I was in Mexico last year and published a report:
http://www.ifas.ufl.edu/~mts/apishtm/papers/MERIDA3.HTM
There was a paper given on the red light subject:
Originally published in The Speedy Bee, Vol. 27, Nos. 10-12, pp. 10-12
(October through
December), Vol.28, No. 1, pp. 12-14 (January).
Sixth Ibero-Latin American Congress and Twelfth Mexican Beekeeping
Seminar
Meets in Mérida, Yucatán, México
by
Dr. Tom Sanford
Extension Apiculturist
Africanized Honey Bees in México:
Africanized bees are now found all over México. They are considered a
problem almost everywhere
and many programs are in place to deal with these insects, as noted by
Dr. Guzmán in his paper
mentioned elsewhere in this report. One beekeeper in the state of
Tamaulipas revealed a
strategy he has used with success. Because of the extreme heat and high
degree of
Africanization, Veterinarian Héctor Lomeli reported on night time
beekeeping in the region.
After much experimentation, he found that manipulating colonies using
lights covered with red
celophane is extremely effective. This technique should be considered by
others in this region,
according to Mr. Lomeli, (so far, only four beekeepers in the area have
adopted it). In
general, colonies were not as defensive, the bees did not fly (except on
nights with full moon)
and the cooler temperatures kept combs from melting under a heavy honey
load. Manipulations can
be carried on as almost normal, once employees got used to the
conditions, except they do not
work well in finding queens. The following day colonies were reported as
being fully recovered
from previous night’s manipulations.
Tom Sanford
Date: Wed, 21 Apr 1999 22:41:30 +0100
From: Ken Hoare <[log in to unmask]>
Subject: Examinations of colonies under red light
Has anyone knowledge, or experience, of examining colonies of honey bees
under 'red light' conditions. I understand that this can be done with
very
little disturbance to the colony.
(No wife, not intending to play with them 24 hours a day, just simply
for
interest).
Ken Hoare
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