ocba AT lists.ibiblio.org
Subject: Orange County, NC Beekeepers
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- From: Randall Austin <ra41717 AT gmail.com>
- To: Phil DeGuzman <phil.deguzman AT gmail.com>
- Cc: ocba AT lists.ibiblio.org
- Subject: Re: [ocba] One hive dead, one hive thriving
- Date: Wed, 27 Feb 2013 20:17:20 -0500
Hey Phil,
Your situation isn't uncommon at all. Varroa-induced collapse happens just as you've described. I've seen it plenty of times. What was your varroa mite load going into the fall? The myth of CCD is much larger than the reality. It is much more prevalent on the internet and in the news media than it is in actual apiaries. As of the last time I asked our state bee inspectors, there hasn't ever been a confirmed case of CCD in North Carolina. I seriously doubt that you are the first. The only hive disease that you really need to worry about with respect to the used comb & equipment is American Foulbrood (AFB). AFB isn't unheard of but fortunately it isn't very common either. It is kind of like cancer in people --- you probably don't have it but it is very, very bad news if you do. Find some photos on wikipedia of the characteristic dried scale that is left on the bottom of cells with AFB. There is also a nasty smell, although that could depend on how long it has been since the hive expired. If there is any hint of AFB, call Don Hopkins or Will Hicks (two of our state bee inspectors) to have them check it out for you. Assuming that you don't have AFB, you are ahead of the game with a hive full of drawn comb plus stored honey. If your other hive is strong, then making a spring split is a great option, especially if you aren't worried about getting a honey harvest. That's what I would do. These things happen. If it's any consolation, I tell people that the best way to have two strong hives in the spring is to have four strong hives the previous fall. So you are spot on. Keep an eye on your mite loads and treat accordingly. It is easy to ignore a threat that isn't obvious to the eye and that can go a long time without causing a crash. But the crash will come. As I mentioned, it has happened to me many times. Randall Austin On 2/27/2013 7:41 PM, Phil DeGuzman wrote:
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[ocba] One hive dead, one hive thriving,
Phil DeGuzman, 02/27/2013
- Re: [ocba] One hive dead, one hive thriving, Lewis Cauble, 02/27/2013
- Re: [ocba] One hive dead, one hive thriving, Randall Austin, 02/27/2013
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Re: [ocba] One hive dead, one hive thriving,
Chris Abernethy, 02/28/2013
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Re: [ocba] One hive dead, one hive thriving,
Watson Bowes, 02/28/2013
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Re: [ocba] One hive dead, one hive thriving,
Catherine Adamson, 02/28/2013
- Re: [ocba] One hive dead, one hive thriving, Marty Hanks, 02/28/2013
- Re: [ocba] One hive dead, one hive thriving, Lewis Cauble, 02/28/2013
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Re: [ocba] One hive dead, one hive thriving,
Catherine Adamson, 02/28/2013
- Re: [ocba] One hive dead, one hive thriving, Rosemary Wilson, 02/28/2013
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Re: [ocba] One hive dead, one hive thriving,
Watson Bowes, 02/28/2013
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