This is a great beginners
book with a great balance of easy to follow instructions and explanations but
thorough in content. Beautiful
photographs and narratives of beekeepers as well.
Notes to remember:
When a queen dies or begins
to decline (signaled by a change in pheromones:
if eggs or larvae less than three days old are present, the workers will
select one to become a queen. If no eggs
or larvae available, workers latent ovaries will develop.
Drones: 100 workers per drone. Lacking stingers, ability to feed themselves
or seek food
Eggs…larvae, pupa
Eggs…3 days
Larvae/grubs…day 6
Day 6, stop eating,
straighten themselves and are sealed in; spin a cocoon and sit tight as they
develop
Worker develops in 7 days;
drone 12 and queen 14
Total development: worker is 21; drone 24 days and queen 16 days
Best to work a hive 10am-5
pm midday while bee population is out
foraging
Place inner cover flat side
down
Spring feeding 1:1; Autumn 2:1
Preferred fuel: roll strip of cardboard in burlap; add sticks to smoker, then newspaper, light
it and add cardboard/burlap; 5-10
minutes before accessing the hive
Good information on diseases
and pests and management. (chapter 9)
Bee Brush: ALWAYS brush from bottom up!
Every time you open the hive,
you stress them!
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