So, we are still figuring out how this blog works.... But here are a few pictures of our honey. Below is our pure Clover/Wildflower honey.
We also have Buckwheat honey. This is a darker more robust honey.
We'll talk in detail about honey later though!
To all you new Beekeepers coming on the scene, here is a simple recipe for managing Varroa Mites, Small hive bettles and Tracheal mites. This is one of several, Essential Oil recipes that I use in order to manage the Honey Bees and keep them healthy. We DO NOT use chemical strips or harsh pesticides in on our bees to keep them healhty. Therefore, this allows us the freedom of applying Essential oils "as needed", without tanting the honey or adversly affecting the bees.
ReplyDeleteWINTERGREEN OIL VARROA
CONTROL
1.) 1 oz. WINTERGREEN OIL
2.) 16 oz .CANOLA OIL OR MINERAL OIL
MIX THE TWO INGREDIENTS WELL AND TAKE TO THE BEE YARD. DIP A COFFEE COASTER OR PAPER TOWELL INTO THE MIX NOT DRIPPING WET AND PLACE COASTER OR PAPER TOWELL OT TOP OF THE BROOD AREA. REPLACE AS NEEDED OR AFTER 10 DAYS.
Note: We have observed Wintergreen oil is an active, but it is on the inert EPA FIFRA List. Click HERE for more information about the EPA FIFRA List.
http://www.rnoel.50megs.com/2000/winter.htm
Note; I use cardboard coasters (like the ones you get a Chilis resturant, etc.) and drop them in my mix, in a 1 gallon glass jug. Remember this; a brood box that is FULL of bees, gets 1 full size disc. If it's half full, it gets 1/2 a disc, if it's only 3 frames of bees, it gets 1/4 of a disc. If less than 3 frames, I don't apply Wintergreen. Why? Too big of a disc, in relation to the size of the colony, can still kill too many bees. I learned the hard way. Without thinking, I put on a full disc, on a colony that was only about 4 frames of bees. It was a bit too much for the bees to handle and therefore, they died out on me. Their wings turned a frosty white, their bodies looked 'black-wet'.
Why bother with Essential oils, etc.? Well, it's certainly much better than all of the HARSH chemical treatments that I've seen used. The bees have to be managed, in order for them to succeed for any length of time. Essential oil management IS NOT new...it's just not the TRADITIONAL method for managing Honey bees. It's contrary...but very, very effective, when done properly. I hope I've helped some new Beekers.
Also, use NATURAL Wintergreen oil. The Synthetic W.Oil doesn't seem to work as well. Check out www.lorannoils.com for your oil needs. Tell them you're a Beekeeper and ask if you can have the Wholesale discount. They should honor your request, they have for me in the past.
see ya, ken - owner Little Creek Bee Ranch.
Hello all! Well, it's raining outside! It's September, but feels like April. Very wierd weather. So, I thought I'd share more with you.
ReplyDeleteDid you know, that we make at least 50 gallons of honey each summer? Usually it's closer to 65 gallons...all sold in Pints and half Pint jars! That's a lot of jars! We're usually sold out by November. But this year, we sold out even earlier! Therefore, we move into selling "speciality honey". In order to fill the demand for FRESH honey, towards the end of the summer, we'll market Specialty honeys; Buckwheat, Orange Blossom, or Tupelo honey. All are awesome! Many people do not know, that there are many, many different flavors of Honey. We don't make the flavors, or manipulate them in anyway. These Specialty Honeys come from out of state, from various areas of the nation.
I also suggest, when people buy from a local Beekeeper like me, that they buy their honey, for the year! If you only buy 1 jar, by the time you finish that jar off, and come back to the Beekeeper, he'll be sold out for the year! Therefore, don't treat a Beekeeper like a normal retail store. The supply of LOCAL honey will be sold out VERY fast! I have a number of customers who buy 2 dozen jars at a time! They've learned! If you want the FRESH RAW honey, get it for the year, all in one purchase. Otherwise, you'll be waiting for an entire year before you get another shot at LOCAL, FRESH, RAW honey! Once you've tasted it....you'll know what I mean. My customers come back and tell me that it doesn't taste anything like what's in the store. Great!
We don't use Pesticide strips, or harsh chemicals on our bees! We use natural Essential oils to manage the bad bugs in the hives. By doing it this way, we offer a much cleaner product, doesn't taint the honey and won't harm the bees.
I hope you can experience the wonderful taste of FRESH, RAW HONEY sometime soon. You'll find me at Farmers Market, in Claremore, on an early Saturday morning. Get there early! I set up at 5 am. Market opens at 7 am, people show up at 6:30am to get the GOOD STUFF! Located at the north end of the Expo Center parking lot, just west of the Indian Hospital. You can't miss us, we're the only people crazy enough to get up so ealry on a Saturday morning! No one else in the parking lot but the vendors!!
see ya, ken