organic beekeeping

[malmstro]

I have just returned from the first every Organic Beekeeping conference. If anyone is interested I would be happy to share some new methods for treat varroa, etc.

[OceanMomma]

I've always been interested in getting a beehive when we finally get our block of land. This will hopefully happen within the next couple of years. Varroa mite is an issue over here too. Any info you would like to share would be gratefully recieved. Bear in mind I'm not at all familiar with the subject so will be learning

[malmstro]

bees

Hello,
Very nice to meet you. New Zealand, uh? I lived in Christchurch for a year when I was a senior in high school. New Zealand is a beautiful place!

Here I keep bees in my backyard (suburban neighborhood). I wouldn't wait til you get land, you can start now!

I would be happy to share all I know about bees, but typing everything, is a bit daunting. I would suggest a good beekeepers hand book, and if you have questions, we can go from there.
Terra :-)

[jorgiemom]

Do tell, do tell!! Where was the conference? I am a new bee keeper, and am all ears.

[malmstro]

The conference was this past weekend, March8th-10th, at the Pfeiffer Center in New York. The maind speakers were Gunther Hauk and Thomas Radetzki. We talked about incouraging the honey bees natural tendancies and what they were, to allow swarming, and how do do it, to allow the bees to build natural comb (no foundation), not to feed sugar, and to use organic acids such as formic and oxlacic acid for pest control. It was 3 days worth of material, so if you have specific questions, that would be easier to answer.

How long have you kept bees? How many hives do you have?
Do you have pest problems, if so what?

I look forward to helping you!
Terra :-)

[jorgiemom]

I am a fledgling keeper. I am helping my mentor, an older man with a passion for keeping, take care of his nine hives. I was just pondering the term organic in reference to honey the other day. I would think this means that the honey is produced from flowers that have not been treated chemically in any way. Is this true? How tough would that be, to keep those busy bees contained to organically grown flowers?! LOL. I am always happy to learn and chat with others about this new found hobby. You may Pm me in future. The conference sounded great. Will you be going to the one at Ithaca this summer?

[malmstro]

organic honey

Yes, you are right, organic honey is a bit confusing. Not only from the forage (the flowers the bees visit), but form the hive perspective. There are different laws in different places that allow your honey to be labelled organic, in most instances the hives must be located at least 2 miles away from areas that use pesticides. This is because 2 miles is the average distance researchers believe bees will travel in search of nectar and pollen. Again, I emphasize average. Some bees travel much further.

So it is not only the location of the hive, but the treatments of the hive. The beekeeper is faced with so many problems, from American Foulbrood, tracheal mites, varroa mites, nosema, small hive beetles, wax moths, and Africanized bees to name a few!!! To have your honey labelled organic, you are not allowed to use pesticides in the hive to treat all of these problems! Some of the chemicals, like Terramycin (antibiotic used to treat AFB), residues remain in the honey and in the comb for a long time.

And the final thing is the processing of the hive products, (honey, comb, propalis, pollen, wax, etc.). All of these "extraction" procedures need to be done in accordance to organic standards.

It is wonderful that you have access to a mentor. Do you use organic methods for your honey production?

I hope that was helpful and answered your question.
Terra :-)

[scifimom]

my mom is looking for info on starting beekeeping do you have any books or websites for info or supplies you can share? i told her i'd help her out but have been limited in my findings, thanks!

[malmstro]

getting started

Hi!
Wow that's very exciting to be getting started. The best thing to do is find an experienced beekeeper in your area. Ohio is pretty active in beekeeping and there should be a local club that you can contact. If you have difficulties there you might check with your local County Extension Service, a lot of Ext. offices are offering Master Beekeeping trainings, (similar to Master Gardening). If they don't have one you might want to encourage them to start one!

As for books...I would just find a standard beekeeping manual, ( with a fairly new copyright). You can search the net for beekeeping sites, some are very complete guides. Some of the biggest names in equipment are A.I. Root (www.airoot.com), Better Bee, Brushy Mountain, (www.beeequipment.com), Dadant, (www.dadant.com), ahd Mann Lake, (www.mannlakeltd.com). I would suggest ordering one of the beginning beekeeping packages, it comes complete with EVERYTHING you will need to get started, sometimes even the bees! It will include a hive body, a honey supper, frames and comb, smoker, hive tool, gloves, vail, manual, etc.

I will check tonight at home what the title is of the beekeeping manual that I used and see if I know of any groups in the Dayton, OH area....best of luck, please let me know if I can be of further help, I love to encourage newbees!!! :-)

[dorcas]

malmstro-
i keep two hives of bees in southern new hampshire. i am not doing it organically--although i would love to. the hives are on an organic farm and apple orchard. i have thought about organic management, but worried about time considerations since i don't live with my bees to monitor them regularly. my interested was piqued when you said that the conference speakers talked about not feeding sugar syrup--how does that fit into the management? what are the varroa mite management techniques that were discussed? was tobacco smoke discussed?
thanks