Killer bees are calming down
https://ift.tt/2J3LpPW
The gentling of “Africanized” bees in Mexico bodes well for beekeeping in the southern U.S.
Message: We are going to do some math and play a little game..... My city is 40 square miles. It is estimated that there are 10-12 feral colonies per square mile in SoCal. That means there are at least 400 feral colonies in my city alone. It is also estimated that 70% - 90% of SoCal bees are "Africanized". That means that there are at least 280 Africanized colonies in my city. If Africanized bees were truly evil, then shouldn't I hear of attacks almost daily? I relocate AHB every day. I spend 4-12 hours a day with AHB. They are not lap dogs, but 99.9 percent of them are manageable. In my years of doing this every day, I have only come across one colony I thought deserved putting down (they were massive and in a huge wood pile) and I have requeened another. I have 6 feisty colonies that are surviving the harshest of environments and are helping restore desert native plants in the area. I am thankful for them. The rest of my colonies are just right for their space. That being the case, because of the slight risk, I only give swarms to students that: * Go to my classes (I have another round coming up on June 30th) * Go through mentoring with an AHB specialist * Follow up with me for the life of that colony * Are willing to surrender them if they are overly defensive for their space. I am not selling swarms at Farmer's Markets or to anyone that just wants bees. A mentor specializing in AHB should teach you to: * Have several smokers going when doing anything invasive * Wear several layers of gloves, a full suit, boots, and clothes underneath the suit * Duct tape every possible entrance * Have a spray bottle with water to just the airborne bees * Keep them covered at all times, even when separating boxes * Work calmly, steady, and with a purpose * Yardwork must be done with a scheduled closure * Requeen and split into small nucs * Do not wear anything fragranced There are many more points. Our feral AHB are adapted to our microclimates and withstand stressors, including mites, better than their bred counterparts. When you are prepared and that colony is as sweet as can be, it is the perfect moment. My AHB bees are being managed all throughout the Inland Empire. I know a few people that need a new mentor because the mentor riles up the bees. Now, for the new beeks, experienced omment in this thread to share what NOT to do, mistakes you have learned from, or good tips on handling our feral survivor bees. "The bees are gentler than they used to be. Not exactly kittens, but they’re manageable."
https://ift.tt/2J3LpPW
The gentling of “Africanized” bees in Mexico bodes well for beekeeping in the southern U.S.
Message: We are going to do some math and play a little game..... My city is 40 square miles. It is estimated that there are 10-12 feral colonies per square mile in SoCal. That means there are at least 400 feral colonies in my city alone. It is also estimated that 70% - 90% of SoCal bees are "Africanized". That means that there are at least 280 Africanized colonies in my city. If Africanized bees were truly evil, then shouldn't I hear of attacks almost daily? I relocate AHB every day. I spend 4-12 hours a day with AHB. They are not lap dogs, but 99.9 percent of them are manageable. In my years of doing this every day, I have only come across one colony I thought deserved putting down (they were massive and in a huge wood pile) and I have requeened another. I have 6 feisty colonies that are surviving the harshest of environments and are helping restore desert native plants in the area. I am thankful for them. The rest of my colonies are just right for their space. That being the case, because of the slight risk, I only give swarms to students that: * Go to my classes (I have another round coming up on June 30th) * Go through mentoring with an AHB specialist * Follow up with me for the life of that colony * Are willing to surrender them if they are overly defensive for their space. I am not selling swarms at Farmer's Markets or to anyone that just wants bees. A mentor specializing in AHB should teach you to: * Have several smokers going when doing anything invasive * Wear several layers of gloves, a full suit, boots, and clothes underneath the suit * Duct tape every possible entrance * Have a spray bottle with water to just the airborne bees * Keep them covered at all times, even when separating boxes * Work calmly, steady, and with a purpose * Yardwork must be done with a scheduled closure * Requeen and split into small nucs * Do not wear anything fragranced There are many more points. Our feral AHB are adapted to our microclimates and withstand stressors, including mites, better than their bred counterparts. When you are prepared and that colony is as sweet as can be, it is the perfect moment. My AHB bees are being managed all throughout the Inland Empire. I know a few people that need a new mentor because the mentor riles up the bees. Now, for the new beeks, experienced omment in this thread to share what NOT to do, mistakes you have learned from, or good tips on handling our feral survivor bees. "The bees are gentler than they used to be. Not exactly kittens, but they’re manageable."
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