At 08:06 PM 10/23/2009, you wrote:
>Mike thats quite the photo there.....what kinds of lines have you 
>worked with over the years that are represented in your apiary?

I always used the same as everyone...Italian, Starline, Buckfast, 
etc. In the 80s when Trachael was at it's worst, I incorporated lots 
of Buckfast as they were so resistant. But I didn't like the Chalk 
problems I found with that stock. Then introduced hygienic Carnis. 
Took care of most of the Chalk symptoms, but I didn't like the 
patterns. I think the somewhat spotty brood pattern was actually a 
result of the hygienic behavior. The bees dragged out pupae, and 
queen relayed. So, brood was of all different ages.
Some colonies never showed this pattern or Chalk symptoms. I'm 
thinking that there are hygienic bees and resistant bees. I want the 
later, with the hygienic trait as a backup...if you will.

The bees I got from the above mix...allowing good supercedure queens 
to remain...really improved my bees. Then, selecting breeders from 
that mix that had a minimum of 9 frames of brood at Dandelion 
equalized my stock. My bees went from the usual...some strong, some 
not...some tall some short, etc, etc...to most colonies having that 
minimum of 9.

The last 6 years I've been introducing VSH bees into the mix as my 
original stock had little resistance to Varroa. Seeing some good bees 
right now...still need treatments, but they're gaining. My next line 
of interest would be in grooming behavior. Something from Purdue 
perhaps? Is Crispin on this list?


>Also I wanted to add a comment that I have had better luck with 15# 
>felt then plastic for wrapping for moisture control here in central 
>MN. But felt is hard to reuse as it cracks and when wrapping 4 hives 
>the felt is not wide enough at 36".

Not sure what you mean here....wrapping 4 hives on a pallet, or 
colonies with 4 deeps? For the latter, you don't need to cover all 4 
boxes with felt paper. Only the top two or two and a half. My wraps 
aren't 36" wide. Cut the felt paper about 78" long, and fold the top 
edge of felt back upon itself about 6 or 8". Place the wrap around 
the hive, with the top edge halfway up on the foam sheet, snug up, 
and staple. Also staple at top entrance. In spring, pop the staples 
with your hive tool, take the felt off, lay flat, and fold along the 
creases made by the corners of the hive. Store in dry place. The 
wraps last for years.

Wrap:

http://s241.photobucket.com/albums/ff61/frenchhill/?action=view&current=DSC_0588.jpg

Materials:

http://s241.photobucket.com/albums/ff61/frenchhill/?action=view&current=DSC_0596.jpg

Hive ready to wrap:

http://s241.photobucket.com/albums/ff61/frenchhill/?action=view&current=DSC_0625.jpg

Wrapped and ready for winter:

http://s241.photobucket.com/albums/ff61/frenchhill/?action=view&current=DSC_0640.jpg


This should answer the questions I've been receiving.
Mike

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