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Honey Extractor Wanted

27-Dec-07

Looking for a small used extractor. My daughter only has 2 hives and we need to travel to extract. Thanks, Robber

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Using Honey to Lessen a Child’s Cough

12-Dec-07

An article in the New York Times reports that a spoonful of honey is more effective than the medicine (Dextromethorphan, or DM) in common over-the-counter medications used by most parents.  The study was conducted by researchers in the Department of Pediatrics and the Department of Public Health Sciences in the College of Medicine at Pennsylvania State University, Hershey.  The findings were reported in the December issue of the Archives of Adolescent and Pediatric Medicine.  A summary of their findings, as well as links to related articles, can be found here.

In the summary, the authors conclude that a spoonful of buckwheat honey is more effective than DM (and also more effective than no treatment at all) in alleviating the coughing and associated difficulty in sleeping caused by upper respiratory infections for children aged 2 to 18.

The NY Times article is here.

Cough and cold season is upon us.  In Connecticut, some school districts have even closed due to illness.  If you would like to try this remedy on your own, click here to purchase honey.  Why not give it a try?

REMINDER: Honey should never be given to children before their first birthday.

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Introducing Pollinationsource.com

20-Nov-07

Stonewall Apiary is pleased to announce its newest project, Pollinationsource.com.  The focus of this website will be to connect beekeepers with people seeking pollination services.  Beekeepers of all sizes - hobbyists, sideliners and even commercial beekeepers - can register with the site, listing the types of crops they are willing to pollinate, the number of hives available for pollination, the distance they are willing to travel, as well as their pollination fee.  This information will then be available to people seeking pollination - from gardeners to part-time farmers to large-scale operations.

Check out the site if you have a chance and watch this space for more information.  If you have any feedback about this project, be sure to letus know.

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Colony Collapse Disorder in Connecticut

12-Nov-07

The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station has just published a report on Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD) in Connecticut.  The report contains good news about CCD: despite the presence of CCD in at least 24 states, there are no confirmed cases of it in Connecticut.  The report suggests that this may be due to the fact that the majority of beekeepers in the state are small hobbyists rather than commercial migratory beekeepers.  These beekeeping operations place their colonies under a great deal of stress, possibly making them susceptible to the Israeli Acute Paralysis virus, which has been associated with CCD, although its actual connection to CCD is unknown.

Now, the bad news.  While CCD is not a problem in Connecticut, the preexisting problems of parasitic mites, foulbrood, stress and exposure to pesticide use remain.  As any beekeeper who has lost colonies can attest, these problems can be formidable.

The report ends with the news that new research programs about CCD as well as the other problems that plague beekeepers are now under way in Connecticut.  This is a positive development.  Hopefully, it will yield results that will ensure that the health of the honeybee population in the state does not decline even further.  Maybe it will even result in research that improves the conditions for beekeeping in our state.

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A New Book By Glenn Cheney

22-Oct-07

, a new book by Connecticut-based author Glenn Cheney, has just been published.  Cheney, who is also a beekeeper and occasional contributor to the beeblog, describes the Pilgrims’ motivation to emigrate to the New World and the travails they faced during their long and difficult voyage across the Atlantic, as well as their first year in Plymouth.  While it is not directly related to beekeeping, Cheney does manage to weave some beekeeping facts into his fascinating narrative.

Thanksgiving, by Glenn Alan Cheney

Thanksgiving, by Glenn Alan Cheney

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is available in both paperback ($15.95) and hardcover ($21.95) editions.  An excellent gift for just about anyone, it is available on the New London Librarium website.  And of course, with Thanksgiving fast approaching, it is a timely gift as well!

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Girls Vs Boys

05-Oct-07

It’s happening. The annual removal of the boys. I’ve noticed over the past 2 weeks the occasional drone being “escorted” from the hive but yesterday the girls were out in full force. Today they’re still at it…

Where once the boys were greeted with open arms, err, mouths. They are now greeted by less than friendly girls intent of evicting them. Watched as 3 of the boys stood together on the landing pad. They were antennae talking and seemed to be wondering what the heck is going on? “Suzy just bit my wing off!” And it’s not a fair fight. 40 some odd thousand against maybe 60? Bad odds in my book.

But I guess it’s just part of the life of a bee. It’s done in the best interest of the hive. Less lazy boys hanging around, more food to keep the hive alive through the winter.

Going to miss the boys. But they’ll be back!

~Jim 

 

 

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Late Honey Super

14-Sep-07

I have one honey super left that is pretty much filled but has not been capped yet. I have been waiting since Labor Day for the bees to finish it off but it hasn’t happened yet. I know it’s getting late and I want to medicate for winter so what should I do? Should I scrap a full super of “unripened” honey and let the bees rob it? Should I wait a little longer or freeze it for next spring? Any suggestions would be appreciated.

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Response to “Where’s Conn. Ag. Station When We Need It?”

04-Sep-07

I see it is time to add a new category: opinion.  I have done so and filed Post 109 under it.  This post is my response.

I agree that the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station (CAES) website is lacking when it comes to information for beekeepers.  It would be nice if there were a dedicated area on their site just for beekeeping information.  That said, there are a few useful documents that can be found with a “beekeeping” search on the site.

The CAES Bee Inspector is Ira Kettle, and his contact information can be found on the Entomology Department page.   I can personally attest that Ira is always accommodating.  Whenever I have spoken to him or asked him any question at all, he has been extremely helpful.  If you have a question, I encourage you to give him a call.

For the record, the beeblog would be happy to post any information that CAES wanted to get out to the beekeepers in the state.

The Connecticut Beekeepers Association is a great organization.  I am a member (OK, my membership recently lapsed but I plan on renewing it soon) and strongly recommend that all beekeepers in the state join.  They put out an informative newsletter and hold meetings that are well worth attending for all beekeepers.

In Eastern Connecticut, there is the Eastern Connecticut Beekeepers Association (ECBA).  It is an active, dynamic group that is constantly growing.  All of this, of course, is no thanks to me since I haven’t gotten around to joining yet!  (Sorry, guys!)  They do not have a website yet, as far as I know.  If any ECBA members are reading this and would like to post news and other information for the group, the beeblog would welcome any and all information.  That’s why it’s here!

There are other local groups in Connecticut and I’m sure they are all worthwhile.  Check out the one nearest to you!

Of course, if you are REALLY serious about beekeeping, there is the Eastern Apicultural Society.  They offer courses in beekeeping, present a yearly conference, publish a journal and have many resources on their website.

Finally, one of the best ways that beekeepers can stay informed is by actively communicating with one another.  After all, we’re the ones who see threats such as pests and diseases as they emerge.  We’re the ones who know what the conditions in our bee yards are like.  I started the beeblog to help us do that.  If you are a beekeeper, please let us know how your bees are doing.  If you’re having a problem, describe it and hopefully someone else will be able to help you out.  If you can help someone else, please do so.  We’re all in this together!

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Where’s Conn. Ag. station when we need it?

04-Sep-07

Hey, how come the Connecticut Agricultural Station isn’t making daily contributions to this blog? It would be very, very helpful if they did. I’d be interested in any news about beekeeping in Connecticut, like especially reports of diseases and parasites in the state. Wouldn’t that be a helpful thing for them to do?

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Honey extractor for sale

29-Aug-07

Hello,  have the following for sale. 

M00390 JUNIOR BENCH EXTRACTOR

Junior Bench Extractor. Stainless steel hand powered. Capacity: 2 frames (9 1/8″ deep maximum) per load. SS extracting basket and SS top assembly. Piano style continuously hinged lid. Easily converts to 175-lb, storage container. (Frames must be removed and turned to extract both sides). 1½” plastic honey gate included. Tank: 304 SS, 14″ dia. x 23¼” tall, all MIG welded construction.

The extractor sells for $269.69 on Dadant’s web site. I also have the stand for this extractor. It sells for $56.99. Retail price for both would be 326.98 plus tax and an additional shipping charge from Dadant which would make the purchase price around $400.00.

I have both units, brand new and in the original boxes. And am looking to sell for $275.00. Great deal!

UPDATE - THE EXTRACTOR HAS BEEN SOLD. Thank you.

EDITOR’S NOTE:

The item above is offered by a beeblog user. The user has no affiliation with the beeblog, ct-honey.com or Stonewall Apiary.  While we encourage users to use the beeblog for virtually any beekeeping-related activity, Stonewall Apiary assumes no responsibility for either side of any transaction that may result from the above ad.

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