The Buzz Newsletter

Page 3

THE BEEYARD REPORT

I received an interesting request today. There was an e-mail from Purdue University requesting permission to use two pictures from our website in a publication they are producing called “The Benefits of Pesticides”. I assume the implication is meant to be that pesticides don’t hurt bees. I requested more information.

We have a lot of spraying around some of our yards. I am very fortunate that Agri Tech Aviation, out of Indianola, is the main applicator in our area. They do their best to help me by timing the application when the bees are not flying. So far, I have not experienced any major losses but if we ever hit a year when they start spraying beans in full bloom, I am going to have a problem. We had some of that this year but the bees weren’t working the beans, so it was disaster averted.

The last of the honey is pulled and we have three or four barrels left to extract. We are feeding bees and putting in the entrance reducers. The singles have been doubled up and most are on their second bucket of syrup. I have started giving pollen supplement in the fall to colonies that were singles. They usually store pollen in the first honey box. We take that away when we pull the honey. I don’t actually know if giving the supplement does any good. Normally, we have enough pollen flow in the spring that we don’t have to give supplement then.

The mite load is not looking too bad but it is higher than last year. I still have a few yards that have to be tested. I have a number of samples I took to check tracheal mites but I haven’t managed to look at them yet. That’s a job I always seem to put off. It’s pretty tedious.

We are going to wind up with somewhere around 138 barrels of honey. Last year we had 66. We have picked up some more stores to deliver to but there is no way I am going to use up that much honey. I’ll have a semi load to sell. This is a good problem to have. It’s a lot better than being on the buying end after a bum year.

I have had two groups of school kids come through the facility in the last ten days. That’s always a fun experience. The kids from Sully are always well prepared and can tell me a lot about bees when they come. The other group knew absolutely nothing so I had to start from ground zero. I am going to visit schools in Newton and Wellman sometime during November.

I hope to see everybody at the annual meeting.

Submitted by Phil Ebert

For Sale:
Queen Line Jars:
1lb. – 78 and 85 lids
2lb. – 08 and 02 lids
4lb. – 30 and 28 lids

Plastic Bears – 32 with 8 tops and 6 paper collars

Comb Honey:
Section rings – 205 new, 206 used
Clear covers – 344 new, 23 used, 25 used, 192 new
Bowls 27 and 28 lids
Sq. Comb Honey Cases – 21 used
Bee Signs – 4

Clothes:
White one piece suits – 4, size L, XL, 38, 42, and 2 zipper veils

Hat with veil –1
Gloves – 8 used
Gloves – 1 new
Burlap Sacks – 25

Foundation:
Crimped wire
4 ¾ x 16 ¾ -- 99lbs.
5 5/8 x 16 ¾ -- 26lbs.
8 ½ x 16 ¾ -- 101lbs.

No wire
8 ½ x 16 ¾ -- 12lbs, 5 ½ lbs, 4lbs., green, red, and regular

Bottom Boards – 60
Inner lids – 59
Top boards, flat – 40
Top boards, telescope – 21
Bee Blower and attachments –1
Honey melter – 1 with 4 sq. cans
Inside plastic honey feeders – 7
Hot knife – 2
Electric hot knife – 1
Queen excluder – 1
Smokers – 1 new and 1 used
Comb honey holders – in jar
Wire holders – 1
Wire – 1 roll
Frame repair kit – 1
Box of eyelets for frames – 1
Tacks – 4 boxes
Wire embedders – 3
Electric embedder – 1 new
Entry board – 1
Queen starters – 1 qt. jar
Comb honey box maker – 1
Queen catchers – 5
Terramycin – ½ bag
Hive Bodies:
Large
58 new with new frame
79 old with old frame
5 empty
28 old with new frame

Comb Honey: 4 ¾
11 empty
5 with section frame

Medium: 5 ¾
28 old with new frame
48 old with old frame
22 empty
Medium: 6 ¾
5 old with new frame
10 old with old frame
1 empty
300 total, 261 with frames, 39 empty.

Contact:
David G. Gillaspie
312 13th Avenue
Hiawatha, Iowa 52233
( 319 ) 393-0935
StampinjanLg@yahoo.com