In the Maritimes we see a lot of colonies, in the Spring, that have died as a result of obvious shrew predation. For the first 4 years, I struggled with shrew damage before developing a shrew tight entrance system. This entrance system … Continue reading →
An Annotated Floral Calendar: www.beeflowerseasoncan.ca
(A mobile version of the website is also available – click here )
The electronic floral calendar offers information on over 270 honey and pollen plants found across Canada, including the type of resource it provides for bees (nectar, pollen, resins) and photos to aid in identification. The list of plants is easily searched by the scientific and common names or by blooming season (Spring, Summer, Fall).
Why Make a Floral Calendar? Beekeepers are naturally interested in the flowers that provide sustenance for their bees. Some flowers provide mostly nectar which the bees make into honey, others produce only pollen which is the protein source for bee nutrition, and most produce both. Beekeepers find it useful to know what flowers are in bloom and when in their area of operation. Books on the floral resources used by honeybees have always been part of beekeeping lore, and the new website makes this information readily available to anyone with internet access.
The new site builds on the floral calendar previously created for Ontario beekeepers that was developed with funding from Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food and launched in late 2013. The expanded national version was created with in-kind support from NSERC-CANPOLIN and Seeds of Diversity, which is the official home of Pollination Canada.
New federal-provincial program applies to livestock losses, crop damage. See CBC posting for more information on program.
Bee hives normally become partially or completely covered in heavy snowfalls. Most hives have a top entrance allowing warm moist air to escape. This helps prevent the creation and build up of ice inside the hives which interferes with the cluster’s ability to keep itself warm. When snow covers the entrance, or the complete hive including the top entrance, it normally is not a problem. In normal conditions snow does not interfere with the fresh air flow through the hive. Most experienced beekeepers welcome heavy snow cover which does a good job of insulating hives against extreme cold and wind.
However in some winters there is a possible danger of ice crust forming on top of the snow that is covering the hives. In a short period of time carbon dioxide will build up to deadly levels smothering the bees. In the past I have lost an entire yard because I did not remove the ice crust and snow in time. I now watch conditions closely and shovel the fronts out only, leaving the rest of the hive covered.
Always being aware of the possible danger of ice crust can prevent unnecessary hive losses.
Fletcher Colpitts