Beekeepers

[diamond hunter]

Fellow beekeepers,question why do my bees keep dying over the winter every year? Is it veroa mites,starvation or poison?Im going to buy my 4th hive this year and would like to actually save a hive.Any advice on a type of honeybee that's tougher?Where can I get a great hive? :livid:

 

[fairchaser]

It's probably s combination of factors. Make sure they have plenty of food. Restrict the opening so there is less to keep warm. Take off any unused chambers for the same reason. Maybe try a heartier strain of bees. Maybe try some wind breaks like bales of hay in winter too. On warm days you could check them for problems early. Good luck.

 

[Diehard Hunter]

Have you contacted Mike Studer? He can help.

 

[diamond hunter]

Who is Mike Studer

 

[Diehard Hunter]

Who is Mike Studer

The state Apiarist!

http://www.tn.gov/agriculture/regulator ... rist.shtml

I take it you have been ignoring all the state laws regarding keeping bees since you haven't already been in contact with him. He is the one you would have registered your hives with.


What can happen if you do not register your bees or your apiary?
Failure to register you bees or comply with the provisions of "The Apiary Act of 1995" may result in the confiscation your bees, beekeeping equipment and a $500.00 fine.
If your colonies have to be destroyed due to American Foulbrood or other regulated pest or disease you will not be compensated if they are not registered.

 

[DaveB]

I have a Brother-in-Law who was a beekeeeper for a large commercial bee business in California. There are a LOT of laws governing bees. You'd think you could have a hive or two so you can have your own honey but that isn't the case. The big commercial beekeepers make a lot of money pollinating Alfalfa and Almonds, which is all my BIL was responsible for. Having that investment threatened by private hives is apparently a very real threat.

 

[diamond hunter]

You are not ignoring a law if you didn't know there was one.My dad had hives for years,(25 plus)when I was growing up and they weren't registered.My last 2 hives came to my box voluntarily,I didn't buy them,they just came.I had no idea there was a way to register hives.

 

[diamond hunter]

Im glad to register anything,including bees but Im not some criminal as your post implies.

 

[Fearless]

[You are not ignoring a law if you didn't know there was one.My dad had hives for years,(25 plus)when I was growing up and they weren't registered.My last 2 hives came to my box voluntarily,I didn't buy them,they just came.I had no idea there was a way to register hives.

/quote]

? Did you place a empty hive out and wild bees come to it. I have two small Fruit orchards and have been toying with the idea of Bee hive.

 

[ImThere]

Im glad to register anything,including bees but Im not some criminal as your post implies.

You did say you were buying you 4th hive. You implicated yourself and he told you where and what don't get you panes in a wad so easy dang

 

[diamond hunter]

Yes,after my first hive died I put the box in the same place and a hive took it over.After they died another hive took over the next year.This year I will just buy a hive and hope for the best.I am in a big farmooing area and think its the herbicide or just mites,Ive recently learned how to treat for mites.

 

[smalljawbasser]

I read this article this morning, and thought it might be worth sharing:

Bees are still mysteriously dying at a huge rate http://www.cnbc.com/id/102674583

 

[Lost Lake]

I just saw that report on the news this morning. I'm a new Beekeeper and just started with two hives a week and a half ago. From what I've learned in classes, the Varroa mite is a big problem, but I really wonder about pesticides. I'm re thinking what I'm going to do for weed control, even though I've been told Roundup is relatively safe to use around bees.

Ticks have been bad around our place for two years now, and Permethrin is out of the question now, so I'm looking for a Bee safe alternative.

These Honey Bees are super addictive though. I never thought I'd have enjoyed them this much. I hope they do well because I'd like to add several more hives next year.

Good luck with yours Diamond Hunter. As a side note, if you haven't already, I'd encourage you to join a Bee Keeping Club. Most counties have one, and I've learned a lot just talking with folks with more experience than I.

 

[UPSman]

Who is Mike Studer

The state Apiarist!

http://www.tn.gov/agriculture/regulator ... rist.shtml

I take it you have been ignoring all the state laws regarding keeping bees since you haven't already been in contact with him. He is the one you would have registered your hives with.


What can happen if you do not register your bees or your apiary?
Failure to register you bees or comply with the provisions of "The Apiary Act of 1995" may result in the confiscation your bees, beekeeping equipment and a $500.00 fine.
If your colonies have to be destroyed due to American Foulbrood or other regulated pest or disease you will not be compensated if they are not registered.

HO LEE CRAP! My old room mate from Camp Lejeune. I need to call that sucker. Who would have thought.....

 

[sandman064]

Roundup is not safe for bees. No toxic weed control is. Not safe for people either.

I just saw that report on the news this morning. I'm a new Beekeeper and just started with two hives a week and a half ago. From what I've learned in classes, the Varroa mite is a big problem, but I really wonder about pesticides. I'm re thinking what I'm going to do for weed control, even though I've been told Roundup is relatively safe to use around bees.

Ticks have been bad around our place for two years now, and Permethrin is out of the question now, so I'm looking for a Bee safe alternative.

These Honey Bees are super addictive though. I never thought I'd have enjoyed them this much. I hope they do well because I'd like to add several more hives next year.

Good luck with yours Diamond Hunter. As a side note, if you haven't already, I'd encourage you to join a Bee Keeping Club. Most counties have one, and I've learned a lot just talking with folks with more experience than I.

There is a beekeepers meeting tonight if you are near SumnerCounty at the UT Ag Extension building(old Gallatin library). It would be a good time to learn/talk about beekeeping during the fall and winter.