BESS & ALOE VERA - TWO YEARS ON THE FIELD

Dear fellow beekeeper,

After two years of involvement in the the world of beekeeping, we believe that the time has come for an assessment of the challenges that all beekeepers face.
These challenges are, in the main, as follows:

Nosemosis (Nosema Apis), Dysentery, Paralysis, Virus of Chronic Paralysis, Black bees Illness, Poisonings, Colonies Collapse Disorder (C.C.D.), Chalkbrood (Ascosphaera Apis), Sacbrood (virus SBV), American Fool Brood , European Fool Brood and of course the Varroasis.

The ALOE VERA CENTER of Greece was created for resolving the problems with which beekeepers are confronted with the use of natural products only and with absolutely easy handling of beekeeping practices.

There are now 448 Greek beekeepers, as of 31/7/2008, who have joined us and applied the solutions that we proposed to them, notwithstanding how impressive it appears, it is evidence of how well we have accomplished our aim so far.

The above Greek beekeepers are spread, geographically, all over the country, as below:
Number of beekeepers - 9 ...... Thrace ( North East Greece)
Number of beekeepers - 53 ..... Macedonia (North Greece)
Number of beekeepers - 37 ..... Epirus - Eptanisa (West Greece- Ionian Islands)
Number of beekeepers - 25 ..... Thessaly ( Central Greece)
Number of beekeepers - 132..Central Greece
Number of beekeepers - 78 ..... Peloponissos (South Greece)
Number of beekeepers - 59 ..... Aegean Islands
Number of beekeepers - 60 ..... Crete Island
Number of beekeepers - 1 .... Cyprus
TOTAL OF BEEKEEPERS COOPERATING: 448
GREECE HAS THE 2nd LARGEST NUMBER OF BEEKEEPERS IN EUROPE.
Total of registered beekeepers Greece (2006) ..... 20,111
Out of which Professional beekeepers............... 6,234
BEEKEEPERS COOPERATING WITH US....................... 448
THEREFORE 7,18% OF THE PROFESSIONAL BEEKEEPERS
OR 2,2% OF THE TOTAL BEEKEEPERS.

What we have achieved in only 2 years is as that we have assisted the majority of these 448 Greek beekeepers to:

-Convert into a profitable business, a business which for a long time has been loss-making and frustrated profession. This at a time when beekeepers in Europe and in the rest of the world are suffering and bitterly complaining about losses, disasters, diseases, collapses, disappearances of bees etc. -

-To enjoy incredible increase of a new strong "army" of healthy bees' population, throughout the year, by eliminating population losses, notwithstanding the cause.
-Eliminate the problems arising from the transportation of the apiaries and change of flora.

- Avoid the so many damaging bees' diseases, and change the philosophy, psychology and the mentality of the management of the apiaries. The moaning, the pessimism and the disappointment and the expenses have given way to the joy and the happiness of being a beekeeper.

- Finally putting money into the pocket of apiarists.

Record quantities of honey have been harvested (10-15-20 kgs/hive), at the same seasons, from the same regions, where other apiarists cannot harvest even a few kilos honey. Beekeepers who were used to harvesting honey once or maximum twice per year, are harvesting now more than three or four times per year.

However, it was not easy at all times for us.

-Some of them tried the products and had unsuccessful results from the first applications. Though were disappointed, they didn't quit and they tried again. They were highly rewarded results for their determination

- Some of them , a very few, being disappointed from the initial results abandoned the applications. It was their decision. We arranged for the money that they had paid for the products to be returned to them.

However, these successful results, under no circumstances give us the right to claim that we became "Masters¨ or "Guru" in beekeeping, at least not yet. We still have more to learn.
In all honesty what we would say is than our knowledge and experience in fighting the various bees' diseases with natural products has been tremendously broadened, though sometimes we are not in a position to offer a reasonable explanation e.g.; why varroa mites do not develop into the larvae, after treating the hives with the products...

We believe that you will find this assessment of great interest.

In our blog there are examples of our achievements.

We are in the process of enriching the blog with more and more incidents and results, though we have yet to translate everything into English.

However our blog is open to the comments of everybody who wishes to comment.
We like to be asked questions and even to be criticized.
The criticism, helps us to become better and better.

Therefore please do come, discuss and ask us questions about the problems that you are confronted with.
We will provide you with the appropriate solution..
- To inform you by e-mail or fax about the ways by which you can overcome and avoid the on-going problems.
- To learn how cooperation with us is leading beekeepers to make their colonies immune and resistant to the diseases, and how these diseases are disappearing from the apiaries .
- To learn how the beekeepers in our country have achieved the harvesting of record quantities of honey, throughout the year, whilst their colleagues are on the point of abandoning beekeeping due to losses incurred.
- Our seasonal and yearly programs for strengthening the immune systems of the bees and increase of their population, so that you always have available an "embattled and crowded army", ready to exploit every occasion and opportunity that is presented.

WHEN PREPARATION MEETS THE OPPORTUNITY = GOOD FORTUNE AND MONEY

ALL ABOVE SERVICES ARE OFFERED FREE OF ANY CHARGE AND/OR FEES TO BEEKEEPERS.

Our objective and our aim are to help in finding solutions to the problems.
We are not magicians, consequently certain failures will occur from time-to-time.
We are however here in order to confront, face and correct the situation.
We are learning and are taught by the experience of our trials and yours.

With friendly greetings
Alexandros Koutroumanides
ALOE VERA CENTRE
Athens-Greece
Phone +30.210.9823241 Mobile +30.6944.710993
e-mail: info@bees-aloevera.com

CHALKBROOD - Ascosphaera apis

Symptoms and cause

Chalkbrood will probably be seen in most colonies at some time but at varying degrees of severity. It is caused by the fungal pathogen Ascosphaera apis. Spores of the fungus enter the developing larva through the cuticle or orally with contaminated food. These spores germinate and the hyphae of the fungus invade the cells, killing the larva (usually after it has been capped over). Initially the dead larvae will be covered with a white cotton wool-like growth and may swell to fill the cell taking on its shape. After a time these will dry out and shrink to give the characteristic ‘mummies’ that are chalk-like at first turning to a greyish black colour as the fungal fruiting bodies develop. Worker bees uncap the cells of dead larvae so the mummies will be clearly visible; they will also be removed by the workers and may be seen in high numbers on the floorboard or at the entrance to the hive. In very heavily infected colonies, the workers will not be able to uncap all of the affected cells and if a comb is shaken the mummies may be heard rattling in the cells.

SpreadEach chalkbrood mummy produces millions of spores that will adhere to cells and adult bees. It is these spores that are the infective stage of the fungus and may remain viable for up to 15 years. The spores can be spread from hive to hive by drifting bees, or by the beekeeper on equipment and frames moved between colonies.

Treatment and control
A good, strong healthy colony will usually be able to tolerate chalkbrood and it is not usually a serious disease. However, in smaller colonies or those under stress (for example suffering heavy varroa infestations,or death caused to pesticides, ot sudden freezing temperatures during spring time, or lack of worker bees) chalkbrood can be a problem. The best method for keeping chalkbrood to a minimum is the maintenance good strong stocks of bees, although in particularly bad cases the problem may be solved by re-queening with a young and vigorous queen from a chalkbrood-free colony. Choice of apiary site is also important and you should avoid damp sites.

ELIMINATION OF CHALKBROOD WITH ALOE VERA PRODUCTS
Treatment with Aloevera Products by spaying the bees, or by injecting on to the frames, with the appropriate solution is very effective for chalkbrood elimination.

Our proceedure for population increase, thus secuing very strong healthy colonies, is the best way in preventing the appearanc of chalkbrrod.
(See also POPULATION INCREASE in our blog)

Mixing Aloe Vera products with the syrup is not recommended. It is both waist of time and money.

For information and applications please contact
ALOE VERA CENTER
Athens - Greece
Phone: +30.210.9823241 / + 30.6944-710993
e-mail: info@bees-aloevera.com

NOSEMOSIS -ISTIEA, EVIA -CENTRAL GREECE

A REMARKABLE SUCCESS STORY of Nosemosis and Nosema Apis’ elimination.
Beekeeper: Nicos Arsenopoulos – Location: Istiea –Evia, Central Greece

Nicos had a dream. He wanted to build an apiary with 500 hives, so that can dedicate all his time looking after his apiary, thus fulfilling his grandfather’s wish. Working very hard he was pumping money to the apiary in his effort to see his dream coming true.
Thus he had managed and maintained an apiary of about 500 hives between of 2002-2006.
To his much regret, the apiary was infested by Nosemosis, Sacbrood diseases and Varroa, resulting to the loss of 250 hives in mid 2006...
As above disaster was not enough, another blow hit Nicos’ apiary. During the period September 2006 –May 2007 he lost another 170 hives.Nosemosis was blamed, and he had left with 80 hives, all very weak, with population not exceeding the 5 frames of adult bees and 2 frames of brood.

The conditions of the infested bees were:

A) By Nosemosis – Nosema Apis
-Bees with swollen abdomen, unable to defecate.
-The bees were crawling in the front of the hives with tremor, inactive, slothful and unable to fly
-Plenty of yellow streaks in the flight deck and inside the hives.
-A general slow spring build up was very obvious.

We supplied Nicos with the appropriate number of Aloe Vera drink No 15, along with the application instructions and he proceeded accordingly.

B) By Chalkbrood – Apis Ascosphaera
-Visible symptoms of Chalkbrood in the 80% of brood population in each hive.
-Scarce and scant brood in the frames
-Average population of brood 1-2 frames per hive

D) Population of adult bees were at 5 frames per hive

E) Despite the rich flowering in the area, marginal quantities of honey bee were in the hives.

We agreed with Nicos to start tackling the Nosemosis first, and go step-by-step to restore the conditions in all hives.

Applications with Aloe Vera Drink No 15 commenced on 08/05/2007 by spraying the bees.
Second Application by spraying the bees effected on 11/05/2007
Third application by spraying the bees effected on 17/05/2007.

Upon inspection of the apiary on 20/5/2007 it was observed:
-Symptoms of Nosemosis DISAPPEARED.
-Symptoms of Chalkbrood reduced down to 90%
-NEW BROOD. Appeared Healthy, SOLID, COMPACT, wall-to-wall reaching 5 frames per hive, i.e. an incredible increase in excess of 300%.
-HONEYBEE. Amazing quantities were accumulated.
-The wax appeared very clean and shiny.
-Incredibly active and very strong and busy swarms in the entire apiary.

In such conditions Nicos decided and loaded the apiary on to the truck on 25/5/2007, and transported the apiary across to the mainland, Karpenisi area where fir flowering was commencing.

Nicos enjoys today an apiary with 140 hives, all double and triple floored, with healthy bees, he estimates that he shall have in September close to 300 hives and he looks forward to see his dream coming true by next year, thanks to the constant treatment of his bees with the Aloe Vera Products and the recommendations of our Aloe Vera Center.

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We can assist you too, to overcome suck kind of problems.

Aloe Vera Center - The “Nosemosis and Nosema Apis busters”.
Athens, Greece
+30.210.9823241 & +30.6944.710993
e-mail: info@bees-aloevera.com
http://bees-aloevera.blogspot.com