Post by beenatural101 on Jun 14, 2010 21:12:57 GMT -6
If you read my other posts you already know how I feel about the source of the bee's "problems" in this day and age. Them people. The bees think of us maybe I dunno as the big fire thing or whatever, but we sure do make and throw away lots of stuff that is bad for bees. We all know what these things are. .... Some of us even stick these things in our hives, yuck!.
The point is chemicals, pesticides etc can not be good for our bees.period............
but we use em anyway, and only quit when whatever bird comes up endangered or whatever problems crop up. "Testing" ain't perfect, but this stuff is ok, boy does it ever work....
Ok so our bees have enough mess to wade through to make it home ok, we do not need to add anything else in there. The bees bring it in on their own.
To help combat this, forgo any type of dust use, sevin is mean stuff. Use granules, baits, and sprays only at dark, well away from the hives.
Do not use miticides or whatever the thymol may be alright, but I am withholding judgment or even experimentation for last ditch efforts if need be.I havent tried it yeah its natural, but the concentrate it in the lab.
Actually when I have to feed, I take I dunno a dozen tops from different mints, (marjoram, peppermint, lemon mint, lemon balm, bee balm, anise hyssop), whizz in blender for a min w 1/4 cup water. Add this to 1 qt whatever sugar water mix u r using. This "tea" is packed full of vitamins and minerals (just like nectar, hey its plant juice and oils). Got the idea from the well known use of essential oils, and the fact my bees were collecting water exclusively from my mints, the lemon mint mostly, but even the marjoram and hyssop too, the sprinkler hits the garden very lightly and all day. I figure the bees like whatever is in the plants so... Can't hurt, nectar substitute. gotta b careful and not mix it too strong is all. The bees loved it today 2 quarts in the open in 5 hours lol!
They were having a good time.
I started feeding because here in these summer droughts, often poisonous plants bloom that are not harmful to the adult bees, but the larvae and pupae die. I had a hive somewhere and recently moved it. Checked it 2 days later... PURPLE BROOD. Basically plant poisoning. Not that a hive around here can't use a good dent in the population in june and july, but no control, so it is a good thing I moved it. Also began feeding it, and the ones here at home. That should lessen the severity of it.
I feel better knowing some cold brewed mint tea will fill in some empty calories for them, as well as aid in anti microbial efforts within the hive. Maybe its even better than that stuff you buy!
I know southern Leatherwood or TiTi is not good for bee larvae though...
Of course feeding bees too much can be bad for them, once they lose the desire or need to forage they are pretty well useless, being as close to tame and dependant on man as they could ever be.
I like em wild and free, I get better honey when I can take it...
Bees can find stuff that is bad for them and not know it, well, it is not too bad for the adults, but the larvae are sensitive. The bees don't know this, but I do...So I can help it some.
The point is chemicals, pesticides etc can not be good for our bees.period............
but we use em anyway, and only quit when whatever bird comes up endangered or whatever problems crop up. "Testing" ain't perfect, but this stuff is ok, boy does it ever work....
Ok so our bees have enough mess to wade through to make it home ok, we do not need to add anything else in there. The bees bring it in on their own.
To help combat this, forgo any type of dust use, sevin is mean stuff. Use granules, baits, and sprays only at dark, well away from the hives.
Do not use miticides or whatever the thymol may be alright, but I am withholding judgment or even experimentation for last ditch efforts if need be.I havent tried it yeah its natural, but the concentrate it in the lab.
Actually when I have to feed, I take I dunno a dozen tops from different mints, (marjoram, peppermint, lemon mint, lemon balm, bee balm, anise hyssop), whizz in blender for a min w 1/4 cup water. Add this to 1 qt whatever sugar water mix u r using. This "tea" is packed full of vitamins and minerals (just like nectar, hey its plant juice and oils). Got the idea from the well known use of essential oils, and the fact my bees were collecting water exclusively from my mints, the lemon mint mostly, but even the marjoram and hyssop too, the sprinkler hits the garden very lightly and all day. I figure the bees like whatever is in the plants so... Can't hurt, nectar substitute. gotta b careful and not mix it too strong is all. The bees loved it today 2 quarts in the open in 5 hours lol!
They were having a good time.
I started feeding because here in these summer droughts, often poisonous plants bloom that are not harmful to the adult bees, but the larvae and pupae die. I had a hive somewhere and recently moved it. Checked it 2 days later... PURPLE BROOD. Basically plant poisoning. Not that a hive around here can't use a good dent in the population in june and july, but no control, so it is a good thing I moved it. Also began feeding it, and the ones here at home. That should lessen the severity of it.
I feel better knowing some cold brewed mint tea will fill in some empty calories for them, as well as aid in anti microbial efforts within the hive. Maybe its even better than that stuff you buy!
I know southern Leatherwood or TiTi is not good for bee larvae though...
Of course feeding bees too much can be bad for them, once they lose the desire or need to forage they are pretty well useless, being as close to tame and dependant on man as they could ever be.
I like em wild and free, I get better honey when I can take it...
Bees can find stuff that is bad for them and not know it, well, it is not too bad for the adults, but the larvae are sensitive. The bees don't know this, but I do...So I can help it some.
