Heart Of VA Beekeepers

Monday, July 11, 2011

August Meeting

The August meeting will be about:

1) Yearly Club Dues

2) August to do list (Feed), but what and how much?

3) Fall Treatment Discussion and Planning (Thymol, Formic, Oxalic, Powdered Suger, Acedic, Apistan, Checkmite, etc)

4) Solar Wax Melter by Katie

5) Nectar Samples by Tommy

Wednesday, June 1, 2011

June Meeting

• The June 7th meeting will be another round table discussion since it seems most folks received their packages and nucs after the May meeting this year. So bring you questions. I also anticipate discussing a little about Honey Extraction if we have time, since extraction occurs typically around July 4th and people need time to order things since by now you know if you’re getting honey this year...

• The last thing and most important thing I wanted to discuss is Overheating during inspections. With these hot early temperatures many are doing their first inspections as beekeepers and this weather doesn’t make it as enjoyable or safe as it could be. Last year when I was using a standard cotton jacket I had spells of dehydration inspecting just 2-3 hives in the full sun, so I learned very quickly to carry a small cooler of water.

This year I have a fancy ventilated full suit from Golden Bee Products http://www.goldenbeeproducts.com/ . It may be expensive (about $250 for a full suit) but it is the BEST money I have spent while keeping bees other than the bees themselves. The hood is a little funny looking and I don’t use the headband as instructed, but the hood is just fine IMO if you don’t use the headband… Another company selling these types and I believe Ronnie has just a jacket of this type is Ultra Breeze http://www.ultrabreezesuits.com/ . I like the full suit since I can wear shorts and no shirt under it with no worries…

Sunday and yesterday I worked hives and I did sweat and I did drink plenty of water but I was safe from dehydration and overheating. Without the ventilated bee suit it would have been far worse. During yesterdays inspections my truck’s thermometer showed consistently 113 degrees!!! Remember you’re in a jacket in the full sun. Please be careful.

So to recap:
• With the temps, the bees fly early so inspect early while it’s cool and less humid.
• Carry and Drink PLENTY of water.
• Carry your cell phone where you can reach it (not in your pants under your bee suit, if you’re on the ground you won’t be able to reach it…)
• Know the signs of dehydration… In my rough opinion (not a doctor) if you’re not going #1 or don’t have the urge your not hydrated enough working in the sun… keep drinking water…
• Find a shady location near your hives and put a seat there for breaks.
• Take breaks between each hive inspected and use this time to sit in the shade and write down your notes (you are taking notes right????). These breaks are and can be a life saver.
• If you have the money purchase a ventilated suit, they are worth gold IMO.

Remember, the easier you make the inspections the better the inspections will be, the more fun you will have, and the more frequent the inspections can be, which in the long run you and your bees will be rewarded for. It will only get worse from here with this heat we still have VA August to go…

So remember to stay hydrated and take breaks.

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

May Meeting

The May meeting will be an open floor mostly focused on the new beekeepers and their questions. Many will have or will be recieving and installing their packages and or nucs by this time and i am sure have tons of great questions.

We look forward to seeing everyone.

Monday, March 28, 2011

April Meeting

The April meeting will be held on Tuesday April 5th at 7pm at the Prince Edwards Extension Office next to Lowe's in Farmville.

The topic will be making Splits or Nucs. It will be a basic overview of the principle and best practices. This should be a great meeting and generate alot of discussion on different personal methods of making splits.

After this the floor will be open for questions, comments, and stories now that the bee year is in full swing and i am sure people have plenty of questions so please bring your questions to the meeting!

Monday, February 7, 2011

March Meeting

At the March meeting (March 1st, 2011) we will discuss swarming behavior and different types/styles of swarm prevention.

Currently you should be adding any fondant or winter sugar feed to your hive that are light. I do this as cheap insurance anyway on all my hives. You should also be adding pollen patties to stimulate brood rearing until the spring gets here. The key with feeding right now is if you start you have to stay on top of it and always make sure they have some available. Most hives starve in Feb or March...

Make your final equipment and prepare for the season to begin!!!

Friday, January 21, 2011