Saturday, 24 September 2011

Central Beekeepers Alliance : So You Want an Observation Hive?

Central Beekeepers Alliance : So You Want an Observation Hive?

So You Want an Observation Hive?

Posted: 23 Sep 2011 08:07 PM PDT

Constructing an Observation Bee Hive is written by Malcom T. Sanford, Professor Emeritus, University of Florida. It includes simple plans for building an observation hive, and tips on maintaining a hive if you plan to keep bees in it for longer terms, rather than simply for a display.

(You may recognize Dr. Sanford’s name as the entomologist who updated a classic beekeeping book by Richard E. Bonney for the Storey Publishing company’s Down-to-Earth Guides series in Fall, 2010.)

Constructing an Observation Bee Hive


If for some reason the FullScreen and Download buttons at the top of the embedded document aren’t working for you — those darned computers! — you can download a printable PDF version of this document at http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pdffiles/MG/MG32000.pdf directly. That way, you’ll be able to see the measurements and instructions on the observation hive plans included.

Build or Buy an Observation Hive

If you’re looking for an alternative style, plans for building a 3-Frame Observation Hive are available free at Bee Source. Also, a fellow on the Beemaster’s International beekeeping forums has posted step-by-step photographs and description of building an observation hive.

Long-time Central Beekeeepers’ Alliance member Earl Gilbey has a four-frame observation hive that may interest and inspire you, too — see Inside An Observation Hive to read about it.

If you’re not into woodworking, you can still enjoy bee-watching as a hobby. you’ll find a remarkably wide range of observation hives for sale at Draper Bee — some of which are quite showy, more like livingroom furniture! — or visit Dadant to see a nice simple 2-frame observation hive priced at just under $100 US (plus shipping, of course).

So You Want an Observation Hive? Article by the Central Beekeepers Alliance - Honey Bees & Beekeeping in New Brunswick, Canada. Copyright © 2011 MindsEye Productions and Central Beekeepers Alliance. All rights reserved.
Posted by at No comments:

Friday, 23 September 2011

Central Beekeepers Alliance : Beekeepers are Worried: Dan Rather Reports

Central Beekeepers Alliance : Beekeepers are Worried: Dan Rather Reports

Beekeepers are Worried: Dan Rather Reports

Posted: 22 Sep 2011 11:59 AM PDT

Unexplained honey bee die-offs in recent years, filed under Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD), have been the focus of considerable research but very few solid answers. Now, according to the folks at the investigative news program Dan Rather Reports, the situation is worse than at first thought: “the whole food chain is at risk.”

Where is the finger pointing this time?
Systemic pesticides, self-regulation by the chemical industry, and a flawed process for testing and registration of products by the EPA…

Bee Aware from Greg Stanley on Vimeo.

We were researching an update on how honey bees were faring after years of unexplained colony deaths. Beekeepers are now losing an average of 30-50% of their hives each year from all kinds of symptoms. But our investigations found evidence that has led all the way back to the people who regulate our country’s pesticide program at the Environmental Protection Agency…

So what’s going on? One of the suspects, according to beekeepers and scientists, is relatively new on the market. Remember these words: systemic pesticides.

Systemic pesticides or neonicotinoids (derived from nicotine) are different from other types of pesticides used in agriculture. Neonicotinoids are absorbed by the plants to which they’re applied, making the entire plant toxic to insects. So the honey bees and other pollinators no longer would need to be sprayed directly or come into direct contact with a pesticide, in order to suffer the effects. The nectar and pollen themselves become toxic to honey bees.

According to the American news report, US beekeepers are worried for two reasons in particular. For one, the testing for safety is being done by the chemical companies who produce the systemic pesticides being tested, not the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) — “it’s like the fox designing the best chicken coop” — and because scientists no longer agree on what the “safe level” is when it comes to long-term impacts of agricultural chemicals on honey bees.

Currently there are more than 17,000 pesticide products on the market in the U.S., and scientists say there is much that remains unknown about their impact on the environment, including the effect of combinations of compounds. While many credit the EPA with doing a good job at making sure pesticides are safer and safer for humans, they have a lot to answer for when it comes to honey bees.

Read more:

Beekeepers are Worried: Dan Rather Reports Article by the Central Beekeepers Alliance - Honey Bees & Beekeeping in New Brunswick, Canada. Copyright © 2011 MindsEye Productions and Central Beekeepers Alliance. All rights reserved.
Posted by at No comments:

Tuesday, 13 September 2011

Central Beekeepers Alliance : Vernon R. Vickery, Canadian Entomologist & Beekeeper: Obituary

Central Beekeepers Alliance : Vernon R. Vickery, Canadian Entomologist & Beekeeper: Obituary

Vernon R. Vickery, Canadian Entomologist & Beekeeper: Obituary

Posted: 12 Sep 2011 09:01 AM PDT

It is with sadness, respect and regret that the Central Beekeepers Alliance notes the recent passing of Vernon Randolph Vickery, entomologist, beekeeper, and author of The Honey Bee: A Guide For Beekeepers, the “beekeeping bible” that taught many of us how to keep honeybees in a cold damp climate like that of eastern Canada.

Vernon Randolph VickeryIn 2004, Vernon R. Vickery was made an Honourary Member of the Canadian Association of Professional Apiculturists (CAPA), in recognition of his contributions to Apiculture.

Vernon Randolph Vickery
1921-2011

Prominent Entomologist Passes Away

Vernon Randolph Vickery – 90, of Kentville passed away on Tuesday, August 30, 2011 in the Valley Regional Hospital, Kentville. Born in South Ohio, Yarmouth County, Nova Scotia, he was a son of the late Leo and Maude (Moses) Vickery. He was a Veteran of the Second World War, serving with the RCAF/RAF in the United Kingdom, North Africa and Italy. He was a radar technician 1941-1945. He was a member of the Royal Canadian Legion, Kings Branch No. 6, Kentville. He was a retired Professor of Entomology from McGill University and also taught at the Nova Scotia Agricultural College in Truro. He received a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture an MSc and his PhD; FRES, FCES. He worked on pollenization projects on various kinds of crops and was a pioneer of industrial pollenization. Vernon was the founding President of the Orthopterist's Society and was Emeritus Curator of Lyman Entomological Museum at McGill University. He is survived by his wife of 64 years, the former Muriel Jewl McAloney; a daughter, Susan (Peter) Arntfield, Winnipeg, Manitoba; two sons, William (Judith Nowlan), Sainte Anne de Bellevue, Quebec; Edwin (Amy Creighton), Westmount, Quebec; grandchildren, Karen, Allison, Margot, Laura and Lexington; sister-in-law, Linda; brother-in-law, Victor Greene. He was predeceased by two sisters, Pearl and Leona; a brother, George. A celebration of life and reception will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, September 3, 2011 in St. James Anglican Church, Kentville, Reverend Pam Bishop officiating. Burial will take place in South Ohio at a later date. Family flowers only by request. Donations in memory may be made to the charity of your choice. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the White Family Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Kentville. On-line inquiries may be directed to www.whitefamilyfuneralhome.com.

Vernon R. Vickery, Canadian Entomologist & Beekeeper: Obituary Article by the Central Beekeepers Alliance - Honey Bees & Beekeeping in New Brunswick, Canada. Copyright © 2011 MindsEye Productions and Central Beekeepers Alliance. All rights reserved.

Random Posts

Thanks to FREX Volunteer Beekeepers

Posted: 12 Sep 2011 08:32 AM PDT

I would like to thank all of the CBA beekeepers for volunteering their time to educate the public on the importance of supporting our local beekeepers and the importance of the honey bee! The Fredericton Exhibition is always a great platform every year to interact with the public — especially the children, as they are our future beekeepers! Every year we have a booth at the FREX and this is always a great experience for new beekeepers and old alike.

Until next year, thank you!

Christine Dembenski
President of Central Beekeepers Alliance

Thanks to FREX Volunteer Beekeepers Article by the Central Beekeepers Alliance - Honey Bees & Beekeeping in New Brunswick, Canada. Copyright © 2011 MindsEye Productions and Central Beekeepers Alliance. All rights reserved.
Posted by at No comments:

Thursday, 8 September 2011

Central Beekeepers Alliance : Beekeepers at the Fredericton Exhibition

Central Beekeepers Alliance : Beekeepers at the Fredericton Exhibition

Beekeepers at the Fredericton Exhibition

Posted: 07 Sep 2011 07:50 AM PDT

There will be no regular monthly meeting of the Central Beekeepers Alliance in September, as we’ll be manning a booth at the Fredericton Exhibition as is traditional.

“We have live bees and products made with honey and bees wax,” says CBA President Christine Dembenski. “Also there are hats, t-shirts with our logo,honey, cookbooks, and more. But the best reason to come and see us is to meet your local beekeepers and they will tell you all you need to know about bees!”

Come on down to the FREX and say “hello”! You’ll find the beekeepers’ display in our usual location at the Capital Exhibit Centre, in the walkway area under the bleachers.

Beekeepers at the Fredericton Exhibition Article by the Central Beekeepers Alliance - Honey Bees & Beekeeping in New Brunswick, Canada. Copyright © 2011 MindsEye Productions and Central Beekeepers Alliance. All rights reserved.
Posted by at No comments:

Sunday, 4 September 2011

Central Beekeepers Alliance : Maritimers Learn About Backyard Beekeeping at Sackville Workshop

Central Beekeepers Alliance : Maritimers Learn About Backyard Beekeeping at Sackville Workshop

Maritimers Learn About Backyard Beekeeping at Sackville Workshop

Posted: 03 Sep 2011 06:14 PM PDT

On the weekend of the 23rd and 24th of July, participants from all around the Maritimes came to Sackville, New Brunswick, to take part in Community Forests International beekeeping workshop. Emphasizing natural management techniques and hands-on learning, this weekend learning event was led by Peter and Kathleen Hardie.


[Backyard Beekeeping 2011 photographs by Canadian Forests International on Flickr.com]

The beekeeping workshop was written up in a recent CanadaEast article by Molly Cormier, which emphasized the growing appeal of hobby or backyard beekeeping by Maritimers with an interest in a sustainable lifestyle:

Sackville-based Community Forests International hosted its second apiculture course last month and welcomed prospective beekeepers for a weekend of learning the ins and outs of the beekeeping world. You might say it was a hive of activity.

All bee jokes aside, CFI’s Nick Belanger organized the workshop with an emphasis on all-natural techniques and hands-on learning.

“Backyard beekeeping is a loose term for a small operation,” he says. The honey and wax produced by the bees doesn’t have to be used for profit, but it can be a nice way to supplement an income, he noted.

Read more:
Busy as a Backyard Beekeeper by Molly Cormier, 18 August 2011, CanadaEast.com.

Community Forests International (http://forestsinternational.org/):
“Community Forests International connects people to the forest, fostering sustainable environmental relationships while strengthening communities against climate change. Driven by farmers, foresters, and their rural communities, CFI's programming spans the globe: planting trees with rural villages in Pemba, connecting environmentally-minded youth in India, Tanzania and Canada, and promoting ecological forestry in Atlantic Canada.”

Maritimers Learn About Backyard Beekeeping at Sackville Workshop Article by the Central Beekeepers Alliance - Honey Bees & Beekeeping in New Brunswick, Canada. Copyright © 2011 MindsEye Productions and Central Beekeepers Alliance. All rights reserved.
Posted by at No comments:
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)