If you haven't already – check your hives!
The weather is warming and bees are hitting the trees, casting reproductive swarms. Check for drones, wet queen cups and/or capped swarm cells. These are all indicators that your hive is in the reproductive mood and are preparing for swarming. If your hives are booming you can rotate boxes, add another one, or split your hive. Be proactive, don't let your honey crop fly away!
Beginning Beekeeping Field Day Saturday, April 10
For those who took the Beginning Beekeeping class, the field day is this Saturday, April 10, noon to 3pm. We'll be meeting at Bluestone Meadow Lavender Farm 2025 Carson Rd, Placerville. Be sure to bring your veil and smoker!
Our last beekeeping class of the year
You’ve just installed your bees. What’s next? This field day class provides new beekeepers an in-hive review and demonstration of topics covered in Beginning Beekeeping. The class will be held at our club apiary behind the Sherwood Demonstration Garden. Sign up today.
Club meeting Sunday, April 11
Small Hive Beetles
What? MORE? Yep. Small hive beetles are here. Though they've been seen in hives here in El Dorado County for a few years, their prevalence has increased. Learn all about this pest and ways to limit their damage.
Join Zoom Meeting
April 11, 4 - 6 pm
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Meeting ID: 987 3693 3052
Passcode: 196766
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Package pick up day Saturday, April 10
The email to reserve your pick up time has been emailed. Please sign up for only one slot, regardless of how many packages you purchased. When transporting bees, be sure to bring your veil and smoker. There's been no further update regarding nucs, so we're still looking at the end of April, early May.
Mite wash alternatives for alcohol
Running low on alcohol for mite washes? Randy Oliver recommends using Dawn Ultra detergent, "It works very well for mite washes and is on par with 91% isopropyl, better than 70% isopropyl, and much better than windshield fluid."
To use, dilute to 1-2 T per gallon of water. A weaker solution is less efficacious and there is no benefit to making it stronger. Allow the bees to soak in the solution for a full minute before agitation, by which time most of the mites will have dropped to the bottom of their own accord. Final agitation should be a swirl action, with no up and down shaking. Little agitation is required for basic mite monitoring.
Got pollen?
The club has pollen patties for sale, $3 each. Placerville area, contact John Havicon at 916.996.8371, or for the Cameron Park area, contact Bernie Ruiz at 916.719.6708.
The flowers are bloomin' and we'll bee Zoomin'!
"See" everyone at next month's meeting.
