July 2020
Varroa Testing
TEXAS BEE SUPPLY
The Heat is On!
Robbing
Monthly
Harvesting Honey
www.TexasBeeSupply.com
Featuring
Edition One
Monthly Tips
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CONTENTS
Welcome to the First Edition of Texas Bee Supply Monthly! One of the things that really gets us excited here at Texas Bee Supply is talking about bees. There aren't many things we would rather do! But, sometimes there is just too much to say, and not enough time to say it! Plus, let's face it, beekeeping can be tough! So, we started talking about creating a simple monthly newsletter that could keep you up to date about what we are doing here at TBS, and more importantly, focus on really practical beekeeping education. And before we realized what happened, it went from a monthly newsletter to a full magazine. If you like it, then future editions will be even more in-depth, with added information, videos, stories, pictures, fun, and more. Let us know what you think! As we grow, you’ll see this magazine tap into various aspects of beekeeping locally, regionally and nationally. Our goal is to include all levels of interest – Beginner, Intermediate, Sideliner and Commercial. We are excited about the amazing things we can do with an all-digital magazine. You will find “clickable†links to everything we talk about and videos you can watch right inside the pages, giving you much broader interaction than just an ordinary publication. We are already working on the August edition, and below are some of the ideas we hope to incorporate: ·Local “Regional†Reports from beekeepers in your area. ·Club listings and Brag Board – bee clubs will be invited to list their club meeting information as well as promote their outreach projects, youth programs and mentoring success stories! ·Practical advanced bee topics by respected beekeepers in the industry. ·Market reports – bloom status, local honey reports as well as pollination opportunities! ·Honey Tips – Marketing, Bottling, Pricing and More ·Video stories from the bee yard. ·And Much, MUCH MORE! This publication needs YOU! Do you have a story or experience to share? What about a wonderful recipe ? Amazing pictures? We’d love to publish it! We can't wait to hear from you! Send us a note at: Editor@TexasBeeSupply.com Enjoy! -Texas Bee Supply
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TABLE
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James Elam Dayton, TX
1st Thursday Night of each month Register FREE for our monthly webinar below! Our July webinar will cover: Treating for Mites Summer Hive Care Post Harvest Hive Care Summer Feeding Hive Ventilation Q&A & More!
Janet Rowe Blue Ridge, TX
TEXAS BEE SUPPLY SUMMER SERIES BEGINNER BEEKEEPING CLASSES Join us "Online" for our fully "Interactive" All Day Classes! LIVE BEE YARD experience included FREE with each registration!
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Chari Elam Dayton, TX
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July tips
4. Heat is much harder on bees than cold, thus Texas heat poses a unique challenge for hives. In addition to treating for mites and feeding immediately after extracting, be sure to provide a water source for your hive and slightly crack the lid on the upper box to give additional ventilation. Adding an empty box above your current boxes can provide some dead air space and a buffer from the hot lid. Make sure your hive has at least a total of 2 boxes rather than just 1 deep box. 5. One of the most important things to keep in mind as a beekeeper is the fact that winter preparation begins as soon as you harvest honey. Many beekeepers begin winter preparation when the first major cold front hits in October or November; however, that is far too late for winter preparation. Most “winter†losses are actually a result of improper care during the summer months. Hives may appear alive and well over the summer, but are actually starving and infested with mites. Mites transfer several viruses to bees. Learn how to test for mites here. You may not notice a dramatic decline until fall or winter, however, when those issues reach a critical point. 6. If you want to grow your hive count the following year, place supers of foundation in a hive box directly on top of your brood nest and feed the hive heavily over the summer. The bees will draw out the comb, which can give you comb for the next year, eliminating the need to draw out foundation on a honey flow. The constant food and the chance to work is great for the bees over the summer months. "Winter preparation begins as soon as you harvest honey."
Meet Blake
Blake Shook
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July tips continued
1. For the vast majority of Texas, the nectar flow is completely finished by early July. If you plan to harvest honey, it should be harvested in the next couple of weeks to ensure the bees do not consume too much of their stores. Check out our video to know when to harvest honey here. 2. Your bees are entering one of the most critical periods in the entire year. Varroa mite populations typically peak in July, making treatment critical once honey is removed. Use a treatment that is able to withstand high temperatures, like Apivar. Any thymol based treatment does not do well in high temperatures. Oxalic Acid is only effective during a broodless period. Apistan and Checkmite are no longer viable due to mite resistance. Hopguard can be somewhat effective, but make sure to test for mites after the treatment, as it can be ineffective in some conditions. Apivar is currently the most effective and reliable treatment in high temperatures. Check out our video on how to install Apivar. 3. Equally critical after harvesting honey, is feeding your bees. In July in Texas, there are virtually no major nectar producing flowers blooming - yet, your hive is still rearing brood, and still requires large amounts of food to maintain their strength. Thus, we encourage all beekeepers to begin feeding, and not to stop until each hive has a 30 lb surplus of syrup stored in the second box on your hive. This will guarantee your hive has the resources they need to live and thrive. Even a few weeks without enough food, or with excessively high mite levels can drastically harm your hive. Continued...
Heat is much harder on bees than cold, thus Texas summers pose a unique challenge for hives.
VIRTUAL CLASS
REGISTER HERE
summer Splits
July 9th 6:30-8:00 Instructor- Blake Shook $29 per user (includes recording)
Summer splits in Texas can be daunting. It's hot, dry, and we are often in a major dearth. However, done correctly, summer splits can be a wonderful way to not only grow your hive count, but a way to keep your hives healthy and thriving during a period that they typically decline in strength! Best of all, your bees are not doing anything else this time of year! We will be sharing video footage and lots of pictures as we discuss preparing your hives to split, feeding, making a split, adding queens, and most importantly, post split care during our hot Texas summers.
 

Did you know.... Honey is a natural "prebiotic". Honey helps feed probiotics, promoting gut health!
THE HEAT IS ON!
Staying hydrated – Did you know you can drink water “through†your veil? You bet you can! I’ll never forget the day I saw a tenured beekeeper do this – I about fell over wondering why this wasn’t #1 in the book of learning beekeeping – I mean really…why didn’t someone tell me? All these years I was about to melt waiting until we finished working bees to get a drink of cold water… my goodness!
Welcome Beekeepers to the New Texas Bee Supply Monthly! I am so excited I could just burst! Some of you know me from my monthly publication known as the “Bluebonnet Newsletter,†while others may know us (my husband James and me) from our many travels speaking for various clubs, conventions and seminars… but no matter how we know each other, I am ecstatic to be part of this new publication! “The Heat is On!†I don’t have to tell you that, do I? You’d think a person would “acclimate†to the heat, but – me, not so much – probably has a lot to do with age…not that I’m old! Heat is a BIG deal, not only for us, but also for our bees! The goal today is to address heat and both the bee and beekeeper– so sit back, have a cold glass of iced tea and enjoy! This past week and the upcoming weeks, we’re doing what a lot of beekeepers do this time of year ~ pulling supers and extracting our bountiful honey crop. This is all well and good except when it’s 98˚ + 100% humidity = HOT ~ especially in a bee suit!
The Heat is On continued ~ Over the years we’ve developed a huge appreciation for a good quality “ventilated†bee suit. Although ventilated suits can be heavier, the waffle fabric's ability to allow air flow is a huge deal maker for me. Those of you who have worn both cotton and vented may agree. Bonus feature – I don’t seem to get as many bee stings through the vented suit as opposed to cotton. Plus, I can wear shorts and a lightweight shirt and be even cooler! Win – Win!
Chari Elam
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Bee Proactive – Taking special care to keep cool with products such as “cool rags†can go a long way to keeping your body temperature down when the mercury hits the upper 90’s! Also, work your bees in the morning. This time of year it gets daylight around 6:00 am, so consider being in the bee yard by 9:00 am while it’s cooler and the sun isn’t beating down on you. Yes – you’ll find a few more bees home while you’re working the hive in the morning, but not enough to make a big difference.
The Heat is On continued ~ Please pay special attention to the key indicators of each, exhaustion and stroke. As beekeepers, we are pushing ourselves in the bee yard. Sometimes we don’t realize how hot we’re actually getting until suddenly, we feel bad. The question is, “How bad are you feeling?†As you can see – it matters! Knowing where you are on this scale is important to how you react and treat your condition effectively. The diagram inspires me to suggest you take a “bee buddy†with you in the bee yard during these extremely hot months (July and August) Having someone with you can make a huge difference in some situations where help is needed and you aren’t able to help yourself. Plus – it’s always more fun to share the joy of beekeeping with others if you can!
Do you know the difference in Heat Exhaustion and Heat Stroke?
The Heat is On continued ~ It’s very, VERY important to stay hydrated in this heat. One of the main components in hydration is to go beyond just water and to include Electrolytes. We often think these need to be in the form of a “store bought†drink but I’ve found you can make your bottled water “Electrolyte-ified†right at home; CLICK HERE for a link to do just that – plus it tastes wonderfully!
The Heat is On continued ~ Water Sources – As July heats up, it seems like the rain slows down, making the term “dearth†the word of the day. Water is THE MOST important resource you can ensure for your bees right now! Not only will they use it to cool the hive, but also to thin honey so they can continue to feed the babies after nectar sources have dried up. Watering your bees doesn’t have to be a project. Keeping a water source such as a small stock tank or a smaller vessel with floating objects in it, will stop the bees from having to travel too far to gather this resource. Remember – The longevity of bees is directly related to the amount of work they do. The harder they work, the quicker they wear out! Keeping resources close by will be your gift to them and they will thank you for it in healthy productivity!
For Topic suggestions ~ Email us at Editor@TexasBeeSupply.com
The Heat is On continued ~
Keeping the Bees Cool – You’ve done a fantastic job of keeping your bees healthy and growing this year and for that you have hive boxes bursting with bees! Not a bad problem to have, right? We know bees are incredible creatures that adapt to various temperature conditions with great skill, but how do they actually do that? Honey bees have 4 wings and the ability to “uncouple†these wings from their bodies, allowing them to move their wings nearly at flight speed 11,400 times per minute while inside the hive! When a colony needs to “relieve some heat†from inside their box, a number of bees will exit and reside outside on the face of the box. In this group you’ll often see the bees in unison uncouple their wings and begin a concerted effort forcing wind through the entrance by creating a “vortex.†Incredible isn’t it?! Add a vent for your bees – As the temperatures rise outside, we will often add a vent for our hives to give them a little help. This isn’t high tech – a popsicle stick, toothpick or Ventilation clip inserted up under the corners of the lid will do a great job of venting the hive. Just that little amount of space allows heat to escape as well as providing cross ventilation. It is also recommended to take out the tray from under a screened bottom board and remove entrance reducers if you have them. This will really help your bees from having to work so hard to keep their hive cooler.
Treating For Mites
VSH Queen Present
Post Harvest Checklist Feed Continue feeding until 30# surplus honey is stored in the second brood box. Test for Varroa Treat immediately for mite loads exceeding 2%. Re-Test after treatment to verify additional treatments aren’t required. Ventilate the Hive Crack the lid or place spacers for ventilation. Provide Water Source
How to Test for Mites
Testing for mites is one of the most important actions in all of beekeeping!
How Varroa Kill
Texas Bee Supply - Dayton Opening Fall 2020! 2000 Sq. Ft. Showroom filled with Inventory providing beekeepers with the products needed for daily operations - from tools and protective gear to extraction and bottling! 1200 Sq. Ft. State of the Art Education Center providing Year-Round Classes for all levels of Beekeeping, ongoing community educational events for the public and school aged children, 2 Indoor Living Observation Hives, Outdoor Bee Yard and Educational Observation area! 4000 Sq. Ft. Warehouse full of merchandise to ensure in-stock items stay in-stock! Grand Opening - Sneak Peak Industry Recognized Guest Speakers Speaker sessions Door Prizes and Giveaways! Live Demonstrations Lighting a Smoker Queen Marking Ask the Experts And MUCH MORE!
Texas Bee Supply 351 CR 6243 Dayton, TX 77535
Recipe of the Month By Danessa Yaschuk Vice President - Fort Bend County Beekeepers Association, Vice Chairman & Administrative Assistant for Real Texas Honey Beekeeper and Owner of SweetNes Honey Apiaries & Beetique
Jalapeno & Cheese Honey Cornbread 1 Cup Yellow Corn Meal 1 Cup All-Purpose Flour 4 Teaspoons of Baking Powder 4 Tablespoons of Honey 1 Cup of Milk 1/4 Cup of Vegetable Oil 1/2 Teaspoon of Salt 1 Egg 1/2 Cup Diced Velveeta Cheese 1/4 Cup of Shredded Cheese 1/4 Cup of Chopped Jalapenos Preheat oven to 425* F. In large bowl combine corn meal, flour, baking powder and salt. Next add milk, egg & oil. Stir until smooth. Add honey, jalapenos and diced Velveeta cheese; stir into mixture - Pour into lightly-greased baking pan of your choice. Drizzle honey on top and sprinkle with cheddar before placing into oven. Bake for 20-30 minutes, Serve warm, Enjoy! Yield: About 9 Servings
Have a Recipe you'd like to share ? Email us at Editor@TexasBeeSupply.com
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1. Do the "shake method" mentioned in the video above to make sure the honey is cured. You can also use a refractometer to ensure the moisture content is under 19%. 2. What are the flowers telling you? Are the major nectar producing flowers in your area still blooming? By July 4th, the vast majority of nectar producing flowers have died in Texas. 3. Cured honey is typically capped. Frames will often have some cells uncapped, but 80+% are often capped when the honey is ready to harvest. 4. Are bees starting to uncap and eat the honey? If so, it is time to harvest quickly before the bees eat all the stored honey. Feeding will need to be done after the harvest to ensure the hive has adequate food stores. 5. Have bees stopped actively drawing out new comb? If so, that is another sign the honey flow has ended. 6. Are your bees becoming more "robby" and interested in frames of honey when you are inspecting hives? If so, that means there is not as much forage available for them.
Tallow Tassel
Pincushion/Scabiosa
Indian Blanket
How to Know it's Time to Harvest
When to harvest honey
HEADER
Return supers the same day after extracting in the late evening, thus allowing the hive to clean them up overnight. Supers placed back on hives in the middle of the day smell strongly of honey, and encourage robbing. If robbing occurs, reduce the hive entrance. If the daytime temperatures are over 80, make sure to shade the hive, or use a screened bottom board to prevent overheating with a reduced entrance. Ensure the cover for the screened bottom board is removed. Seal all cracks between boxes, and around the lid to ensure no robber bees can get into the hive. Use internal feeders like the division board, or top feeder rather than entrance/Boardman feeders. Be careful not to spill syrup when feeding bees. Don't spend more than a few minutes on hive inspections during a major dearth period.
ROBBING
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PREVENTION TACTICS
Robbing Behavior
HARVEST SUPPLIES
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CHECK OUT OUR HONEY JARS!
FUN FACTS
HONEY Container Weight 1 Gallon = 12 lbs 1 Quart = 3 lbs 1 Pint = 1.5 lbs 1/2 Pint = 12 oz Frame Weight Deep = 6-8 lbs Medium = 4-6 lbs Shallow = 2-3 lbs 10 Frame Box Deep = 60-80 lbs Med = 35-40 lbs Shallow = 20-30 lbs
Q. - How do I know which treatment to use for mites? A. It can be very confusing to decide which treatment to use to control Varroa Mites. Most methods have a "Population" and "Temperature" criteria to meet. Keeping these 2 components in mind can make the decision much easier. For more information CLICK HERE! Q. Can I freeze my honey frames until I have time to extract them? A. You sure can! Sometimes we need to pull supers when we don't have time to extract. Storing honey in a freezer will buy you time. Keep in mind, the moisture content could increase so you may need to follow these easy instructions to help out. CLICK HERE! Q. Should I be feeding pollen substitute right now? A. There is still a strong pollen flow in most of Texas currently, but it is fading fast. Take a look at the pollen stores inside your hive. There should be at least a half frame or more. Also look at newly hatched larva. They should be swimming in a pool of white royal jelly. If they look dry, time to feed protein! CLICK HERE!
Texas Drought Status
Monthly Q & A
Have a Question ? Email us at Editor@TexasBeeSupply.com
Photo credit: Cameron Crane - Liberty County Beekeepers
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Bees can use up to 1 gallon of water daily per hive in summer months to keep their hive cool!
BOOK IT!
Calling All Bee Clubs!
Need a Virtual Speaker for Your Next Club Meeting? No Cost! We provide the Zoom platform! You have full control of the meeting! Includes a 1 hour LIVE Presentation from one of our presenters! Many topics to choose from!
Ideal honey moisture content is 18.6%. Over 19%, and honey can ferment. A refractometer is an easy & fast way to test moisture content!
What to do With High Moisture Honey
High moisture honey can certainly be a problem, as honey over about 19% can easily ferment. We often see high moisture honey in especially wet springs or humid areas, if honey is harvested too early, or water was introduced during extracting. There are some simple tricks to reduce the moisture content of honey on a small scale. First, you will need a refractometer to see what the moisture content of your honey is. If it seems especially runny, it's a good idea to get it tested. Bring it into our store, and we would be happy to test it for you! If the moisture is above 19%, heating or cooling, and mixing the honey over a period of days can reduce the moisture. Here are some options if you have high moisture honey: 1. Simply bottle and freeze your honey immediately after harvesting, and thaw jars out as needed. Frozen honey cannot ferment. 2. Place your honey in a 5 gallon bucket. Place the bucket in a small room, or enclosure like an old refrigerator or large ice chest inside your house where the humidity is low. Place a small fan in the enclosure, and leave the door cracked slightly. Warm the space to 85-95 degrees with a light bulb. Leave the lid off the bucket, and stir 2-3 times per day. After about a week, it should reduce the moisture by 1-2%. Even more simply, purchase a bucket heater to warm the honey. 3. Similarly, you can chill the honey to about 65 degrees in a small enclosure, and follow the same steps above. 4. Purchase a small dehumidifier and place it in an enclosed area with your honey, mixing 2-3 times per day for a week. This will also help pull the moisture out of the honey.
Have a Beekeeping Question? Call our Help Line (800) 456-4229 ext. 3 Or Email us at Help@TexasBeeSupply.com
We Need YOU!
Texas Bee Supply Monthly invites YOU to be a part of our publication! Article suggestions Photos Recipes Club activities or promotion Overall comments or suggestions CONTACT US Editor@TexasBeeSupply.com
Coming Next Month
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Mastering Hive Inspections Win the Battle Against the Small Hive Beetle Best Way to Store Excess Honey Honey Crystallization - How to Manage it And MUCH MORE!