Visiting my ladies in cold Varmland

I was visiting my good friend in Varmland for a few days and used this chance to see my last year bee colonies which I keep in horizontal Top Bar Hives. It felt so good to see them again ... well ... I didnt see them but hear them :) Its still too cold outside so they are keeping warm in the hive. By placing the ear on the hive wall and knocking it with a hand makes them buzz :) They are alive!!! Here is a video of my todays visit to Kretsloppshuset which is a course in self-sufficient householding I attended last year for 8 month;

Spring is in the air

New Apiary Location

I have moved the apiary behind the summer house which is exposed to South and protected by the house itself from the harsh swedish North winds.

I have used dowsing rods to find the stress lines which are believed to benefit bee colonies. I only placed the long hives on the stress lines (4 hives from right).

The old location is still under ice and snow, unlike the new location;

The old apiary location was behind a small hill facing North, hence the freezer effect ;) Most defenetly a wrong location for Sun Creatures!

Ha ha ha

Inhaling Beehive Air - Apitherapy

Apitherapy

Apitherapy has been known since the Egyptian times, and part of this extensive therapy also comprises beehive air – aerosol treatments. It contains all the components mentioned earlier, i.e. propolis, royal jelly, beeswax and pollen. Inhaling a specific aroma, which is produced in beehives, has an extremely beneficial effect on human psychophysical condition and can take place from April to September. Air, saturated with essential fragrances, helps people with the following conditions:
- Bronchitis;
- Asthma;
- Allergies;
- Chronic lung diseases;
- Susceptibility to infections;
- Weakened immune system;
- Respiratory tract infections;
- Chronic headaches, migraines;
- Stress;
- Depression.

By inhaling a warm beehive air, through a special breathing mask, we consume these precious substances, which have a medicinal effect on a series of conditions. Apitherapy, in a natural way, helps us to overcome many problems and is also more than perfect for athletes, children and the elderly.

Recommended treatment period is three to twelve days, half an hour twice a day. The effects of the therapy are shown six to eight weeks after the completed apitherapy.
Source

Bee deaths: EU delays action on pesticides ban

This is indeed a very sad day for the environment! :(


EU nations have been unable to reach agreement on proposals to ban the use of three pesticides that have been linked to the decline of bees.

The European Commission had called for a two-year EU-wide moratorium, but a number of nations opposed the plans.

A recent report by the European Food Safety Agency (EFSA) concluded that the pesticides posed a "high acute risk" to pollinators, including honeybees.

The commission is expected to redraft its proposals ahead of another vote.

Member states were unable to reach a qualified majority in order for the proposals to be adopted.

The news of the stalemate has angered groups that had been campaigning in favour of the ban.

Continue reading ...

24 Hours to Ban Bee Killers

Please sign this petition before the EU Parlament vote on banning Neonicotinoid Pesticides;
http://www.avaaz.org/en/bye_bye_bees_global/?copy

Thank you