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Author Topic: Howdy from Arkansas, new member here.  (Read 1930 times)

Van, Arkansas, USA

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Howdy from Arkansas, new member here.
« on: February 12, 2017, 07:01:20 pm »
Looking forward to learning from experience members.  I am planning on raising my own queens this year, 2017, also I plan to artificially inseminate (AI)my queens to produce/maintain hygienic qualities of my Cordovan Italians.  AI will be new to me, I have a lot to learn.
I am a retired genetic engineer, however my expertise is antiquated with limitations to disease causing bacteria.  I have little knowledge of the genetics of these super organisms, we call honey bees.
Blessings,   Van

Van, Arkansas, USA

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Re: Howdy from Arkansas, new member here.
« Reply #1 on: February 12, 2017, 07:30:13 pm »
Oh, I should note, I started raising bee as a kid in the 1960s.  No varroa, no small hive beetle, just wax moths and little worries with bees.  Now, these days, the small hive beetle is as much a threat as varroa.  I use Freeman bottom boards (beetle traps) baited with pollen patty surrounded with diatomaceous earth to control the beetles.  Understand, in summer my beetle traps can average up to 20 beetles a night migrating into each hive.  North Arkansas was plagued with beetles in 2016.  Many hives were lost to beetles in this area.  I was fortunate, my traps kept beetles at a manageable level. 

I hear people say with a cavalier attitude, a strong hive will manage the beetles, no problem,,,,,, well 600 beetles a month is a tuff one to overcome for my hives and I consider my hives to be strong.
Blessings

Offline bwallace23350

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Re: Howdy from Arkansas, new member here.
« Reply #2 on: February 12, 2017, 08:35:59 pm »
Great to have you. You will probably be teaching me

Offline herbhome

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Re: Howdy from Arkansas, new member here.
« Reply #3 on: February 12, 2017, 08:37:40 pm »
welcome, Van! :smile:
Neill

Offline cao

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Re: Howdy from Arkansas, new member here.
« Reply #4 on: February 12, 2017, 08:50:00 pm »
Welcome  :happy:

Online BeeMaster2

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Re: Howdy from Arkansas, new member here.
« Reply #5 on: February 13, 2017, 05:10:21 am »
Welcome to Beemaster
Put your bees on bases with oil trays. If you have a lot of hives, you can devistate the SHB population.
Jim
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Van, Arkansas, USA

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Re: Howdy from Arkansas, new member here.
« Reply #6 on: February 13, 2017, 09:39:34 am »
Yes, oil trays would be helpful.  However my hives are not on level ground.  I do place hives on bases to somewhat level the hives but I leave each hive slightly tilted forward to prevent rain accumulation.  That's is why I'd use diatoms, does not have to be level.

Offline GSF

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Re: Howdy from Arkansas, new member here.
« Reply #7 on: February 14, 2017, 03:18:18 pm »
Welcome
When the law no longer protects you from the corrupt, but protects the corrupt from you - then you know your nation is doomed.