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The Bee Book

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The Bee Book TABLE OF CONTENTS THE HONEY BEE .................................................................................................... 1 Introduction ............................................................................................................................ 1 Scientific Classification ........................................................................................................... 1 Anatomy ................................................................................................................................. 2 The Colony ............................................................................................................................. 4 Seasons ................................................................................................................................. 8 Communications ..................................................................................................................... 8 Production .............................................................................................................................. 9 Quick Review – Chapter 1 .....................................................................................................10 SELECTING HONEY BEES ....................................................................................11 Honey Bee Species ...............................................................................................................11 Popular Subspecies for Beekeepers ......................................................................................11 Subspecies – Making Your Selection ....................................................................................11 Colony Personality.................................................................................................................11 Obtaining Bees ......................................................................................................................12 Quick Review – Chapter 2 .....................................................................................................15 SELECTING EQUIPMENT ......................................................................................16 Hives, In General ...................................................................................................................16 Hive Types ............................................................................................................................16 Tools Of the Trade.................................................................................................................20 What To Wear .......................................................................................................................21 Quick Review – Chapter 3 .....................................................................................................22 THE APIARY ...........................................................................................................23 Beekeeper Needs ..................................................................................................................23 Honey Bee Needs .................................................................................................................26 Forage ...................................................................................................................................28 Hive Arrangement .................................................................................................................28 Decorating Hives ...................................................................................................................29 Moving Hives .........................................................................................................................29 Quick Review – Chapter 4 .....................................................................................................29 PESTS, PARASITES & PATHOGENS ....................................................................30 i | P a g e How To Identify a Sick Colony ...............................................................................................30 The Perfect Storm – Colony Collapse Disorder .....................................................................31 Varroa Mites ..........................................................................................................................32 Sampling and Monitoring Infestation Levels ..........................................................................33 Varroa mite treatments: Chemical Control .............................................................................35 THE GREAT CONTROVERSY..............................................................................................36 Tracheal Mites .......................................................................................................................36 Viruses ..................................................................................................................................37 Bacterial Diseases .................................................................................................................39 Diagnostic Assistance For Bee Diseases ..............................................................................41 Quick Review – Chapter 5 .....................................................................................................43 PESTS: The Two-, Four- and Six-Legged Varieties .................................................44 Two-Legged Pests.................................................................................................................44 Four-Legged Pests ................................................................................................................45 Six-Legged pests ...................................................................................................................46 Quick Review – Chapter 6 .....................................................................................................49 SPRING ..................................................................................................................50 Apiary Start-Up ......................................................................................................................50 Over-Wintered Bees ..............................................................................................................50 Feeding .................................................................................................................................51 Feeders .................................................................................................................................51 New Bees ..............................................................................................................................52 Hiving ....................................................................................................................................52 Maintaining A Balance ...........................................................................................................54 Combining Weak and Strong Colonies ..................................................................................54 Managing a Strong Colony ....................................................................................................55 Quick Review – Chapter 7 .....................................................................................................57 SUMMER ................................................................................................................58 Integrated Pest Management (IPM) .......................................................................................58 Colony Behavior ....................................................................................................................59 Queens ..................................................................................................................................60 Swarms .................................................................................................................................60 Supersedure, Emergency Queens, and Hopelessly Queenless .............................................62 ii | P a g e Dearth ...................................................................................................................................62 ..............................................................................................................................................63 Honey Harvest .......................................................................................................................63 Quick Review – Chapter 8 .....................................................................................................68 FALL ........................................................................................................................69 Hives In Fall...........................................................................................................................69 Quick Review Chapter 9 ........................................................................................................72 Winter ....................................................................................................................73 Clusters .................................................................................................................................73 Winter Care ...........................................................................................................................73
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