Beekeepers, SCBA Members, and the General Public;

Welcome to the New Year. Just a few days ago it was in the 60s, and my bees were airing themselves out; glad to say that all the hives are still alive. I even observed a lone bee with what appeared to be dandelion pollen as she returned to one of the hives. A check later in the day confirmed that there are a few dandelions in bloom, so I'm fairly certain that I wasn't seeing things. Hopefully those needing to feed their bees are taking advantage of the above average weather to help get them through the rest of the winter. If you take the covers up and see the cluster staring you in the face anytime from now until the first spring nectar flows, and you see no more capped honey down between the frames; feeding is in order. Also, ancient beekeeping wisdom is that if you have to start feeding, it will be necessary to continue feeding until there are spring flows of some sort to provide nectar and pollen. For myself, I begin simulative feeding as early as late January/early February by placing pollen substitute patties over the clusters on a warm day. Then, when the weather begins to change I also try to stimulate brood rearing with a 1:1 sugar syrup using Boardman entrance feeders. (The usefulness of syrup in stimulating brood rearing is much debated, along with the overall usefulness of Boardman feeders.) I stop feeding production colonies once they start drawing comb in supers as I want nectar stored there, not sugar syrup. If I give supers with previously drawn comb; feeding is stopped when supers go on. This style feeder (Boardman) has some major shortcomings; but it is the only kind that I use:
Disadvantages: 1) doesn't work well in cool weather, not at all when it's cold. 2) can start robbing if not used properly. 3) may require daily refilling; very labor intensive. 4) may attract ants and other insects. These can be major disadvantages; especially when compared to the advantages other feeders offer.
Advantages: 1) fairly easy to use on a small scale. 2) can tell at a glance if it's being consumed & how fast or if needing refilling. 3) can provide a 1:1 sugar syrup to stimulate brood rearing and/or get bees through a period of dearth; can provide a 2:1 syrup in the fall for stores (probably its best use)* 4) the feeder itself is relatively cheap. 5) can also serve as a water source. 6) can be used to administer some medications 7) can be left in place virtually year-round (make sure it's dry going into winter).

* Fall feeding is the main reason I don't worry about the Boardman's uselessness in winter. With the equivalent of 7 or more deep frames of honey, pollen reserves, enough bees, a good queen, and an appropriate beginning clustering area most hives should have no problem getting themselves through any winter. How we deal with wintering / feeding our bees is a matter of finding whatever works for you and implementing it. There are many different methods that all work for many different people.

We will be having our first meeting of 2012 on Friday, January 27, 7:30 pm at the St. Clair Farm Bureau in Belleville. Dues are being collected from now until April; also Brenda and I are requesting that everyone update all of your contact information, particularly email addresses. This is to ensure we can get info, newsletter, etc. out to everyone and reduce the expense of snail mail. However, if you have no email; we will get things out, just not as quick. The signup sheets for the Swarm List and the hosting of summer meetings will be available starting with January's meeting. I'll have Ken keep the attachments for the SHB quiz and Agenda up through January on the website, and we'll go over the SHB quiz at the January meeting. We will be having two raffles this month (1 corrugated nuc, 1 Cloake Board), so you might want to bring a little pocket change to the meeting.

Until then, keep warm and cozy.

Note: Terry's Agenda and Small Hive Beetle quiz may be found at the following links:

               Link to Agenda !                 Link to Small Hive Beetle Quiz !     Thanks,

Terry Combs
President