NCPBA Meeting Minutes
April 19, 2023, 6 pm
Attendees:
Tom and Charlotte Schwikert
Amber Collins
Joan Bradley
Sheila Gabreski
Caleb Long
Dan Barret
Joe Bailey- New to Beekeeping gathering information for next year
Jim Randall
Mike
Michael Luciano
Tim Richards
Tom Hoppe
Kermit Sherwood
Reminders:
NEXT MEETING – Saturday, May 20 th , 1 PM – Bradley’s outside of Shinglehouse (rain or shine)
We are starting to plan the summer picnic. Ideas were not forthcoming in this meeting so it will be
brought up in the next meeting. Please bring ideas about where and when.
Reminder to all members on swarm call list to reply to swarm call list email. Also please distribute this
list to first responders’ offices and borough offices.
Register bees with state of PA dept of AG every 2 years. This helps control disease in the bee
population in your area.
Presentation:
Caleb Long did a great presentation on Overwintering hives that covered:
The 4 most commonly used summer varroa mite treatments, feeding overwintering hives, insulating
hives, how to combine hives and how to put hives together using a double screen so the heat will help a
smaller hive on the top.
Group discussion:
Bear encounters: They are active now.
Timing on swarming? – Usually, late May up here but everyone agrees it happens when the dandelions
start blooming.
Dan – Showed a hive gate that he is trying this year and can be purchased at Better Bee- makes a tunnel
to help defend against hornets, mice, etc Link Provided: https://www.betterbee.com/pest-
management-and-medications/hivegate1-Hivegate-Single-Entrance.asp
Does anyone want to be president? No one has volunteered.
Kermit – had several hives damaged in the fall and the game commission paid for them. They did do a
site visit. He received a check in the spring. The check covered the boxes and equipment, but did not
cover the honey inside the hive.
Joan was able to send off water sample. To Fairway Laboratories (Pace)
USDA – Farm Service agency – ELAP- Honey Bee Assistance - Potter /McKean/Cameron County FSA
Office 814-274-8522 ext 2 -Program that will pay for your hives if CCD, if you are selling your honey. You
must track hives added and losses.
Recoat plastic foundation? Yes, suggested using a short knap roller.
Power wash plastic foundation – Dan tried it and it worked well.
Respectfully submitted
Amber Collins
Secretary
April 19, 2023, 6 pm
Attendees:
Tom and Charlotte Schwikert
Amber Collins
Joan Bradley
Sheila Gabreski
Caleb Long
Dan Barret
Joe Bailey- New to Beekeeping gathering information for next year
Jim Randall
Mike
Michael Luciano
Tim Richards
Tom Hoppe
Kermit Sherwood
Reminders:
NEXT MEETING – Saturday, May 20 th , 1 PM – Bradley’s outside of Shinglehouse (rain or shine)
We are starting to plan the summer picnic. Ideas were not forthcoming in this meeting so it will be
brought up in the next meeting. Please bring ideas about where and when.
Reminder to all members on swarm call list to reply to swarm call list email. Also please distribute this
list to first responders’ offices and borough offices.
Register bees with state of PA dept of AG every 2 years. This helps control disease in the bee
population in your area.
Presentation:
Caleb Long did a great presentation on Overwintering hives that covered:
The 4 most commonly used summer varroa mite treatments, feeding overwintering hives, insulating
hives, how to combine hives and how to put hives together using a double screen so the heat will help a
smaller hive on the top.
Group discussion:
Bear encounters: They are active now.
Timing on swarming? – Usually, late May up here but everyone agrees it happens when the dandelions
start blooming.
Dan – Showed a hive gate that he is trying this year and can be purchased at Better Bee- makes a tunnel
to help defend against hornets, mice, etc Link Provided: https://www.betterbee.com/pest-
management-and-medications/hivegate1-Hivegate-Single-Entrance.asp
Does anyone want to be president? No one has volunteered.
Kermit – had several hives damaged in the fall and the game commission paid for them. They did do a
site visit. He received a check in the spring. The check covered the boxes and equipment, but did not
cover the honey inside the hive.
Joan was able to send off water sample. To Fairway Laboratories (Pace)
USDA – Farm Service agency – ELAP- Honey Bee Assistance - Potter /McKean/Cameron County FSA
Office 814-274-8522 ext 2 -Program that will pay for your hives if CCD, if you are selling your honey. You
must track hives added and losses.
Recoat plastic foundation? Yes, suggested using a short knap roller.
Power wash plastic foundation – Dan tried it and it worked well.
Respectfully submitted
Amber Collins
Secretary