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Barnstable County Beekeepers Associat ion
buzzwords http://www.barnstablebeekeepers.org February 2016
FebruaryMeeting
MEETINGDATE:Tuesday,February14th,7:30pmattheWestBarnstableCommunityBuildingonRoute149.
Speaker:RobertM.BruckerRowlandJuniorFellowHarvardUniversity
Modernadvancesinagriculture–suchasfertilizers,geneticallymodifiedorganisms,andchemicalpesticides–haverenderedexceptionalyieldsthathavehelpedtoebbthefoodsecurityrisk.Inparticular,theuseofpesticidestocontrolunwantedinsects,disease,
andplantgrowthdominatesthebestpracticesoflarge-scalefarming.However,thesecondaryeffectsofpesticidesonthelocalenvironmentandtheinsectpollinatorsarealargechallengeinovercomingtheireconomicbenefits.
Oneofthefirstlinesofcontactbetweenanimalsandpesticidesisinthegut,wherethesechemicalscaneitherbeabsorbeddirectlybythehost,ormetabolizedbythebacteriainthegutknownasthemicrobiome.ResearchersintheBruckerLabareexperimentallytestingtheeffectoftheherbicideAtrazineonthegutbacteriaofhymenopteranpollinators(bees,wasps,andants)usingthreeapproaches.First,wearetestingtheeffectofAtrazineonamodelwaspspecies,Nasonia-whichisthebestgeneticsmodelforlaboratoryexperimentsinHymenopteraduetoitssimplehusbandryandshortgenerationtimes.Second,wearecollectingfieldsamples
ofhymenopteranpollinatorsinandaroundfarmlandsthathavebeensprayedwithAtrazinetocomparewiththoseinandaroundorganicfarms.Third,andfinally,weareworkingwithhoneybeekeeperstoscreenhivesforAtrazineandtheimpactoftheherbicideoncolonyhealth.
Checkoutourclub’sFacebookpage
https://www.facebook.com/groups/BarnstableCountyBeeA/
BeeSchool
AttheWestBarnstableCommunitybuilding.
Thursday,February3rdat7:30pm–OccupantsofthehiveSPEAKERS–MarteandClaireThursday,February16that7:30pm–SpringandSummerManagement
FromtheBoard
7TipsforBeatingWinterBeekeepingBlues
Ifyouarelikeme,youmightfindyourselfstaringoutthewindowlookingoutacrosstheyardatyourhives.Imissseeingmygirlsintheyard,ontheblooms,buzzingby,takingdrinksfromthebirdbathandourregularvisitstogether.Inyearspast,Ihadabitofahoneybeetendingwithdrawalandfoundmyselfdown.Well,thatallchangedafewyearsagowhenIfiguredouthowtokeepbusyduringthehands-offbeekeepingwintermonths.IthoughtIsharewithyouwhatIliketodotogetoverthiswinterhump.Hereare7tipstogetyoutospring:
1. Meltdownbeeswax:Nowisagreattimetomeltdownbitsofwax,burrcombandotherwonderfultinypiecesintosolidblocksofbeeswax.
2. Turnbeeswaxintocandles:Whynottryyourhandatmakingsomecandles?TherearequitesomebeautifulmoldsoutthereandcandlesalwayssellwellduringtheBarnstableCountyFair.
3. Mendandrepairwornhives:Takethetimenowtobuildsomenewframes,orderreplacementparts,andevennewandfunproductsyouwouldliketotry.Youcouldalsoconsideraddinganewhivestoyourapiarythisspring.
4. Research:Whynotreadaboutanaspectofkeepingbeesthatyouwouldliketolearnmoreabout?Thebeekeepingworldisatyourfingertipsliterallyandkeepingupwithrecentresearch,beesinlegislatureandnewsisagoodthing!
5. uponmakingsplits:Ifyourhivemakesitthroughthewinter,chancesareyouaregoingtoneedtosplitittopreventaspringswarm.Refreshthetechniquesandbesureyouare
readyforthebigdayinregardstoequipment,settingupyourmentor/helperonthatdayifyoufeelyouneedoneandwhatittakestohaveasuccessfulsplit.
6. PamperYourself:Whynottryyourhandatmakingsomelotions,lipbalms,healingsalvesandbodyscrubsusinghoneyandbeeswax?Therearetonsoffreerecipesonline.Plusyourbodywillthankyou.
7. BuildaSwarmBox:Howcanyounotresistthetemptationtocatchaswarm?Learnhow.Icaughtonelastspringandtomysurprisetheydecidedtotakeupresidenceinoneofmybeehives.
MelissaCaughey
Helpfulwebsiteforwhattoplantforyourpollinators:
https://pollinator.org/guides.htm
ClaireDesilets
ScientificBeekeeping
ThankstoheroiceffortsbymywebtechnicianJane,mylast17articlesarenowpostedtothesite.PleaserefertotheArticlesbyPublicationdatepage.My"UnderstandingColonyBuildupandDecline"seriesisnowcompletelyposted.Theintentofthisseriesistogivethebeekeeperadeeperunderstandingofthebiologicalprocessesandchangesinthecolonyoverthecourseofayear,thusallowingonetomakeinformedmanagementdecisionsspecifictotheirregionanddesiredoutcomes.Therearealsofivenewbeekeeper-fundedresearcharticles:ProbioticsandColonyProductivityATestofLate-SummerVarroaTreatmentsIsThereAMultiplierEffectFromTheFeedingOfSugarSyrup?LightorHeavySyrupForDrawingFoundation?BeyondTaktic--Oxalic/glycerinshoptowelsTheBeyondTakticarticlehasgottengreatattention,notonlyintheU.S.,butworldwide,andfromthecommercialaswellasthehobbysector.Itdescribesanoveltime-releaseapplicationmethodforoxalicacid--bydissolvingtheacidinglycerinandthenapplyingitonashoptowel.AsimilarmethodwasfirstusedinArgentina;Isoughttoimproveit.Itputsaveryvaluablenewtoolintoourarsenaloftreatmentsformanagingvarroa--onethatissafetoapply,organically-approved,non-contaminating,andeffective.IamcurrentlyworkingwithEPAtogetitapprovedforuse.TheOA/glycerintowelsarestillaworkinprogress,andI'mcountingonbeekeepersworldwidetoperfectthemethod.Ifyoucomeupwithanimprovement,pleaseletmeknow.Ifyouwishtoreceiveupdatesonthemethod,sendmeanemailwiththewords"OAList"onthesubjectline(nowordsinthetextplease).
I'venowbegunanewseries--"TheVarroaProblem."InthisseriesIhopetohelpbeekeepersworldwidetotransitionfromchemicalcontrolofvarroa,tohandingthefightovertothebeesthemselves.InthisseriesIapproachTheVarroaProblemrealistically,baseduponbiologyandpracticalityratherthanidealismalone(Iamnotaproponentoftheneedlesslydestructive"BondMethod,"norofwell-intentioned,butmisinformed"TreatmentFree"beekeeping).Myintentistohelpbeekeeperstoshiftfromaperpetualdependenceuponsyntheticmiticides,totheadoptionofregionally-adaptedmite-resistantbreedsofbees.Onecanavoidpainduringthetransitionbyusingeffective"natural"treatmentsthatleavefewerornoharmfulresiduesinourcombs.Ifwebeekeepersworktogetherinourlocalcommunities,wecanallbepartofthesolutiontoTheVarroaProblem.IamprofoundlygratefulfortheheartfeltsupportandencouragementthatIreceivefrombeekeepersworldwide.Itisyourdonationsthatfundthelonghoursandhardfieldworkinvolvedinmyresearchandwriting.Ilimitadvertisingtofourbeesupplysponsors,whichpaysforsitemaintenance--pleaseshowthemyourappreciation. RandyOliverviaJohnPortnoy
CONSIDERJOININGTHEMASSACHUSETTSBEEKEEPINGASSOCIATION
Formoreinformationontheeventandotherstate-widehappenings,youcandownloadtheMassachusettsBeekeepersAssociationbrochurehere.
LookingToHostAHive
Ifanyoneislookingtoplaceahiveorneedsalocationforanextrahive,thereisaresidentintheRedBrookHarborareaofCataumetlookingtohostahive.PleasecontactClaireforinformation.
ClaireDesilets
ANotefromtheStateBeeInspector
Ihopeyouhadawonderfulholidayseasonandyournewyearisstartingoffgreat!
Iwantedtocheckinaboutyourwinterlossesand/ordeadoutsandremindyouabouttheresourcesthatweoffertoprovidesupportthistimeofyear:
1. RecentlyLostColony(ies)andNotSureWhy?: Whileourroutinehealthinspectionsareoverfortheseason,wearestillperformingpostmortemanalysisinspectionsfordeadouts/winterlosses.Ifyouareinterested,pleasesubmitanonlineinspection
request: http://www.mass.gov/eea/agencies/agr/farm-products/apiary/mdar-apiary-inspection-request-form.html
orcall 617-626-1801andaninspectorwillcontactyoutosetupavisit.
2. WanttoDocumentYourLossand/orSurvivingColony(ies)?: Areyouexperiencingmorefall/winterlossesthanlastyear?Orsimilarlevels?Ordecreasedlevels?PleaseconsiderreportingittotheMAHiveLossSurvey: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfQN4wEBe0x3B6nK-t1llqOTR5yCT6bCMhUsYIAISy20_rVHQ/viewform?c=0&w=1.Thissurveyisafantasticwayforustonotonlydocumentoveralllocalhoneybeehealth,butalsohelpusgaugetheneedsofbeekeepers.
KimSkyrm
BeekeepingEquipmentForSale
BeeKeepingequipmentforsale.PleasecontactVincePuleoat508-428-1304oremailkmkoplik@gmail.com. Lotsoffreebiesincludingunassembledframecomponentsandfoundationandaraisedslattedbenchtoholdthreehives.
8deephiveboxeseachwith10frames4shallowhiveboxeseachwith10frames3innercovers3spacers3telescopingcovers3bottomboards3hivestands2queenexcluders2escapeboard
1smoker3hivetools1beebrush4one-gallonhivetopfeederbuckets3frontentrancefeederswithjars1honeybottlingpail1stainlesssteelhoneyscreen5nucswithoutframes
VincePuleo
MassBee
Acoupleitemsweneedforourparticipationinthestate-wideorganization:
MassBeeislookingforauctionitemsforspringmeeting.Also,theyrequest24½lbjarsofCapeCod(local)honeyforAgDay.Ifasmanymembersaspossibleprovideasinglejarofhoney,wecancertainlyachievethismeagergoal.Pleasebringasmuchasyouwouldkindlyprovidetothemeetingonthe14th!
Also,BCBAislookingfortwomemberstogoandrepresenttheAssociationatAgDay.AgDayisearlyApril,duringtheworkweek.Thispersonwilldistributehoneytostaterepsandsenators
andhobnobonbehalfofBCBAandMassBee.Itwillbeanamazingopportunitytotalkaboutyourbeekeepingexperienceswiththepeoplewewishtorepresentoutinterests!
IfyoucandonateitemsorareinterestedinrepresentingtheBCBA,pleaseemailme:[email protected].
KalliopeEgloff
Oxalic/GlycerinUpdate
BelowisacommentthatIamhappytopassalongtoyoufolks.ThisarrivedinadailyblogIreceive.Itisimportantwekeepupwiththelatestresearchoncombatingthevarroamite.Claire
Sorryfornotgettingmyoxalic/glycerinshoptowelarticleuptomywebsiteyet.SoIuploadedapdfversion,withalinktodownloaditathttp://scientificbeekeeping.com/oxalic-shop-towel-updates/Youcanalsofollowinstructionstheretobeputonamailinglistforupdates--pleasedonotincludeamessageunlessnecessary,sinceIamburiedinemailatthesametimethatwearemadlypreparingforalmondpollination.--RandyOliverGrassValley,CAwww.ScientificBeekeeping.com
ViaClaireDesilets
2017BarnstableCountyBeekeepersCalendar
Nopictureshaveyetbeenreceived!Wecan’thaveacalendarwithoutyourparticipation!
Non-photographiccontributionsarealsogood.Doyouhaveasayingorcatchphraserelatedtobees,beekeeping,honey,wax,etc?I’mnotlookingforpoetry,butthepractical.
Whicheveryoucansupply,[email protected].
JoeMcClure
2ndAnnualBEEBALL:9/30/17
Ifyou’reinterestedinhelpingorganizethe2017Beekeepers’Ball,[email protected]:508-237-6616formoreinfoanddirections.OurnextcommitteemeetingwillbeFebruary15thinYarmouth.
KimConcra
FutureBeekeepers
BCBA’smissionistofostertheinterestsofthebeekeepersofBarnstableCountyandofbeekeepinggenerally.Tothatend,whenarequestcomestotheboardfrom4-Hclubsorschools,theclubwillmakeanefforttosupporttheprojectifpossible.Certainlyweneednewyoungfolksinterestedinhoneybeesandbeekeeping.Thus,earlythisnewyear,wehadanotefrommemberDebHempelofSturgisCharterSchool.Shehadagroupofstudentsinterestedinestablishingahive.Ourboardisdonatingapackageofbeesandtheyarenowlookingforgoodusedequipmentthekidswouldliketopurchasewithfundsearned.Sofolks,whatbetteraprojectto“foster”beekeepingandassistandencouragetheseyoungfolkswiththeirnewinterest?
ClaireDesilets
Varroabombs?
UrbanbeekeeperToniBurnhamlearnedthat“VarroaBombsareReal”(http://www.beeculture.com/category/beekeeping/urban/)afterexperiencingthedevastationwroughtbyneighborhood“bomb-siloVarroafactories”.
Sowhatisavarroabomb?AfteraninternetsearchIfoundKimFlottam’sexplanationtobehelpful:whenahivecrashes“thosebeesdon’tsimplyalldie,quietly,onthefloorofthehive,withoutawhimper,withoutawhine,withoutsomuchasagoodbyeandgoodnight.Whattheydoisswarm,abscond,leave.Takingmitesandviruseswiththem.
ButToniBurnhamisanurbanbeekeeper,indowntownD.C.What’sthathavetodowithushereontheCape?
Kimcontinues:“Researchshowsmarkedbeesfromcollapsinghivesinapiariesmorethantwomilesfromtheoriginalhive.Twomiles!Thatcollapsinghiveinfestednearlyeveryhivewithintwomileswithmites,withvirus,withdeath.”
Sohere’sthedeal,getamap,drawacirclewitha2mileradiusaroundyourhive-that’syour“beeneighborhood”.Whathappenstothebeesinyourhivesaffectsthehivesandnativepollinatorswithinyourbeeneighborhood-andof,whataffectsthosehiveaffectsyourgirls,too.
Soisthisbadnews?No,it’sjustareminderfromourbeesthatwedependononeanother,notjustathomebutintheentirebeeneighborhood.
MaryAnneMann
HowCoolIsThis?
Dilly-dallyingovercoffeeandthe“localpaper”theothermorning,Icameacrossthisarticle.TheheadlinesmadenosenseuntilIgotpartwaythroughthearticle.But,didyouknowthatMIThasanongoingprojectcalledTreepedia?Itismappingtreesaroundtheworldinmajorcities.EachcitymappedisgivenaratingintheGreenViewIndex.Accordingtothearticle,“treesblockshortwaveradiationandincreasewaterevaporation,creatingmorecomfortablemicroclimatesandmitigatingairpollution”sorelateslabdirector,CarloRatti.PariscurrentlyscoresthelowestwithSingaporerankingthehighest.Mightweusethisprojectlocallytoadvocateformoretreesalongourlocalstreets?
ClaireDesilets
TheContinuingBeekeepingAdventuresofPaul’nPatty(part10)
“WhydidIeveragreetothis?”growledPaulasheswervedtoavoidacarthatjustpassedhimandthenpulledrightinfrontofhim,slowingdown.
“Weagreedbecausewebothworkathomeandwehavemoreflexibilitywithourtimethanmostoftheothermembersofthebeeclub,”repliedPatty.“Theairportisthenextexit,justaswegetoutofthistunnel.Youmightwanttomoveovertotherightsothathugetruckdoesn’tboxyouin.”
Theywereabletogetintotheairport,whichhappenedtohavealoopallowingthemtodrivearoundseveraltimeslookingfortheterminaltheywanted.Theyhadvolunteeredtopickupandhostaguestspeakerforthatnight’sclubmeeting.Pattywasveryexcitedaboutmeetingthespeakerandbeingabletogetsomefirsthandinformationwhileonthetriphome.
“Whichterminalisit,andwhatishernameagain?”askedPaul.
Pattysighed.“Ok.Onelasttime,hernameisErinGobraugh,andsheisflyinginonthatnewairlinefromIreland,DerryAir.”
Truetothewaytheyfunctioned,theylocatedtheterminaltheywanted,wereabletoparkthecarandgettotheluggagepickupinplentyoftime.Afteraten-minutewait,thepassengersbegantoarrivedowntheescalator.Erinwasnotachallengetospot.Shehadabackpackcoveredwithembroideredbees,andshewasinvolvedinaheavyconversationwithayoungcouple,andtheirdaughter,aboutthehazardsandbenefitsofbeekeeping.Asthebaggagecarouselbegantoturn,disgorgingthepassengers’luggage,Erinhandedthecoupleabusinesscard.
PattycaughtErin’seye.Thereseemedtobeamomentofinstantrecognition,almostasthoughtheysensedeachother.Paulthoughtimmediatelyofworkerbeesandthepheromonesthatareatworkwithinthehive.
“YoumustbeErinGobraugh,”saidPatty,herhandextended.“We’vereadallofyourworkthatwecouldfindontheInternet.Itisgreat!”
“Yeah,”saidPaul.
“Andwhomightthetwoofyoube?”Therewasahintofaliltinthequestion,asthetwowomenshookhands.
“Thisismyhusband,Paul,andI’mPatty.”
“Verygood!!Paul‘nPatty!OneofthesubjectsIintendtospeakabouttothegatheringthisevening,”grinnedErin.Pauljuststoodtherewithfurrowsinhisbrow,andPattycharacteristicallytiltedherheadasshedidwhenevershetriedtograspaconceptjustoutofreach.
Duringthetriptotheirhouse,Paulconstantlymutteredandgroanedtohimselfashenegotiatedtherushhourtraffic.Pattytriedtonotbeapestwithherquestions,butthis,sherealized,wasaonce-in-a-beekeeper’s-careeropportunity.Erin,whoinvitedanyandallquestions,insistedthatshehadhadplentyofsleepontheplane,anddidn’tmindPatty’senthusiasm.
Astheyopenedthefrontdoor,ladenwithluggage,thetelephonewasringing.
“Who..!!??”Paulutteredashereachedforthephone.“Hello?”hegrowled,shortoftemperandstillstressedoutfromthedrivinghehadjustdone.
“Isthisabadtime?”ItwasAugustaWind.“ThepaintisdryontheequipmentandIthoughtI’dbringitovertoday.And,Iwanttotakethetwoofyoutodinnertothankyouforyourkindness.Isagoodtimeforyou?”
“Couldwecallyouback?We’rejustgettingbackfromtheairportwithtonight’sguestspeaker,yousee.Gottahavesomecoffeeanddowntimebeforewemakeanydecisions,”repliedPaul.
“Whoisthat?”calledPatty.
Paulputthephonetohischestandanswered,“It’sAugusta.Shewantstobringoverthefinishedequipmentandtakeupouttodinnerasathank-you.WhatshouldItellher?”
“Here,letmehaveit,”saidPattyasshetookthephone.“Augusta,I’msogladyoucalled.We’vejustreturnedfromtheairportandwillbesittingdowntodinnerquitesoon.Whydon’tyoubringovertheequipmentandjoinusfordinner?”ShemadeafaceatPaulasherolledhiseyesinprotest.Hewastiredandcouldhaveusedanadultbeverageandsometimetolookovertoday’snewspaper.AsPattyextendedherarmandmadeasweepinggesturewithherhand,Paul,gettingthemessage,exitedtothelivingroomtoseeifErinneededanything.
Dinnerwasoverandthefourofthemweresittinginthelivingroom,relaxing,whenPattyaskedErinaboutsomethingshesaidonthewaybackfromtheairport.“Erin,whydidyoureactwhenItoldyouournameswhenwefirstmet?”
Erinjustsmiledandsaid,“SometimesitworksoutthatIjusthavetogowhereI’mled.Iwasn’tsurewhatIshoulduseasmytopicthisevening.I’vebeendoingthesespeakingengagementsforsolongthattheytendtomeldtogether.Whenyoutoldmeyournames,IknewthenwhatIwouldfocusmytopicon;NutritionintheHive.”
“Timetogo,”saidMr.Punctual.“Wedon’twanttoberesponsibleforholdinguptheentirebeeclubthefirsttimewehavesomeresponsibility,dowe?”
byAndyMorris
MoonMilk
(bonappetit,Jan2017)
Awarmcomfortingdrinkatbedtime,evenwithouttheashwagandah.Butdoaddthehoneyafterheatingthemilktopreserveallit'sgoodness.
InAyurveda(oneoftheoldestsystemsofnaturalhealingintheworld),warmmilkisacommonremedyforsleeplessness.Thisrecipefeaturesnutmeg(anaturalsleepaid)andashwagandha
(anadaptogenthathelpsyourbodydealwithstress)toshepherdyoutodreamland.Lookforashwagandhaathealthfoodstores,Indianspecialtystores,orWholeFoods.
Makes1
1cupwholemilkorunsweetenednutmilk(suchashemp,almond,orcashew)½teaspoongroundcinnamon½teaspoongroundturmeric¼teaspoongroundashwagandha(oranotheradaptogen,likeshatavariorastralagus)2pinchesofgroundcardamomPinchofgroundginger(optional)PinchofgroundnutmegFreshlygroundblackpepper1teaspoonvirgincoconutoilorghee1teaspoonhoney,preferablyraw
Preparation
Bringmilktoasimmerinasmallsaucepanovermedium-lowheat.Whiskincinnamon,turmeric,ashwagandha,cardamom,ginger,ifusing,andnutmeg;seasonwithpepper.Whiskvigorouslytoincorporateanyclumps.Addcoconutoil,reduceheattolow,andcontinuetocookuntilwarmedthrough,5–10minutes(thelongeryougo,thestrongerthemedicine).Removefromheatandletcoolslightly.Stirinhoney(youwanttoavoidcookinghoneyoryou'lldestroyitshealinggoodness).Pourintoamug,drinkwarm,andclimbrightintobed.
PostMortemConditions
AttachedisaformwhichisaworkinprogressfromtheCapeBeeproject.Wehavebeentossingarounddifferentideasofhowtofigureoutwhyorhowourhivedied.Itbecomesmoreandmoreimportantthatwekeepgoodnotesonourhivesespeciallywiththedamagethevarroamitecanandisdoing.ThisisNOTasurveybutjustachecklistasyougothroughyourhiveoncefoundlifeless.Andtakeaminuteandprovideinformationfromyouhiveonthestatesurvey.Thisinformationwillbecomequitevaluableforthebeesandthebeekeeper.
ClaireDesilets
DIDYOUKNOW?
Ahiveofhoneybeeswillfly90,000miles,theequivalentofthreeorbitsaroundearth,tocollect2.2poundsofnectartoproducehoney.
http://www.ngkids.co.uk/animals/Honey-Bees
RESOURCES(accurateasof1/17)
Thefollowingofficersanddirectorsareagreatresourcetoanswerquestionsandrequestsforassistance.
Officers
President KalliopeEgloff [email protected]
VicePresident MichaelD.Smith [email protected]
Secretary ClaireDesilets [email protected]
Treasurer LynnHeslinga [email protected]
Directors
Marthe Ayers [email protected] MaryAnne Mann [email protected]
John Beach [email protected] Rebecca Matarazzi [email protected]
Maria Cashdollar [email protected] Joseph McClure [email protected]
Melissa Caughey [email protected] Andy Morris [email protected]
Kimberly Concra [email protected] Brian O'Donnell [email protected]
PeterB Cooper [email protected] Melissa Sanderson [email protected]
Claire Desilets [email protected] Lisa Sheehy [email protected]
Kalliope Egloff [email protected] Mark Simonitsch [email protected]
Lynn Heslinga [email protected] Michael Smith [email protected]
Paul Lefebvre [email protected] Miguel Zamora [email protected]
Julie Lipkin [email protected]
