The Buzz Newsletter

March 2009

 

 

Page 7

“Why are Colonies Dying”—Status of Honey Bee Health & Update

(Dr. Jeff Pettis, Beltsville Bee Lab, Maryland—ABF Convention)

 

Colony Collapse Disorder is a situation wherein the bee hive colony suddenly and mysteriously disappears.  The beekeeper often has no explanation.  People all around the world are asking questions about the situation, and it has caused much concern for the welfare of honeybees and the consequences it has on our food supply, worldwide.

 

This topic was discussed a lot at the ABF convention in Reno, NV in January 2009.  Researchers all across the US are searching for answers.  Many beekeepers have personal opinions as to what causes CCD.

 

My personal concern has been answered by what was evident at the convention.  And that is that many factors contribute to CCD:  poor nutrition, parasitic mites, diseases such as Nosema Apis and Ceranae, agrochemicals (pesticides, herbicides), bacteria, fungi, insects (beetles), poor management techniques, viruses (IAPV).  The goal is to have “healthy” bees.

 

One research project set up a colony of bees inside a greenhouse, subjected the colony to many of the conditions listed above, and over a period of time the colony began to “dwindle.”  Dead bees were found all around the greenhouse and especially at the edges/walls of the greenhouse.

 

Much more research is being requested in an effort to finalize the answers to this devastating condition.

 

By David Hayes

 

Honey of a Dish

Four or five years ago I read an article about cut comb honey dishes. I do not remember who wrote it or why they were talking about cut comb honey dishes. Since that time I have been looking for one of these dishes even though I did not know what one looked like. I talked to a lot of people and checked at every antique store. Everyone looked at me like "what is he talking about".

 

 

One day I stopped at the local post office in Kellogg and I saw a lady I have known for over 35 years. I have not talked to Joyce since Fern and I moved to the lake. We started talking and Joyce said she was working part time at the post office. Joyce asked what I was doing and of course beekeeping came up. Joyce said her Grandpa had some hives and her Grandma always had cut comb honey in a dish on the table. After Joyce's Grandma pasted the only keepsake Joyce got was the cut comb honey dish. I asked if I could see it and Joyce said she bought one when she married and I could have that one. The next time I stopped at the post office the dish was waiting for me. Check out the picture. The dish is about 12 inches high and 6 inches wide and the inside is concave so the liquid honey goes to the center when the comb is cut. I now give Joyce comb honey when ever she needs some. When I got home in less than 30 seconds Fern took the dish from me and has it setting in the middle of the dinning room table. Now that I know what these dishes might look like, I will start looking for others.

 

Submitted by Delmar Nelson