North Central PA Beekeepers Assoc.
July 28, 2018
Club Barbecue
Members met in Knoxville, thanks to Tom Kolb and Bill Christ. Tom and Bill arranged for us to use the pavilion belonging to the fire company and then they cooked 100 pounds of chicken for our club members. Thank you, Bill and Tom.
We want to thank everyone for bringing the delicious dishes to share. Joel had made homemade ice cream and brought it and shared that with all of us. What a wonderful, delicious and perfect treat!!!
There were 24 people, which included two young beekeepers, Ayden is age 12 and the other young beekeeper is age 7. Both have their own hives.
We had invited Chad Draper, after he opened his farm to us and we all visited there. What a bonus to have Chad and his son, so Chad could answer many of our questions.
Tom Hoppe brought his bee vac to show. It looks almost like a wooden suitcase and is very easy to use.
Mice - We talked about mice and how to make sure you keep your entrances reduced. Bees do not need large spaces to go in and out. Chad felt the main entrance does not need to be over 3/8 inches and if you have a hole 3/4th size is plenty.
Other suggestions about mice were to use soap, some use Irish Springs near their farm equipment or in their barns.
Another suggestion was to use Spearmint oil.
Mites – It is very important that we all keep up checking the number of mites we have in our hives.
It is recommended that you check for mites at least once a month.
You can use a powder sugar shake or ether spray or alcohol wash to check the mite numbers.
Ether and alcohol both kill the bees but are considered more accurate than the powder shake.
Joan sent out an email about a National Mite Count. Please participate it takes place in September.
Swarms – Seems that there are fewer swarms reported this year. Some members are reporting that more swarms are leaving after being captured. Some things that might help are:
1.Add a frame of brood
2.Stuff the entrance with grass
3.Use a queen excluder about the entrance – if you are dealing with a virgin queen, this will not work.
Swarms are good, as it gives your hives a chance to replace an older queen. This can often give you a stronger hive.
NEXT MEETING – hoping for Saturday, August 18th, or Sunday, August 19th. Still looking for a location to have or meeting.
September Meeting – Don Crew has been checking out a place for us to have dinner in between the three seminars. The seminars will start at 2 PM and 3 PM and 6 PM. Dinner will be at 4-6.
We hope to have the meal at the Café in the rear of Abundant Blessings. It was decided we would like to have their sandwiches for the meal. More information will be coming.
We will open this up to the public so make sure you get your reservation in early.
Seminars will be free.
If you want to come to the meal, we will ask for reservations in advance and the payment for the meal in advance.
Final details will be coming shortly.
October meeting – looking for topics and someone to speak. – Any Suggestions???
Reminders –
Members can get a discount for American Bee Journal, please request the form
PA Beekeepers must register your hives with the PA Dept of Ag. $10 every two years.
If you want to sell your honey you must register your location that you extract or bottle with the Dept of Ag. You are not required to pay a fee. The fee will give you a certificate. That fee is $35.
Thanks to everyone that attended and made it a great day!!!
Respectfully submitted
Joan Bradley
July 28, 2018
Club Barbecue
Members met in Knoxville, thanks to Tom Kolb and Bill Christ. Tom and Bill arranged for us to use the pavilion belonging to the fire company and then they cooked 100 pounds of chicken for our club members. Thank you, Bill and Tom.
We want to thank everyone for bringing the delicious dishes to share. Joel had made homemade ice cream and brought it and shared that with all of us. What a wonderful, delicious and perfect treat!!!
There were 24 people, which included two young beekeepers, Ayden is age 12 and the other young beekeeper is age 7. Both have their own hives.
We had invited Chad Draper, after he opened his farm to us and we all visited there. What a bonus to have Chad and his son, so Chad could answer many of our questions.
Tom Hoppe brought his bee vac to show. It looks almost like a wooden suitcase and is very easy to use.
Mice - We talked about mice and how to make sure you keep your entrances reduced. Bees do not need large spaces to go in and out. Chad felt the main entrance does not need to be over 3/8 inches and if you have a hole 3/4th size is plenty.
Other suggestions about mice were to use soap, some use Irish Springs near their farm equipment or in their barns.
Another suggestion was to use Spearmint oil.
Mites – It is very important that we all keep up checking the number of mites we have in our hives.
It is recommended that you check for mites at least once a month.
You can use a powder sugar shake or ether spray or alcohol wash to check the mite numbers.
Ether and alcohol both kill the bees but are considered more accurate than the powder shake.
Joan sent out an email about a National Mite Count. Please participate it takes place in September.
Swarms – Seems that there are fewer swarms reported this year. Some members are reporting that more swarms are leaving after being captured. Some things that might help are:
1.Add a frame of brood
2.Stuff the entrance with grass
3.Use a queen excluder about the entrance – if you are dealing with a virgin queen, this will not work.
Swarms are good, as it gives your hives a chance to replace an older queen. This can often give you a stronger hive.
NEXT MEETING – hoping for Saturday, August 18th, or Sunday, August 19th. Still looking for a location to have or meeting.
September Meeting – Don Crew has been checking out a place for us to have dinner in between the three seminars. The seminars will start at 2 PM and 3 PM and 6 PM. Dinner will be at 4-6.
We hope to have the meal at the Café in the rear of Abundant Blessings. It was decided we would like to have their sandwiches for the meal. More information will be coming.
We will open this up to the public so make sure you get your reservation in early.
Seminars will be free.
If you want to come to the meal, we will ask for reservations in advance and the payment for the meal in advance.
Final details will be coming shortly.
October meeting – looking for topics and someone to speak. – Any Suggestions???
Reminders –
Members can get a discount for American Bee Journal, please request the form
PA Beekeepers must register your hives with the PA Dept of Ag. $10 every two years.
If you want to sell your honey you must register your location that you extract or bottle with the Dept of Ag. You are not required to pay a fee. The fee will give you a certificate. That fee is $35.
Thanks to everyone that attended and made it a great day!!!
Respectfully submitted
Joan Bradley