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Author Topic: Package Bees and Pest Control  (Read 4150 times)

Offline HBW1412

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Package Bees and Pest Control
« on: February 07, 2011, 12:41:58 am »
I'd like to know what is recommended as far as disease prevention and pest control for a package of bees introduced to a new hive.  I know this topic has been discussed before, but many of you stay so up to date on bee "stuff" that you may know something new. 
For instance, I had fumagilin-B on my order list because the catalog says to use it on ALL newly installed package bees.  Then I read that fumagilin-B is banned in European countries because it has been linked to cancer. 

It's difficult for someone new to beekeeping like myself to know what to do when the bee keeping catalogs in the United States says one thing and bee keepers in the rest of the world basically say we are giving our bees something that will cause us to get cancer.

So, do I treat my bees with anything or not.  I like the idea of organic, all natural hives, but is this practical with package bees?  Any advice on this would be greatly appreciated.

Online Michael Bush

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Re: Package Bees and Pest Control
« Reply #1 on: February 07, 2011, 03:53:08 am »
There is a wide variety of opinions.  I've never used fumigagilin nor fumidil on packages or bees in general.  I don't treat at all.  It depends on your philosophy:

http://www.bushfarms.com/beesphilosophy.htm
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Offline HBW1412

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Re: Package Bees and Pest Control
« Reply #2 on: February 07, 2011, 10:04:18 am »
I definitely have an all-natural, organic mindset.  I don't use medications for myself or my family unless it's the absolute last option.  On the other hand, I can't afford to lose these package bees and start over.  I'd have to wait another year to get package bees and that doesn't even take into account the cost. 

I really want to go organic.  I guess I'd just dump the bees into the hive and take my chances.  Oh, one more thing....

I'm building top bar hives and I purchased pure bees wax from Hobby Lobby to drizzle along the middle of each bar.  I've read that most store bought wax has chemicals and medications in it.  I've also read that the wax isn't really necessary, but it does help.  Should I not use this wax?

Thank you for your help.

Offline VolunteerK9

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Re: Package Bees and Pest Control
« Reply #3 on: February 07, 2011, 12:07:52 pm »
Save your Hobby Lobby wax for some candle making to add to the wax you are going to get from crush and strain. All your top bars need is some type of a guide i.e wooden Popsicle sticks, small strip of foundation, etc. I have some foundationless frames where I used just the wedge strip turned down at a 90 degree angle. I wish you the best in your packages. I felt like a kid waiting on Christmas waiting for my first's to arrive.

Offline BjornBee

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Re: Package Bees and Pest Control
« Reply #4 on: February 08, 2011, 08:51:26 pm »
I'd be interested in seeing any certification of testing for any wax showing no chemicals present. I have never seen that yet.

I don't use chemicals either. And I have the testing to prove my hives are clean of every chemicals associated with bee treatments. Unfortunately, my bees have a habit of going down the street and dragging in stuff like chemicals. Just have not been able to stop this from happening.

I hope you didn't spend too much on the wax.  :roll:
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Online Michael Bush

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Re: Package Bees and Pest Control
« Reply #5 on: February 09, 2011, 05:40:55 am »
Wax is a very unreliable comb guide.  A strip of wood is much more reliable at getting them in line and much more durable.  I would use the wax for candles and glue a strip of wood in the saw kerf instead of the wax.  I would not wax the wood either as the bees will attach comb better then you will attach the wax, which will make it weaker at worst, and no better at best.
My website:  bushfarms.com/bees.htm en espanol: bushfarms.com/es_bees.htm  auf deutsche: bushfarms.com/de_bees.htm  em portugues:  bushfarms.com/pt_bees.htm
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Offline AllenF

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Re: Package Bees and Pest Control
« Reply #6 on: February 09, 2011, 08:11:16 pm »
Not to change this tread, but with a product that has been linked to cancer really needs to be looked into more.   Last week as I was ripping boards on the table saw making boxes from some new wood I just acquired, I noticed that the plywood was stamped with the California cancer warning with that wood.   (and it was untreated, so the wood and saw dust has been know to the state to cause cancer.)  I just thought that was weird.

Offline HBW1412

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Re: Package Bees and Pest Control
« Reply #7 on: February 09, 2011, 08:21:46 pm »
AllenF - I think you are still on topic.  Plywood has LOTS of different chemicals in it that have been proven to cause cancer.  In fact, all manufactured wood products do.  Without those chemicals the plywood wouldn't hold together.  It's why I don't buy those pressed sawdust desks that are so often sold in furniture and discount stores across the country. 

I think you are still on topic because I have noticed some people using plywood to make their hives.  These chemicals leach out of the wood for years all the while exposing the bees and honey to these deadly chemicals.  When plywood is exposed to the sun the chemical leaching is accelerated greatly.

I don't know for sure, but I imagine most honey sold to the public is tested for the chemicals that are used to treat the bees.  I bet they aren't testing for the chemicals used in plywood, but I think if they did some would be found. 

Offline hardwood

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Re: Package Bees and Pest Control
« Reply #8 on: February 09, 2011, 08:24:20 pm »
Note to self: stop bottling your honey in those OSB jars you made. :-D

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Offline AllenF

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Re: Package Bees and Pest Control
« Reply #9 on: February 09, 2011, 08:33:51 pm »
 :lau:   Anything to save a buck.

Offline Yuleluder

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Re: Package Bees and Pest Control
« Reply #10 on: February 10, 2011, 12:49:55 am »
Not to change this tread, but with a product that has been linked to cancer really needs to be looked into more.   Last week as I was ripping boards on the table saw making boxes from some new wood I just acquired, I noticed that the plywood was stamped with the California cancer warning with that wood.   (and it was untreated, so the wood and saw dust has been know to the state to cause cancer.)  I just thought that was weird.

Have you ever been to California?  Everything in that state has that label.  It seems there isn't much the state of CA hasn't found that doesn't cause cancer.