Comments for Kiwimana's Beekeeping Blog

Comment on Tutin and Treasure Hunting on Auckland Anniversary Weekend by Gary

Gary — Sat, 18 Feb 2012 09:09:55 +0000

Thanks for the feedback Aaron, yes it is a major worry for bee keepers…See ya…Gary

Comment on Working in the shop at the Auckland Bee Club by Gary

Gary — Sat, 18 Feb 2012 09:08:48 +0000

Hi Doug, Thanks for posting that sounds like a worry. I will have a read of that article. See ya…Gary

Comment on Working in the shop at the Auckland Bee Club by Doug Harris

Doug Harris — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 08:53:54 +0000

http://wakeup-world.com/2012/02/12/crude-awakening-mineral-oil-pollutes-everyones-bodies/

the food grade mineral is very dangerous to bees and humans

Comment on Tutin and Treasure Hunting on Auckland Anniversary Weekend by Aaron Fox

Aaron Fox — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 01:31:14 +0000

Tutin contamination of honey, particularly comb honey, is a problem anywhere in New Zealand north of Kaikoura. Low risk areas for the production of tutin contaminated honey are only in the South Island below latitude 42 degrees South including all offshore islands below latitude 42 degrees South.

All producers of honey products destined for human consumption need to comply with the Tutin in Honey Food Standard. You can download a copy here:

http://www.foodsafety.govt.nz/elibrary/industry/tutin-honey-standard-2010.pdf

The compliance guide for this standard details just how dangerous tutin can be to humans:

http://www.foodsafety.govt.nz/elibrary/industry/tutin-compliance-guide-2010.pdf

From Page 5 of this guide: Ingestion of tutin can be lethal, or make a person very unwell. It is generally accepted that as little as 1 teaspoon (approximately 10 ml) of toxic honey can have a severe effect on the human nervous system. Symptoms include vomiting, delirium, giddiness, increased excitability, stupor, coma and violent convulsions.

Not something to be taken lightly, particularly by honey producers, commercial and amateur alike.

Comment on Working in the shop at the Auckland Bee Club by Wendy Pettersen

Wendy Pettersen — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 03:39:18 +0000

Hi Gary,
My mite count continued to climb so I have treated with Thymovar ( very expensive help) Now the mite fall is astronomical 10 per hour (150 in a 15 hr count) I am just watching and counting the mites.

Wendy

Comment on Foundation less frames no good for brood frames by Emily Heath

Emily Heath — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 10:52:35 +0000

I’ve heard from other beekeepers too that bees make lots of drones if given foundationless frames. I like your idea of foundationless frames in the honey supers though.

Comment on Keeping nine frames in a ten frame box by Bryan

Bryan — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 23:52:13 +0000

I’ve never used 10 frames in a box. It causes too much rolling and rubbing of bees when frames are lifted or replaced. Even when being careful, and it’s too slow for doing numbers of hives. The less time a hive is open then better.
My grandfather and other commercial beekeeprs I learnt from, and my preferred frame numbers are: 9 for the brood boxes, 8 for the honey supers (sometimes even just 7). Yes the 8 and 7 frame options start with the frames closer together and they are moved apart as the bees draw the comb. You get very wide frames and more honey per frame (and per box) that are incredibly easy to uncap. The 9 frames per brood box allow the beekeeper to position the frames towards the centre of the box so the outside frames are away from the outer walls and also space to lever frames to the side so any frame can be lifted or inserted without rubbing or rolling any bees between the combs. It is far easier to lever apart propilised frames with just 9 instead of 10 frames in a box. That’s from a combined experience of over 100 years with langstroth beeware in NZ, both in hobby, semi-commercial and full commercial beekeeping situations.

Comment on Working in the shop at the Auckland Bee Club by Gina

Gina — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 08:28:07 +0000

The pharmacy carries it but its called something else. Darn I cant remember right now.

Comment on Working in the shop at the Auckland Bee Club by Gina

Gina — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 08:26:23 +0000

Scientifically I do not actually know. I know that when I smell other thymol products they are extremely strong so if it was me I might be quite generous. I am thinking a 12 ml bottle for a 4 box hive?

Gina

Comment on Working in the shop at the Auckland Bee Club by Gary

Gary — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 07:39:37 +0000

Hi Gina, good point how much would you normally add?

Thanks…Gary