“HONEY BEE HEALTHY”

Okay everyone…here is a reall money saver and it is not too hard to make. These essential oils are vital to maintaining a really healthy hive when when we are feeding. I have a good friend who sells very high quality essential oils and I plan to order mine through her in the future. If you are interested in ordering I can put you in touch with her.

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 15 minutes

Yield: 2 quarts

“Honey Bee Healthy”

Ingredients

5 cups water
2 1/2 pounds of sugar
1/8 teaspoon lecithin granules (used as an emulsifier)
15 drops spearmint oil
15 drops lemongrass oil
Instructions

Bring the water to a boil and integrate the sugar until dissolved.
Once the sugar is dissolved, remove the mixture from the heat and quickly add the lecithin and the essential oils.
Stir until everything is evenly distributed. This solution should have a strong scent and not be left open around bees. Cool before using.

Notes: A resource for some of the ingredients:

LorAnn Oils, 4518 Aurelius Road, P.O. Box 22009, Lansing, Michigan 48909 (517) 882-0215, 1-800-248-1302, fax (517) 882-0507, E-mail customercare@lorannoils.com.

Our Apiary was honored to have a visit from Alan Thompson, president of the GCBA (Gaston County Bee Association).  He was very pleased with what we are doing and is looking to find ways the GCBA may help us and be involved in our educational efforts.  For the short term, we will now be recognized by this association and we can recognize our Apiary as part of the instructional effort of the GCBA.  This is exciting news as we continue to move forward with our “hands on” instructional bee school.

I also learned we do not need to worry about Nosema in our hives as his inspection determined that we are good.  This combined with the fact that all hives experience this to a degree, but good old sunshine and warm days are the best cure for it.

More good news is the essential oils I have ordered for us are still good to administer before and after the honey flow when feeding….however, we do not use these essential oils while we “super” our hives and gathering honey 🍯 for consumption.

My best to both Bee Teams as spring approaches and we become busy with our mature hives and establish new hives.

-g-