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  • Apr 28, 2009 @ 4:31 pm | delete
    This is really one interesting lens you've got here. Well done! No need to buy anabolic steroids in order to make it better - it's great already!
  • Dr._Malcolm_Sanford Apr 19, 2009 @ 11:42 am | in reply to BarryC | delete
    There are feral colonies in Florida that are not African bees; the problem is that they are not easily identifiable and so any feral colony must be presumed to AHB; the inspection service in Florida, therefore, discourages collecting feral swarms from unknown sources. Varroa mites are always an issue in any beehive; their population management is as relevant as that for bees themselves. The same for American foulbrood. This is not a good forum for questions of this nature. Please e-mail me at beeactor@apisenterprises.com Your e-mail address does not show on your messages.
  • BarryC Apr 19, 2009 @ 9:18 am | in reply to Dr._Malcolm_Sanford | delete
    Dr. Sanford,
    Not related to first inquiry, I am very distressed to having spoken to a State Bee Inspector, who said 3 things about North Florida 1.) There are no feral colonies of honeybees left in florida aside from AHB.
    2.) Foul Brood in not a issue in the State of Florida.
    3.) Neither trachial maite, and Verroa mites are a issue in the State of Florida.
    While I do not see much in the way of Honeybees working the spring flowers, a bit of a suprise to me I do see honeybees.
    I have spoken to members of North Florida Bee Association, and told that both mites are present, and require maintenance or surely issues will arise.
    I was also told, and know that American Foul Brood is present in all areas of the couintry, and is quite managiable with medication
  • Dr._Malcolm_Sanford Apr 18, 2009 @ 4:12 pm | in reply to BarryC | delete
    Barry,

    This is an interesting question. All beekeeping is local and depends on specific conditions. Honey production is more prolific in the north, bee populations are biggers, growing days are longer and so the two standard brood box system works well there. In southern areas don't expect even half as much honey as can be produced in the north on a colony. Thus, the one brood box with a shallow super(s) on top is a more reasonable choice and preferred by most beekeepers in the region. Again, that does not mean that two boxes or even a two-queen system might not work in some southern regions, but generally this is not the case. Experience is the best teacher in any case.

    Malcolm T. Sanford
  • BarryC Apr 18, 2009 @ 1:15 pm | delete
    I moved down to Florida from Upstate New York few years back, Up there rotating the brood chambers was practiced to encourage larger brood patterns as queens tend to want to go up not down by rotating the brood chambers every couple of weeks or so enourmous build-up was achieved in relatively short time, for spring and early summer nectar gathering as the fall comes on allowing the upper brood chamber to be the honey chamber for wintering the bees. Why would you not want to follow a similiar practice in the hotter southern states where the actual main honey flow seems to be from trees and they are done by mid june for the most part. lessor nectors flows from shrubs like sweet clover ( dutch clover ), and the like.. Just couriousl.
    Thanks,
    Barry
  • cloverlettings Jan 23, 2009 @ 10:12 am | delete
    my mom lives in cyprus and has been thinking about keep bees for a while I will be forwarding the info. thanks
  • Vic Levi Feb 20, 2008 @ 9:43 am | delete
    I work at the Bee Research Lab, USDA,ARS, Beltsville,MD.
    I have only been here a year. My former lab worked in making insect attractants and repellents. Needless to say, after years in a chemistry lab smelling and being around noxious chemicals, it is a pleasure to be outdoors in the warm weather, manipulating hives for research !
  • Margaret_Schaut Dec 2, 2006 @ 6:12 pm | delete
    I kept bees years ago as a beginner and enjoyed it very much. It was the bee mites that stopped mine. I would love to see some info about those mites, and about bee products, such as pollen and royal jelly and how to get them. Great site! Excellent vitae, too!
  • Dr._Malcolm_Sanford Sep 15, 2006 @ 12:52 pm | delete
    Welcome to the Apis Information Resource Center at Squidoo. Please leave a comment and rate this site. Thanks for visiting and I hope you will come back soon.

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Dr._Malcolm_Sanford

Dr. Malcolm T. Sanford is from the University of Florida. He has written about beekeeping and apicultural issues for over 30 years and continues... more »

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