Wednesday, May 31, 2017

Queen Class & Queens Available Now

We Have Queens Available & An Addition Queen Rearing Class
Sheri is in Ireland enjoying a much deserved break. Any beekeepers in Ireland?? Sheri is enjoy looking at castles and museums and traveling around and enjoying all the beautiful sights. Stay on the left side of the road Sheri! 

We are finally excited to have a large number of queens available every week starting now!! If you are making a split or your queen just isn't doing very good, get a new queen. Do not put up with a sluggish queen. Maybe your queen never has done well all year. As we get deeper into the bee season it's important to have strong population. Don't let a failing queen deplete your population.



If you are making splits or your queen failed during the winter, get a new queen this week!

Click here to order a queen to be shipped today or tomorrow (May 31 or June 1st). Ships overnight. Look through the options to purchase 1,2,3 or 4 queens to save shipping.

If you are making splits or your queen failed during the winter, get a new queen this week! Or maybe you better make that split before they swarm. A new queen is just what you need for your split. These are queens from northern hives here in Illinois.

Thank you for your interest in my queens. I'm excited about offering our queens for sale again this year, 2017. As you know I am very particular about providing quality queens. I've put together my "QUEEN DREAM TEAM" consisting of three of us that will be raising queens for 2017. Myself and two other highly respected and experienced beekeepers are working hard raising queens that ARE AVAILABLE NOW.

The queens that we sell are not a specific "race" but rather queens that have been raised from selected northern colonies that we are proud of. Our queens are raised here in Illinois. As producers we are in compliance with the Illinois Department of Agricultural's rules and regulation regarding raising queens. All hives from which we are raising queens have passed inspection for 2017.

I have never been able to produce enough queens to keep up with the demands for our queens but 2017 looks promising with the help of my "Queen Dream Team".
You can order 1, 2, 3 or 4 at a time to save on shipping. Click Here To Order Your Queen Before We Sell Out!

QUEEN REARING CLASS

Our queen rearing course in June filled up so fast early in the winter and everyone has been begging for another class that we decided to offer an additional queen rearing class on Thursday June 22. This class already has 5 registered and we are only taking 7 more students. Every beekeeper can benefit greatly from learning to raise their own queens. With constant struggles with queenlessness and queens disappearing it's time to take the next step and start raising your own! It will be worth the investment. Join EAS certified master beekeeper and queen rearer David Burns for the whole day as he teaches you how to raise queens. Hurry, class is limited. This class will be held at our honey bee farm in central Illinois. Click here to register and for additional information.



Friday, May 19, 2017

Are You Nervous About What To Do Next?

We are David and Sheri Burns from Long Lane Honey Bee Farms and Honeybeesonline.com. One year ago I started my beekeeping mentorship program known as BeeTeam6. Over the last year I have produced weekly video tips and a weekly newsletter that has gone out to BeeTeam6 members around the country. I have given assistance to beekeepers by phone, email and text. It's been so much fun for me and so helpful to the membership. I've decided to open it up to 25 more subscribers. 

Knowing what to do and when is the tricky part of beekeeping. Beekeepers are nervous until they gain sufficient skill and knowledge. Meanwhile, the beginner can make some tragic mistakes. This mentorship program provides you access to ask me questions by calling, emailing me or sending me a text. Once you join you'll receive my personal cell phone number and email. Let's face it, wouldn't it be nice to have a certified master beekeeper just a phone call away to help you make a decision on what to do next?  Plus you receive a weekly tip and a weekly instructional beekeeping video. Even if you are not keeping bees yet, you can gain the helpful education you need before you start. Or if you are a new beekeeper this year, why not have the extra peace of mind of having someone you can consult. I will only be taking 25 new members. There is just too much information online about beekeeping. Stay with one reliable source.

HOW LONG TO KEEP FEEDING??
If you started with a new package or a nuc this year keep feeding if they are still drawing out the wax on undrawn foundation.
Burns Bees Feeding System
If you have an overwintered hive that's doing great and you live in a nectar rich area, there is no need to feed your bees. Here in Illinois our bees will begin to go hungry in the middle of August. We have to feed our bees for good winter survival starting in three months. Here's the feeder I invented and really use a lot. I place it on top of the top box on a newly installed package, nuc or split. This feeder is my answer to getting my bees through the winter. I use it to heavily feed my bees in August, September and October.  It is very easy to fill because screens cover the holes which holds the bees down while you change your jars and add pollen patties.


A Captured Swarm May Leave Again
These tips may help:
1. Use drawn out foundation if available.
2. Feed from the top.
3. Move over a frame of open brood if available.
4. Reduce the entrance.

Remember, a swarm is attempting to move to a new nesting site and they may already have that location chosen. That's why swarms often leave again.

We Hope To Have Queens Available Soon
I'll be raising more queens this year. I am hoping to have queens available early June. I will be posting availability on my website: www.honeybeesonline.com so monitor that site.

We DO NOT take names for a waiting list. I simply placed available queens online for purchase as they become available. Thanks!







We Have Upcoming Classes Just For YOU!
We have been teaching classes all year and we have speciality classes with openings still coming up.

A Day In The Apiary With David. May 27th, 8:30-11:00 central time. This class is held almost exclusively in the bee yard with an emphasis on inspections, being able to identify the queen/drone/workers and the ability to identify problems, diseases and pests in the hive. Participants must wear appropriate protective clothing in the yard. Even if you are superman, you are required to wear long pants, closed toe shoes, and hat with veil (or beekeeping jacket/suit). We have 3 openings, so click here to sign up.

Additional Upcoming Classes For 2017


This class fills up fast and leaves people disappointed that we only offer one. Sign up now to learn tips on getting your bees through the winter. 

Even if you started keeping bees this year but didn't have time to take a class, now is your chance. Or maybe you are going to start keeping bees next spring. This class is perfect for you.
FREE SPECIALTY CLASS! Starting Your Own Bee Business. Sun. June 11, 2017 (1 - 3 pm) 
Thinking about starting your own business? Join Sheri Burns as we discuss the different kinds of bee businesses started, along with a short discussion on information all small businesses need to know. We'll touch on pros and cons of different kinds of honey and bee businesses and help you think about mission statements and business plans.  This class is from 1:00 - 3:00 p.m.  Please seek the advice of your own legal counsel when starting your own business. Registration is required, seating is limited.  Adults only please. 

FREE SPECIALTY CLASS!! All You Ever Wanted to Know About Honey Workshop Oct 21, 2017 (1pm - 3pm) 
Here is a class for you honey enthusiasts! Join Sheri Burns as she talks about honey -- how bees get it, how they pollinate, what types of flowers do they pollinate? Why is some honey light while other honey is dark? Learn about what's in honey and how it's beneficial to people (do YOU know where those beneficial enzymes come from?).  Watch an extraction demonstration and see how it's stored. Learn how to cook and bake with honey. And did you know there are other medicinal uses for honey? Registration is required.  Seating is limited.  This class will take place this year on Sat., Oct 29 from 1:00 - 3:00 p.m. Not just for beekeepers but for anyone who enjoys honey (age 12 and up).
 Available Resources

If you are new to us, we have a ton of available resources and products. We make our living from wonderful customers like you. We know you can purchase your beekeeping equipment elsewhere but when you purchase from us it affords us the opportunity to continue providing videos, lessons, and more. So thank you for your business. Visit us at:

Sincerely,

David and Sheri Burns
Long Lane Honey Bee Farms
www.honeybeesonline.com