Preparing for winter

Now that it's cold and rainy, we need to get ready. We've all heard that a wet bee is a dead bee. Find out what to do as our panelists discuss how they prepare for winter.
This session will cover:
• Why summer mite counts matter now
• How to keep a hive dry
• To feed or not to feed
• What to feed
• Insulate or not
Join us Sunday, November 14 from 4 – 6 pm at Bluestone Meadow Lavender Farm as we hear different views on winterization. Be sure to bring your questions!
If you are unable to attend in person, please join us via Zoom

Club apiary open this Sunday from 2:00 – 3:15

Have questions about your colonies? Join club beekeeper Jim Guilliams Sunday, November 13, for an informal get together at our club apiary (located next to Sherwood Demonstration Garden). Jim will have the hives available to open and will be answering questions. Stop by with your veil, on your way to our meeting.

Hangtown Christmas Parade is Back

Mark your calendar for this year's Hangtown Christmas Parade, Sunday, December 5. Join us as we don our bee suits and costumes, and pass out honey sticks. This is always a fun event. Stay tuned, more details to come.

Mead tasting + desserts = holiday cheer

For our December meeting we'll be ringing in the holidays with mead tasting and desserts. Join us as Strad Meadery presents how mead is made, followed by mead tasting. For those looking for bee-related holiday gifts, they will also have mead for sale. As for dessert, we'll be having a potluck. We invite everyone to bring a favorite dessert to share.

Raffle items needed

Now that we're back to our in-person meeting, we back to our raffle and need donations! Any re-gifted or gently used items, or plants make great donations and are greatly appreciated. Receive a free raffle ticket for every donated item you bring. Our club store will also be open. We have hats, tee-shirts, tote bags, mite wash cups and pollen patties.

Continue the fun

We'll be gathering at the Main Street Tap House in Placerville after club meetings for more bee talk, dinner and libations. All members are welcome.

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.

We look forward to seeing everyone at our November meeting.