North American Fruit Explorers mailing list at ibiblio

["MARIE ASHTON" <bwoodtx@verizon.net>]

I suggest a book called "A book of Bees" by Sue Hubbell. It addresses the 
problems of early post-mite era beekeeping. She kept or is keeping bees in 
Southeastern Missouri which should not be too far from you. So, her 
information should be very pertinent for your area. You can purchase a used 
copy fairly cheap on Amazon.
The screened bottom boards really help promote healthy bees for several 
reasons including ventilation. They have been well researched and have 
always been considered worthwhile but they have to be closed up during 
wintertime in northern climates. Most people in Southern Climates leave them 
open year-round. The smaller cell (#2) is still not well proven and there is 
some controversy. And there really are bees that are more hygienic, thus 
making them if not immune, bees that have less problems with mites and 
diseases. The USDA bee research station in Louisiana breed some of the first 
honey bees that are considered hygienic. The Russian strain of honey bees is 
also considered less susceptible to mites but they produce a little less 
honey. But do not forget the diseases of bees, like foulbrood (American and 
European), hygienic bees are helpful there too. Take a look at: 
http://www.beeweaver.com/home.php?cat=1 that's from B. Weaver aviaries in 
Texas.

I know that this is somewhat off the subject of fruit. But I felt that I had 
to acquire honeybees not too long ago because there did not seem to be 
enough natural pollinators for my fruit orchard. I really did not get them 
for the honey (a nice byproduct, though) but for the pollination. In early 
spring when many fruit trees are blooming some of the natural pollinators 
have not bred up to sufficient quantities (such as bumble bees) to do much 
good. Our wild honeybees were declining in my area, I believe, probably due 
to the mites that are killing off domesticated as well as wild honeybees. 
Pollinators are very important to fruit production. So maybe this is not too 
far off-topic. Even fruit trees that are considered self-fruitful benefit 
from some cross pollination, most times resulting in heavier fruit set.

Regards,
Richard Ashton
Oak Creek Orchard
www.oakcreekorchard.com
bwoodtx@verizon.net

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "tanis cuff" <tanistanis@hotmail.com>
To: "North American Fruit Explorers" <nafex@lists.ibiblio.org>
Sent: Wednesday, October 10, 2007 6:32 PM
Subject: Re: [NAFEX] Beekeeping



I know A LITTLE about beekeeping-- grew up with it, but considering the
newer diseases & pests am I still qualified?.  But I try to read what I find
because who knows when I'll actually acquire a hive or 2.

#1 sounds silly; #2 sounds likely; #3 reminds me of an article I read 
recently
about some bees being better at grooming, so they remove the mites better.


________________________________
From: samurphy
To: nafex
Date: Wed, 10 Oct 2007 15:42:27 -0500
Subject: [NAFEX] Beekeeping

Ross / Don
I, too, am planning to start one or two hives in the spring.  There is a lot 
of information on the web but it is always good to hear from others who have 
experience.
In theory, there are a number of "natural" measures that can be taken to 
avoid the health problems in the hive.  I would sure like to know if anyone 
reading this has tried any of these practices:
1.  screen bottom board allows mites to fall through
2.  smaller cells - closer to what would be found in nature.
3.  Immune bees.
Has anyone had any good or bad experience with suppliers of bees and/or 
equipment and supplies?
This may be getting too far off track of fruits.  If so, please pass on any 
information offlist.
It does seem there could be enough interest to have an interest group.
Shirley
SW Tennessee

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