathconabeekeepers.blogspot.ca\/p\/the-beekeepers-library.html#splits,nucsandpackages\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ESplits, Nucs and Packages\u003C\/a\u003E\" in the \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/strathconabeekeepers.blogspot.ca\/p\/the-beekeepers-library.html#basicbeekeeping\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EBasic Beekeeping\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;section of the \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/goo.gl\/doxovX\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EBeekeepers' Library\u003C\/a\u003E.\u0026nbsp; Be sure to check out the articles on overwintering nucs by Kirk Webster, Mel Disselkoen and others in the \"\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/strathconabeekeepers.blogspot.ca\/p\/the-beekeepers-library.html#wintermanagement\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EWinter Management\u003C\/a\u003E\" section of our library.\u0026nbsp; In Vancouver Urban Bee, B.C. Beekeeping, West Coast Bee Supplies and Dancing Bee Apiary will be selling packages in March - April and B.C. Beekeeping will be selling local, overwintered nucs in May (\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/strathconabeekeepers.blogspot.ca\/p\/bees-for-sale-in-vancouver.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EVancouver Bees for Sale\u003C\/a\u003E).\u0026nbsp; \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; Vancouver has been experiencing unseasonably cold weather with temperatures below freezing.\u0026nbsp; Hopefully spring will arrive soon.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-eVXH8OuXpSE\/XIFIHKW5LuI\/AAAAAAAAD4s\/w3xbqQCkQN0NJCB5ltLmmKgqJY_bdHbywCLcBGAs\/s1600\/a%2Bbeehive%2Bin%2Bmy%2Bheart.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"960\" data-original-width=\"685\" height=\"640\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-eVXH8OuXpSE\/XIFIHKW5LuI\/AAAAAAAAD4s\/w3xbqQCkQN0NJCB5ltLmmKgqJY_bdHbywCLcBGAs\/s640\/a%2Bbeehive%2Bin%2Bmy%2Bheart.jpg\" width=\"456\" \/\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003EFrom the \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.ca\/ABC-Xyz-Bee-Culture-Encyclopedia\/dp\/0936028017\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EABC and XYZ of Bee Culture\u003C\/a\u003E \u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/strathconabeekeepers.blogspot.com\/feeds\/702371489282983073\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/strathconabeekeepers.blogspot.com\/2019\/03\/honey-bee-nucs-vs-packages.html#comment-form","title":"0 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/1644096506760919907\/posts\/default\/702371489282983073"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/1644096506760919907\/posts\/default\/702371489282983073"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/strathconabeekeepers.blogspot.com\/2019\/03\/honey-bee-nucs-vs-packages.html","title":"Honey Bee Nucs vs Packages"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Unknown"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-ewNskYM-TxQ\/VOLOsZ9eeGI\/AAAAAAAAAfM\/yXDVgxphE4E\/s72-c\/Untitled%2Bpicture.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"0"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1644096506760919907.post-1905425839719018642"},"published":{"$t":"2019-01-24T16:06:00.001-08:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2020-01-05T21:50:57.323-08:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Feeding Bees"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Feeding Bees in Winter"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-ZK86uNLSPHk\/UshWb7aiviI\/AAAAAAAAGDk\/289z0Hbuufs\/s1600\/IMG_0517.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-ZK86uNLSPHk\/UshWb7aiviI\/AAAAAAAAGDk\/289z0Hbuufs\/s1600\/IMG_0517.JPG\" width=\"400\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;First let me say that I don't usually feed my bees unless it is a late winter\/early spring emergency feed. There are exceptions such as extreme drought but in most areas of the world where honey bees are kept the bees produce enough honey to overwinter.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;Depending on the length of your winter (no natural food source or too cold to forage) a full colony of bees in our northern regions will consume between 27-40 kgs (60-90 lbs) of honey. \u0026nbsp;In our apiary\u0026nbsp;in Vancouver we have found that a average sized colony requires 10-12 deep frames (30 kg or 66 lbs - every area is different) to overwinter in a normal year.\u0026nbsp; Every location is different.\u0026nbsp; Opening the hive in winter should be avoided but if necessary you can check if your hive is in need of winter feeding with a quick check on a nice day (not snowing or windy).\u0026nbsp; It's possible to avoid opening the hive by monitoring the weight (vs weight at beginning of winter) by simply lifting the back of the hive if you have experience or using a simple \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.ebay.ca\/itm\/331418539867?chn=ps\u0026amp;dispItem=1\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Eluggage scale\u003C\/a\u003E.\u0026nbsp; Here is an example of a winter hive check.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Ciframe allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen=\"\" frameborder=\"0\" height=\"315\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/psuAswYFSG4\" width=\"560\"\u003E\u003C\/iframe\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;In beekeeping it may vary yearly but months are either negative or positive in terms of food accumulation.\u0026nbsp; In our temperate northern climate April to October are positive accumulation months, March and October are neutral depending on the weather and November through February are negative.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;In some areas where there is a late summer dearth (lack of forage) beekeepers will feed a 2 to 1 sugar syrup mixture to ready their bees for winter.\u0026nbsp; When the weather is still warm and there is not good forage, the bees are still very active and can consume a lot of their winter food supplies.\u0026nbsp; This can occur for us in October.\u0026nbsp; The recipes listed here are not as good as the natural food (honey) bees make for themselves but there are some situations when beekeepers will choose to supplement their bees' diet with a carbohydrate and\/or protein feed. \u0026nbsp;Sugar syrup is sometimes fed to bees in the spring and fall but below a certain temperature (approximately 12 C \/ 54 F) the bees are unable to dehydrate the liquid to store it. \u0026nbsp;One issue to keep in mind when autumn feeding is the accumulation of stored uncapped syrup in frames which acts as a hive humidifier in winter. \u0026nbsp;It's a good idea to minimize this. \u0026nbsp;Some beekeepers maintain that the warmth from the cluster will be sufficient to heat a plastic baggy of syrup placed above the cluster at colder temperatures.\u0026nbsp; I've not tried this.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;When it is colder beekeepers can use a solid sugar feed in dry form as a sugar cake.\u0026nbsp; In the \"\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/strathconabeekeepers.blogspot.ca\/p\/the-beekeepers-library.html#feeding\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EFeeding\u003C\/a\u003E\" section of our \"\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/strathconabeekeepers.blogspot.ca\/p\/the-beekeepers-library.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EBeekeepers Library\u003C\/a\u003E\" you will find recipes for syrup, candy, pollen patties, grease patties, pollen substitute, essential oil mixtures, inverted sugar syrup and other bee food products.\u0026nbsp; If you are using sugar make sure it is refined sucrose (table sugar) without impurities.\u0026nbsp; Unrefined sugars have poisoned bees and brown sugar and molasses are toxic to bees (\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/app.box.com\/s\/sl2jnjkw60o8czk76r85\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ESelecting sugars for feeding to Honey Bees\u003C\/a\u003E). \u0026nbsp;While it was previously thought that high fructose corn syrup, which is used by many commercial beekeepers was chemically indistinguishable from honey a recent study (\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/app.box.com\/s\/rkrzqem5f5ngcv2nz6hgh1jb1cvyhl9u\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EHoney elements induce detoxification and immunity\u003C\/a\u003E) found that honey contains important elements of pollen and propolis. \u0026nbsp;These elements induce the detoxification and immunity genes and may help the bees cope with pesticides and pathogens. \u0026nbsp;Feeding anything but their own honey is not a long term healthy alternative. \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;Some beekeepers believe that if you invert the sucrose (refined table sugar) by adding an acid (i.e vinegar) you will create a more natural food similar to honey and easier to digest.\u0026nbsp; The inversion process changes the sucrose to fructose and glucose essentially the same as honey.\u0026nbsp; However, there is no scientific evidence supporting this and bees actually perform the inversion in the digestive process in their honey stomach.\u0026nbsp; Another issue you may wish to consider is whether your sugar contains pesticides. \u0026nbsp;That will depend on your supplier. \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;When feeding in winter you want to apply the food so that the girls do not have to leave their winter cluster.\u0026nbsp; You can invert your inner cover to leave space to place the sugar cake or patty on top of the frames or build a simple spacer or eke.\u0026nbsp; I use 2 inch feeding spacers similar to those used by Anita at Beverley Bees (\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.beverlybees.com\/i-want-candy-so-lets-make-a-candyboard-for-winter-feeding\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EBeverley Bees Candy Board\u003C\/a\u003E) and a simple no cook sugar and water mixture.\u0026nbsp; Remember to make your spacer as small as possible as the ladies love to fill that space with comb and may do so rather quickly in the spring.\u0026nbsp; You can feed the ladies dry sugar on paper (Michael Bush uses a \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/bushfarms.com\/beesfeeding.htm\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Edry granulated sugar\u003C\/a\u003E for cold weather feeding) on top of the frames wetted down with water (the hive humidity should keep it moist)\u0026nbsp; or make a Sugar Cake.\u0026nbsp; You can check quickly throughout the winter on nicer days (avoid windy,snowy days) and add as needed.\u0026nbsp; Here is a demonstration by Philip from \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/mudsongs.org\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EMudsongs.org\u003C\/a\u003E adding a sugar cake on a winter day.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ciframe allowfullscreen=\"\" frameborder=\"0\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/gS4y3kSo2Hc\" width=\"640\"\u003E\u003C\/iframe\u003E \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003EHere is a few simple recipes for those not as lazy as me:\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003EFondant from Granulated Sugar\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv span=\"\" style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: normal;\"\u003EFondant can be fed directly to the bees once cooled. They are a good food source for mini-mating nucs because there is no drowning involved when you have a small amount of bees. It is also common to use this recipe in small quantities to plug the hole on a Queen Cage.  \u003Cbr \/\u003EEquipment:\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u0026lt; 1 large saucepan\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u0026lt; 1 Hand or electric mixer\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u0026lt; 1 Cooking themometer\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u0026lt; Shallow disposable setting pans (pizza)\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EIngredients:\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: normal;\"\u003E\u0026lt; 4 parts (by volume) granulated white sugar\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: normal;\"\u003E \u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u0026lt; 1 parts (by volume) water\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u0026lt; Optional 1 teaspoon white vinegar\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: normal;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: normal;\"\u003EBoil water and slowly add the sugar until dissolved, stirring constantly. Continue heating until the mixture reaches 238°F (114°C). Without mixing allow the solution to cool until it is slightly warm to the touch (200F). Then begin to mix (in a mixer) and aerate the\u003C\/span\u003E \u003Cspan style=\"font-size: normal;\"\u003Esolution. As you do this the color should turn white and creamy with air bubbles. Pour into shallow dishes or \u003C\/span\u003Emold and allow to cool. \u0026nbsp;To feed it can be placed directly on top of the frames or in a feeding spacer. \u0026nbsp;You can make the fondant thin enough to where it can be worked into an empty frame of drawn comb.\u003C\/span\u003E     \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: normal;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003EThis video is a step by step process of how to make their version of fondant by the Northwest New Jersey Beekeepers Association.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ciframe allowfullscreen=\"\" frameborder=\"0\" height=\"315\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/SyvOfdhdtfw?rel=0\" width=\"560\"\u003E\u003C\/iframe\u003E \u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: normal;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003EBee Candy\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: medium;\"\u003ECandy is not used as much as in the past because it's harder to make and work with. \u0026nbsp;However here is the recipe for those not deterred by hard work.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: normal;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: normal;\"\u003EEquipment:\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: normal;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: normal;\"\u003E\u0026lt; Heavy duty cooking pans\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: normal;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: normal;\"\u003E\u0026lt; Large spoon for stirring\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: normal;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: normal;\"\u003E\u0026lt; Measuring jug\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: normal;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: normal;\"\u003E\u0026lt; Cooking themometer\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: normal;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: normal;\"\u003E\u0026lt; Plastic containers\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: normal;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: normal;\"\u003E\u0026lt; Enameled or pyrex dishes\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: normal;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: normal;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: normal;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: normal;\"\u003EIngredients:\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: normal;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: normal;\"\u003E\u0026lt; Refined granulated white sugar\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: normal;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: normal;\"\u003E\u0026lt; Water\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: normal;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: normal;\"\u003E\u0026lt; Cooking oil\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: normal;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: normal;\"\u003E\u0026lt; Newspapers\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: normal;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: normal;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: normal;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: normal;\"\u003EPour 500 ml (1 pint) of water in a heavy saucepan and add 2 kgs. granulated sugar. Heat to the boiling point, stirring constantly to prevent the sugar burning on the bottom. Continue to boil til the syrup reaches 117 degrees centigrade (242 fahrenheit). \u0026nbsp;Prepare your enamel or pyrex glass dish by coating with vegetable oil, then lining with a sheet of newspaper. \u0026nbsp;Also, soak an old towel in cold water and lay it on a waterproof heat proof work surface. \u0026nbsp;Once the boiling syrup has reached 117 degrees centigrade place it on the wet towel to cool. \u0026nbsp;Stir the mixture continuously as it thickens. \u0026nbsp;Stir only so long that the mixture can still be poured into the lined dishes. \u0026nbsp;Allow to set and cool and to remove (when cooled) pull gently on the edges of the paper liner.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: normal;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: normal;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: normal;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: normal;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;Here are a few other versions of fondant recipes from \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/brookfieldfarmhoney.wordpress.com\/2014\/01\/30\/making-bee-candy-aka-fondant\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EBrookfield Farm\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;and\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.303beekeeper.com\/2009\/11\/recipe-fondant-for-winter-feeding.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EBackyard Beehive\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;or you can purchase it from a retailer like \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.brushymountainbeefarm.com\/Fondant\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EBrushy Mountain Bee Farm\u003C\/a\u003E. \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EWhether you use the above recipes or just dry granulated sugar you can check on your feed and add as needed whenever there is a break in the weather.\u0026nbsp; Here is another video showing feeding at 40 fahrenheit (4 celsius).\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Ciframe allowfullscreen=\"\" frameborder=\"0\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/w2-eBbYhSgE?rel=0\" width=\"640\"\u003E\u003C\/iframe\u003E \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; Pollen patties (with sugar) provide both the carbohydrates from sugar and the proteins from pollen (or pollen substitute) and stimulate brood production. \u0026nbsp;In Vancouver pollen patties can be added as early as February. There is a\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003Etheory to begin feeding pollen patties 8 weeks prior to the heavy pollen flow (for us fruit tree blossom). \u0026nbsp;3 weeks for the girls to be born, 3 weeks to become foragers and two weeks to build up the forager numbers. \u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003ERemember the presence of new pollen in the hive triggers the queen to produce brood which is why there is little to no brood production through the winter. \u0026nbsp;Pollen is the source of protein and nutrients for bees. \u0026nbsp;The level of body protein in bees varies seasonally between 21-67% depending on the availability and type of pollen available and the amount of energy expended foraging and brood raising. Different blossoms produce different quality pollen. \u0026nbsp;For example dandelions and blueberries produce a fairly low nutritional pollen while almond pollen is fairly high in nutrition.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Ctable align=\"center\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" class=\"tr-caption-container\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ctbody\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-Q0Atua6FENc\/TxSunjAH12I\/AAAAAAAAA2s\/j7W-2eLoj_8\/s1600\/dandelion.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"478\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-Q0Atua6FENc\/TxSunjAH12I\/AAAAAAAAA2s\/j7W-2eLoj_8\/s640\/dandelion.jpg\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd class=\"tr-caption\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003EDandelion pollen, although attractive to bees lacks certain amino acids. \u0026nbsp;Other types of pollen must be gathered in order to fully utilize the protein. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; Bees store protein in their bodies in the form of vitellogenin which directly determines their life span and immunological strength \u0026nbsp;to fight diseases and pests. \u0026nbsp;When the body protein level in bees drops it may take several weeks to recover. \u0026nbsp;Low body protein level means low brood and honey production. \u0026nbsp;A wide variety of pollens are essential for optimum bee health as each pollen provides different essential nutrients. \u0026nbsp;The report, \"\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/app.box.com\/s\/2sl1a6ecu7u31y5q86op\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ENutritional Value of Bee Collected Pollens\u003C\/a\u003E\" is an qualitative analysis of the pollen from different plants and trees. \u0026nbsp;This is why pollen patties or pollen substitute patties are not a healthy alternative to a natural variety of stored pollens but rather a diet supplement. \u0026nbsp;Having said that research has shown that colonies receiving pollen supplements in early spring can produce 2-4 times the brood of a non supplemented colony. \u0026nbsp;In addition the life span of worker bees is increased up to 15 days and consequently mid summer honey production is also increased. \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;The best protein source for supplemental feeding is of course pollen. \u0026nbsp;Studies show that bees are attracted to pollen and consume significantly more when the patties contain pollen rather than pollen substitute. \u0026nbsp;The graph below illustrates the benefits of pollen in supplemental feeding. \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-M15fSSqmMPY\/VNvIzRJXVSI\/AAAAAAAAAak\/GNsWllxPuy8\/s1600\/Capturewwww.PNG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"238\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-M15fSSqmMPY\/VNvIzRJXVSI\/AAAAAAAAAak\/GNsWllxPuy8\/s1600\/Capturewwww.PNG\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003EHaving said that pollen can be a carrier of bee diseases and if the source is unknown should be irradiated before use in a pollen patty. Since most beekeepers don't want to irradiate use your own pollen collected from healthy hives. \u0026nbsp;The nutritional value of pollen diminishes quickly when dried and stored so it is best to freeze your pollen immediately after collecting without drying. \u0026nbsp;It is recommended that you use between 3-5% pollen in your pollen patty and that your overall protein level be about 25%. \u0026nbsp;The best protein supplements or alternatives to pollen are yeast and soy flour. \u0026nbsp;Brewer's yeast has a 48-56% protein content and is a good but expensive protein source to stimulate brood production. \u0026nbsp;The more affordable soy flour (48-50% crude protein level) appears to be more of an adult bee food stimulating activity in the hive. \u0026nbsp;Due to these different benefits a combination of these protein sources is recommended. \u0026nbsp;Other additives like pollard (mixture of fine bran and flour- vitamin and essential oil source), vegetable oil (feed palatability), vitamins and minerals and sugar (carbohydrate and energy source) can be utilized. \u0026nbsp;I read recently where a local beekeeper is using herring meal as a protein source and no his honey doesn't taste like fish. Human vitamin and mineral supplements are made for mammals not bees so are not recommended. \u0026nbsp;Always use fresh ingredients as nutritional values decrease with time and old soy flour may even be toxic to bees. \u0026nbsp;Sugar is an attractant in your feed and vegetable oil (like soy or cotton seed) can make it more palatable. \u0026nbsp;The patty should be placed directly over the winter bee cluster which is normally in the middle of the brood box as the bees will not leave the cluster if it is cold. \u0026nbsp;You can invert your inner cover to make room for the pollen patty. \u0026nbsp;If you find there is not enough room between your hive frames and your inner cover you can make a simple hive eke (an extender frame or shallow box). When I made my insulated moisture quilt (\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/strathconabeekeepers.blogspot.com\/2011\/10\/moisture-quilt-insulated-hive-cover.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EInsulated Moisture Quilt\u003C\/a\u003E) I left space over the frames for supplemental feeding. \u0026nbsp;Here are a few pollen or substitute pollen patty recipes.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: x-large;\"\u003EPollen Patty\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003Cb style=\"font-size: medium;\"\u003E \u003C\/b\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E(3 different recipes)\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E(\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.al.gov.bc.ca\/apiculture\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EGovernment of B.C. Apiculture Department\u003C\/a\u003E)\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003EIn supplement mixes, the percentage of pollen can be increased or decreased depending on availability.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E#1 \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; 3 parts soybean flour\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;1 part pollen\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E#2 \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; 4 parts Brewer’s Yeast\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; 2 parts dry sugar\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;1 part pollen\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;2 parts lighter sugar syrup (2 sugar : 1 water)\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E#3 \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;10 parts Torula Type S Yeast\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; 10 parts Brewer’s Yeast\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;1 part pollen\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003ENote: use 2 parts dry mix to 3 parts syrup\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"font-size: small;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: x-large;\"\u003ESubstitute Pollen Patty \u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E(3 different recipes)\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E#1 \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; soybean flour only\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E#2 \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; 4 parts soybean flour\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;1 part Brewer’s Yeast\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E#3 \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; 10 parts soybean flour\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; 6 parts casein\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;3 parts Brewer’s Yeast\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;1 part egg yolk powder\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003EIn each case, add 4-5 parts of the dry mix to 2 parts heavy sugar syrup as indicated below in directions on preparation of patties.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003EPrepare patties as follows: \u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003EMix dry ingredients thoroughly.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003EMix a heavy syrup of 3 parts sugar to 1 part water.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003ESlowly add 2 parts of syrup to 4-5 parts of dry mix (see dry mix formulas above), while kneading.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003ELeave overnight and knead again before flattening into a 1.5 cm cake.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003ECut into squares weighing about 0.5 kg (1 lb).\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003EPlace on wax paper and cover with another wax paper to prevent drying.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003EHere is a video from\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/dchoneybees.com\/DC_Honeybees_Site\/Home.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EDC Honeybees\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;showing how to make a substitute pollen patty using these ingredients:\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E1\/2 lb yeast;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E1\/2 lb dried milk;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E1.5 lb soy flour;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E1\/3 cup canola oil\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003Ejuice of 1\/2 lemon\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003Ea multi vitamin\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003C\/tbody\u003E\u003C\/table\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Ciframe allowfullscreen=\"\" frameborder=\"0\" height=\"315\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/WX4O1yeSf8I?rel=0\" width=\"560\"\u003E\u003C\/iframe\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EHere are the folks from\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/mudsongs.org\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EMudsongs\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;installing a pollen patty.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ciframe allowfullscreen=\"\" frameborder=\"0\" height=\"315\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/cBZCL33fNHY?rel=0\" width=\"560\"\u003E\u003C\/iframe\u003E \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;I checked my hives a few days ago on a warm (8 C or 46 fahrenheit), sunny day and found lots of food remaining.\u0026nbsp; Don't worry Spring is just around the corner.\u0026nbsp; I saw my first cherry blossoms of the year yesterday.\u0026nbsp; For more information on feeding bees go to the \"\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/strathconabeekeepers.blogspot.ca\/p\/the-beekeepers-library.html#feeding\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EFeeding\u003C\/a\u003E\" section of our \"\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/strathconabeekeepers.blogspot.ca\/p\/the-beekeepers-library.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EBeekeepers' Library\u003C\/a\u003E\".\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cblockquote class=\"tr_bq\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cblockquote class=\"tr_bq\" style=\"margin: 0in;\"\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"margin: 0in;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;calibri\u0026quot;; font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\"There is no other field of animal husbandry like beekeeping. It has the appeal to the scientist, the nature lover, and even (or especially) the philosopher. It is a chance to work with some of the most fascinating of God's creatures, to spend time and do work in the great outdoors, to challenge my abilities and continue to learn. My hope is that I never become so frail with old age that I cannot spend my days among the bees. It gives credence to the old saw that \"the best things in life are free\". I thank God daily for the opportunity and privilege to be a beekeeper.\"\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/blockquote\u003E\u003C\/blockquote\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-fdT9tr29Opk\/VEw1wmzTMOI\/AAAAAAAAAOs\/lGXu5_iDv5Q\/s1600\/988269_529322600470973_1120105532_n.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"547\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-fdT9tr29Opk\/VEw1wmzTMOI\/AAAAAAAAAOs\/lGXu5_iDv5Q\/s1600\/988269_529322600470973_1120105532_n.jpg\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/strathconabeekeepers.blogspot.com\/feeds\/1905425839719018642\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/strathconabeekeepers.blogspot.com\/2019\/01\/feeding-bees-in-winter.html#comment-form","title":"4 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/1644096506760919907\/posts\/default\/1905425839719018642"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/1644096506760919907\/posts\/default\/1905425839719018642"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/strathconabeekeepers.blogspot.com\/2019\/01\/feeding-bees-in-winter.html","title":"Feeding Bees in Winter"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Unknown"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-ZK86uNLSPHk\/UshWb7aiviI\/AAAAAAAAGDk\/289z0Hbuufs\/s72-c\/IMG_0517.JPG","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"4"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1644096506760919907.post-1173722665178070460"},"published":{"$t":"2018-12-17T19:29:00.000-08:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2018-12-17T19:31:09.235-08:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Beekeeping charities"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Christmas Gifts for Beekeepers"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg height=\"524\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-UZEjk7ZDzXE\/UrHSOJyQodI\/AAAAAAAAGBw\/GMJeaNSTzlk\/s640\/xmas+bees.jpg\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; At this time of year I'm especially appreciative that I have a roof over my head and food in my belly when so many in the world have neither.\u0026nbsp; You don't need to be a Christian to celebrate the idea of Christmas  which should be a time of peace, love and selfless giving rather than  the modern concept of commercialized over consumption.\u0026nbsp; Here are a few Christmas gift suggestions that we can give to beekeepers less fortunate than ourselves.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;In many countries beekeeping is a practical solution to reduce poverty and relieve suffering. \u0026nbsp; Beekeeping requires little space, minimal cost and offers much needed income from the sales of honey, beeswax and pollen. In addition increased pollination from the introduction of these bees can substantially increase fruit and vegetable yields as well as pollinating native plants. \u0026nbsp;For most beekeeping has become a supplement to the family income but for an increasing number it has become a major part of the village economy.\u0026nbsp; This is one of reasons we created our \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/strathconabeekeepers.blogspot.ca\/p\/the-beekeepers-library.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EBeekeepers' Library\u003C\/a\u003E, to provide free localized information to beekeepers worldwide.\u0026nbsp; There are many good philanthropic beekeeping organizations worthy of your Christmas donations like \"\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.beesfordevelopment.org\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EBees for Development\u003C\/a\u003E\", \"\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.icimod.org\/?q=1497\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EICIMOD\u003C\/a\u003E\", \"\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.globalhand.org\/en\/browse\/requests\/all\/request\/7115\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EGlobal Hand\u003C\/a\u003E\" and \"\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/beesabroad.org.uk\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EBees Abroad\u003C\/a\u003E\".\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;One organization on my gift list is \"\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.heifer.org\/gift-catalog\/animals-nutrition\/honeybees-donation.html?msource=kwg2396\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EHeifer International\u003C\/a\u003E\" which has been operating throughout the world for over 70 years. \u0026nbsp;For a mere $30 you can give the gift of honey bees. \u0026nbsp; \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ciframe allowfullscreen=\"\" frameborder=\"0\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/Dikfjz-9Rxw?rel=0\" width=\"640\"\u003E\u003C\/iframe\u003E \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; Although I grow much of my own food and support local, organic farmers an organization that I support at Christmas and throughout the year is \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.fairtrade.net\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EFair Trade\u003C\/a\u003E. \u0026nbsp;Farmers in developing countries have traditionally been exploited by greedy food distribution corporations. \u0026nbsp;A small portion of the price you pay for agricultural products from developing countries goes to the farmer. \u0026nbsp;The concept of \"Fair Trade\" has empowered these farmers and provided them and their communities with a fair income which has allowed them a healthier, happier lifestyle. This documentary \"Hope is Golden\" is about the beekeeping cooperatives in Brazil’s arid Caatinga region that produce Fair Trade certified honey.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ciframe allowfullscreen=\"\" frameborder=\"0\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/UHvHqjRt4yI?rel=0\" width=\"640\"\u003E\u003C\/iframe\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;The Fair Trade organizations provide funding for the infrastructure required by farming cooperatives in developing countries. \u0026nbsp;\"\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.fairtrade.net\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EFair Trade International\u003C\/a\u003E\" began 25 years ago and in 2012 the number of Fairtrade producing organizations grew by 16%. \u0026nbsp;It works and it is growing. \u0026nbsp;Each time you buy a Fair Trade product you are supporting the farmer and their family in the developing world rather than the multinational food distribution corporation. \u0026nbsp; Buying \"Fair Trade\" products (honey, tea, chocolate, sugar, fruit, flowers and coffee), easily identifiable by the \"Fair Trade\" symbol is a good idea throughout the year.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;Another organization that I support is \"\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.schoolsforchiapas.org\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ESchools for Chiapas\u003C\/a\u003E\". \u0026nbsp;Mexico is a prime example of how corporate agriculture exploits local farmers in developing worlds. \u0026nbsp;The Zapatista organization \"Schools for Chiapas\" struggles to educate (\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.schoolsforchiapas.org\/advances\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ESchools for Chiapas projects\u003C\/a\u003E) and empower local, native communities. \u0026nbsp;One part of this is the promotion and education of the beekeeping tradition of Meliponiculture. \u0026nbsp;Melipona beecheii are \u0026nbsp;stingless bees native to Mexico, Central America, the Carribean, and many parts of South America (\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/strathconabeekeepers.blogspot.ca\/2012\/09\/the-stingless-honey-bee-of-maya.html?utm_source=BP_recent\u0026amp;utm-medium=gadget\u0026amp;utm_campaign=bp_recent\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EStingless Honey Bee of the Maya\u003C\/a\u003E) which were domesticated by the Mayan people long before the arrival of Europeans in the Americas. \u0026nbsp;In much of Latin America stingless beekeeping has been replaced by the introduction of the Africanized European Honey Bee (\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/strathconabeekeepers.blogspot.ca\/2012\/09\/killer-bees.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EKiller Bees\u003C\/a\u003E). \u0026nbsp;The native stingless bees are the only honey bee native to the Americas and are essential for the pollination of some native plants and Schools for Chiapas is supporting a revival of this traditional beekeeping practice. \u0026nbsp;You can support this initiative through the \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.schoolsforchiapas.org\/store\/gifts-of-change\/stingless\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EAmerican Stingless Bee Recuperation Gift of Change\u003C\/a\u003E.\u0026nbsp; They are also working to preserve the native, non gm varities of corn. (\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.schoolsforchiapas.org\/gifts-of-change\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Eother Gifts of Change\u003C\/a\u003E).\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;In this video a group of Mayan women are challenging social norms and preserving an endangered species (\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/strathconabeekeepers.blogspot.ca\/p\/the-beekeepers-library.html#nativepollinators\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EThe stingless bee, Melipona Beecheii\u003C\/a\u003E). \u0026nbsp;Traditionally the prerogative of men in Mayan culture, beekeeping is providing this collective with a source of income and a reason to keep the species from going extinct.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ciframe allowfullscreen=\"\" frameborder=\"0\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/4c4v1E2mRhw?rel=0\" width=\"640\"\u003E\u003C\/iframe\u003E \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; Organizations that I do not support or legitimize are \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.monsanto.com\/improvingagriculture\/pages\/honey-bee-health.aspx\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EMonsanto's Honey Bee Health\u003C\/a\u003E, \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/beecare.bayer.com\/home\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EBayer's Bee Care\u003C\/a\u003E and \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.operationpollinator.com\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ESyngenta's Operation Pollinator\u003C\/a\u003E. \u0026nbsp;There are a number of factors contributing to the demise of all species of bees including imported diseases, pests and diminished available forage but a major cause is the overuse of agrichemicals. \u0026nbsp;Monsanto, Bayer and Syngenta are in the process of monopolizing the world seed market with patented genetically modified seeds that contain or are designed to accept massive quantities of \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/strathconabeekeepers.blogspot.ca\/p\/the-beekeepers-library.html#pesticidesandbees\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Eagrichemicals\u003C\/a\u003E that are dangerous to both bees and humans. \u0026nbsp;Their bee programs are a public relations ploy to divert you from the true danger of their products.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-fiyJr1rz2Rk\/VmxmkaWSvWI\/AAAAAAAABck\/3LXtXby4mRo\/s1600\/dc476c28d0e9d027427587851b7df767.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"400\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-fiyJr1rz2Rk\/VmxmkaWSvWI\/AAAAAAAABck\/3LXtXby4mRo\/s400\/dc476c28d0e9d027427587851b7df767.jpg\" width=\"400\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;A free gift I recommend to beekeepers of all ages is the wonderful book, \"\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/drive.google.com\/file\/d\/0Bx7DrOGMiXtlRlFBTTh2RVhzRWc\/view?usp=sharing\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EThe Travelling Beehive\u003C\/a\u003E\". \u0026nbsp;This book is\u0026nbsp; written by Elena Garcia and Manuel Angel Rosado and beautifully illustrated by \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.juanhernaz.com\/en\/latest-work\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EJuan Hernaz\u003C\/a\u003E. \u0026nbsp;It is published by \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/apolo.entomologica.es\/index.php?d=colmena\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EApolo\u003C\/a\u003E which is an organization dedicated to the preservation of pollinators and their habitat. \u0026nbsp;You can follow Polli the honey bee and her friend Dipter the hover fly as they face the challenges of a disappearing green space. \u0026nbsp;They are joined in their struggle by Bazumba the wild bee, Missus Bombus the bumblebee, Lepi the butterfly, her majesty the queen, Dorian the farmer and Ramon the beekeeper. Sit back with your children or grandchildren and enjoy the \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.juanhernaz.com\/en\/portfolio\/the-travelling-beehive\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EThe Travelling Beehive.\u003C\/a\u003E \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cimg src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-8ENOaRwRLCE\/VJDLF22P-TI\/AAAAAAAAATc\/8Naw7_8zykQ\/s1600\/Untitled%2Bpicture.png\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; The bees are snuggled in their hives waiting for Santa. \u0026nbsp;Penny, from the Natural Beekeeping Trust of the United Kingdom says \"Traditionally, Christian beekeepers have visited their colonies at midnight on Christmas Eve to tell the bees of the nativity. \u0026nbsp;They also hoped to hear the special melodious humming that the bees were said to perform at this time, portending health and prosperity throughout the coming year. \u0026nbsp;It was thought that this custom was predated by an earlier pre-Christian one when the return of the sun was by no means guaranteed!\"  If you're wondering what to recite to your bees on Christmas Eve here is a poem by Carol Ann Duffy.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: red; font-size: x-large;\"\u003E\u003Cu\u003EThe Bee Carol\u003C\/u\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: normal;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003ESilently on Christmas Eve,\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E \u003Cbr \/\u003Ethe turn of midnight's key;\u003Cbr \/\u003Eall the garden locked in ice -\u003Cbr \/\u003Ea silver frieze -\u003Cbr \/\u003Eexcept the winter cluster of the bees.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EFlightless now and shivering,\u003Cbr \/\u003Earound their Queen they cling;\u003Cbr \/\u003Eevery bee a gift of heat;\u003Cbr \/\u003Eshe will not freeze\u003Cbr \/\u003Ewithin the winter cluster of the bees.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EBring me for my Christmas gift\u003Cbr \/\u003Ea single golden jar;\u003Cbr \/\u003Elet me taste the sweetness there,\u003Cbr \/\u003Ebut honey leave\u003Cbr \/\u003Eto feed the winter cluster of the bees.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ECome with me on Christmas Eve\u003Cbr \/\u003Eto see the silent hive -\u003Cbr \/\u003Etrembling stars cloistered above -\u003Cbr \/\u003Eand then believe,\u003Cbr \/\u003Ebless the winter cluster of the bees.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; I hope that you, your bees and your family have a wonderful Christmas and a happy and healthy New Year.\u0026nbsp; Peace on earth and good will to all.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: red;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: x-large;\"\u003EMerry Christmas!\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: red;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: x-large;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-D2WdT-4TFak\/UrHurYJJFoI\/AAAAAAAAGCU\/ujMZIUwsIJo\/s1600\/xmas+bees+2.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"color: blue; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-D2WdT-4TFak\/UrHurYJJFoI\/AAAAAAAAGCU\/ujMZIUwsIJo\/s1600\/xmas+bees+2.jpg\" style=\"border: medium none; position: relative;\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/strathconabeekeepers.blogspot.com\/feeds\/1173722665178070460\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/strathconabeekeepers.blogspot.com\/2018\/12\/christmas-gifts-for-beekeepers.html#comment-form","title":"0 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/1644096506760919907\/posts\/default\/1173722665178070460"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/1644096506760919907\/posts\/default\/1173722665178070460"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/strathconabeekeepers.blogspot.com\/2018\/12\/christmas-gifts-for-beekeepers.html","title":"Christmas Gifts for Beekeepers"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Unknown"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-UZEjk7ZDzXE\/UrHSOJyQodI\/AAAAAAAAGBw\/GMJeaNSTzlk\/s72-c\/xmas+bees.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"0"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1644096506760919907.post-3264113526106687611"},"published":{"$t":"2018-09-09T17:25:00.000-07:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2018-11-18T07:54:37.541-08:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Beekeeping winter preparation"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Winter Preparation for Vancouver Beekeepers"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-HcbOWZ4hH4k\/Vip3-LRLDNI\/AAAAAAAABPs\/bK63xEaZn1w\/s1600\/bees-need-rain-too2.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"395\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-HcbOWZ4hH4k\/Vip3-LRLDNI\/AAAAAAAABPs\/bK63xEaZn1w\/s640\/bees-need-rain-too2.jpg\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003EIt's September and it's time for Vancouver beekeepers to prepare for winter.\u0026nbsp; Actually winter preparation is an ongoing task (\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www2.gov.bc.ca\/assets\/gov\/farming-natural-resources-and-industry\/agriculture-and-seafood\/animal-and-crops\/animal-production\/bee-assets\/api_fs103.pdf\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EBeekeeping Calendar for B.C.\u003C\/a\u003E).\u0026nbsp; The main reasons our bees die over the winter is starvation, colonies suffering from parasitic mite syndrome, too few bees to heat the cluster and moisture.\u0026nbsp;  I complete my winter hive setup by the middle of October.\u0026nbsp; Much of what  you do in preparation depends on your management style of beekeeping  (virtually nothing for the extreme natural beekeeper to intense  management for others).\u0026nbsp; This is a revised post from last year and are just a few  suggestions based on my experience keeping bees in Vancouver.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003EFood\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: medium;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E \u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003ETo address the food issue you will need at least 10 deep frames or 12+ medium frames of honey (65 lbs or 30 kgs) for an average sized colony to survive the winter.\u0026nbsp; In our specific location (Strathcona) we still have a strong availability of nectar and pollen with many different plant species still in flower in our 4 acre garden and the surrounding area.\u0026nbsp; Due to global warming plants in Vancouver can begin to flower 2-3 weeks earlier than in the past so our forage shortage begins in mid September.\u0026nbsp; The problem occurs when the temperatures are still warm and dry enough from mid September through October for the colony to stay active.\u0026nbsp; An active colony without a natural food source will consume much of the winter food supply.\u0026nbsp; I'm fortunate this year to have a good supply of honey frames from my stronger hives that I can share with my weaker hives.\u0026nbsp; This is why I prefer to wait til October to extract honey when I know the state of my winter supply. \u0026nbsp;Some beekeepers have started feeding 2 to 1 syrup to their hives now because their honey reserves are low.\u0026nbsp; This is a personal decision based on your style of beekeeping and your location.\u0026nbsp; I usually like to reserve my feeding to emergency late winter feeding. \u0026nbsp;An issue with syrup feeding this time of year is making sure most of the syrup the bees store gets capped. \u0026nbsp;The uncapped syrup will become a source of winter moisture and mold. \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; I've identified our main foraging shortage to occur from mid September to mid October so to address this issue I have separated the root balls of common Asian Asters for planting and transplanted the invasive Canadian Goldenrod (Aster). \u0026nbsp;When mature the common Asian Aster becomes a 1.5 by 1.5 metre (4 by 4 foot) bush with hundreds of flowers and can bloom well into October.\u0026nbsp; We have about a few hundred autumn flowering variety Asters in our 4 acre garden.\u0026nbsp; Other late bloomers in our garden are Japanese Anemone, Mint, Autumn Joy Sedum, Scarlet Runner Bean, Jersulam Artichoke, and the invasive \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/bcinvasives.ca\/search\/results\/1708aa0cb72d0a47fbd5641916571b79\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EJapanese Knotweed\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp; (\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www2.gov.bc.ca\/assets\/gov\/farming-natural-resources-and-industry\/agriculture-and-seafood\/animal-and-crops\/animal-production\/bee-assets\/api_fs904.pdf\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ENectar Plants of British Columbia\u003C\/a\u003E).\u0026nbsp; A mixed diet is essential for the girls so some other late blooming plants are Caryopteris 'Dark Knight' (Blue Mist Spirea), Dahlia, Hardy Fushia, Seven Sons flower (Autumn Lilac), Impatiens omeianan, Camellia sinensis (Hardy tea bush) and Osmanthus fragrans (Fragrant Olive) (\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/app.box.com\/s\/2sl1a6ecu7u31y5q86op\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ENutritional Value of Bee Collected Pollens\u003C\/a\u003E and \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/strathconabeekeepers.blogspot.de\/p\/plants_5661.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EPollen Sources\u003C\/a\u003E).\u0026nbsp; I will avoid the temptation to plant the invasive late blooming ivy and Himalayan Balsam.\u0026nbsp; \u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ctable align=\"center\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" class=\"tr-caption-container\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ctbody\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-4xt-xPHCYhg\/Vip8IlsbDHI\/AAAAAAAABP4\/JzQziCQpovc\/s1600\/800px-Bee_and_Goldenrod_3.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"227\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-4xt-xPHCYhg\/Vip8IlsbDHI\/AAAAAAAABP4\/JzQziCQpovc\/s400\/800px-Bee_and_Goldenrod_3.jpg\" width=\"400\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd class=\"tr-caption\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003EGoldenrod\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003C\/tbody\u003E\u003C\/table\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Ctable align=\"center\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" class=\"tr-caption-container\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ctbody\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-IiN_rDM25Us\/Vip8bnMGQ9I\/AAAAAAAABQA\/HxXHXrjP6t8\/s1600\/asterrrrr_5.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"285\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-IiN_rDM25Us\/Vip8bnMGQ9I\/AAAAAAAABQA\/HxXHXrjP6t8\/s400\/asterrrrr_5.jpg\" width=\"400\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd class=\"tr-caption\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003EAster\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003C\/tbody\u003E\u003C\/table\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E \u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: normal;\"\u003EIt's good at this point to make sure you have your emergency winter  feeders ready if you plan to use them.  A major cause of colony death is late winter starvation   (February - April) which can be solved by the use of an emergency  winter feeder (\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.beverlybees.com\/i-want-candy-so-lets-make-a-candyboard-for-winter-feeding\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ECandy Board\u003C\/a\u003E).\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ctable align=\"center\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" class=\"tr-caption-container\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ctbody\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/--58JC4iEDfA\/Vip-URQ3VTI\/AAAAAAAABRA\/Kz3qw5TFiRM\/s1600\/Candy%2Bboard_5.jpg\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"384\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/--58JC4iEDfA\/Vip-URQ3VTI\/AAAAAAAABRA\/Kz3qw5TFiRM\/s400\/Candy%2Bboard_5.jpg\" width=\"400\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd class=\"tr-caption\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003ECandyboard\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003C\/tbody\u003E\u003C\/table\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003EThey're  easy to build with 1x2's and quarter inch wire mesh and can be a colony  lifesaver.\u0026nbsp; You can quickly check on the feeders through the late  winter to gauge the status of the food supply.\u0026nbsp; Some beekeepers begin feeding in August.\u0026nbsp; This  article \"\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/strathconabeekeepers.blogspot.ca\/2014\/01\/feeding-bees-in-winter.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EFeeding Bees in Winter\u003C\/a\u003E\"  describes the different methods of feeding at different temperatures.\u0026nbsp;   The girls will take a 2 to 1 syrup down to about 12 celsius (53  fahrenheit) after which they find it too difficult to dehydrate for  storage.\u0026nbsp; Some beekeepers will feed syrup baggies in colder temperatures  on the theory that heat from the cluster warms the syrup.\u0026nbsp; I've not  tried this.\u0026nbsp; In the Greater Vancouver area there are very big  differences in winter food requirements based on available foraging days  and available forage.  Because of the\u0026nbsp; effect of the North Shore  Mountains precipitation varies from 150+ inches (380 centimeters)  annually at the upper altitudes of the mountains to 30 inches (75  centimeters) along the U.S. border.\u0026nbsp; This effect reduces precipitation  and increases hours of sunlight as you move southward.\u0026nbsp; The graph below  divides Greater Vancouver into 9 zones with 9 being the upper altitudes  of the North Shore Mountains and 1 being the southern region along the  U.S. border (\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.dropbox.com\/s\/clzry9yrghgpdyf\/Greater%20Vancouver%20Rainfall.pdf?dl=0\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EGreater Vancouver Precipitation\u003C\/a\u003E).\u0026nbsp; As the crow flies this is a distance of less than 30 kilometers or 20 miles.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-CZokFOmPV5U\/Vh03HG27_kI\/AAAAAAAABBs\/XjaowzOTMko\/s1600\/precip.PNG\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"640\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-CZokFOmPV5U\/Vh03HG27_kI\/AAAAAAAABBs\/XjaowzOTMko\/s640\/precip.PNG\" width=\"564\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-gbibcgARWQU\/Vh1kckB7nJI\/AAAAAAAABDc\/eQRqlRvT_Q4\/s1600\/Rain2.PNG\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"436\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-gbibcgARWQU\/Vh1kckB7nJI\/AAAAAAAABDc\/eQRqlRvT_Q4\/s640\/Rain2.PNG\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-KGTOqrbcGZE\/Vh1koN770nI\/AAAAAAAABDk\/-Qj3AkG76Cw\/s1600\/Temp.PNG\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"404\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-KGTOqrbcGZE\/Vh1koN770nI\/AAAAAAAABDk\/-Qj3AkG76Cw\/s640\/Temp.PNG\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003EThough  active at lower temperatures I have found high population foraging in  our apiary at 12 degrees celsius (53 fahrenheit) in March (Willow trees,  Forsythia, Flowering Cherry).\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-z6Iq_mzBHoE\/Vh1kzaJoKTI\/AAAAAAAABDs\/J9-vE0BXeI4\/s1600\/Daylight.PNG\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"384\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-z6Iq_mzBHoE\/Vh1kzaJoKTI\/AAAAAAAABDs\/J9-vE0BXeI4\/s640\/Daylight.PNG\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003EThis  means more flyable, foraging weather the further south you live and the  more active the colony with the additional needed sunshine warming the  hive and bees.  I have observed the activity of the bees throughout the  lower mainland to be directly linked to the number of hours of sunlight  on the hives.\u0026nbsp; Conclusion, for optimum colony health move to a southern  suburb like Tsawwassen, Ladner, White Rock or Abbotsford or maximize the  sun exposure on your hives (South to southeast exposure with minimal  shade).\u0026nbsp; We moved our apiary because it was surrounded by fast growing  Black Locust, Willow and Cottonwood trees (Great pollen and nectar  sources).\u0026nbsp; \u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; Also effecting hive performance is available  forage which can vary according to whether you are in a rural  agricultural or urban setting.  The rural, agricultural areas in Surrey,  Delta and the Fraser Valley tend to have extreme honey and brood  production during crop blossoms but can suffer in the off season while  the urban areas tend to have a more consistent food source availability  throughout the foraging period (March - November) due to urban  landscaping and irrigation.  We're fortunate to have 7 cultivated acres  in our 2 combined community gardens surrounded by fields of clover and  flowering trees.\u0026nbsp; While it varies by region, because of the reasons  discussed above (weather and available forage) and the size of the  colony we need on average a minimum of 10 deep or 12 medium frames of honey  (65 lbs or 30 kilograms) to over winter.\u0026nbsp;  The honey frames should be  positioned on both sides of the cluster in the bottom box and above the  cluster in the second super (super = hive box).\u0026nbsp; If the cluster is in an  upper box it's recommended to switch the box to the bottom in  preparation for winter.\u0026nbsp; In the spring you can reverse that process as  the girls will have worked their way up to upper part of the second box.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ctable align=\"center\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" class=\"tr-caption-container\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ctbody\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-hgYgbfjxi5Q\/Vip-oL4OCkI\/AAAAAAAABRI\/ulGSBTHXXLA\/s1600\/Capture_0.jpg\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"310\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-hgYgbfjxi5Q\/Vip-oL4OCkI\/AAAAAAAABRI\/ulGSBTHXXLA\/s400\/Capture_0.jpg\" width=\"400\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd class=\"tr-caption\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003EWinter cluster\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003C\/tbody\u003E\u003C\/table\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003EFor  a Kenyan Top Bar put the cluster at one end and the honey frames next  to the cluster.\u0026nbsp; I've always run all deep supers in my Langstroth hives  because universal boxes and frames are easier to manage.\u0026nbsp; I can add  honey frames from my third or fourth box to the brood boxes to over  winter.\u0026nbsp; Many new beekeepers and some old are moving towards all medium  boxes because of the lighter weight.\u0026nbsp; This makes sense as a deep box of  honey can weigh 80 lbs (36 kgs).\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; All beekeepers have plus  and negative food accumulation months and generally April 1 to Oct 1 are  positive food accumulation months for us in the Strathcona area of  Vancouver.\u0026nbsp;  March and October can be neutral but are usually negative depending on  the available foraging days (weather).\u0026nbsp;  November through February are  winter cluster, negative food accumulation months.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u0026nbsp; \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003EPest and Disease Control \u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: x-large;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003EThe biggest problem I see with new beekeepers is not planning ahead. \u0026nbsp; In our beekeeping coop new beekeepers are always rushing around for needed hive boxes and frames, feeders, robber screens, quilts ….  The best advice I could give new beekeepers is to plan 2 months ahead of where you are at. \u0026nbsp;  Pest and disease identification and control should be an ongoing process and if you are beginning now it may be too late.\u0026nbsp; Evidence of chalk brood or nosema would indicate a weak colony (\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/strathconabeekeepers.blogspot.ca\/p\/the-beekeepers-library.html#honeybeediseasesandparasites\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EHoney Bee Diseases and Parasites\u003C\/a\u003E).\u0026nbsp; Increased ventilation and removal of old comb can be done to combat the chalk brood and a \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/scientificbeekeeping.com\/nosema-ceranae\/treatment-for-nosema\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Epollen patty\/fumagillin mixture\u003C\/a\u003E may help combat the nosema.\u0026nbsp; Mite counts throughout the year and subsequent treatments should let you know whether you have a major issue.\u0026nbsp;  Mite treatments like formic acid can continue into October as long as there is a day time high temp of 10c and oxalic acid is usually done in December when there is little to no brood present.\u0026nbsp; A reduced screened entrance using eighth inch hardware cloth can be used to allow for needed ventilation during formic acid treatments while providing a more easily defended reduced entrance.\u0026nbsp; The video below \"Getting Your Hives Ready for Winter\" is a recorded webinar with Kim Flottum (Bee expert and editor of Bee Culture magazine) which does a very good job of discussing winter preparation for bee colonies focusing on year around mite control.\u0026nbsp; Controlling mites goes a long way to controlling virus transmission and overall colony health.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ciframe allowfullscreen=\"\" frameborder=\"0\" height=\"480\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/Wxk5at5Pqps?rel=0\" width=\"640\"\u003E\u003C\/iframe\u003E \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u0026nbsp; \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003ECold and Moisture\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003EThe \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/beeinformed.org\/results\/the-bee-informed-partnership-national-management-survey-2014-2015\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EU.S. Bee Informed Survey\u003C\/a\u003E of wintering hives (the only large scale North American winter survival survey) showed that only 3 conditions determined winter survival success and they were adequate food, strong colonies (equalization or combining hives) and ventilation (moisture reduction).\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-8L85MOvSvSM\/Vip9FREI4pI\/AAAAAAAABQQ\/-ejW9AUktJI\/s1600\/Bee%2BInformed_4.png\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"380\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-8L85MOvSvSM\/Vip9FREI4pI\/AAAAAAAABQQ\/-ejW9AUktJI\/s640\/Bee%2BInformed_4.png\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003EThe survey is extensive and includes the results for geographic region, all types of pest and disease management, feeding and winter preparation.\u0026nbsp; \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/bip2.beeinformed.org\/survey\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EThe Bee Informed Survey 2016 - 2017\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-KzGdPsj71_w\/Vip9RZh9tEI\/AAAAAAAABQY\/-dojneHcxxA\/s1600\/vent_3.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"305\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-KzGdPsj71_w\/Vip9RZh9tEI\/AAAAAAAABQY\/-dojneHcxxA\/s400\/vent_3.jpg\" width=\"400\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003EWrapping and insulation showed no benefit but I think that depends on where you live.\u0026nbsp;  If you live in cold northern climates like \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.cbc.ca\/news\/canada\/manitoba\/winnipeg-deep-freeze-as-cold-as-uninhabited-planet-1.2479967\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EWinterpeg\u003C\/a\u003E either you wrap and insulate or you bring the girls inside.  40 below is 40 below.\u0026nbsp;          Insulation is not necessary in Vancouver and can be counter productive by keeping the heat out and preventing the hive from warming up.\u0026nbsp; Some local beekeepers wrap their hives with black roofing paper to prevent wind penetration and to help absorb the heat (\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/scienceline.ucsb.edu\/getkey.php?key=3873\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EBlack objects absorb more heat\u003C\/a\u003E).\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; The argument against this is that the girls take care of any wind penetration with use of propolis and do we want a warmer hive in the winter?\u0026nbsp; Warmer means more active bees and more food consumption.\u0026nbsp; For us wrapping in March may be a good option as we have lots of blossoms (Willow, forsythia, flowering cherry, bulbs ...) but marginal foraging temperatures.\u0026nbsp; Wrapping would warm the hives and get the girls flying earlier in the day increasing their pollen and nectar intake and stimulate egg laying.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ctable align=\"center\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" class=\"tr-caption-container\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ctbody\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-PGvPthoUMLQ\/Vip9a7H0bGI\/AAAAAAAABQg\/LXSabubNR4Y\/s1600\/black_5.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-PGvPthoUMLQ\/Vip9a7H0bGI\/AAAAAAAABQg\/LXSabubNR4Y\/s1600\/black_5.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd class=\"tr-caption\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003ETemperature difference on black and white surface\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003C\/tbody\u003E\u003C\/table\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003EWintering your bees is like real estate value in that the 3 most important  considerations are location, location and location. \u0026nbsp;Location  dictates the methods you will use to protect your bees from the  elements. Windbreaks are essential in some areas where there are cold,  winter winds, especially for rooftop beekeepers. \u0026nbsp;In winter Vancouver has a predominant, low pressure weather pattern with  winds from the southeast that bring with it fairly constant cool, wet weather.\u0026nbsp; We have only a few snow falls per year and a few weeks of freezing temperatures.\u0026nbsp; Therefore moisture, not cold is our biggest issue.\u0026nbsp; The moisture is created when warm air created by the cluster of bees rises and contacts the cold inner cover creating cold condensation which drips onto the cluster.\u0026nbsp; There are a lot of different methods to reduce moisture in the hive like tilting the hive forward by putting a 2x4 under the back of the hive to allow the moisture to run down the front of the hive and not on the cluster.\u0026nbsp; Another option is an \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/strathconabeekeepers.blogspot.ca\/2011\/10\/moisture-quilt-insulated-hive-cover.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EInsulated Moisture Quilt\u003C\/a\u003E placed above the hive boxes to reduce cold  condensation dripping on the winter cluster.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ctable align=\"center\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" class=\"tr-caption-container\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ctbody\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-wd4w9mUaOEY\/VjaNvl2EK_I\/AAAAAAAABTE\/StQU-_OUCag\/s1600\/Stage%2B18_1.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"568\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-wd4w9mUaOEY\/VjaNvl2EK_I\/AAAAAAAABTE\/StQU-_OUCag\/s640\/Stage%2B18_1.jpg\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd class=\"tr-caption\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003EThe bee hive in winter without any form of moisture reduction\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003C\/tbody\u003E\u003C\/table\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ctable align=\"center\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" class=\"tr-caption-container\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ctbody\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-7eDAhZ46Z3Q\/Vip95KHxVDI\/AAAAAAAABQw\/QLhMH7A6oYY\/s1600\/Insulated%2BMoisture%2BQuilt_2.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-7eDAhZ46Z3Q\/Vip95KHxVDI\/AAAAAAAABQw\/QLhMH7A6oYY\/s400\/Insulated%2BMoisture%2BQuilt_2.jpg\" width=\"400\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd class=\"tr-caption\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003EInsulated Moisture Quilt\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003C\/tbody\u003E\u003C\/table\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003EThe heat produced by the cluster rises to contact the warmer insulated cover producing less condensation, which then drips onto the wood chips (not the bees) which are dried by the vent holes.\u0026nbsp; They are easy to make out of scrap material and the link above provides detailed building instructions.\u0026nbsp; During winter you must have an upper entrance in your Langstroth hive for ventilation and because dead bees can block the lower entrance.\u0026nbsp; I presently have my upper entrance covered with eighth inch hardware cloth to keep out robber bees and wasps.\u0026nbsp; I will remove this once those threats have passed.\u0026nbsp; For moisture reduction in a Kenyan Top Bar Hive beekeepers can use an insulated moisture quilt, carpet over the top bars (\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/app.box.com\/s\/gfxqpkmaz4e4mf41u5oi\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EBill Stagg's method\u003C\/a\u003E) or reflective insulation (\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/app.box.com\/s\/gfxqpkmaz4e4mf41u5oi\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ESam Comfort's method\u003C\/a\u003E).\u0026nbsp; Whether you leave your screened bottom board open or not (for increased ventilation) is debatable but if left open you must block the drafts from blowing under the hive.\u0026nbsp; I put the mite test board in to block the winter winds but have friends who do not and successfully overwinter their bees.\u0026nbsp; One moisture issue is that if you feed syrup to your bees in September and October some of the stored syrup may not be capped before the arrival of winter and it may ferment and mold and increase the moisture within the hive.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; In Vancouver we get at least 2 major storms a year of 80+ km winds (50 miles per hr).\u0026nbsp;  For this reason and the presence of skunks and racoons we use cinder blocks on our hives to prevent the outer cover from blowing off or being removed and have positioned the hives to have a natural wind break (berm to the south).\u0026nbsp;  A wind break is particularly important for roof top beekeepers.\u0026nbsp; Though not necessary some of us use pieces of plexiglass  extending 4+ inches over our outer covers to provide additional weather protection and extend the life of our beekeeping equipment.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: x-large;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003EWinter Hive\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-pLlOyx26qqI\/Vip-JVaGASI\/AAAAAAAABQ4\/9XOVKPR-4Ao\/s1600\/Winter%2BHive%2B9_6.png\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"588\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-pLlOyx26qqI\/Vip-JVaGASI\/AAAAAAAABQ4\/9XOVKPR-4Ao\/s640\/Winter%2BHive%2B9_6.png\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003EWasps\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;  \u0026nbsp; \u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003EBy October bee colonies are actively into winter preparation by  increased house cleaning, increased hive defense and the removal of  drones.\u0026nbsp; The drones having fulfilled their roles in hive  thermoregulation and mating become a liability as they do not  participate in foraging or hive tasks and can consume twice that of  worker bees.\u0026nbsp; Hygienic house cleaning (i.e removal of dead bees,  applying antiseptic propolis ...) which is difficult in the cold of  winter when the bees are confined to the cluster is an important part of  disease reduction.\u0026nbsp; With the decrease in available forage robbing and  wasp attacks become a real concern starting in August so guard bees will become more  defensive and in the wild the colony may reduce the size of the entrance  with propolis and wax.\u0026nbsp; The beekeeper can assist by reducing the  entrance to as small as 1.5 centimeters or a half inch to make it easier  to defend.\u0026nbsp; The \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Yellow_jacket\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EYellowjacket wasps\u003C\/a\u003E have been aggressive in our apiary for about 4 weeks, attempting to  enter hives and picking off stray bees at the entrance. \u0026nbsp; I have reduced the bottom  entrance of my hives to between a half inch (1.5 cm) for weaker colonies to 3 inches for stronger colonies and screened off the upper entrance (eigth  inch hardware cloth).\u0026nbsp; This blocks potential wasp intrusion and robbing  by other  bees  if you are feeding and still allows ventilation.  The girls are better able  to defend the reduced single entrance. \u0026nbsp;Wasps will stay active at cooler temperatures than your bees so when the girls are in cluster the wasps may enter the hive. \u0026nbsp;I don't indiscriminately kill  wasps (I've identified 9 different types in our garden including  recently a parasitic wasp in my blue mason and leaf cutter bee cocoons) but have found them  increasingly aggressive towards our colonies for a longer period of time  in the fall (last year until December).\u0026nbsp; I've found the pheremone lure variety to  be very effective on our greatest threat which are the common \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Yellow_jacket\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EYellowjacket wasps\u003C\/a\u003E.\u0026nbsp; This lure trap can also be used in the spring to kill the emerging wasp queens.\u0026nbsp; The \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.rescue.com\/product\/why-trap-wasps-hornets-yellowjackets\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ERescue\u003C\/a\u003E brand lure variety works well.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ctable align=\"center\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" class=\"tr-caption-container\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ctbody\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-oiHtTrPCkfU\/Vip--_JHLTI\/AAAAAAAABRQ\/IHvYKZ7wNFE\/s1600\/wasp_2.jpg\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-oiHtTrPCkfU\/Vip--_JHLTI\/AAAAAAAABRQ\/IHvYKZ7wNFE\/s1600\/wasp_2.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd class=\"tr-caption\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003EWasp trap\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003C\/tbody\u003E\u003C\/table\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003EYou can also make your own wasp trap.\u0026nbsp; Here is a  study from the University of Athens showing the effectiveness of 3  different types of traps (\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.bulletinofinsectology.org\/pdfarticles\/vol59-2006-135-145bacandritsos.pdf\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EWasp Traps\u003C\/a\u003E).\u0026nbsp; Maybe the easiest and most popular is the\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Make-a-Wasp-Trap\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E pop bottle trap\u003C\/a\u003E.\u0026nbsp; Here is a study from the University of California  on the effectiveness of different baits (\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.pestboard.ca.gov\/howdoi\/research\/2009_yellowjacket.pdf\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EBaits for the Control of Yellowjackets\u003C\/a\u003E).\u0026nbsp; I've not had much success with fish or meat baits later in the summer.\u0026nbsp; Wasps prefer a sugar and water bait at this time of year.\u0026nbsp; Add a splash of vinegar to keep the bees away.\u0026nbsp; For more information on wasps go to the \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/strathconabeekeepers.blogspot.com\/p\/the-beekeepers-library.html#wasps\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EWasp\u003C\/a\u003E section of our \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/strathconabeekeepers.blogspot.com\/p\/the-beekeepers-library.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EBeekeeping Library\u003C\/a\u003E. \u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-0OCln7VlWko\/V83IXDPDuyI\/AAAAAAAACME\/uIDnavsgOGEGE49L43n3T9LXVaYUEqsaACLcB\/s1600\/materials_trapc.jpg\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"320\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-0OCln7VlWko\/V83IXDPDuyI\/AAAAAAAACME\/uIDnavsgOGEGE49L43n3T9LXVaYUEqsaACLcB\/s320\/materials_trapc.jpg\" width=\"240\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp; \u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003EIf wasp attacks or robbing persists you can use a \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/entomology.ucdavis.edu\/files\/147611.pdf\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Erobber screen\u003C\/a\u003E which are easy to make.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-X7nMvZsLlHU\/Vip8xyiuKZI\/AAAAAAAABQI\/kTkLV374NLw\/s1600\/Capture1_1.png\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"187\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-X7nMvZsLlHU\/Vip8xyiuKZI\/AAAAAAAABQI\/kTkLV374NLw\/s640\/Capture1_1.png\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003EEqualization or Combining Colonies\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: medium;\"\u003E \u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E It is recommended that new beekeepers have  2 hives rather than 1 because inevitably one will be stronger than the other.\u0026nbsp; This allows you to strengthen the weaker hive with bees from the  stronger colony (\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/countryrubes.com\/template\/images\/Equalization_of_Bee_Colonies_Strength_update_9_09.pdf\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EEqualization of Bee Colonies Strength by Khalil Hamdan\u003C\/a\u003E) or to split the stronger hive if you lose the weaker colony.\u0026nbsp; Though this can be done in the spring it can also be done in preparation for winter by adding 2-3 frames  of bees and brood as needed and available every 3-4 weeks starting in July.\u0026nbsp; If you find you have a weak colony now you can combine the colony with a stronger one using the newspaper method (\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.dave-cushman.net\/bee\/unitenewspaper.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EUniting Honey Bees by David Cushman\u003C\/a\u003E).\u0026nbsp; Although some will insist it imperative to kill the weaker queen others like the late, great \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.dave-cushman.net\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EDavid Cushman\u003C\/a\u003E suggest that it is not necessary: \"Many texts will tell you to kill the least desirable queen in one of the  two groups to be united, but I find it is often prudent to leave both  queens, so that the bees can make the choice, in most cases the younger  and fitter queen remains, but there may be subtle things in a queen's  make up that the bees are better able to make  choices about rather than the beekeeper (David Cushman).\"\u0026nbsp; Some beekeepers (not me) like to requeen as part of their winter preparation to make sure they have young, active queens the following spring.\u0026nbsp; In October most beekeepers reduce their Langstroth hives to 2 deep supers and Kenyan Top Bar hives are reduced by moving your follower board or your false backs forward (\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/app.box.com\/s\/cv4940rtyau4hivphwed\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EWinterizing your Top Bar Hive\u003C\/a\u003E).\u0026nbsp; Queen excluders should be removed so the queen can move with the cluster as it moves upward.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ctable align=\"center\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" class=\"tr-caption-container\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ctbody\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-leJlMGMy7Wk\/V85Xa-YN8XI\/AAAAAAAACMU\/a3KULa6_JasqBWFoKYtY92qVk4ds7pUIACLcB\/s1600\/newspaper_uniting.gif\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"320\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-leJlMGMy7Wk\/V85Xa-YN8XI\/AAAAAAAACMU\/a3KULa6_JasqBWFoKYtY92qVk4ds7pUIACLcB\/s320\/newspaper_uniting.gif\" width=\"196\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd class=\"tr-caption\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003EThe newspaper method of combining hives\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003C\/tbody\u003E\u003C\/table\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003EMice\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E \u003C\/span\u003E\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003EThough still mild it's time to think of mice which like to winter  in the hives.  There are a hundred different varieties of mouse proof  entrances from quarter inch screened mesh, drilled metal sheet to simple  nails minimizing the entrance.\u0026nbsp; The mice can get through a fairly small area and will chew through wood.\u0026nbsp; I use a simple wood entrance reducer with a nail reducing the entrance to just over the width of a bee.\u0026nbsp; This allows for the removal of dead bees which the girls do as part of winter house cleaning.\u0026nbsp; If you find the mice chewing on the entrance reducer you can wrap it in wire mesh.\u0026nbsp; Here is an easy \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/brookfieldfarmhoney.wordpress.com\/2013\/11\/04\/making-mouse-guards-2013\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Estep by step guide to making a mouse guard from Brooksfield Farm\u003C\/a\u003E just south of us near Mt. Baker.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Ctable align=\"center\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" class=\"tr-caption-container\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ctbody\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-epi2lHG7gh8\/Vip_LSvV2rI\/AAAAAAAABRY\/EsViKYmurWg\/s1600\/mouse_6.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"246\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-epi2lHG7gh8\/Vip_LSvV2rI\/AAAAAAAABRY\/EsViKYmurWg\/s400\/mouse_6.jpg\" width=\"400\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd class=\"tr-caption\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003EDifficult house cleaning\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003C\/tbody\u003E\u003C\/table\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Ctable align=\"center\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" class=\"tr-caption-container\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ctbody\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-xVSkqxClBlk\/Vip_T6FrqsI\/AAAAAAAABRg\/n63V-dUOvTE\/s1600\/mouse2_5.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-xVSkqxClBlk\/Vip_T6FrqsI\/AAAAAAAABRg\/n63V-dUOvTE\/s400\/mouse2_5.jpg\" width=\"400\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd class=\"tr-caption\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003EWire mesh mouse proof entrance reducer\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003C\/tbody\u003E\u003C\/table\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003EFor more information on wintering your colonies check out the recorded webinars by Kim Flottum, \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/youtu.be\/Wxk5at5Pqps\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\"Getting your hives ready for winter\" \u003C\/a\u003E or \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/youtu.be\/OdA1SnRKi90\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\"Putting the hive to bed for winter\"\u003C\/a\u003E.\u0026nbsp; You may also want to check out \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/app.box.com\/s\/x1ewocs9t5tt94xltb21\"\u003EThe Biology and Management of Colonies in Winter\u003C\/a\u003E , \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/app.box.com\/s\/gfxqpkmaz4e4mf41u5oi\"\u003EWinterization Guide for Beekeeping\u003C\/a\u003E , \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/app.box.com\/s\/ajcqvuu8e6z3yutmxkzl\"\u003EThe Thermology of Wintering Honey Bee Colonies\u003C\/a\u003E or \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/app.box.com\/s\/csires9qmv2ylz0c21o5\"\u003EWrapping a Honey Bee Colony with Tar Paper\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp; from the \"\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/strathconabeekeepers.blogspot.ca\/p\/the-beekeepers-library.html#wintermanagement\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EWinter Management\u003C\/a\u003E\" section of the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/strathconabeekeepers.blogspot.ca\/p\/the-beekeepers-library.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EBeekeepers' Library\u003C\/a\u003E.\u0026nbsp; Good luck to you and your bees and stay dry. \u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-WixOtKh6D98\/Vip_t5pW9sI\/AAAAAAAABRo\/IIlCLZ8cJAc\/s1600\/bees%2Bin%2Brain_2.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"400\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-WixOtKh6D98\/Vip_t5pW9sI\/AAAAAAAABRo\/IIlCLZ8cJAc\/s400\/bees%2Bin%2Brain_2.jpg\" width=\"400\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/strathconabeekeepers.blogspot.com\/feeds\/3264113526106687611\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/strathconabeekeepers.blogspot.com\/2018\/09\/winter-preparation-for-vancouver.html#comment-form","title":"0 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/1644096506760919907\/posts\/default\/3264113526106687611"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/1644096506760919907\/posts\/default\/3264113526106687611"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/strathconabeekeepers.blogspot.com\/2018\/09\/winter-preparation-for-vancouver.html","title":"Winter Preparation for Vancouver Beekeepers"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Unknown"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-HcbOWZ4hH4k\/Vip3-LRLDNI\/AAAAAAAABPs\/bK63xEaZn1w\/s72-c\/bees-need-rain-too2.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"0"},"georss$featurename":{"$t":"Vancouver, BC, Canada"},"georss$point":{"$t":"49.2827291 -123.12073750000002"},"georss$box":{"$t":"49.1169156 -123.44346100000001 49.448542599999996 -122.79801400000002"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1644096506760919907.post-5702162342899816528"},"published":{"$t":"2018-06-27T11:37:00.001-07:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2018-06-27T11:37:51.449-07:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Top Bar Hive Split"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Top Bar Hive Split"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\u003Ctable align=\"center\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" class=\"tr-caption-container\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ctbody\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-PwmA-EiQ2nI\/WzLjAtwLuZI\/AAAAAAAADyA\/tnmcfrUWVs8gUai1e-tSqjNW0OfHXJdvgCLcBGAs\/s1600\/20180624_103806.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"900\" data-original-width=\"1600\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-PwmA-EiQ2nI\/WzLjAtwLuZI\/AAAAAAAADyA\/tnmcfrUWVs8gUai1e-tSqjNW0OfHXJdvgCLcBGAs\/s640\/20180624_103806.jpg\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd class=\"tr-caption\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003EPhotos by Colin\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003C\/tbody\u003E\u003C\/table\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; It was a beautiful day for a top bar hive split in our Vancouver beekeeping coop in Strathcona Park.\u0026nbsp; It was about 20 Celsius (70 fahrenheit), no wind and the birds were singing.\u0026nbsp; Anna's treatment free Kenyan Top Bar hive contained a strong, survivor stock of bees from a treatment free bee breeder that had overwintered and thrived.\u0026nbsp; Everyone joined in to assist and learn.\u0026nbsp; She was also able to harvest some honey (\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.dummies.com\/home-garden\/hobby-farming\/beekeeping\/harvesting-honey-top-bar-hive\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ETop Bar Honey Harvesting\u003C\/a\u003E).\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Ctable align=\"center\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" class=\"tr-caption-container\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ctbody\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-XNVeRuIABbY\/WzNbj35zDzI\/AAAAAAAADyk\/AuerQNxIEWY6H7gYZf8HCkpfpm4i8yVFACLcBGAs\/s1600\/Right%2Bside%2Bup.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1024\" data-original-width=\"672\" height=\"400\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-XNVeRuIABbY\/WzNbj35zDzI\/AAAAAAAADyk\/AuerQNxIEWY6H7gYZf8HCkpfpm4i8yVFACLcBGAs\/s400\/Right%2Bside%2Bup.jpg\" width=\"261\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd class=\"tr-caption\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003EAnna \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/drive.google.com\/file\/d\/1ap7CsCsxcuN-P1mImxSsBTbD7Cxknn_C\/view\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Eremoving a honey frame for crush and strain extraction\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003C\/tbody\u003E\u003C\/table\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; The split method we employed is moving 2 frames of brood of different ages and 2 frames of honey into the split along with the old queen.\u0026nbsp; Anna found the queen on a honey frame.\u0026nbsp; Anna also shook a few frames of bees into the new hive.\u0026nbsp; The parent hive was left with new uncapped brood and 2 capped queen cells.\u0026nbsp; We also moved the positon of the old hive over 1 foot and placed the new hive next to it in an effort to gain some foragers.\u0026nbsp; A similar method of colony division is described by Les Crowder in the video below (The split begins 16 minutes into the video).\u0026nbsp; \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \u003C\/div\u003E\u003Ciframe allow=\"autoplay; encrypted-media\" allowfullscreen=\"\" frameborder=\"0\" height=\"315\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/0gkz34d_L5w?rel=0\" width=\"560\"\u003E\u003C\/iframe\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; Thanks to Colin for the great photos.\u0026nbsp; For more information on top bar beekeeping go to the \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/strathconabeekeepers.blogspot.com\/p\/the-beekeepers-library.html#topbarbeekeeping\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ETop Bar section of our Beekeepers' Library\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/strathconabeekeepers.blogspot.com\/feeds\/5702162342899816528\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/strathconabeekeepers.blogspot.com\/2018\/06\/top-bar-hive-split.html#comment-form","title":"0 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/1644096506760919907\/posts\/default\/5702162342899816528"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/1644096506760919907\/posts\/default\/5702162342899816528"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/strathconabeekeepers.blogspot.com\/2018\/06\/top-bar-hive-split.html","title":"Top Bar Hive Split"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Unknown"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-PwmA-EiQ2nI\/WzLjAtwLuZI\/AAAAAAAADyA\/tnmcfrUWVs8gUai1e-tSqjNW0OfHXJdvgCLcBGAs\/s72-c\/20180624_103806.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"0"},"georss$featurename":{"$t":"Vancouver, BC, Canada"},"georss$point":{"$t":"49.2827291 -123.12073750000002"},"georss$box":{"$t":"49.1169156 -123.44346100000001 49.448542599999996 -122.79801400000002"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1644096506760919907.post-1311765300560448725"},"published":{"$t":"2018-05-05T19:55:00.000-07:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2019-02-18T13:40:09.724-08:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Beekeeping education"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Introduction to Beekeeping in Vancouver Class"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-bgcZPEezUbk\/Wu5tjXHZxiI\/AAAAAAAADos\/S1AXn_7lldQjv6u4tO3WrKEWqM3jrgzoQCLcBGAs\/s1600\/Dog.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"194\" data-original-width=\"259\" height=\"299\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-bgcZPEezUbk\/Wu5tjXHZxiI\/AAAAAAAADos\/S1AXn_7lldQjv6u4tO3WrKEWqM3jrgzoQCLcBGAs\/s400\/Dog.jpg\" width=\"400\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; Every year in May and June we have presented our \"Introduction to  Beekeeping in Vancouver\" classes.\u0026nbsp; Beekeeping has become popular and a  recent survey in the U.S. revealed that over 70% of beekeepers quit  beekeeping within the first 5 years.\u0026nbsp; I believe this is because people  enter into beekeeping too quickly and are not properly prepared for the  dedication of time and continuous learning that is required to be a  competent beekeeper.\u0026nbsp; Also, new beekeepers do not have the support  needed to deal with problems that arise.\u0026nbsp; The goal of this class is not  to discourage you or take the place of a full beekeeping course but to  assist you and better prepare you in your decision to become a  beekeeper.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ctable align=\"center\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" class=\"tr-caption-container\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ctbody\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-v3h4qpJLYzc\/Wu5smaFPNTI\/AAAAAAAADok\/fGbNB5rwn3Ey2VypA42D780s_gOM72NXgCLcBGAs\/s1600\/Being%2Bwith%2Bthe%2BBees%2BKurt%2BLiebich%2B1896.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"400\" data-original-width=\"400\" height=\"320\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-v3h4qpJLYzc\/Wu5smaFPNTI\/AAAAAAAADok\/fGbNB5rwn3Ey2VypA42D780s_gOM72NXgCLcBGAs\/s320\/Being%2Bwith%2Bthe%2BBees%2BKurt%2BLiebich%2B1896.jpg\" width=\"320\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd class=\"tr-caption\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003EBeeing with Bees by Kurt Liebich 1896\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003C\/tbody\u003E\u003C\/table\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; We will provide you with a very basic theoretical overview of\u0026nbsp; honey  bees and beekeeping and answer all of your questions.\u0026nbsp; The class is  about 2 hours in length (1 hour theory and 1 hour in the hives) and as it is held outside is weather dependent.\u0026nbsp;  We keep the class small so that everyone can have if they wish an  intimate experience with the bees so reservation is necessary.\u0026nbsp; There is  no cost and we provide the veil and gloves.\u0026nbsp; Our classes are held at  Cottonwood Community Garden in Strathcona Park in Vancouver.\u0026nbsp; To reserve a spot in  our first \"Introduction to Beekeeping Class\" on May 26 contact us at \"\u003Cb\u003Estrathconabee at gmaildotcom\u003C\/b\u003E\".\u0026nbsp; For more information on beekeeping  courses check out our \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/goo.gl\/QwF7ES\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EVancouver Beekeeping Courses\u003C\/a\u003E page.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; All of theory needed to be a beekeeper is available for free online.\u0026nbsp; A good start is \"\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/goo.gl\/DB9E2a\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EBeekeeping 101\u003C\/a\u003E\" which is an assortment of books, videos and online university beekeeping courses.\u0026nbsp; Our \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/goo.gl\/doxovX\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EBeekeepers' Library\u003C\/a\u003E is also a good source of information.\u0026nbsp; While theory is important the  practical application and guidance of experienced beekeepers is more  so.\u0026nbsp; We look forward to seeing you at our beekeeping class.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; Update 2019: We no longer run our introduction to beekeeping courses. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ctable align=\"center\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" class=\"tr-caption-container\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ctbody\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-hgLdyV30IVo\/Wu5rX3gdotI\/AAAAAAAADog\/DqTQGTll-58iEaCtlh6ZqBzP-nbVnpDUQCEwYBhgL\/s1600\/Kale%2B%25284%2529.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1377\" data-original-width=\"1600\" height=\"343\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-hgLdyV30IVo\/Wu5rX3gdotI\/AAAAAAAADog\/DqTQGTll-58iEaCtlh6ZqBzP-nbVnpDUQCEwYBhgL\/s400\/Kale%2B%25284%2529.JPG\" width=\"400\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd class=\"tr-caption\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003EOne of our girls enjoying a Kale blossom\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003C\/tbody\u003E\u003C\/table\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/strathconabeekeepers.blogspot.com\/feeds\/1311765300560448725\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/strathconabeekeepers.blogspot.com\/2018\/05\/introduction-to-beekeeping-in-vancouver.html#comment-form","title":"0 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/1644096506760919907\/posts\/default\/1311765300560448725"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/1644096506760919907\/posts\/default\/1311765300560448725"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/strathconabeekeepers.blogspot.com\/2018\/05\/introduction-to-beekeeping-in-vancouver.html","title":"Introduction to Beekeeping in Vancouver Class"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Unknown"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-bgcZPEezUbk\/Wu5tjXHZxiI\/AAAAAAAADos\/S1AXn_7lldQjv6u4tO3WrKEWqM3jrgzoQCLcBGAs\/s72-c\/Dog.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"0"},"georss$featurename":{"$t":"Vancouver, BC, Canada"},"georss$point":{"$t":"49.2827291 -123.12073750000002"},"georss$box":{"$t":"49.1169156 -123.44346100000001 49.448542599999996 -122.79801400000002"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1644096506760919907.post-5397666791534587593"},"published":{"$t":"2018-03-13T10:04:00.000-07:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2018-11-18T07:56:13.045-08:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Mason beekeeping"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Mason Beekeeping"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Ctable align=\"center\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" class=\"tr-caption-container\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ctbody\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-5XqhCbr2A-k\/Wqf4OQBpgxI\/AAAAAAAADdI\/qMCO7qa7ZycD-a7WJWBXehobH3jee_T_QCLcBGAs\/s1600\/osmia_%2Bribifloris.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"396\" data-original-width=\"405\" height=\"390\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-5XqhCbr2A-k\/Wqf4OQBpgxI\/AAAAAAAADdI\/qMCO7qa7ZycD-a7WJWBXehobH3jee_T_QCLcBGAs\/s400\/osmia_%2Bribifloris.jpg\" width=\"400\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd class=\"tr-caption\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Osmia_lignaria\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EBlue Orchard Mason Bee (Osmia Lignaria)\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003C\/tbody\u003E\u003C\/table\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;An unfortunate part of the recent popularity of honey beekeeping is a high drop out rate of new beekeepers within the first few years because of the significant commitment of time and money.\u0026nbsp; For those of us who whether the storm of diseases, pests and colony losses it can become a life long obsession and love. For others an easier, cheap alternative (minus the honey) is to provide homes for native pollinators. \u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;While I am a keeper of honey bees, I also house mason and \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/backyardpollinator.ca\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Eleafcutter bees\u003C\/a\u003E in my garden. The mason bees also known as Osmia Lignaria are an important, native spring pollinator in our area of the world.\u0026nbsp; I've found them actively foraging at temperatures a few degrees cooler than honey bees which is important for early spring fruit pollination.\u0026nbsp; For many crops our native bees are better pollinators than honey bees and require far fewer bees.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-Q_KF8ONEK2g\/WqhPHOCMyzI\/AAAAAAAADeU\/Gjz91q3tdrclzU6EXp2W7_j7javLeEnBQCLcBGAs\/s1600\/Capture.PNG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"411\" data-original-width=\"584\" height=\"449\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-Q_KF8ONEK2g\/WqhPHOCMyzI\/AAAAAAAADeU\/Gjz91q3tdrclzU6EXp2W7_j7javLeEnBQCLcBGAs\/s640\/Capture.PNG\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; They make nests in reeds or natural holes and utilize mud to space their cocoons. While there is an endless variety of homes that you can make or purchase for your mason bees the important thing is that the inner nesting tube be accessible to clean and harvest the cocoons. Without the ability to access and clean the nesting area it would soon become filled with debris, mold, diseases (i.e. chalkbrood) and predators (i.e solitary wasps). \u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-WmYZZuDdocY\/Wqf5IIk94UI\/AAAAAAAADdQ\/UDS9ra9gBokFih-rgDlwojPGoQKTbjK2wCLcBGAs\/s1600\/mason-bee-house-5.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"386\" data-original-width=\"388\" height=\"396\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-WmYZZuDdocY\/Wqf5IIk94UI\/AAAAAAAADdQ\/UDS9ra9gBokFih-rgDlwojPGoQKTbjK2wCLcBGAs\/s400\/mason-bee-house-5.jpg\" width=\"400\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/--Rp646MS2jk\/WqlC8XMhLuI\/AAAAAAAADek\/PO7MB-KEHCwWDWiFjRHyIORwVbCiLeyYwCLcBGAs\/s1600\/IMG_0463-1024x683_2048x.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"481\" data-original-width=\"719\" height=\"266\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/--Rp646MS2jk\/WqlC8XMhLuI\/AAAAAAAADek\/PO7MB-KEHCwWDWiFjRHyIORwVbCiLeyYwCLcBGAs\/s400\/IMG_0463-1024x683_2048x.jpg\" width=\"400\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-vLaEBlrSn2Y\/WqlDYzc47yI\/AAAAAAAADeo\/_uFj7XyweUkGpoCen60q69uYhV_3WUn1gCLcBGAs\/s1600\/Capture.PNG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"434\" data-original-width=\"584\" height=\"296\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-vLaEBlrSn2Y\/WqlDYzc47yI\/AAAAAAAADeo\/_uFj7XyweUkGpoCen60q69uYhV_3WUn1gCLcBGAs\/s400\/Capture.PNG\" width=\"400\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ctable align=\"center\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" class=\"tr-caption-container\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Ctbody\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-9PFGTkmeJPY\/Wqf-LauYotI\/AAAAAAAADdo\/F83Wdfb3zMY1yv7xRpJJj0ujwlPzHJjRACEwYBhgL\/s1600\/OrconSmallBeeNest.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"395\" data-original-width=\"500\" height=\"315\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-9PFGTkmeJPY\/Wqf-LauYotI\/AAAAAAAADdo\/F83Wdfb3zMY1yv7xRpJJj0ujwlPzHJjRACEwYBhgL\/s400\/OrconSmallBeeNest.jpg\" width=\"400\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd class=\"tr-caption\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003ENative pollinator homes should have some shelter from weather and face east or south to catch the early morning sun\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003C\/tbody\u003E\u003C\/table\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;I make my mason bee houses by simply drilling half inch holes in 6 inch deep wood.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-wu2-La6YnvM\/WqhK_UQ3j6I\/AAAAAAAADeI\/UEfiRGVAF_Ukkxp-IhQqCwxMpfFLqM6VgCLcBGAs\/s1600\/Capture.PNG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"398\" data-original-width=\"412\" height=\"617\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-wu2-La6YnvM\/WqhK_UQ3j6I\/AAAAAAAADeI\/UEfiRGVAF_Ukkxp-IhQqCwxMpfFLqM6VgCLcBGAs\/s640\/Capture.PNG\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; I use plain, unbleached brown paper from grocery bags rolled around a tent pole as liners which brings the finished diameter of the hole to the optimal 3\/8 inch.\u0026nbsp; The rolled liners extend 1 inch out the back and are folded over with a back wood plate screwed on.\u0026nbsp; When harvest time comes I just unscrew the back plate and pull out the paper liners (\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/drive.google.com\/file\/d\/0Bx7DrOGMiXtlU0FPMkU4c0dMcVU\/view\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EPaper Liners That Work\u003C\/a\u003E).\u0026nbsp; You can winter your cocoons in the fridge and release them in the spring.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Ctable align=\"center\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" class=\"tr-caption-container\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ctbody\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-FtqMc6YsFXI\/Wqf64TBx04I\/AAAAAAAADdc\/YY6244JrIhA3jYxGrvvXDgHRHeFc0rJrQCLcBGAs\/s1600\/DSC_0118.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"426\" data-original-width=\"640\" height=\"266\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-FtqMc6YsFXI\/Wqf64TBx04I\/AAAAAAAADdc\/YY6244JrIhA3jYxGrvvXDgHRHeFc0rJrQCLcBGAs\/s400\/DSC_0118.JPG\" width=\"400\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd class=\"tr-caption\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003EMason Bee Cocoons\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003C\/tbody\u003E\u003C\/table\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;For more information on how to manage Mason Bees for your home or farm go to the \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/strathconabeekeepers.blogspot.ca\/p\/the-beekeepers-library.html#nativepollinators\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ENative Pollinators\u003C\/a\u003E section of our Library and scroll down to Mason Bees.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003EGood Book\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Ctable align=\"center\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" class=\"tr-caption-container\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ctbody\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"452\" data-original-width=\"791\" height=\"227\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-Fi_beQDJgws\/WqgDcOK8qAI\/AAAAAAAADd4\/Hrh-4kWD88EXe_PUJjdNSdare8WQet5JgCLcBGAs\/s400\/Capture.PNG\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\" width=\"400\" \/\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd class=\"tr-caption\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/drive.google.com\/file\/d\/0Bx7DrOGMiXtlTTFPV3dRLWVockk\/view?usp=sharing\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EHow to Manage the Blue Orchard Bee\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003C\/tbody\u003E\u003C\/table\u003E\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;If you are just starting out you can buy cocoons off Craigslist for about 50 cents a cocoon and from some garden stores for $1 per cocoon.\u0026nbsp; Good sources of supplies and information for mason and leafcutter bees are \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/crownbees.com\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ECrown Bees\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp; and \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/beediverse.com\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EBeediverse\u003C\/a\u003E.\u0026nbsp; Good luck.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/strathconabeekeepers.blogspot.com\/feeds\/5397666791534587593\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/strathconabeekeepers.blogspot.com\/2018\/03\/mason-beekeeping.html#comment-form","title":"4 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/1644096506760919907\/posts\/default\/5397666791534587593"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/1644096506760919907\/posts\/default\/5397666791534587593"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/strathconabeekeepers.blogspot.com\/2018\/03\/mason-beekeeping.html","title":"Mason Beekeeping"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Unknown"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-5XqhCbr2A-k\/Wqf4OQBpgxI\/AAAAAAAADdI\/qMCO7qa7ZycD-a7WJWBXehobH3jee_T_QCLcBGAs\/s72-c\/osmia_%2Bribifloris.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"4"},"georss$featurename":{"$t":"Vancouver, B.C., Canada"},"georss$point":{"$t":"48.69096039092549 -120.9375"},"georss$box":{"$t":"23.16892589092549 -162.246094 74.212994890925486 -79.628906"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1644096506760919907.post-8526979064834697033"},"published":{"$t":"2017-12-28T16:08:00.000-08:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2017-12-28T16:08:29.039-08:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Happy New Years Bees"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Hapbee New Year"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-Symwpf34kdQ\/WGcDH-dfl8I\/AAAAAAAACnM\/25E1uOuuERorWBoADUxMzfENUbQTDvmkgCLcB\/s1600\/new-year-bee.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"260\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-Symwpf34kdQ\/WGcDH-dfl8I\/AAAAAAAACnM\/25E1uOuuERorWBoADUxMzfENUbQTDvmkgCLcB\/s400\/new-year-bee.jpg\" width=\"400\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003ETo everyone I wish a very happy and healthy new year to you and your loved ones (including your bees).\u0026nbsp; May your bees survive the cold of winter, develop a resistance to Varroa and other pests, be free of all diseases and produce buckets of honey.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; Please don't drink and fly!\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ciframe allowfullscreen=\"\" frameborder=\"0\" height=\"469\" mozallowfullscreen=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/player.vimeo.com\/video\/197645192?byline=0\u0026amp;portrait=0\" webkitallowfullscreen=\"\" width=\"640\"\u003E\u003C\/iframe\u003E \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/strathconabeekeepers.blogspot.com\/feeds\/8526979064834697033\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/strathconabeekeepers.blogspot.com\/2017\/12\/hapbee-new-year.html#comment-form","title":"2 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/1644096506760919907\/posts\/default\/8526979064834697033"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/1644096506760919907\/posts\/default\/8526979064834697033"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/strathconabeekeepers.blogspot.com\/2017\/12\/hapbee-new-year.html","title":"Hapbee New Year"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Unknown"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-Symwpf34kdQ\/WGcDH-dfl8I\/AAAAAAAACnM\/25E1uOuuERorWBoADUxMzfENUbQTDvmkgCLcB\/s72-c\/new-year-bee.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"2"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1644096506760919907.post-2889224588305601503"},"published":{"$t":"2017-08-20T20:14:00.000-07:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2017-08-21T10:11:34.325-07:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Solar eclipse and honey bees"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"The Effects of a Solar Eclipse on Honey Bees"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-ltdCZpkZbg4\/WZsThUfKFvI\/AAAAAAAADQ8\/gprEDypJFoAu0KUuC0jAwChauPGfZENYACLcBGAs\/s1600\/eclipse1.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"360\" data-original-width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-ltdCZpkZbg4\/WZsThUfKFvI\/AAAAAAAADQ8\/gprEDypJFoAu0KUuC0jAwChauPGfZENYACLcBGAs\/s640\/eclipse1.jpg\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;With a solar eclipse scheduled for tomorrow morning (beginning at 9:10 am, reaching it's maximum at 10:21 and ending at 11:37am in Vancouver) and the obvious concern for eye safety I wondered how bees and other critters coped with this phenomena. \u0026nbsp;It appears that unlike stupid humans animals generally don't stare at the sun so don't suffer from the damaging effects of the sun on eyesight.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-fHDVqTNIiJo\/WZpLATCrOiI\/AAAAAAAADQc\/7oGbV60tcB4-pum49kOy5QGNn6pH316bwCLcBGAs\/s1600\/Capture.PNG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"483\" data-original-width=\"448\" height=\"640\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-fHDVqTNIiJo\/WZpLATCrOiI\/AAAAAAAADQc\/7oGbV60tcB4-pum49kOy5QGNn6pH316bwCLcBGAs\/s640\/Capture.PNG\" width=\"592\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;As for honey bees, \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.hobos.de\/media\/user_upload\/Images_pdfs_etc\/pressebeitraege\/July_2016_235_Jurgen_Tautz.pdf\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Estudies like the one above\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;from \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.hobos.de\/en\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EHOBOS\u003C\/a\u003E honey bee research in 2015 show that foraging bee activity is decreased during an eclipse as it would be at the normal setting of the sun. \u0026nbsp;\"The reduction in flight activity commenced as soon as the brightness was lower than 400 watts\/m2. Only as the re-emerging sun reached a brightness of 400 watts\/m2 did the bees’ flight activities begin to increase once more. The bees also reduced their flying ventures in the evening when the brightness level falls below the 400 watts\/m2 mark.\" \u0026nbsp;Similar conclusions were drawn in a 1957 study of Apis Dorsata in India (\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.insa.nic.in\/writereaddata\/UpLoadedFiles\/PINSA\/Vol22B_1956_5_Art06.pdf\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EBehaviour of Apis Dorsata during a partial solar eclipse in India\u003C\/a\u003E). \u0026nbsp;I'm relieved I don't have to look for solar eclipse glasses for my bees.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-ej627NBASU4\/WZpPyX6OnsI\/AAAAAAAADQs\/DDeiznzEQiEYnRb7V5M7ZGSVz2z1KcD5ACLcBGAs\/s1600\/bee-animated-gif-21.gif\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"312\" data-original-width=\"312\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-ej627NBASU4\/WZpPyX6OnsI\/AAAAAAAADQs\/DDeiznzEQiEYnRb7V5M7ZGSVz2z1KcD5ACLcBGAs\/s1600\/bee-animated-gif-21.gif\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/strathconabeekeepers.blogspot.com\/feeds\/2889224588305601503\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/strathconabeekeepers.blogspot.com\/2017\/08\/the-effects-of-solar-eclipse-on-honey.html#comment-form","title":"0 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/1644096506760919907\/posts\/default\/2889224588305601503"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/1644096506760919907\/posts\/default\/2889224588305601503"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/strathconabeekeepers.blogspot.com\/2017\/08\/the-effects-of-solar-eclipse-on-honey.html","title":"The Effects of a Solar Eclipse on Honey Bees"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Unknown"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-ltdCZpkZbg4\/WZsThUfKFvI\/AAAAAAAADQ8\/gprEDypJFoAu0KUuC0jAwChauPGfZENYACLcBGAs\/s72-c\/eclipse1.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"0"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1644096506760919907.post-7610590532971387777"},"published":{"$t":"2017-07-06T14:27:00.000-07:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2018-12-17T19:34:45.622-08:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Cottonwood Community Garden Fire"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Fire at our Community Garden"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Ctable align=\"center\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" class=\"tr-caption-container\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ctbody\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-Mq83jhSYyMM\/WV6lnr9bvjI\/AAAAAAAADNA\/NME--o182CwSCqlieKnQWKGlLvIKPCT1ACLcBGAs\/s1600\/Fire.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"960\" data-original-width=\"960\" height=\"400\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-Mq83jhSYyMM\/WV6lnr9bvjI\/AAAAAAAADNA\/NME--o182CwSCqlieKnQWKGlLvIKPCT1ACLcBGAs\/s400\/Fire.jpg\" width=\"400\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd class=\"tr-caption\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003EPhotos by Mary-Ann Charney\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003C\/tbody\u003E\u003C\/table\u003E\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;On Tuesday night we had a fire at our community garden (\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/cottonwooodgarden.blogspot.ca\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ECottonwood\u003C\/a\u003E) in Vancouver. \u0026nbsp;Unfortunately the fire consumed our greenhouse and beekeeping\/tool shed. \u0026nbsp;Arson is suspected. We lost everything including ladders, pruners, construction tools, weed eater, irrigation supplies and all of our beekeeping equipment which we had accumulated over many years (including my favourite 40 year old smoker). This also includes our community honey extractor and honey harvesting equipment which we lent out to the public and the protective clothing we used for our beekeeping classes.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Ctable align=\"center\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" class=\"tr-caption-container\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ctbody\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-Hx-KhPHXzIY\/WV7cVy7HN9I\/AAAAAAAADNo\/_qhANWT06d0kLmfwEQRCuP52NJltvhkRACLcBGAs\/s1600\/untitled.bmp\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"300\" data-original-width=\"400\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-Hx-KhPHXzIY\/WV7cVy7HN9I\/AAAAAAAADNo\/_qhANWT06d0kLmfwEQRCuP52NJltvhkRACLcBGAs\/s400\/untitled.bmp\" width=\"400\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd class=\"tr-caption\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003ENo AFB there\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003C\/tbody\u003E\u003C\/table\u003E\u003Ctable align=\"center\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" class=\"tr-caption-container\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ctbody\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-oVr2VXZp5w8\/WV7cjRj2OjI\/AAAAAAAADNs\/DQlU61hxhLkaoEB0_IxSuD8q7DJij2PrQCLcBGAs\/s1600\/untitled1.bmp\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"300\" data-original-width=\"400\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-oVr2VXZp5w8\/WV7cjRj2OjI\/AAAAAAAADNs\/DQlU61hxhLkaoEB0_IxSuD8q7DJij2PrQCLcBGAs\/s400\/untitled1.bmp\" width=\"400\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd class=\"tr-caption\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003EOur honey extractor\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003C\/tbody\u003E\u003C\/table\u003E\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;It is difficult to remain optimistic in the face of continuous vandalism and theft at the garden but it is a reality of gardening and beekeeping in a public space. \u0026nbsp;It is important to remember that 99% of the folks that come to our garden love and appreciate it and we can't let the acts of a few dictate the future of our beautiful garden.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/web.facebook.com\/SaveCottonwoodCommunityGarden\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ECottonwood Community Garden\u003C\/a\u003E 25 years ago.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-yBbLvWfc1X0\/WWDnIOUig2I\/AAAAAAAADOI\/rod3WfoLICAcIuBBI8OTBOreTKqPMY-GQCLcBGAs\/s1600\/Capture.PNG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"469\" data-original-width=\"466\" height=\"400\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-yBbLvWfc1X0\/WWDnIOUig2I\/AAAAAAAADOI\/rod3WfoLICAcIuBBI8OTBOreTKqPMY-GQCLcBGAs\/s400\/Capture.PNG\" width=\"396\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u0026nbsp; \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/cottonwooodgarden.blogspot.ca\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ECottonwood Garden \u003C\/a\u003Etoday\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-HL0lPGtYZDQ\/WWDq2jHMmaI\/AAAAAAAADOQ\/qc2Rrx5z6tsjPvC2K5sRzvoCZdGiRT_bACLcBGAs\/s1600\/pondview1-1024x764.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"764\" data-original-width=\"1024\" height=\"297\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-HL0lPGtYZDQ\/WWDq2jHMmaI\/AAAAAAAADOQ\/qc2Rrx5z6tsjPvC2K5sRzvoCZdGiRT_bACLcBGAs\/s400\/pondview1-1024x764.jpg\" width=\"400\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/web.facebook.com\/SaveCottonwoodCommunityGarden\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ECottonwood Community Garden\u003C\/a\u003E today. \u0026nbsp;Built on a former dump site 25 years ago by a group of \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.oliverk.org\/art-projects\/land-art\/cottonwood-community-gardens\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Eguerrilla gardeners\u003C\/a\u003E this 4 acre oasis is a home to birds, bees, skunks, raccoons, squirrels, coyotes, frogs and over a hundred humans. \u0026nbsp;The city has proposed construction of a freeway through the middle of the garden. \u0026nbsp;Friends of the garden have proposed alternative sites for the freeway. \u0026nbsp;The future of the garden is in jeopardy but we are hopeful. \u0026nbsp;This video was taken on the 20th anniversary.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ciframe allowfullscreen=\"\" frameborder=\"0\" height=\"315\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/dsA5Yuq0hgs\" width=\"560\"\u003E\u003C\/iframe\u003E \u003Cbr \/\u003EWe will rebuild and we will persevere.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;Remembering the good times.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Ctable align=\"center\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" class=\"tr-caption-container\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ctbody\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-D8fp9CevSz0\/WV6p9bCPVmI\/AAAAAAAADNE\/Hl7MwmKDogg14_CgO8gEmno3smr8DFjcACLcBGAs\/s1600\/Olivia.png\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"175\" data-original-width=\"320\" height=\"347\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-D8fp9CevSz0\/WV6p9bCPVmI\/AAAAAAAADNE\/Hl7MwmKDogg14_CgO8gEmno3smr8DFjcACLcBGAs\/s640\/Olivia.png\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd class=\"tr-caption\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003EExtracting honey in the bee shed\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003C\/tbody\u003E\u003C\/table\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003E* \u0026nbsp;We have started a fundraiser to rebuild and restock our greenhouse and bee\/tool shed. Any donation no matter how small is appreciated. \u0026nbsp;To donate by credit card go to \"\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.gofundme.com\/cottonwood-fire\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ECottonwood Fire\u003C\/a\u003E\" or you can donate by credit card or paypal on the top of the page on the sidebar. \u0026nbsp;You can receive a tax receipt with a donation of $25 or more. \u0026nbsp;Thank you.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Ciframe class=\"gfm-media-widget\" coinfo=\"0\" frameborder=\"0\" height=\"100%\" id=\"cottonwood-fire\" image=\"1\" width=\"100%\"\u003E\u003C\/iframe\u003E\u003Cscript src=\"\/\/funds.gofundme.com\/js\/5.0\/media-widget.js\"\u003E\u003C\/script\u003E "},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/strathconabeekeepers.blogspot.com\/feeds\/7610590532971387777\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/strathconabeekeepers.blogspot.com\/2017\/07\/fire-at-apiary.html#comment-form","title":"6 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/1644096506760919907\/posts\/default\/7610590532971387777"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/1644096506760919907\/posts\/default\/7610590532971387777"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/strathconabeekeepers.blogspot.com\/2017\/07\/fire-at-apiary.html","title":"Fire at our Community Garden"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Unknown"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-Mq83jhSYyMM\/WV6lnr9bvjI\/AAAAAAAADNA\/NME--o182CwSCqlieKnQWKGlLvIKPCT1ACLcBGAs\/s72-c\/Fire.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"6"},"georss$featurename":{"$t":"Vancouver, BC, Canada"},"georss$point":{"$t":"49.2827291 -123.12073750000002"},"georss$box":{"$t":"49.1169156 -123.44346100000001 49.448542599999996 -122.79801400000002"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1644096506760919907.post-5916955527604813187"},"published":{"$t":"2017-06-03T14:36:00.000-07:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2018-11-18T07:57:44.620-08:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Honey bee nucs"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Bad Nuc Rant"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-7XSv0laRWjg\/WTMpiWKSLpI\/AAAAAAAADG4\/XA3sJXUqGqgRXcmkRc96_dxMCXAzwVWVACLcB\/s1600\/b5707dc1ab71.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"395\" data-original-width=\"406\" height=\"388\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-7XSv0laRWjg\/WTMpiWKSLpI\/AAAAAAAADG4\/XA3sJXUqGqgRXcmkRc96_dxMCXAzwVWVACLcB\/s400\/b5707dc1ab71.jpg\" width=\"400\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;The last few years I have observed an abundance of bad bee nucs for sale in the Vancouver area. Last year a number of beekeepers in our beekeeping coop bought nucs from a local retailer, all of which contained swarm cells. \u0026nbsp;As a result all of the nucs swarmed within the first week creating smaller nucs and very small swarms. \u0026nbsp;The owner of the company explained that the nucs were made by inexperienced workers who improperly made the nucs with swarm cells and newly introduced queens.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; This week a few nucs were bought by beekeepers in our organization from another beekeeping supply retailer. \u0026nbsp;The nuc boxes had scotch tape on the entrance (half attached), the lids were not attached, the brood comb was black (old) and the nuc boxes were older. \u0026nbsp;The nucs contained 2 frames of old, spotty brood, 2 wet frames, a queen cage and no laying queen. \u0026nbsp;Both of these retailers are good, knowledgeable beekeeping suppliers and the criticism is directed more towards the lack of long term bee breeders not the bee retailers (though the argument could be made that you are responsible for what you are selling).\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;The bottom line is that we have a very poor, unsustainable honey bee population in greater Vancouver with most of the bees produced done so for a quick dollar rather than creating a legacy of strong, survivor stock. \u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/winstonhive.com\/?page_id=10\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EMark Winston\u003C\/a\u003E,\u0026nbsp;an\u0026nbsp;SFU professor, biologist and beekeeper produced a study 30 years ago that suggested it was economically feasible to produce honey bee nucs and packages in the Fraser Valley (\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/drive.google.com\/file\/d\/0Bx7DrOGMiXtlb0NKRW1ZakVoRmM\/view?pref=2\u0026amp;pli=1\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EPackage and Nucleus production in the Fraser Valley\u003C\/a\u003E). \u0026nbsp;This potential has not been realized and instead we have become dependent on imported packages and poorly created nucs. \u0026nbsp;Good breeders in our area produce relatively few nucs and queens that don't begin to match the demand. Part of the reason is the extreme property values that make beekeeping not economically feasible in the Greater Vancouver area.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;Beekeepers ask me constantly if I can recommend a good bee nuc or queen source and I can't because the good sources are sold out before the bees are ready. If anyone knows of a good source of bees let us know. Bad nuc rant over.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-usKXWNYVOLo\/WTMrVQfzQyI\/AAAAAAAADHA\/8wDc_FJd7aYOIlC8AtcMYLIdP5N1v85HwCLcB\/s1600\/king-bee.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"230\" data-original-width=\"666\" height=\"219\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-usKXWNYVOLo\/WTMrVQfzQyI\/AAAAAAAADHA\/8wDc_FJd7aYOIlC8AtcMYLIdP5N1v85HwCLcB\/s640\/king-bee.jpg\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/strathconabeekeepers.blogspot.com\/feeds\/5916955527604813187\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/strathconabeekeepers.blogspot.com\/2017\/06\/bad-nuc-rant.html#comment-form","title":"0 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/1644096506760919907\/posts\/default\/5916955527604813187"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/1644096506760919907\/posts\/default\/5916955527604813187"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/strathconabeekeepers.blogspot.com\/2017\/06\/bad-nuc-rant.html","title":"Bad Nuc Rant"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Unknown"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-7XSv0laRWjg\/WTMpiWKSLpI\/AAAAAAAADG4\/XA3sJXUqGqgRXcmkRc96_dxMCXAzwVWVACLcB\/s72-c\/b5707dc1ab71.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"0"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1644096506760919907.post-1302626942892173917"},"published":{"$t":"2017-04-29T23:09:00.002-07:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2018-11-18T07:58:44.214-08:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"La Nina beekeeping"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"La Nina Beekeeping"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-4H7fZ78FNds\/WQVa64TzMzI\/AAAAAAAADA0\/3MYm9gpXBdUW-L8eGrt5sVlr51fu1iUjACLcB\/s1600\/LaNina-Jet-Wintertime-Pattern.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"481\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-4H7fZ78FNds\/WQVa64TzMzI\/AAAAAAAADA0\/3MYm9gpXBdUW-L8eGrt5sVlr51fu1iUjACLcB\/s640\/LaNina-Jet-Wintertime-Pattern.jpg\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;The \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/La_Ni%C3%B1a\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ELa Nina weather pattern\u003C\/a\u003E is cooler than average sea surface temperatures in the Pacific Ocean (3-5 degrees C.) resulting in colder temperatures and above average precipitation for us in Vancouver. \u0026nbsp;We have experienced these conditions through the winter with record snowfall in the local mountains and this weather pattern has continued through the early part of spring. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-pM1PlICbezo\/WQVd3BZdkzI\/AAAAAAAADBA\/7hiOeU_x-843XD_h3x9IqD6acj4AxKEHACLcB\/s1600\/the%2Bone.PNG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"148\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-pM1PlICbezo\/WQVd3BZdkzI\/AAAAAAAADBA\/7hiOeU_x-843XD_h3x9IqD6acj4AxKEHACLcB\/s640\/the%2Bone.PNG\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;As beekeepers we are always acutely aware of the temperature and rainfall and it's effects on our bees foraging particularly in the early spring. \u0026nbsp;This is a time of great potential brood development with the fruit trees in blossom (pollen) but because of the wet, cool spring both brood development and fruit production will suffer this year. \u0026nbsp;Although our bees will collect pollen and nectar at colder temperatures we don't get major colony foraging until it's 12 C. (53 F.) and sunny. \u0026nbsp;In Vancouver we have positive and negative honey bee food accumulation months. \u0026nbsp;This will vary on your specific location but for our urban apiary the positive months are April 1 through to October 1 with March and October dependent on weather conditions. \u0026nbsp;This year both March and April were negative.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-gTNVMh7aX-c\/WQVgdmjT85I\/AAAAAAAADBQ\/maOGqeJC-TkiymKQ5r6jobxwsTukMqtLACLcB\/s1600\/Capture.PNG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"396\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-gTNVMh7aX-c\/WQVgdmjT85I\/AAAAAAAADBQ\/maOGqeJC-TkiymKQ5r6jobxwsTukMqtLACLcB\/s400\/Capture.PNG\" width=\"400\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; How does this effect spring beekeeping management? \u0026nbsp;For those who supplement their bees' diet feeding of both carbohydrates (sugar) and protein or protein supplement (to stimulate brood development) will be more important. \u0026nbsp;Keep in mind that below about 12 C. (54 fahrenheit) the bees won't take a liquid syrup as they are unable to process it (\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/strathconabeekeepers.blogspot.ca\/2014\/01\/feeding-bees-in-winter.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EFeeding Bees in Winter\u003C\/a\u003E). \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;In order to carry out spring management we must assess the health of our hives. \u0026nbsp;Many sources (mostly southern) will insist you cannot inspect your frames until 15 C. (60 fahrenheit) for fear of chilling the brood. \u0026nbsp;Some northern beekeepers would have to wait til well into May for this. \u0026nbsp;Bees are hardier than most people think. \u0026nbsp;Peeking briefly into a hive during winter on a non snowy day to assess the food supply is fine as is inspecting the brood at 10 C. (50 fahrenheit). \u0026nbsp;Use common sense and minimize exposure. \u0026nbsp;This from the Huron City Bee Company in Michigan,\u003Cbr \/\u003E\"How cold is too cold to inspect my hive?\"\u003Cbr \/\u003EI hear this question quite often at this time of year. Let me just say, I was late one year and needed inspection papers to transport my hives. So, one January morning, at 28 degrees, the state inspector and I opened the hives and inspected brood frames VERY quickly. The result was no detectable loss of brood. We didn't stand around, and we didn't chat while the hives were open. We worked smoothly, so as to disturb the cluster as little as possible. And we closed them up as quickly as we could.\u003Cbr \/\u003EOn the other hand, I've helped with inspections on a 70 degree day, where the beekeeper took out a frame of brood, stood it up and chatted for 20 minutes about what they found. Then later complained about chilled brood. \u0026nbsp;See where I'm going with this? \u0026nbsp;Go in, do what you need to do, and then get out quickly. \u0026nbsp;However, I want to temper this advice with another question. If you DO find something wrong, what's your plan? \u0026nbsp;Here in Michigan, it's 42 degrees right now. I wouldn't hesitate to pop open the hives. But, to what end? It's too late to replace a queen if I find one failing. The only thing I can do at this point is combine, and even then, they may remain clustered instead of merging. \u0026nbsp;The take away message is not to be afraid of opening the hives. But, if you have no courses of action if you find something wrong, why bother?\" \u0026nbsp;I think this is a good year-round philosophy. \u0026nbsp;I go into my hives with a specific purpose and only when required for responsible colony management.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;For us in Vancouver that means we should be able to do a full inspection by March to assess the queen performance (brood pattern), presence of disease (continued excessive bee poop on hive) or mites (small hive beetle has arrived - \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/strathconabeekeepers.blogspot.ca\/p\/the-beekeepers-library.html#honeybeediseasesandparasites\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EHoney Bee Diseases and Parasites\u003C\/a\u003E) and food supply (\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/drive.google.com\/file\/d\/0Bx7DrOGMiXtlZGR1SjlWalV5ZVE\/view?usp=sharing\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EB.C. Government Spring Management\u003C\/a\u003E). \u0026nbsp;Some of the spring beekeeping chores are: The cluster should be in the upper super so reverse the brood boxes; maintain a reduced entrance to prevent \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/drive.google.com\/file\/d\/0Bx7DrOGMiXtlX0VNV2x6LWhhY1k\/view\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Erobbing\u003C\/a\u003E or mice visits; optionally equalize the colonies by adding frames of bees of a strong colony to a weaker colony (\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/drive.google.com\/file\/d\/0Bx7DrOGMiXtlRnk4ZVNDb2FGd1U\/view\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EEqualization of bee colony strength\u003C\/a\u003E); cull your old foundation if you do so (\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/drive.google.com\/file\/d\/0Bx7DrOGMiXtlMjFkdWJ3cExFemM\/view\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EReplacing brood comb\u003C\/a\u003E); swarm prevention (\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/drive.google.com\/file\/d\/0Bx7DrOGMiXtlOGhhbXFYUGFqcTQ\/view?usp=sharing\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Echeckerboarding\u003C\/a\u003E, \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/drive.google.com\/file\/d\/0Bx7DrOGMiXtlWlQwVFZXOWk5TFk\/view\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Esplits\u003C\/a\u003E ... ) ; \u0026nbsp;maintain good ventilation and empty your bottom board of dead bees and debris. \u0026nbsp;In this article Randy Oliver and Dr. Medhat Nasr (Alberta Provincial Apiculturist) discuss the benefits of early season mite control through the formation of nucs with queen cells and the treatment of those nucs (\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/drive.google.com\/file\/d\/0Bx7DrOGMiXtlZmZoSE9yYjlWLWM\/view?usp=sharing\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EEarly Season Mite Management\u003C\/a\u003E).\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;I have been warned of the presence of \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/drive.google.com\/file\/d\/0Bx7DrOGMiXtlbmFBc0NCcXRzMXc\/view?usp=sharing\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Enosema\u003C\/a\u003E in some of this year's New Zealand packages. \u0026nbsp;Whether that is true or an attempt to boost the sales of \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/drive.google.com\/file\/d\/0Bx7DrOGMiXtlb2w3SVhwWEQ5RUU\/view?usp=sharing\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Efumagillin\u003C\/a\u003E it's always a good idea to watch for signs of nosema (difficulty digesting food). \u0026nbsp;Nosema is difficult to diagnose without laboratory equipment (\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/drive.google.com\/file\/d\/0Bx7DrOGMiXtlaHp4NFBQY0dkQWc\/view?usp=sharing\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ENosema Assessment\u003C\/a\u003E). \u0026nbsp;Some suggest a nosema infected midgut will become swollen, whitish and lose it's visible constrictions (a healthy midgut is tan with visible constrictions) but that is also true of other causes of dysentery. \u0026nbsp;Symptoms that may suggest the presence of nosema are the lack of population buildup as nosema infected bees tend to skip the nurse bee phase and become young foragers, dying at a young age. \u0026nbsp;Desperate they will forage at cooler temperatures and will not take syrup if fed. \u0026nbsp;This from Randy Oliver, \"Perhaps the most noticeable effect of N. ceranae infection is the lack of population buildup of infected colonies, due to the premature death of infected foragers. Of interest is that nosema-infected bees tend to forage at cooler temperatures. Woyciechowski (1998) suggests that infected bees may engage in more risky foraging behavior, perhaps sensing that they do not have long to live. Additionally, infected bees may simply fly off to die, exhibiting an “altruistic suicide” to help prevent the infection of nestmates (Kralj 2006). \u0026nbsp;Another symptom, reported by several, and described by Bob Harrison on Bee-L, is that of bees not taking syrup, and then massively drowning in division board feeders. Bob feels that the symptom of going “off feed” is a good indicator for N. ceranae infection, which can be reversed with a drench of fumagillin syrup. \u0026nbsp;The drowning behavior may have an explanation in a recent paper by Chris Mayak (2009), in which he found that “N. ceranae imposes an energetic stress on infected bees, revealed in their elevated appetite and hunger level…. infected bees attempt to compensate for the imposed energetic stress by feeding more…” Mayak suggests that such hungry, nutritionally stressed bees, exhibiting risky foraging behavior, might play a role in the depopulation of infected colonies.\"\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;Here are a few good spring beekeeping publications: \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/drive.google.com\/file\/d\/0Bx7DrOGMiXtlX3FfZmRBcEQ4bzA\/view?usp=sharing\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EOhio State Beekeepers' Association Spring Management\u003C\/a\u003E; \u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/drive.google.com\/file\/d\/0Bx7DrOGMiXtldHZicjE3UVRacTg\/view?usp=sharing\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EThe National Bee Unit's Spring Checks\u003C\/a\u003E; \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/drive.google.com\/file\/d\/0Bx7DrOGMiXtlSnFXd1FzM041Sms\/view?usp=sharing\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ESpring Management by Dana Stahlman\u003C\/a\u003E; \u0026nbsp;and from the Ontario Beekeepers Association \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/drive.google.com\/file\/d\/0Bx7DrOGMiXtlcGt4cEl4QXpSdnM\/view?usp=sharing\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ESpring Checklist: Potential Reasons for Honey Bee Colony Loss\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/div\u003E\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; Due to the cool, wet La Nina weather plant development (blossoming) and our swarm season will be delayed by a few weeks. \u0026nbsp;Other aspects of beekeeping like split creation and queen and local nuc availability will also be delayed. \u0026nbsp;Also, it appears the price of nucs has risen this year to $225-$250. \u0026nbsp;The delayed blossoming of plants may create a stronger late season September-October food supply for our bees. \u0026nbsp;The \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.theweathernetwork.com\/news\/articles\/weather-network-2017-spring-forecast-el-nino-canada-precipitation-summer-sneak-peek\/79842\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EWeather Network\u003C\/a\u003E predicts a cool, wet spring and a warmer summer than last year. \u0026nbsp;\"Some years there are strong signals in the global pattern that allow for higher confidence in a seasonal forecast, but unfortunately this is not one of those years. During the next few months, one of the keys to our final summer forecast will be the strength of the developing El Niño and whether the warmest water remains just west of South America or whether the warmest water shifts west into the central Pacific.\" \u0026nbsp;The La Nina weather pattern can last for a few years but hopefully it will be replaced soon by the warmer\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/El_Ni%C3%B1o\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EEl Nino\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;phase. \u0026nbsp;We'll keep our wings crossed.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-waEggPBe0y8\/WQV_YB9WQRI\/AAAAAAAADBg\/EEtZgYuZksAusLpipKnBmzcx8lfNoR87QCLcB\/s1600\/f19c888581ecd5959b3e6c1361e3c04c.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"320\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-waEggPBe0y8\/WQV_YB9WQRI\/AAAAAAAADBg\/EEtZgYuZksAusLpipKnBmzcx8lfNoR87QCLcB\/s320\/f19c888581ecd5959b3e6c1361e3c04c.jpg\" width=\"320\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/strathconabeekeepers.blogspot.com\/feeds\/1302626942892173917\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/strathconabeekeepers.blogspot.com\/2017\/04\/la-nina-beekeeping.html#comment-form","title":"0 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/1644096506760919907\/posts\/default\/1302626942892173917"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/1644096506760919907\/posts\/default\/1302626942892173917"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/strathconabeekeepers.blogspot.com\/2017\/04\/la-nina-beekeeping.html","title":"La Nina Beekeeping"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Unknown"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-4H7fZ78FNds\/WQVa64TzMzI\/AAAAAAAADA0\/3MYm9gpXBdUW-L8eGrt5sVlr51fu1iUjACLcB\/s72-c\/LaNina-Jet-Wintertime-Pattern.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"0"},"georss$featurename":{"$t":"Vancouver, B.C., Canada"},"georss$point":{"$t":"48.922499263758255 -121.9921875"},"georss$box":{"$t":"23.400464763758254 -163.3007815 74.444533763758258 -80.6835935"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1644096506760919907.post-7338114532954421607"},"published":{"$t":"2016-06-30T10:37:00.001-07:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2021-01-08T22:24:47.023-08:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Free online beekeeping course"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Free Online Beekeeping Course"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-mYBcpZG5-Vw\/V3VScU-HXuI\/AAAAAAAACBk\/TFxnZMoKXooyPl6fQrSerOjks8kfbL6zwCLcB\/s1600\/Capture.PNG\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"320\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-mYBcpZG5-Vw\/V3VScU-HXuI\/AAAAAAAACBk\/TFxnZMoKXooyPl6fQrSerOjks8kfbL6zwCLcB\/s320\/Capture.PNG\" width=\"246\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; Ohio State University \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/u.osu.edu\/beelab\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EBee Lab\u003C\/a\u003E has created a free \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/itunes.apple.com\/ca\/course\/beekeeping-honey-bee-biology\/id1072789096\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\"Honey Bee Biology and Beekeeping Course\"\u003C\/a\u003E based on Dr. Reed Johnson's for-credit OSU Beekeeping Course.\u0026nbsp; The course consists of video lectures, handouts and readings that can be accessed through iTunes.\u0026nbsp; They need volunteers to review the course and offer suggestions.\u0026nbsp; The \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/u.osu.edu\/beelab\/itunesu-course-beekeeping-and-honey-bee-biology-beta-testers-needed\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EOhio State University Bee Lab\u003C\/a\u003E has a long history of providing great beekeeping information via publications and webinars to the public.\u0026nbsp; To be a volunteer to review this course fill out this \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/docs.google.com\/forms\/d\/1H5FJTVynkyXt2ftDrXUyLZo28yeU0_z2iLpFiLpSXzo\/viewform\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Esimple registration\u003C\/a\u003E to receive a link to the course.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; A good, free online beekeeping course, \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/class.ucanr.edu\/login\/index.php\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\"Honey Bees and Colony Strength Evaluation\"\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp; (available to all) is presented by the University of California.\u0026nbsp; This course is offered in modules covering topics from very basic beginner beekeeping information to more advanced colony strength evaluation so that the student can choose the module suited to their skill level.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;There are a number of free online courses available and most of them are a blend of universal beekeeping skills and those specific to the region the course originates from.\u0026nbsp; \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/ucanr.edu\/sites\/sandiegobees\/Online_Beekeeping_Course\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EBeekeeping in San Diego County\u003C\/a\u003E is produced by the University of California and the \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www2.gov.bc.ca\/gov\/content\/industry\/agriculture-seafood\/animals-and-crops\/animal-production\/bees\/bee-courses\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EBritish Columbian government\u003C\/a\u003E offers annually an \"Introduction to Beekeeping\" course and every other year a \"Masters Beekeeping \" course (online webinar format).\u0026nbsp; There is also a Pacific Northwest based \"\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/newbees101.wordpress.com\/2015\/07\/12\/begin-at-the-beginning\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EBegin at the Beeginning\u003C\/a\u003E\"\u0026nbsp; and a \"\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/egyankosh.ac.in\/handle\/123456789\/41096\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ECertificate in Beekeeping\u003C\/a\u003E\" presented by Indira Ghandi University in India.\u0026nbsp; Two great video series come from Ohio State University\u0026nbsp;which has a great web-based \"\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.ohiostatebeekeepers.org\/beekeeping_class\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EIntroductory Beekeeping Program\u003C\/a\u003E\" and the University of Georgia's \"\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/bee-health.extension.org\/honey-bees-and-beekeeping-a-year-in-the-life-of-an-apiary\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EHoney Bees and Beekeeping\u003C\/a\u003E\".\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;M\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"background-color: white; font-size: 15.84px;\"\u003Easter beekeeper Dana Stahlman has an online course which is being worked on at present but he has a test for the beginner, advanced and master beekeeper which are useful tools.\u0026nbsp; Check it out at\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.gobeekeeping.com\/Test.htm\" style=\"background-color: white; color: #6684cc; font-size: 15.84px; text-decoration-line: none;\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EGobeekeeping\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"background-color: white; font-size: 15.84px;\"\u003E.\u003C\/span\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;We also have an updated schedule of new courses available online at our \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/strathconabeekeepers.blogspot.com\/p\/online-beekeeping-courses.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EOnline Beekeeping Courses\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;page.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;There are more courses, video series and books available in our \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/strathconabeekeepers.blogspot.com\/p\/the-beekeepers-library.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EBeekeepers' Library\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;.\u0026nbsp; Enjoy!\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-7pQ6ZTC-K5w\/WqQFxnbGlJI\/AAAAAAAADco\/cuJCvKGZ_tMz-COgP-cTeNcfocywFQOIwCLcBGAs\/s1600\/Chive.JPG\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1200\" data-original-width=\"1600\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-7pQ6ZTC-K5w\/WqQFxnbGlJI\/AAAAAAAADco\/cuJCvKGZ_tMz-COgP-cTeNcfocywFQOIwCLcBGAs\/s400\/Chive.JPG\" width=\"400\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/strathconabeekeepers.blogspot.com\/feeds\/7338114532954421607\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/strathconabeekeepers.blogspot.com\/2016\/06\/free-online-beekeeping-course.html#comment-form","title":"9 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/1644096506760919907\/posts\/default\/7338114532954421607"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/1644096506760919907\/posts\/default\/7338114532954421607"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/strathconabeekeepers.blogspot.com\/2016\/06\/free-online-beekeeping-course.html","title":"Free Online Beekeeping Course"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Unknown"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-mYBcpZG5-Vw\/V3VScU-HXuI\/AAAAAAAACBk\/TFxnZMoKXooyPl6fQrSerOjks8kfbL6zwCLcB\/s72-c\/Capture.PNG","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"9"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1644096506760919907.post-366795591416130275"},"published":{"$t":"2016-01-07T18:23:00.000-08:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2018-11-18T07:59:48.486-08:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Beekeeping traditions"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Telling The Bees"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-9qAuS6dXess\/Vo7-d0NTLdI\/AAAAAAAABhY\/d-Kwh-ZoiJw\/s1600\/Untitled%2Bpicture.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"574\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-9qAuS6dXess\/Vo7-d0NTLdI\/AAAAAAAABhY\/d-Kwh-ZoiJw\/s640\/Untitled%2Bpicture.jpg\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: large;\"\u003EBees and beekeeping have held a great importance to many cultures through history particularly prior to the arrival of sugar cane to colder areas of the world.\u0026nbsp; A British tradition that was held by some beekeepers was referred to as \"Telling the Bees\".\u0026nbsp; This involved informing the bees of any important family events like birth, marriage or death.\u0026nbsp; Beekeepers would often leave small offerings like wedding cake or small sweets for a birth and drape the hives with black cloth or turn the hives away from the house upon death.\u0026nbsp; It was said that the bees would either die or leave the hives if not told of the death of their keeper.\u0026nbsp; Th\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003Eis\u003C\/span\u003E tr\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003Eadition was brought to the Americas by immigrants in the 19th century.\u0026nbsp; \u003C\/span\u003EIn Mark Twain's Huckleberry Finn he wrote: \u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: large;\"\u003E“And he said if a man owned a beehive and that man died, the bees must be told about it before sun-up next morning, or else the bees would all weaken down and quit work and die. Jim said bees wouldn't sting idiots; but I didn't believe that, because I had tried them lots of times myself, and they wouldn't sting me.” \u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; Another example of \"Telling the Bees\" is in England in 1840, a woman upon the death of their keeper leaving an offering of sweets and reciting the poem:\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cspan center=\"\" style=\"font-family: inherit;\" text-align:=\"\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003EYour master J.A. has passed away.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003EBut his wife now begs you will freely stay,\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003Eand still gather honey for many a day.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003EBonny bees, Bonny bees, hear what I say.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv default=\"\" font-family:=\"\" style=\"font-family: \u0026lt;span style=;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: large;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; Here is a poem written by John Greenleaf Whittier about \"Telling the Bees\" of their keepers passing.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"font-weight: bold; margin: 0in; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: large;\"\u003ETelling the Bees\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"margin: 0in; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: large;\"\u003E(The traditional\u0026nbsp;\u003Cspan style=\"font-style: italic;\"\u003Etelling\u003C\/span\u003E\u0026nbsp;the bees of a recent beekeeper passing)\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"margin: 0in; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: large;\"\u003EHere is the place; right over the hill\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"margin: 0in; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: large;\"\u003ERuns the path I took;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"margin: 0in; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: large;\"\u003EYou can see the gap in the old wall still,\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"margin: 0in; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: large;\"\u003EAnd the stepping-stones in the shallow brook.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"margin: 0in; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: large;\"\u003EThere is the house, with the gate red-barred,\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"margin: 0in; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: large;\"\u003EAnd the poplars tall;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"margin: 0in; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: large;\"\u003EAnd the barn's brown length, and the cattle-yard,\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"margin: 0in; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: large;\"\u003EAnd the white horns tossing above the wall.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"margin: 0in; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: large;\"\u003EThere are the beehives ranged in the sun;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"margin: 0in; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: large;\"\u003EAnd down by the brink\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"margin: 0in; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: large;\"\u003EOf the brook are her poor flowers, weed-o'errun,\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"margin: 0in; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: large;\"\u003EPansy and daffodil, rose and pink.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"margin: 0in; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: large;\"\u003EA year has gone, as the tortoise goes,\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"margin: 0in; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: large;\"\u003EHeavy and slow;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"margin: 0in; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: large;\"\u003EAnd the same rose blows, and the same sun glows,\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"margin: 0in; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: large;\"\u003EAnd the same brook sings of a year ago.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"margin: 0in; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: large;\"\u003EThere's the same sweet clover-smell in the breeze;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"margin: 0in; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: large;\"\u003EAnd the June sun warm\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"margin: 0in; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: large;\"\u003ETangles his wings of fire in the trees,\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"margin: 0in; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: large;\"\u003ESetting, as then, over Fernside farm.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"margin: 0in; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: large;\"\u003EI mind me how with a lover's care\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"margin: 0in; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: large;\"\u003EFrom my Sunday coat\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"margin: 0in; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: large;\"\u003EI brushed off the burrs, and smoothed my hair,\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"margin: 0in; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: large;\"\u003EAnd cooled at the brookside my brow and throat.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"margin: 0in; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: large;\"\u003ESince we parted, a month had passed,--\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"margin: 0in; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: large;\"\u003ETo love, a year;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"margin: 0in; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: large;\"\u003EDown through the beeches I looked at last\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"margin: 0in; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: large;\"\u003EOn the little red gate and the well-sweep near.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"margin: 0in; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: large;\"\u003EI can see it all now,--the slantwise rain\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"margin: 0in; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: large;\"\u003EOf light through the leaves,\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"margin: 0in; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: large;\"\u003EThe sundown's blaze on her window-pane,\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"margin: 0in; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: large;\"\u003EThe bloom of her roses under the eaves.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"margin: 0in; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: large;\"\u003EJust the same as a month before,--\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"margin: 0in; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: large;\"\u003EThe house and the trees,\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"margin: 0in; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: large;\"\u003EThe barn's brown gable, the vine by the door,--\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"margin: 0in; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: large;\"\u003ENothing changed but the hives of bees.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"margin: 0in; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: large;\"\u003EBefore them, under the garden wall,\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"margin: 0in; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: large;\"\u003EForward and back,\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"margin: 0in; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: large;\"\u003EWent drearily singing the chore-girl small,\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"margin: 0in; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: large;\"\u003EDraping each hive with a shred of black.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"margin: 0in; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: large;\"\u003ETrembling, I listened: The summer sun\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"margin: 0in; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: large;\"\u003EHad the chill of snow;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"margin: 0in; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: large;\"\u003EFor I knew she was telling the bees of one\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"margin: 0in; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: large;\"\u003EGone on the journey we all must go!\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"margin: 0in; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: large;\"\u003EThen I said to myself, 'My Mary weeps\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"margin: 0in; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: large;\"\u003EFor the dead to-day;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"margin: 0in; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: large;\"\u003EHaply her blind old grandsire sleeps\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"margin: 0in; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: large;\"\u003EThe fret and the pain of his age away.'\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"margin: 0in; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: large;\"\u003EBut her dog whined low; on the doorway sill,\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"margin: 0in; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: large;\"\u003EWith his cane to his chin,\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"margin: 0in; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: large;\"\u003EThe old man sat; and the chore-girl still\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"margin: 0in; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: large;\"\u003ESung to the bees stealing out and in.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"margin: 0in; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: large;\"\u003EAnd the song she was singing ever since\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"margin: 0in; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: large;\"\u003EIn my ear sounds on:\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"margin: 0in; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: large;\"\u003E'Stay at home, pretty bees, fly not hence!\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"font-style: italic; margin: 0in; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: large;\"\u003EMistress Mary is dead and gone!'\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: large;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;There is also a tradition called \"Asking the Bees\" where a new beekeeper \"Asks the Bees\" to accept them as their keeper and to impart their wisdom to them.\u0026nbsp; These traditions died in the late 19th century but a few like myself still follow these traditions.\u0026nbsp; Though I spend a lot of time with other beekeepers in a beekeeping organization and coop I cherish those intimate times I spend alone with bees talking to them about what's happening in my life.\u0026nbsp; When I do this the bees land on my arms, feeding on the moisture and sodium, listening intently.\u0026nbsp; Emily sent me a wonderful story of the prayers read at the funeral of Clive Watson\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E, a much loved \u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003Eleader and supporter of the beekeeping commun\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003Eity.\u0026nbsp; These are the prayers that were read to his hives (\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/ealingbees.files.wordpress.com\/2015\/07\/clive-watson-funeral-prayers-for-the-bees.pdf\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ETelling the Bees\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E ). \u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: large;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; I hope that upon my passing someone \u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003Ereads prayers to\u003C\/span\u003E my bees.\u0026nbsp; This is a beautiful, moving film about a son informing the bees of his father's passing and deciding their future.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;default\u0026quot;;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;default\u0026quot;;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E  \u003Ciframe allowfullscreen=\"\" frameborder=\"0\" height=\"281\" mozallowfullscreen=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/player.vimeo.com\/video\/21275398?portrait=0\" webkitallowfullscreen=\"\" width=\"500\"\u003E\u003C\/iframe\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: large;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/strathconabeekeepers.blogspot.com\/feeds\/366795591416130275\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/strathconabeekeepers.blogspot.com\/2016\/01\/telling-bees.html#comment-form","title":"2 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/1644096506760919907\/posts\/default\/366795591416130275"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/1644096506760919907\/posts\/default\/366795591416130275"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/strathconabeekeepers.blogspot.com\/2016\/01\/telling-bees.html","title":"Telling The Bees"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Unknown"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-9qAuS6dXess\/Vo7-d0NTLdI\/AAAAAAAABhY\/d-Kwh-ZoiJw\/s72-c\/Untitled%2Bpicture.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"2"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1644096506760919907.post-4336040207039984525"},"published":{"$t":"2015-02-18T07:37:00.009-08:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2021-02-10T18:37:02.877-08:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Nucs vs Packages"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Honey Bee Nucs vs Packages"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-ewNskYM-TxQ\/VOLOsZ9eeGI\/AAAAAAAAAfM\/yXDVgxphE4E\/s1600\/Untitled%2Bpicture.jpg\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"282\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-ewNskYM-TxQ\/VOLOsZ9eeGI\/AAAAAAAAAfM\/yXDVgxphE4E\/s1600\/Untitled%2Bpicture.jpg\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;Whether to buy a bee nuc or package depends like a lot of things on your location and needs. \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003Cu\u003ENucs\u003C\/u\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;A nuc (nucleus of a colony) consists of 4-5 frames of bees in a half sized Langstroth deep box which should include a laying queen, 2 frames of brood, 2 frames of honey and\/or pollen and possibly a fifth frame of drawn comb.\u0026nbsp; Local nucs for us are usually available starting in mid May.\u0026nbsp; The reason for this is the queen requires temperatures 15-20 C. (60-70 F.) to mate and the formation of drone congregation zones.\u0026nbsp; In some locations there is a supply of overwintered nucs which are made in August.\u0026nbsp; The benefits of using a nucleus over a package are that you have a fully functioning colony with a laying queen and brood pattern you can see.\u0026nbsp; You also have bees in all stages of development from egg to forager.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\u003Ctable align=\"center\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" class=\"tr-caption-container\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003E\u003Ctbody\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-hGhf9E4Ct1U\/YB7efTfiFCI\/AAAAAAAAEq0\/Dru9AY3VBc4XXBHc7upVzSdfkUDTdd9HgCLcBGAsYHQ\/image.png\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\"\" data-original-height=\"430\" data-original-width=\"576\" height=\"299\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-hGhf9E4Ct1U\/YB7efTfiFCI\/AAAAAAAAEq0\/Dru9AY3VBc4XXBHc7upVzSdfkUDTdd9HgCLcBGAsYHQ\/w400-h299\/image.png\" width=\"400\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd class=\"tr-caption\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003EGood brood pattern\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003C\/tbody\u003E\u003C\/table\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;Unless it is an overwintered nuc produced in the late summer the queen should be a new queen (born this spring). The queen is established (brood pattern visible) and the worker bees in a nucleus colony know their roles so there are nurse bees and foragers and the foundation is set (drawn comb) which will put them at least a few weeks ahead of an imported package.\u0026nbsp; Because there are foragers and at least 2 frames of honey and pollen the nucleus will not require as much feeding.\u0026nbsp; Also, with local nucs there is no climatic and forage stress. A negative aspect of nucs is they are available for us l.5-2 months later than packages and may come on old, dark colored frames and nuc boxes that may contain diseases.\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\u003Ctable align=\"center\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" class=\"tr-caption-container\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003E\u003Ctbody\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-YpJTQeP19vA\/YB7eoogm-iI\/AAAAAAAAEq4\/QMrlpKfsBUIV_-_5u6ycqJmpQAf55_iqACLcBGAsYHQ\/image.png\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\"\" data-original-height=\"204\" data-original-width=\"300\" height=\"272\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-YpJTQeP19vA\/YB7eoogm-iI\/AAAAAAAAEq4\/QMrlpKfsBUIV_-_5u6ycqJmpQAf55_iqACLcBGAsYHQ\/w400-h272\/image.png\" width=\"400\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd class=\"tr-caption\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003EHoney frame\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003C\/tbody\u003E\u003C\/table\u003E\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-yF19PPwlIG0\/YCSYKHouaGI\/AAAAAAAAErs\/o7ugvpn0ihYEH1sakGKg29YW8U84L4b2ACLcBGAsYHQ\/s910\/Screenshot_2.png\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"364\" data-original-width=\"910\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-yF19PPwlIG0\/YCSYKHouaGI\/AAAAAAAAErs\/o7ugvpn0ihYEH1sakGKg29YW8U84L4b2ACLcBGAsYHQ\/s16000\/Screenshot_2.png\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb style=\"font-size: x-large;\"\u003E\u003Cu\u003EPackages\u003C\/u\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;A typical package consists of 2-3 pounds of bees, a can of syrup and a queen. A 3 lb package is optimum for most as a 2 lb will be underpopulated and a 4 lb may experience some die off with less accessibility to the syrup can. Normally the package bees are from production hives where they shake out bees into the package box til the required weight is reached. A mated queen is then placed in the package, protected in a queen cage. \u0026nbsp;There is usually a container of syrup in the package to feed the bees for the few days of travel before they are transferred to a hive. The bees generally fair well for up to a week in a package. A package is usually put together a few days before sold and in the case of cold weather beekeepers in spring comes from a warmer location to the south. In our case because of government restrictions (\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/strathconabeekeepers.blogspot.ca\/2013\/11\/no-us-bees-for-canada.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ENo U.S. Bees to Canada\u003C\/a\u003E) this means thousands of miles south from New Zealand, Australia or Chile. Many backyard beekeepers will not have drawn frames to install their packages on to so a lot of energy and feeding will be required to produce the wax to draw out the frames. With a package close attention needs to spent on the survival and performance of the new queen.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\u003Ctable align=\"center\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" class=\"tr-caption-container\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ctbody\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-V-fPdbSCIlM\/VOPiTkffdgI\/AAAAAAAAAf0\/SuFcipCQsgo\/s1600\/bad-comb.jpg.jpeg\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-V-fPdbSCIlM\/VOPiTkffdgI\/AAAAAAAAAf0\/SuFcipCQsgo\/s1600\/bad-comb.jpg.jpeg\" width=\"400\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd class=\"tr-caption\"\u003EA lot of energy and feeding is required to draw out the comb\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003C\/tbody\u003E\u003C\/table\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003EThe video below shows the process of creating a package of bees.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ciframe allowfullscreen=\"\" frameborder=\"0\" height=\"480\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/TYcF8DeQOt0\" width=\"640\"\u003E\u003C\/iframe\u003E \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; The main advantage of the package is that in cold weather areas they are available a few months before local nucs which allows beekeepers to take advantage of spring fruit blossoms and to lengthen the beekeeping season.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;Packages are a necessity in some areas because of the lack of nucs  available. \u0026nbsp;They are usually cheaper, have less pests and diseases (no comb) and can be  installed into any type of hive.\u0026nbsp; Unlike the nuc you don't have bees in all stages of development and if queen acceptance and performance goes well it will take 3 weeks for new brood to be born and several weeks for the population to reach that of a 5 frame nuc.\u0026nbsp; Despite the added challenges most beekeepers have some success with packages.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-cTSyIXUSdnU\/YB7fvAUwRlI\/AAAAAAAAErE\/coL_aATtOxYXL1TZK1ZoL8U913_cX_3kgCLcBGAsYHQ\/image.png\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\"\" data-original-height=\"301\" data-original-width=\"889\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-cTSyIXUSdnU\/YB7fvAUwRlI\/AAAAAAAAErE\/coL_aATtOxYXL1TZK1ZoL8U913_cX_3kgCLcBGAsYHQ\/s16000\/image.png\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;In most areas the packages come from a  warmer climate so winter survival may be less likely as proven in a good,  small scale study carried out in New England by master beekeeper Erin  MacGregor-Forbes (\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/app.box.com\/s\/2arfqeyue2ktnodr5z6u\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EComparison of colony strength and survivability between nucs and packages\u003C\/a\u003E).  \u0026nbsp;This single study is certainly not conclusive evidence but suggests a problem with imported warm weather packages and a  need for more projects like this. \u0026nbsp;Erin found a significant difference  in winter survival between the  southern package and nucleus (the nucs had twice the survival rate) but also found that a southern package with  a replaced local queen performed as well as the nucleus.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\" trbidi=\"on\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-xLK5Gv2GxbU\/VOPoNNUk1wI\/AAAAAAAAAgM\/rrs1Kij9K8s\/s1600\/Table2HiveStrength-xn5kvh.jpg\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"190\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-xLK5Gv2GxbU\/VOPoNNUk1wI\/AAAAAAAAAgM\/rrs1Kij9K8s\/s1600\/Table2HiveStrength-xn5kvh.jpg\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; In our situation bee packages come from a similar climate but the opposite hemisphere so they leave the southern hemisphere in late summer and arrive in Canada a few days later in early Spring where it can be freezing temperatures and snowing (I have experienced this). \u0026nbsp;This obviously can be hard on the bees. \u0026nbsp;Erin also found in her study that the packages outperformed the nucs in terms of honey  production which she attributed to a high rate of swarming by the  nucleus colonies. I don't know if she  took measures to prevent swarming but this has not been my experience . \u0026nbsp;I've not had exceptional problems  with nucs swarming but have used swarm prevention methods like  checkerboarding and splits (Check out the \"\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/strathconabeekeepers.blogspot.com\/p\/the-beekeepers-library.html#swarms\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ESwarms\u003C\/a\u003E\" section in our Beekeepers' Library).\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-LnjLqMcUTsI\/VOPrPpBI6PI\/AAAAAAAAAgY\/4v0GEmMOpk4\/s1600\/Table1SurplusHoney-1lsa0rh.jpg\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"244\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-LnjLqMcUTsI\/VOPrPpBI6PI\/AAAAAAAAAgY\/4v0GEmMOpk4\/s1600\/Table1SurplusHoney-1lsa0rh.jpg\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;The Prince William Regional Beekeepers Association in Virginia carried out a study which compared hives started from packages to those started from nucs which found a higher survival rate in nuc started hives, particularly evident in the second year (\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/drive.google.com\/file\/d\/1a444FYMRWOUk_Q5OqdnWirdWM_dIrQrn\/view?usp=sharing\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EPromoting Sustainable Beekeeping Practices Through Local Production of Nucs and Local Honeybee Queens\u003C\/a\u003E).\u0026nbsp; One aspect of their study was the importation of Africanized bee genetics and small hive beetles.\u0026nbsp; Importation of diseases and pests is perhaps the biggest challenge for beekeepers presently.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;A \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/pwrbeekeepers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/08\/BANV-2011-Queen-Colony-Survival.pdf\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Esurvey\u003C\/a\u003E by the Beekeepers Assocition of North Virginia to determine if the source of queens effected colony winter survival found significant differences between southern imported queens (23%) and local queens (87%).\u0026nbsp; While this is an extreme example I thinks it supports the theory of the benefits of local nucs over imported southern packages.\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; Biologist and author Mark Winston (\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/books.google.ca\/books?id=oDyWBAAAQBAJ\u0026amp;source=gbs_similarbooks\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EBee Time: Lessons from the Hive\u003C\/a\u003E) suggests we need to wean ourselves off of this dependence on imported bees.\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;In l985 he wrote \"it is estimated that, at present colony densities, BC has the potential to produce 75,520 spring packages each year, and increased colony density and a higher level of commercial beekeeping could elevate this figure. Continued and increased package and nucleus production, coupled with increased wintering and queen production, could result in a high degree of Canadian self-sufficiency within the next few years (\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/app.box.com\/s\/ucmicus2gf8guzzv7lu5d4gxjzs9hwho\" target=\"_blank\"\u003El989 Study on package and nuc production in B.C.\u003C\/a\u003E).\" \u0026nbsp;That self-sufficiency was never realized. \u0026nbsp;Large scale package and nuc production was never developed and with current 25-30% winter colony losses our dependence on imported packages will continue. The solution may be in the lowering of the winter loss rate through the development of a strong local, survivor stock with hygienic behavior and supporting the development of a large scale, local bee colony production industry.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Ciframe allowfullscreen=\"\" frameborder=\"0\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/9ah-w_K-ht4\" width=\"640\"\u003E\u003C\/iframe\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;In the video below Michael Palmer\u0026nbsp;describes some of the difficulties associated with starting a bee hive from scratch using package bees including the lack of nurse bees for the new brood.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Ciframe allowfullscreen=\"\" frameborder=\"0\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/N_-jNK18aYY\" width=\"640\"\u003E\u003C\/iframe\u003E \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/bchoneyproducers.ca\/bc-beebreeders\/questions-for-nuc-suppliers\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EHere are some questions you may want to ask your nuc supplier\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;and\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/bchoneyproducers.ca\/bc-beebreeders\/questions-for-queen-producers\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Esome questions for queen purchasers\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;as suggested by the BC Honey Producers Association.\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; For more information on nucs and packages check out \"\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/strathconabeekeepers.blogspot.ca\/p\/the-beekeepers-library.html#splits,nucsandpackages\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ESplits, Nucs and Packages\u003C\/a\u003E\" in the \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/strathconabeekeepers.blogspot.ca\/p\/the-beekeepers-library.html#basicbeekeeping\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EBasic Beekeeping\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;section of the \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/goo.gl\/doxovX\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EBeekeepers' Library\u003C\/a\u003E.\u0026nbsp; Also check out the articles on overwintering nucs by Kirk Webster, Mel Disselkoen and others in the \"\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/strathconabeekeepers.blogspot.ca\/p\/the-beekeepers-library.html#wintermanagement\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EWinter Management\u003C\/a\u003E\" section of our library.\u0026nbsp; In Vancouver Urban Bee, B.C. Beekeeping and Dancing Bee Apiary will be selling packages in April (\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/strathconabeekeepers.blogspot.ca\/p\/bees-for-sale-in-vancouver.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EVancouver Bees for Sale\u003C\/a\u003E).\u0026nbsp; Good luck.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-NAXf4u9fksQ\/VOQQq-rvGII\/AAAAAAAAAhI\/zGyFtJX__SY\/s1600\/NXDJkV8.jpg.jpeg\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"276\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-NAXf4u9fksQ\/VOQQq-rvGII\/AAAAAAAAAhI\/zGyFtJX__SY\/s1600\/NXDJkV8.jpg.jpeg\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/strathconabeekeepers.blogspot.com\/feeds\/4336040207039984525\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/strathconabeekeepers.blogspot.com\/2015\/02\/honey-bee-nucs-and-packages.html#comment-form","title":"3 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/1644096506760919907\/posts\/default\/4336040207039984525"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/1644096506760919907\/posts\/default\/4336040207039984525"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/strathconabeekeepers.blogspot.com\/2015\/02\/honey-bee-nucs-and-packages.html","title":"Honey Bee Nucs vs Packages"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Unknown"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-ewNskYM-TxQ\/VOLOsZ9eeGI\/AAAAAAAAAfM\/yXDVgxphE4E\/s72-c\/Untitled%2Bpicture.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"3"}}]}});