Bear Foot Honey Farm Relocated

Bear Foot Honey Farm has relocated to a new location.

Only 9.5 Miles away from old address (by way of Highway)

We are now located at 4372 Sonoma Hwy, Ste D Santa Rosa, CA 95409

Come Check out our new place!

nosema ceranae

Nosema Ceranae is a big problem to the bees and there is only 1 effective treatment for it. That treatment is Fumagilin-B, however the application instructions are about as clear as the Greek language is to many.

Bear Foot Honey Farm has simple to understand application instructions is US measurments (instead of metric). We tried to post them here but the margins made it unreadable.

If you would like this information please email info@bearfoothoney.com Subject: Nosema Ceranae Treatment

Beekeeping Class Schedules

The Bear Foot Honey Farm Beekeeping Classes are taught by Fred Nelson. Fred is a 2nd generation beekeeper and has been raising bees for 61 years. Anyone that knows Fred, also knows that he is a wealth of information about the honey bees and that beekeeping is one of his favorite topics to talk about.

The classes for 2009 are finished...thank you to all those who attended. We will startt the 2010 classes in Spring of 2010.

However, if you have any questions do not hesitate calling for assistance.

Dusting Treatment of beehive for Varroa mites

A dusting of powdered sugar or wheat flour in conjunction with a screened bottom board or a sticky board can cause mites to fall and be captured. This process must be repeated once every 10 days for 3-4 cycles to make any kind of lasting effect.

Place beehive on screened bottom board that is at least 6 inches above ground or stand surface.

Open hive brood box

With flour sifter; sift powdered sugar onto top bars (the honey bees will fan powdered sugar into the hive)

Note: This process will cause the honeybees to want to groom each other in which the mites as often picked off and fall down through the hive. A Varroa mite does not jump…only crawls; when the Varroa mites fall off the host (a.k.a. honeybee) if it does not attach to another honeybee within 6 hours it is dead.

Close hive lid

This process must be repeated once every 10 days for 3 -4 cycles; as it will not affect mites that are sealed in cells with brood or affect mites that are piggybacking on absent foragers

How to treat colonies infested with tracheal mites (non chemically)

Using vegetable shortening and sugar patties, to treat colonies infested with tracheal mites, appears to cause a disruption in the tracheal mites' life cycle. Treatment is most effective when colonies are known to have lower mite levels. Studies showed the continuous presence of a shortening patty, helped lower tracheal mite populations and increased colony survivor ship.

The following are guidelines for the preparation of shortening:

SHORTENING-SUGAR PATTY

• Use shortening that is considered to be a vegetable shortening, such as (the solid white) Crisco.

• Sugar should be white granulated or powdered sugar can be used.

• Shortening to sugar ratio is 1:2 (ex. 1 lb. of shortening to 2 lbs. of sugar.)

• Roll patty and place in between two sheets of wax paper; flatten.

• Patty placement should be on top bars in the brood nest of the colony, where bees are forced to eat.

• Patty size should be about 1/2-1 lb.

• Additional patties can be given to the colonies if consumed.

• Continuous exposure to the shortening can help reduce mite populations.

Health Benefits of Honey

Pure Raw Unfiltered & Unpasteurized Honey has been documented having many health benefits. Here is an excellent article about the healing power of raw honey.

To see the full article see:

http://www.naturalnews.com/021506.html

The healing power of honey: From burns to weak bones, raw honey can help

...

Here are some more ways to utilize the healing power of honey:

BURNS - Apply freely over burns. It cools, removes pain and aids fast healing without scarring. Apart from being a salve and an antibiotic, bacteria simply cannot survive in honey.

BED WETTING - A teaspoon of honey before bed aids water retention and calms fears in children.

INSOMNIA - A dessertspoon of honey in a mug of warm milk aids sleep and works wonders.

HYPERACTIVITY - Replace all use of white sugar with honey. White sugar is highly stimulating with no food qualities. Honey provides the energy without the "spike."

NASAL CONGESTION - Place a dessertspoon of honey in a basin of water and inhale fumes after covering your head with a towel over the basin. Very effective!

FATIGUE - Dissolve a dessertspoon of honey in warm water or quarter honey balance of water in a jug and keep in the fridge. Honey is primarily fructose and glucose, so it's quickly absorbed by the digestive system. Honey is a unique natural stabilizer: Ancient Greek athletes took honey for stamina before competing and as a reviver after competition.

FACIAL DEEP CLEANSER - Mix honey with an equal quantity of oatmeal, and apply as a face pack. Leave on for half an hour, then wash it off. Great as a deep cleanser for acne and other unwanted blemishes.

POOR DIGESTION - Mix honey with an equal quantity of apple cider vinegar and dilute to taste with water. This is also wonderful for the joints – and promotes weight loss.

HAIR CONDITIONER - Mix honey with an equal quantity of olive oil, cover head with a warm tower for half an hour then shampoo off. Feeds hair and scalp. Your hair will never look or feel better!

SORE THROATS - Let a teaspoon of honey melt in the back of the mouth and trickle down the throat. Eases inflamed raw tissues.

FOR STRESS - Honey in water is a stabilizer, calming highs and raising lows. Use approximately 25 percent honey to water.

ANEMIA - Honey is the best blood enricher by raising corpuscle content. The darker the honey, the more minerals it contains.

FOOD PRESERVATIVE – If you replace the sugar in cake and cookie recipes with honey, they'll stay fresher longer due to honey's natural antibacterial properties. Reduce liquids in the mixture by about one-fifth to allow for the moisture present in the in honey.

OSTEOPOROSIS – Research has shown that a teaspoon of honey per day aids calcium utilization and prevents osteoporosis – probably not a bad idea for anyone over 50.

LONGEVITY - The most long-lived people in the world are all regular users of honey. An interesting fact, yet to be explained, is that beekeepers suffer less from cancer and arthritis than any other occupational group worldwide.

MIGRAINE - Use a dessert spoon of honey dissolved in half a glass of warm water. Sip at the start of a migraine attack, and, if necessary, repeat after another 20 minutes.

CONJUNCTIVITIS - Dissolve honey in an equal quantity of warm water. When cooled, apply as a lotion or eye bath.

COUGH MIXTURE – Combine 6 ounces (170 grams) liquid honey, 2 ounces (55 grams) glycerin and the juice of two lemons. Mix well. Bottle and cork firmly, and use as required.

Raw honey may become granulated, as some does after a week and another maybe only after several years. If the granulations bother you, simply place the honey into a pan of hot water (not boiling) and let it stand until becoming liquid again.