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Happy
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We meet at the Agricultural Extension Officer at the top of Thomas Heights Road at 7PM
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September Meeting
We will meet at the Agricultural Extension Service Office at the top of Thomas Heights Road on Thursday, September 2nd at 7PM. Refreshments will be provided by Bill and Jessica Matthews.
Our guest speaker will be W. M. Hood , Professor of Entomology, from Clemson University. Dr. Hood is a nationally known expert on honeybee pests and their control. From the Clemson University web site:
Academic Background
BS Forest Management Clemson University
MS Entomology Clemson University
PhD Entomology University of Georgia
Area of Expertise Apiculture
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Minutes of the August Meeting
Bob Binnie opened the meeting by welcoming several guests.
Old business was limited to Paul Farley’s report on the Club’s display at July’s Franklin Heritage Day. The observation hive drew the interest of people of all ages. Paul gave sample tastes of honey and managed to sell some of his in the process. Thanks to Don Yurgis who helped Paul and Francye in the morning and to Paul Lathrop and Sarah Teem in the afternoon.
New business: Macon County Fair will be held Sept. 15th through the 19th. Don Yurgis got “Army Volunteered” to chair the club’s Fair Committee. The theme of this year’s fair is “Sow it, Grow it, Show it”. The committee will probably meet at the fair grounds on Mon. the fifteenth to set up the educational display. Paul Farley will assist. Members are encouraged to share their ideas and time to help the committee set up and dismantle the exhibit..
A representative from our two major Beekeeping School sponsors (Macon Farm Bureau and Carolina Farm Credit) will take turns visiting the Club at the September and November meetings to talk briefly about their businesses.
Bob Binnie’s suggestion that the Club set up a committee to pick a member annually to be named “Bee Keeper of the Year” was voted on and approved. Bob selected Vern Davis (Chairman), Tom Hill and Ron Kirkland as members of the first year’s committee. The person selected as beekeeper of the year will automatically be chairman of the committee the following year. The committee will receive nominations from Club members but will make the final selection. The award (a plaque) will be given at the December meeting.
Roberta Bright suggested the Club buy coloring books to pass out to children that view Club displays at Heritage Day and the Fair. Paul Farley said that he would check for sites on line that offer such items.
Upcoming meetings -September-Dr. Mike Hood, from Clemson University on small hive beetles. October-Tim Burrell, Club member and raiser of queen bees. November-A wine store manager who will talk about making mead (this will be offered at the same time as the wax crafting session for those interested.)
Tim Burrell who is chairman of the bee calendar project will need to meet with his committee soon.
Following the business meeting, a panel consisting of Bob Binnie, Tom Hill and John Henry answered questions from members about fall treatment, small hive beetle control, and how to get a swarm down from a high place (throw dirt up at them or spray water into the swarm were suggested.)
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Chiggers, anyone?
It seems the chigger has had as good a year as the honey bee! Local complaints of chigger “bites” have been quite plentiful. (There was plenty of leg scratching at our August meeting.) Well, if we are going to complain, maybe we should have the truth about what’s bothering us. From Wikipedia:
Trombiculid mites are found throughout the world. In Europe and North America, they tend to be more prevalent in the hot and humid parts. In the more temperate regions, they are found only in the summer (in French, harvest mites are called aoûtat, or "August" flies[12]). In the United States, they are found mostly in the southeast, the south, and the Midwest.
Life cycle: The length of the mite's cycle depends on species and environment, but normally last 2 to 12 months (but may be longer). The number of cycles in a year depends on the region. For example, in a temperate region, there might only be 3 a year, but in tropical regions, the cycle might be continuous all year long. Adult harvest mites overwinter in protected places such as slightly below the soil. Females become active in the spring, and once the ground temperature is regularly above 60 °F (16 °C), she lays eggs, up to 15 eggs per day in vegetation when soil temperatures are 60 °F (16 °C). Therefore, from April through early autumn up until the first frost, humans are susceptible to chigger bites. The larvae congregate in groups on small clods of earth, in matted vegetation and even on low bushes and plants, where they have more access to a prospective host. The eggs are dormant for about six days, after which the non-feeding pre-larvae emerge, with only three pairs of legs. After about six days, the pre-larva grows into its larval stage
The larvae, commonly called chigger, are about 0.17–0.21 mm (0.007–0.008 in) in diameter, normally light red, covered in hairs, and move quickly relative to size. There is a marked constriction in the front part of the body in the nymph and adult stage. The eggs are round in shape.Chigger is also an alternate term for the chigoe flea (Tunga penetrans), a sand flea found in tropical and subtropical climates in the Americas and Africa.
The name chigger originated as a corruption of chigoe. Also called scrub mite, red bugs and several other names, they are found throughout temperate and tropical zones. Chiggers come in 3 stages: the deutovum, unfed larva, and engorged larva. Once in the egg developing, the larvae enclosed in a membrane in addition to the eggshell, are called deutovum. After hatching, the unfed larvae migrate to the highest area and wait for a host.
The larval stage is the only parasitic stage of the mite's life cycle. They are parasites to many animals. About 30 of the many species in this family, in their larval stage, attach to various animals, including amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals, and feed on skin. This often causes an intensely itchy red bump in humans (who are accidental hosts).[7][17]
Chiggers attach to the host, pierce the skin, inject enzymes into the bite wound that digest cellular contents, and then suck up the digested tissue through a tube formed by hardened skin cells called a stylostome. They do not burrow into the skin or suck blood, as is commonly assumed. Itching from a chigger bite may not develop until 24–48 hours after the bite, so the victim may not associate the specific exposure with the bite itself. The red welt/bump on the skin is not where a chigger laid eggs, as is sometimes believed. The larva remains attached to a suitable host for 3 to 5 days before dropping off to begin its nymph stage.
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The Otto Bee Report
Our thymol treatments were concluded on August 20 th. The colonies varied in their response - some removed all the thymol mixture while others removed as little as half. A couple of colonies surrounded the treatment with propolis thus
walling it off. On a calm morning the entire bee yard smelled of thymol.
We were surprised by a large swarm on August 25 th. This meant that a colony had produced a queen during the thymol treatment period. I guess the new queen will be either very strong or deformed. Maybe she will just smell bad! We are hoping that there were still enough drones available to fertilize the new queen.
(Otto Bee Report continues:)
We are now feeding sugar solution to all colonies, helping to build them up for winter. A dose of Fumidil B was dissolved into the second gallon of feed, and was accepted by all colonies.
Whatever your choice of methods, the time in which you can help your bees survive the coming winter will soon end. Once the weather turns cool it is very difficult to build up the population in a colony.
/Tom Hill
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Thymol Treatment Recipe
Ingredients
100 grams Thymol crystals (handle with care - avoid skin contact)
200 grams PURA or other pure vegetable fat (no additives, preservatives or emulsifiers)
700 grams Castor Sugar
(sufficient for about 12 colonies)
Instructions
Melt the PURA in a saucepan and allow it to cool until warm to the touch. Put the castor sugar into a plastic container and thoroughly mix in the Thymol crystals until all lumps are broken down. Add the sugar/Thymol mixture to the melted Pura and mix thoroughly until the mixture is the consistency of a paste. If well sealed the mixture may be stored in the bottom of a refrigerator for up to 12 months.
Usage
On a piece of grease-proof paper about 10cm x 15cm spread the mixture so that it is about 5mm thick and place on top of the brood frames. The Crown board should allow a bee space above the paste. All ventilation should be closed except an entrance. The ambient temperature needs to be above about 15°C unless the hive is insulated.
NOTE: As you may have guessed, this recipe is from England. US law may make such homemade treatment illegal. The properly mixed thymol has a consistency resembling that of a soft cake frosting. Thymol, the major component of Apilife VAR and Apiguard is found in the herbs thyme, oregano and basil - from Bee Culture Magazine, July 2004 issue. Thymol is also an ingredient in some mouthwash and toothpaste products.
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Hello everyone!
I just wanted to give you an official invitation to our next beekeepers potluck dinner!
Beekeeping Pot Luck Dinner
This year we will hold it dry and inside in room 234 of the Jackson Community Service building (Extension Center) on Thursday September 9th starting at 7:00 p.m. The Association will provide silverware plates and drinks. We need you to bring hot dishes, cold dishes, breads, desserts, meats, vegetarian food, appetizers etc... be creative and don't forget the chocolate my favorite! For ideas or to let me know what desire to bring... contact Christy at 828 586 4009.
For those of you who are musically inclined.... feel free to bring your guitar, banjo etc... beekeepers, spouses, children all are welcome!
Directions:
The Jackson Extension Center- Take exit 85 from the highway. Turn right at the stop sign and head toward town. At the 1st stoplight turn right on Hospital road. Follow Hospital road all the way down past the hospital until you reach the corner of Scotts Creek road. and Hospital road. Look for the Jackson Community Service Center building on the right. The bee meeting will be held on the 2nd floor in room 234 of the Extension Center.
Mountain Heritage Day at WCU at http://www.wcu.edu/12743.asp
On another front, Saturday September 25th is the annual Mountain Heritage Festival. This year, emphasis will be on beekeeping with a beekeeping education booth, judging honey and a contest for the "Best In the West" honey recipe contest.
Honey can be entered at the Mountain Heritage Center at WCU on September 20, from 7:30 - 5:00 p.m. Best in the West honey recipe contest entries should be brought to the Heritage Center on September 24 from 7:20 - 12:30 p.m. Winners will be announced on Mountain Heritage Day. If you would like to look at the rules and enter either your honey or recipes.. then go to website http://www.wcu.edu/WebFiles/PDFs/MHC_2010MHDfoodrules.pdf
Directions to the Mountain Heritage Festival
http://www.wcu.edu/545.asp
For Information Call 828-227-7129 or E-mail kproyar@email.wcu.edu
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Thanks to our Sponsors:
Macon Bank
Carolina Farm Credit
Lowes Building Supplies
Macon County Farm Bureau
K&M Products of North Carolina
Bee Prepared - Health and Other General Information
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