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View a slide show of our Honey Bee Appreciation Day

on the 'photos' page.

Apimondia's

International Conference on Beekeeping Development & Honey Marketing

to take place in Hanoi, Vietnam,

Oct. 30 - Nov. 1, 2010

Want to learn more? Check the website HERE

Click Here to access the registration form.

Need an extractor?

Is this your first year harvesting a honey crop? If you are a member of L.V.B.A. you can rent the club extractor for a nominal fee and extract your honey harvest without the expense of buying one. To reserve a time slot contact our Vice President, Bob Milot at: 610-285-6217

Bear spotted on LCCC campus!

At 3:15 pm this afternoon (June 14th) I received a call from the assistant supervisor of grounds security at L.C.C.C. notifying me a bear was spotted on the campus. He told me that he drove back to our apiary and checked on the hives and they were all still standing and there were bees flying.

It is believed this is the same bear that was in the news, being spotted from Fogelsville to Schnecksville. The supervisor went on to tell me he spoke to the game commission about the sighting. When I asked him if they (game commission) planned on trapping and relocating the bear he explained to me the statement from the game commission was they will not trap the bear until he proves to be a problem. He (game commission) went on to say the bear has as much right to roam the area as the deer and the turkey that are in the nearby wooded areas.

First Beehives from Biblical Israel discovered!

Archaeologists find remains of Honey Bees from 3,000 years ago!

Read the complete story here

Nature's Corner

June 7th - Update!

Check out Ron's update on his

"Nature's Corner" page.

Microbial Team May Be

Culprit in Colony Collapse Disorder

SAN DIEGO, CA – May 25, 2010 -- New research from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has identified a new potential cause for "Colony Collapse Disorder" in honey bees. A group of pathogens including a fungus and family of viruses may be working together to cause the decline. Scientists reported their results yesterday at the 110th General Meeting of the American Society for Microbiology in San Diego.
   "There might be a synergism between two very different pathogens," says Jay Evans of the USDA Agricultural Research Service, a researcher on the study. "When they show up together there is a significant correlation with colony decline."
   Beginning in October 2006, some beekeepers began reporting losses of 30-90 percent of their hives. Although colony losses are not unexpected during winter weather, the magnitude of loss suffered by some beekeepers was highly unusual.
   "Domesticated honey bees face numerous pests and pathogens, tempting hypotheses that colony collapses arise from exposure to new or resurgent pathogens," says Evans.
   To better understand the cause of these collapses, in early 2007 Evans and his colleagues collected bees from both healthy and declining colonies across the country, but primarily from California and Florida where most of the commercial pollination activity takes place. They have screened these samples and similar samples from each year since then for both known and novel pathogens.
   They found a slightly higher incidence of a fungal pathogen known as Nosema ceranae in sick colonies, but it was not statistically significant until they began pairing it with other pathogens.
   "Levels of the fungus were slightly higher in sick colonies, but the presence of that fungus and 2 or 3 RNA viruses from the family Dicistroviridae is a pretty strong predictor of collapse," says Evans.
   Nosema is transferred between bees via the fecal-oral route. When a bee initially ingests the microbes and they get to the mid-gut, they harpoon themselves into the gut wall and live inside the epithelial cells there. Evans believes that the slightly higher numbers of the fungus somehow compromise the gut wall and allow the viruses to overwhelm the bees. In colonies with higher Nosema numbers they found virus levels to be 2-3 times greater than healthy colonies.
   While this is a working theory and they are still in the discovery phase looking for new pathogens, Evans and his colleagues are also actively looking for a way to boost bee defenses against Nosema.
   "A way to protect against Nosema might be the key for now," says Evans.
   A live interview with Jay Evans was webcast May 25, 2010, over the ASM Live uStream channel HERE

Check out our summer recipes on our recipe page!

Nature's Corner

May 15th - Update!

Check out Ron's update on his

"Nature's Corner" page.

Summer Beekeeping Course

at Del-Val College

Delaware Valley College will present the annual summer Beekeeping short-course July 16, 17 and 18 (9 am to 4 pm, daily). This course is suitable for beginners and as a refresher course for more experienced beekeeper. This three day course will combine lectures with hands on experience in our bee yard.

Topics to be covered include honey bee biology, communication (dance language and pheromones), beekeeping equipment, how to obtain and hive bees, how bees make honey, important nectar plants, harvesting and processing honey. Additional topics will include summer splits, spring, summer and fall management techniques and over-wintering nucs.

The course will be offered by Dr. Vincent Aloyo, a beekeeper with over 40 years of experience and Dr. Christopher Tipping, Assistant professor of Biology. The cost of the three day course is $160.

To register and for more information contact the Department of Continuing Education at Delaware Valley College.

Phone: 215-489-4848, Fax: 215-345-1599
Email: ContEd@delval.edu.

Check their website: HERE

Help Re-instate the

Boy Scout Beekeeping

Merit Badge!

Show your support by signing a proposal. Christopher Stowell, a Boy Scout in Troop 250, Skiatook, OK, needs our help! He's submitting a proposal to the National Boy Scout Council to reinstate the Beekeeping merit badge (discontinued in 1995) encouraging more young people to become beekeepers. Go to the site and learn more HERE.

PA. Dept. of Ag. to hire

Six Apiary Inspectors!

In a letter released April 5th, Sec. Russell C. Redding announced: "By combining state funds from the department's budget with federal grant dollars we will be able to keep the inspeciton program viable".

They go on to say: "With the addition of these inspectors we will work to visit each colony in PA. throughout the active bee season".

Nature's Corner

April 5th - Update!

Check out Ron's update on his "Nature's Corner" page.

Feds raid Beehive Botanicals

Last week, federal agents have raided Beehive Botanicals Inc., a Hayward, Wisconsin manufacturer of various consumer health products. U.S. Marshals confiscated throat spray, creams, tablets, gun, etc. from the company.

The U.S. attorney's office for western Wisconsin filed a complaint March 25th alleging the products are misbranded & unapproved, and violating the federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act.

To read the whole story log onto the StarTribune.com website HERE.

Hive Equipment

Sterilization

A Regional Gamma Irradiation Program for PA Beekeepers

A notice from Mark Antunes...

If you plan to irradiate your American Foul Brood (AFB) infected or potentially infected equipment in the future please contact me at: honeyhillfarm@verizon.net or call me at: Hm. Ph: 215-257-7121, Cell: 484-955-0768 to make arrangements. Please see document HERE to learn all of the details about Gamma Irradiation, preparation of equipment and costs.

Worst U.S. Honey Crop Ever, According to Bee Culture!

2009 was a terrible year to be in the honey business. Bee Culture’s unofficial poll last fall came up with a crop estimate of 119 million pounds, produced by 2,223,000 colonies.

Honey stocks left over from 2008 plus imports during 2009 totaled 248,571,251 pounds, and when you subtract the honey that beekeepers exported – 28,924,255 pounds, the final figure gives a nice picture of how much honey was used in the U.S. overall during 2009. That total figure is 363,754,996 pounds. If you divide that total figure by the average U.S. population for 2009, you get per capita consumption, which is, for 2009 - .903 pounds, or right about 14.5 ounces. Did you eat your pound of honey last year?

U.S. Honey Production down 12%

A new report released February 26, 2010, by the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), Agricultural Statistics Board, U.S. Department of Agriculture, shows that honey production in 2009 from producers with five or more colonies totaled 144 million pounds, down 12 percent from 2008. There were 2.46 million colonies producing honey in 2009, up 5 percent from 2008. Read the full report HERE.

Nature's Corner
Aug. 30th - Update!
Read Ron's latest insights...
on his Nature's Corner page.

Is Honey Kosher?

Click here to read the complete story.

WEST VIRGINIA PASSES BEEKEEPER IMMUNITY LAW

West Virginia has become the first state in the nation to pass a law giving beekeepers immunity from liability for ordinary negligence. This law came about as a result of strong support by the leadership of both the House and Senate. We are fortunate to have a State Senate President, Earl Ray Tomblin, whose father is a beekeeper. Additionally, House Speaker Richard Thompson was raised by a grandfather who was a beekeeper. Finally, it helped that the honey bee is the state insect!

The law requires that beekeepers register their hives. It also mandates the WV Department of Agriculture to promulgate Best Management Practices for beekeepers. All beekeepers who abide by these two provisions will have absolute civil immunity from ordinary negligence. The Department is working on a set of emergency rules they hope will be in effect soon. Governor Joe Manchin signed the bill into law the first of April making this the first state to protect its beekeeping industry. (Courtesy of Russ Dean, Dean's Apiary)

A BILL to amend and reenact §19-13-4 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to limiting the liability of apiary owners and operators.
Be it enacted by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That §19-13-4 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, be amended and reenacted to read as follows:
ARTICLE 13. INSPECTION AND PROTECTION OF AGRICULTURE.
§19-13-4. Registration of bees; identification of apiaries.
(a) All persons keeping bees in this state shall apply for a certificate of registration for beekeeping from the commissioner, within ten days of the date that bees are acquired, by notifying the commissioner, in writing, of the number and location of colonies they own or rent, or which they keep for someone else, whether the bees are located on their own property or someone else's property. All apiary certificates of registration expire on December 31, of each year and must be renewed annually.
(b) All persons owning or operating an apiary which is not located on their own property must post the name and address of the owner or operator in a conspicuous place in the apiary.
(c) A person who:
(1) owns and operates an apiary;
(2) is registered with the Commissioner; and
(3)operates the apiary in good faith, in a reasonable manner and in conformance with best management practices, is not liable for any personal injury or property damage that occurs in connection with the keeping and maintaining of bees, bee equipment, queen breeding equipment, apiaries and appliances.

"1.3 Million Honey Bees arrive at L.V.B.A. Apiary site"

On the morning of April 30th Steve and Bill left for Georgia to pick up a load of packaged bees. After we did our trial layout with empty packages to see exactly how many we could fit in the van we both felt better about the trip. The advantage of using the mini-van was it had

air-conditioning throughout the length of the interior, a plus to help keep the bees cool. As you know each package contains 3 lbs. of bees (10,500) and there are always some"extras" hanging on the outside of each package. We figure with the "extras" hanging on each package we had about another 1,375 bees flying around the interior of the van which we let out our windows along I-95 long before we entered PA. With all of these extra bees flying around in the van with us during our 13.5 hour trip, we arrived home on May 2nd and only received one sting! To view the photos of our trip to pickup the packages click here.

Judge Upholds Ban of Spirotetramat

This JUST IN From The Pittsburgh Tirbune-Review,

Sat., March 13, 2010

A federal appeals court refused to delay a ban on the sale of a pesticide that some environmental groups claim is killing honeybees.

The decision prevents Bayer CropScience, from selling its pesticide, Spirotetramat, while the company appeals a lower court ruling that halted sales.

"Bayer has demonstrated neither that it will suffer irreparable injury absent a stay, nor that it has a substantial possibility of success on the merits of its appeal," U.S. District Judge Kimba Wood and U.S. Circuit Judge Joseph McLaughlin said in the ruling this week.

Reed the whole story HERE

Honorary Life Membership Award

At our January 2010 meeting outgoing President Jeff Barndt presented Bill and Carol Mondjack with an Honorary Life Membership Award. Bill & Carol have been members of the Lehigh Valley Beekeepers Association for 30 yrs. Bill has served numorous terms as President of L.V.B.A. and Vice President, he has created and written it's newsletter for the past 17 yrs., Carol has served as Corresponding Secretary. In 1998 Bill received his Master Beekeeper certification from the Eastern Apicultural Society of North America, at which time was also listed as a Life Member.

L to R: 2010 Pres. Pete Thomson, 2009 Pres. Jeff Barndt and Bill Mondjack

Bill Mondjack & V. Pres. Bob Milot

Honey Labeling Regulations, Info & Tips

Are you thinking of selling your honey? Do you have a label? Does it have all of the information that is requred? You can find the information you need to know about labeling Honey HERE

National Honey Board

The National Honey Board has much to offer beekeepers. Do you market your own Honey by selling at farmers markets or craft shows where you actually meet the customers face to face? If this is the case you can purchase some great marketing items from the NHB. You can download their catalog HERE

60 Minutes

Why are the Honey Bees Disappearing?

This 60 Minutes production is a few years old but not too old to watch again. To view Part 1 of the 60 minutes video on YouTube click HERE continue to view Part 2 HERE

Silence of the Bees

If you haven't viewed this production that was aired in the winter of 2006 or if you would like to view it again you can watch it on your computer now by clicking HERE

If you are a grower of Bee pollinated Crops

If you are a grower of Bee pollinated crops and rent Honey Bees for their service PLEASE click HERE to read "Protecting Honey Bees from Chemical Pesticides" published by: Maryann Frazier, Senior Extension Associate, Penn State.

Ear Candles: Risk of Serious Injuries

I know some beekeepers and Homeopathic practitioners will object to this posting BUT it is worth your time to read the PDF HERE

Website Comments!

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"I think your website looks Great! Keep up the good work."... Mark Antunes

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"Very impressed. It looks GREAT! Best of luck with it's acceptance."... Joe Ridgway

"Wow! What a nice website. It will be very helpful. I'll refer to it often!"... Diane Funke

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HAS - 2010

The Heartland Apiculture Society (HAS) annual conference will be held July 8 - 10, 2010 at Tennessee Technological University in Cookeville, TN. For information contact the HAS President, Jim Garrison at jimg1850@live.com or go to the HAS website at: www.heartlandbees.com

Eastern Apicultural Society

This years EAS conference will take place in Boone, N. Carolina. EAS 2010 will run from August 2nd through the 6th. An EAS event consists of a short course and a conference. The short course will run from Monday through Wednesday with the conference & short course overlapping Wednesday. The conference runs from Wednesday through Friday.

You must be a member of EAS to participate in the short course, conference, or other activities. Annual membership dues for individual OR family are $25.00 Dues may be paid with your EAS registration or directly to the treasurer. You may download a membership form HERE Go to the EAS website and learn more about EAS events to include Master Beekeeper testing at this LINK

Big Win for Bees: Judge Pulls Pesticide

Bee-Toxic Movento Pulled from Market for Proper Evaluation.

A pesticide that could be dangerously toxic to America’s honey bees must be pulled from store shelves as a result of a suit filed by the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) and the Xerces Society. In an order issued last week, a federal court in New York invalidated EPA’s approval of the pesticide spirotetramat (manufactured by Bayer CropScience under the trade names Movento and Ultor) and ordered the agency to reevaluate the chemical in compliance with the law. The court’s order goes into effect on January 15, 2010, and makes future sales of Movento illegal in the United States.

Reed full story HERE For more information on threats to honey bees at www.BeeSafe.org.

Observation Bee Hive

The Lehigh Valley Beekeepers Assoc. maintains an observation bee hive at the Wildlands Conservancy, 3701 Orchid Place, Emmaus, PA.

In the photo at right, L.V.B.A. 2010 V. Pres., Bob Milot, explains the inner workings of the ob-hive.

The photo at right was taken at the Wildlands Conservancy during our Honey Bee Awareness day. For more photos of the event go to: N.H.B.A.D.

To go directly to the National Honey Bee Awareness Day site click on the photo below.

Lehigh Valley Beekeepers Assoc.

"Helping Beekeepers in the Lehigh Valley since 1921"