Ohhh Boy.........I'm sorry.....I have not been following this post for a long time and I did not get a chance to argue with anyone. Missed out on all those political "comebacks" Dammm!
As I was reading through the posts I started to loose interest as I was approaching the end. Too much stuff...
Anywayssss...(Bless me father, for I have sinned. I have offended /you/them with the following sins).
I just wanted to say that for the past three years I have violated other peoples ideas on beekeeping. But, I like my ideas and I think that they work FOR ME. Except for one stupid beekeeper mistake all my bees have survived the winters and I haven't had a problem with moisture or diseases.
1. Yes, sugar is a chemical.
2. Yes, I would use sugar if need be, in order to save a colony if I thought it's gene pool was worth saving. When starting a
new colony I think it is ok to feed sugar in order to develop the colony. I don't believe using sugar when there is a chance
that the bees might have a chance to adulterate the honey. Don't forget that bees do move their food stores around.
3. Yes, I do extract ALL the honey at the end of the honey flow, except for honey in the brood chambers.
4. Yes, I do feed back honey to the bees during the winter if they happen to reach the top frames in the hive. I don't run a
large operation so I don't mind going though the extraction process only to return their honey when necessary. During the
winter months the hive might contain honey frames on the outside but if the bees won't go to them, that's ok...I just feed
them their own extracted honey.
5. Yes, I do mention to customers that my honey is organic. But....I also explain to them that the honey is only as organic as
the bees want to make it. All my costumers smile, give me a laugh and understand. They still want to buy my honey as
opposed to "store-bought" honey. They are happy, I am happy, my bees are happy.
gaucho10