Organic Beekeeping Newsletter

Spring 2001: Improved Syrups and Appalachian Old-time Wisdom

We are all preparing for spring after a very harsh winter. Our syrup feeding began to increase a few weeks ago. As the temperatures warm, we will change the ratio to be a less concentrated solution. This thinner syrup encourages the queen to lay more eggs.

Improved Wintergreen syrup (as 1:1 Water:Sugar ratio)

Ingredients:
  • 10 pints water
  • 10 lbs sugar
  • 60 drops Wintergreen essential oil
  • 1/2 teaspoon lecithin (we use granules)
Boil the 10 pints of water
  1. Remove 1/2-1 cup of boiling water and place it in 1 pint jar.
  2. Add the lecithin and shake well to mix and dissolve lecithin
  3. Add 60 drops of Wintergreen oil and shake well again
  1. Remove boiled water from burner
  2. To the remaining, nearly 10 pints of water, add the sugar and stir well until dissolved
  3. After the sugar is dissolved, add the Wintergreen oil and lecithin emulsion
  4. Cool and place in glass jars for feeding bees
As we move further into spring, this mixture will contain a higher ratio of water. The most dilute being a 2:1 (water:sugar) solution. This will be fed until the bees lose interest (normally soon after the first nectar flow begins).

For those who prefer not to go through the effort for the above solution, here is an alternative:

HONEY-B-HEALTHY ®, is an emulsified solution of specially blended essential oils
* HONEY-B-HEALTHY ® FEEDING STIMULANT WITH ESSENTIAL OILS
Helps promote healthy vigorous hives by adding a little essence of nature. Makes up to 12 gallons of solution at one teaspoon (5ml) per quart of 1:1 sucrose or fructose solution. Use as a feeding stimulant for late winter, early spring, and during dearths of nectar. Also, add to your feeding mix to help build up packages, nucs and swarms.
Pint bottles available for $12.95 + $3.95 S&H. Personal Checks Accepted by distributors listed. For further information on concentrate please call.
Honey-B-Products

12513 Evitts Creek Dr.
Cumberland, MD 21502
Phone (301) 722-8467
Md. Res. Add 5% Sales Tax 		Honey-B-Products
7641 W. Hickory Creek Dr.
Frankfort, Illinois 60423
Phone: (815) 469-4196
Ill. Res. Add 7 1/2 % Sales Tax

The Salt of the Earth: Bringing the Salt to the Bees

Salt pattie recipe from Bob Noel

We have been recently blending the salt in a blender making it like a powder mixing 4oz (1/4 cup) of this with 4lbs of granulated sugar, then sprinkling 3Tbls (45cc) of wintergreen in the mix. Mix these three ingredients together. Then add the 1/2lb of honey and 1-1/2lb hydrogenated vegetable oil (Crisco) and mix well. If too thick add a little honey, if too thin add a little more sugar.
Thank you, Bob!

Appalachian Old-timer Wisdom: Both quaint and qualified

  • A "nasty" hive will calm when salt is sprinkled at the entrance (old-timer 40 years experience with this one).
  • Salt sprinkled around the hive and across the entrance will keep mites out of the hive
  • A "sweet potater" cut in half and laid across the top of the cluster in the brood chamber will help prevent starvation in the winter. The bees use it for bread in the winter.

Until next time, peace and bee well

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Past Newsletters:
Fall 2000
Spring 2000
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