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Post by ahntjudy on Apr 8, 2015 7:23:15 GMT -5
Though not being a beekeeper, I've been following this thread.
It has been quite an education!
Thank you to you all...the nurturers and protectors of our bees!
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Post by lilolpeapicker on Apr 8, 2015 7:54:12 GMT -5
Great, BR!! So glad you didn't lose a second hive. What were the bees doing in this second hive? Were they just tucked into the cells with the honey, like suspended, not moving around because it was too cold?
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canadiyank
Blooming
Central WA, Zone 6B
Posts: 125
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Post by canadiyank on Apr 9, 2015 12:34:41 GMT -5
Put some wax into my solar wax melter today. I cleaned some up from my dead hive. Bought some lemongrass oil and am going to bait the hive today. One can only hope a swarm finds my lovely hive and moves in!  |
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Post by ncgarden on Apr 9, 2015 18:29:04 GMT -5
Brownrexx - so happy to hear #3 hive was still alive!! We had something similar happen to our Top Bar hive; we thought we had lost it - didn't see any bees coming in and out, and when we looked inside, didn't see anything. We were shocked to look again, for a longer period of time, and the bees came boiling up, they had just dug in. The hive seems weaker than it was, so not sure what is going on with the queen. I guess this makes us "three-bies"!!
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Post by brownrexx on Apr 9, 2015 18:58:38 GMT -5
What were the bees doing in this second hive? Probably like NC's bees, they were deeper inside the hive and we just didn't see them when we looked in the top. I think that they lost quite a few of their numbers over the winter because there is a big pile of dead ones outside of the hive. They will build up again quickly though. Good luck Canadiyank. I hope they find you too. |
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Post by James on Apr 9, 2015 21:55:09 GMT -5
Yes, as noted earlier I have kept bees for some years now. May I just make a suggestion? If you really
want to keep bees, please invest in the standard Langstroth type hives. I am sorry, I just don't dig
those top bar hives. Get a uniform, veil, gloves etc. to protect you the beekeeper. Get a hive tool
and frame gripper and a smoker. Now you are ready to get some bees. I suggest at least 2 and 3 is better,
for starters. Ya, I know, it is quite an investment getting into it, but the equipment lasts a long time.
Bees come and go. The rewards can be immense. Enjoy!
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Post by johng44 on Apr 12, 2015 11:44:10 GMT -5
I'm not a bee keeper but I do understand the need and the important impact these creatures have and provide to nature and humanity. Absolutely essential! The continued depletion of their population prompted me to join National Resources Defense Council(NRDC.org) and to send a protest letter to the EPA demanding they ban the use of "neonics" and the across the counter sale of such. These neonicotinoids are banned by the European Union for the next 2 years awaiting final results from research before a permanent ban is imposed. If you are interested you can contact NDRC.org and join for as little as $10.00. Give it some thought. Or send a protest letter to the EPA.
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Post by lilolpeapicker on Apr 12, 2015 15:15:44 GMT -5
Did anyone see? Lowe's(i am pretty sure) is going do away with selling neonicotiniod pesticides and items that it has been applied to, i.e.. plant life. Unfortunately it isn't until 2019 but at least it's a start. Let's hope the bees are still hanging in there by that time.
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Post by desertwoman on Apr 12, 2015 18:51:26 GMT -5
I wonder why they have to wait 4 years.
I know it's a start and I am grateful, but seems like they could move faster on it. Like next season!
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Post by lilolpeapicker on Apr 12, 2015 19:03:20 GMT -5
I agree but maybe the supplier has to change?
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Post by claude on Apr 12, 2015 19:05:48 GMT -5
Idk DW lowes has had such an influx of consumers getting verbal, writing letters that is why they've decided to make a change. I was at HD today. For two years customers have been requesting a stop, but row upon row of plants were going out the door. I asked at the CS desk if they were still using growers who used nico systemic pesticide and she looked like a deer in the headlights..idk if they are contracted for long periods w growers? If you ask at the web site, they give you a canned PR release...noncommittal. ...mean while. The customers are walking out the door with plants that are full of pesticide that can persist in the soil and plant for several years. It's sad.
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