malewithatail
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Location: Northern Rivers NSW
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Post by malewithatail on Aug 24, 2023 17:16:46 GMT 10
As most would be aware, there has been some discussions re the introduction of veroa mite into Australian bees.
Several areas of the state have been singled out and hives have been destroyed in some of these areas, so its a threat not to be taken lightly.
All beekeepers, both professional and hobbyist, must complete an on line training course re identification and life cycles of the mite.
A certificate will be issued upon successful completion of the course.
All beekeepers need to be aware of the dangers of this pest and the long term effects on the industry and indeed, our prepping way of life.
Cell phones and the internet are tools, not a lifestyle'
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malewithatail
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Location: Northern Rivers NSW
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Post by malewithatail on Aug 25, 2023 8:10:30 GMT 10
Latest news re veroa.
Finally, some sense. We cant continue destroying livelihoods and the environment by burning infected bee boxes. Its time to look at control methods.
This comes after more discovery of veroa, this time around the Kempsey area in bees that were trucked in for pollination services. Stock up on almonds now !
Other countries, USA particularly, can manage their bee diseases, so we should be looking at how to do it. Pest strips, ventilated bottom boxes and so on. Also, there is a relationship between veroa and temperature that should be explored. Over 40 deg c and veroa dies.
We have about 130 kg of last seasons honey still in drums here, and wont be selling it until I get more this season, just in case veroa hits us and we too have to destroy our boxes. Raw honey lasts almost for ever, so stockpiling it is good prepping. The rubbish in the shops wont, it will go watery in a few months to years, so buy straight from your local beekeeper.
Like I said, I suspect someone at the Department of Ag was a bit slack in checking the sentinel hives at the ports, hence the foothold veroa has.
God will see to it, that his flock who has been so diligent to prepare, and aims to share, shall be well protected when that time finally does arrive.
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malewithatail
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Location: Northern Rivers NSW
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Post by malewithatail on Aug 25, 2023 11:29:20 GMT 10
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Tim Horton
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Post by Tim Horton on Aug 28, 2023 1:42:31 GMT 10
Trivia... When I lived in the far north, my neighbor who kept 100 or so hives saying he had the most trouble with bears and winter kill.. Never saying much about disease, parasites, predators to bees and the like.. I guess it is all about location, location..
Very little of his honey was from crop land type sources.. Mostly wild fruits and a large portion made from a wild plant called Fire Weed... Very delicious honey..
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malewithatail
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Location: Northern Rivers NSW
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Post by malewithatail on Aug 28, 2023 8:39:47 GMT 10
We have fire weed here as well and the bees love it !
If something doesn't work, apply rule .303!
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rosebud
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Post by rosebud on Aug 28, 2023 15:09:02 GMT 10
Trivia... When I lived in the far north, my neighbor who kept 100 or so hives saying he had the most trouble with bears and winter kill.. Never saying much about disease, parasites, predators to bees and the like.. I guess it is all about location, location.. Very little of his honey was from crop land type sources.. Mostly wild fruits and a large portion made from a wild plant called Fire Weed... Very delicious honey.. Isn't it the same with humans, or any organism. If we have a healthy natural and unpolluted diet, we are healthier and much more able to resist parasites and diseases. |
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malewithatail
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Location: Northern Rivers NSW
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Post by malewithatail on Aug 28, 2023 15:32:24 GMT 10
The health of a hive is also very closely related to the queen, her DNA, age and so on. She mates once for life on the wing with many drones, fly's back to the hive and stays there. If you want to keep bees, keep at least 2 hives, that way you can compare them. If one isn't as strong as the other, re-queen with a guaranteed mated queen is the best way for a beginner to go. Sometimes, hives lose their queen and get a bit inbred, so introducing new DNA occasionally is very good idea. Sometimes they are not successful in raising another queen, so checking every few weeks ensures that it wont die out on you.
Awaiting the arrival of the cane toads, who apparently can climb on top of each other and decimate a hive in hours. Have the torch already mounted on the air rifle !
Every gun owner should have a 12 gauge in their gun cabinet right next to their 22 rifle.
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Post by SA Hunter on Aug 30, 2023 19:37:48 GMT 10
mwt - question.
At my bol there is a bee hive in a fallen log nearby - if I get a hive, splatter some honey in it as an enticer, will they also use this hive?
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malewithatail
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Post by malewithatail on Aug 31, 2023 8:35:13 GMT 10
Maybe, but get a brood box, a veil, and move as much of the comb, bees and honey as you can into the new box.
To be reasonably sure of being successful in catching a swarm, you must get the queen, as the rest of them will follow her. Get her in the hive and most of the job is done. You will know if shes in there as the rest of the bees will be making their way to the new hive.
Once they are in, that night, close the entrance off and move it to where you want it to be. Some say it must be at least 5 km away, but Ive found as long as the terrain between the new location and the old is broken by something, say a big grove of trees, or is over a hill from the old location, then 500 meters is all that's needed.
Have fun !
Great madness sweeps the land. There are no limits on extremes in greed, credulity, convictions, inequality, bombast, recklessness, fraud, corruption, arrogance, hubris, pride, over-reach, self-righteousness and confidence in the rightness of one's opinions. Extremes only become more extreme even as the folly of previous extremes wearies rationality.
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malewithatail
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Location: Northern Rivers NSW
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Post by malewithatail on Sept 3, 2023 9:00:21 GMT 10
All beekeepers, regardless of weather you are professional or not, follow the web sites below. Complete the courses, information is vital. www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/emergencies/biosecurity/current-situation/varroa-mite-emergency-responseCan it be stopped ?? I think its too late, we will need to learn to live with it, pest strips and so on. Also, I found out any infected boxes don't need to be destroyed, irradiation is allowed after the bees are killed. So you can get back your hardware. The compensation offered is totally inadequate and an insult. How much honey can a single bee make in its lifetime? 1 tablespoon A single bee can produce 1 tablespoon of honey in its lifetime. 683 bees fly roughly 32,550 miles to gather 5.93 lbs of nectar from about 1,185,000 flowers in order to make one 9.5 oz. jar of Big Island Bees' honey! |
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Tim Horton
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Post by Tim Horton on Sept 3, 2023 12:42:15 GMT 10
How much honey can a single bee make in its lifetime?
1 tablespoon
== ==
Wow... Really gives new meaning to the phrase ...busy as a bee...
I'm glad they put in the effort and wish them more power to it..
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