We are David and Sheri Burns from Long Lane Honey Bee
Farms and honeybeesonline.com. I just made a NEW ONLINE COURSE, "How To Control Varroa Mites."
We all know that varroa mites are the main reason most colonies fail. Mites transfer deadly viruses throughout the colony by going after the fat bodies and blood of bees. The bite from this parasite quickly spreads viruses that will eventually weaken and kill your bees. This is one of the fastest spreading parasites in the world. If you ignore mites, or believe you do not have a mite problem, you are wrong. There is so much chatter and misinformation out there about dealing with mites that I've put together a concise, to the point, short course to equip beekeepers with easy to watch and understand videos on how to test and combat mites. Time to cut to the chase and learn specifically how to stop losing colonies due to the varroa destructor mite. Once you make your pre-order purchase you will be sent an e-mail around July 15th containing the video links to my specific videos for this course and a worksheet to help you take notes while watching the video if you choose.
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What to expect from this online "Mite Control Course."
Several "how to" video presentations on various control methods such as:
- Green Drone Comb
- Oxalic Acid Vapor Treatment
- Formic Acid Treatment
- Powdered Sugar Dusting
- Screen Bottom Boards
- Breaking the Queens Brood Cycle
How To Test For Mites
- Video presentation on how to perform a mite test.
- How to calculate your findings to determine if you should treat.
- Selecting the appropriate treatment approach based on your test results.
5 Reasons Your Bees May Be Lagging Behind And What To Do About It.
It's not fun to be worried about your bees. If you have more than one hive, maybe one is not keeping up with the other. Or if you just have one hive, maybe you are seeing less and less bees. In fact, even though they should be in 2 deeps with a honey super by now, why are they are still only in one deep. Uh oh!
What are some reasons why bees lag behind? Will they build up before winter, which is only in 179 days?
1. Queen Issue
Usually a queen issue is the number one reason a colony may be lagging behind. If the queen has been replaced by the colony there was a 30 day delay in eggs being laid by a queen so their population is down drastically. Always monitor your queen every two weeks and buy a new queen the moment you see your queen is gone or failing. We have queens available that can be at your house by July 3rd. Click here now before they sell out.
2. Poor Weather
Bees will lag behind when rainy weather delays the number of days they can fly and forage for resources. They need to be able to fly daily to bring in food for their colony to grow. The only thing we can do during inclement weather is to feed bees. If a colony is not on every frame in the deep boxes then continue to feed 1:1 sugar water and add one teaspoon of our pollen powder your sugar water along with honey-bee-healthy.
While it may be too late to start a colony, we are still selling nucs if you need to strengthen a weak colony. Call and secure your nuc 217-427-2678 during our business hours below.
3. Varroa Mites
When a colony is infested with varroa mites they can quickly become sickened by viruses and die early, greatly reducing their numbers. Continue to test for varroa mites every 30 days and calculate those numbers and select one of the proven methods which will reduce mites. If you assume you do not have mites then your colony will eventually fail due to these viruses. Consider taking our NEW Mite Control Course.
4. Pests and Diseases
It is nearly impossible for new beginners to fully grasp the many pests and diseases which threatens colonies on a daily
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basis. Usually new beginners bury their heads in the sand and convince themselves that all is well or if it is not, that it will get better. Nothing could be farther from the truth. If something is threatening your bees, you must act quickly before it is too late. Small hive beetles, wax moths, ants and robber bees can quickly weaken or destroy your colony. And, being able to identify American or European foulbrood, chalk brood and other brood diseases can give a new beginner the edge they need to quickly assess and remedy a bad disease.
5. Time & Energy
Beekeeping requires a certain level of time and energy to do it correctly. Sometimes life happens and we cannot sacrifice any time to do what is necessary to keep our bees strong and healthy. In these situations, it is understandable. However, even a few minutes a week can greatly improve the overall health of our bees. Make time, no matter how small at first, to invest in your bees.
Consider taking our New Beginners Bundle Course. Knowing what beekeepers wrestle with the most I put together three classes that will equip you with the tools and knowledge you need to be much more successful in your beekeeping endeavors.
This bundle is for 3 of my top courses:
1. Basic Beekeeping
2. A Day In The Apiary
3. Getting Your Bees Through The Winter
These three courses will give you the information you need to be successful. The basic course will ground you in the fundamentals. The Day In The Apiary will show you what to do out in the bee yard. Getting Your Bees Through The Winter will help you prepare your bees for winter. Save money when purchasing these courses as a bundle. When you order this course you will receive an email with the video links that you can watch in private, on your schedule, on most devices. Still not convinced? Read testimonials from some of our students by clicking here.
We Have Queens Available. Click Here
Fall is only 89 days away. During fall your bees will need fed. To survive winter, you need lots of bees of winter physiology. Bees in the summer only live around 40 days. Winter bees, those raised in the fall, will live 6 months. If you fail to feed at the right time your colony may not raise the number of winter bees needed to survive the winter. Plan ahead and get your feeding systems in advance. I started feeding as soon as the nectar flow stops here in Illinois which for me is around August 1st.
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Hot Weather Is Good For Bees Up To A Point
Bees can keep their colony cool by bringing in water and using it as evaporative cooling. They carry it in their honey crop instead of nectar. On really hot days, when temperatures reach into the high 90s (f) bees often reduce nectar foraging and forage for water instead. Bees can run one gallon of water through their colony in one day to keep it cool.
You can help your bees on hot days by keeping water around on your property. There is no need to put it next to the hive. Instead, place it in your apiary in something like a bird bath with small wooden sticks so bees do not drown.
Consider ways to give your hives some shade on really hot days. Place a large piece of cardboard near or on top of the hive for shade in the middle of the day.
Elevate the back of the top cover to help bees ventilate and pull the hot air from inside the hive. A small popsicle stick will do the trick just below the top cover.
Sheri and I work hard to provide packages, nucs, queens, equipment and classes for the beekeeping community. We pride ourselves in meeting the needs of our customers. We appreciate your business.
Sincerely,
David and Sheri Burns
Long Lane Honey Bee Farms
217-427-2678
New 2019 Hours:
Monday Closed
Tuesday 10am - 2:00pm
Wednesday 10am - 2:00pm
Thursday 10am - 2:00pm
Friday 10am - 2:00pm
Saturday 10 -2:00pm
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