honey bees

alan42 · « **on:** May 21, 2007, 15:57 »

hi all does anybody else keep honey bees on there lotie or at home?
i have only one hive and am hoping to expand to six by this time next year.
all the best
alan

Fannyann · « **Reply #1 on:** May 21, 2007, 17:04 »

Bees are next on the list :!: Took me 30 years to get my chickens so could be waiting a while for bees!

Aunt Sally · « **Reply #2 on:** May 24, 2007, 18:05 »

I've moved this back to the Poultry Pages for you Alan

alan42 · « **Reply #3 on:** May 25, 2007, 12:05 »

many thanks aunt sally.
my bees at the moment are going great guns on everybodys strawberry plants.

alan42 · « **Reply #4 on:** May 27, 2007, 15:35 »

i carnt belive i am the only one keeping bees, do i win a prize lol
sat here at moment with one eye closed due to a sting just under the eye so maybe i can understand why theres only me lol.

Aunt Sally · « **Reply #5 on:** May 27, 2007, 21:58 »

Quote from: "alan42"

sat here at moment with one eye closed due to a sting just under the eye so maybe i can understand why theres only me lol.

Bad luck Alan

But I'm sure all the lovely honey is worththe pain.

Have you had any problem with the varroa mite ?

alan42 · « **Reply #6 on:** May 28, 2007, 12:08 »

yes aunt sally mine were absolutly infested with the stuff i have treated but it is hard to tell at the moment if its working or not, for those not in the know varroa is a small brown mite that feeds on the bee larva so when they hatch they are deformed and cannot fly or they die before hatching this mite can wipe out a bee colony of 25,000 easily.
alan

cherrypie · « **Reply #7 on:** May 28, 2007, 12:46 »

i'd like to keep bees but as i only got into chucks a few weeks ago i'd better hold a while before i start a new hobby. hope i don't have to wait 30 years like fannyann.
cherrypie

Aunt Sally · « **Reply #8 on:** May 28, 2007, 13:32 »

How do you treat varroa Alan :?:

alan42 · « **Reply #9 on:** May 28, 2007, 14:49 »

apistan strips sally there polythene strips imprgnated with a chemical of which i have forgoten its name there is also an acid which when evaporated kills varrola but does no harm to the bees.
alan

Aunt Sally · « **Reply #10 on:** May 28, 2007, 15:48 »

Would diatomaceous earth be any use in killing the mite :?: Or would it harm the bees

alan42 · « **Reply #11 on:** May 29, 2007, 11:12 »

sorry carnt answer that one never heard of the stuff but i will try and find out.
alan

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