Sleuthing the deadout
This month we are please to welcome Ana Heck, Apiculture Extension Educator from Michigan State University Extension. Have you ever been at a loss as to why your hive died? Join Ana as she uncovers the clues.
Losing honey bee colonies is difficult, but the best beekeepers learn from their losses. This presentation will cover common causes of colony losses as well as other factors that may contribute to weakening a colony. Learn to identify reasons for a colony’s death based on the clues the bees left behind and how to prevent colony loss in future beekeeping seasons.
Ana Heck began as an Apiculture Extension Educator at Michigan State University (MSU) in July 2020. She was introduced to beekeeping while working in Nicaragua for 2 years with a non-profit organization that engaged in rural development projects. She joined the University of Minnesota Bee Lab's Bee Squad in 2014, where she managed apiaries, provided hands-on and classroom training to beekeepers, and managed Bee Squad outreach programs. Prior to joining in MSU Extension, she worked in MSU’s Department of Entomology as a Research Technologist to support pollinator education initiatives, honey bee research, and implement policies to protect pollinators. Heck holds a Master’s degree in Public Policy and a graduate minor in Entomology from the University of Minnesota.
Join Zoom Meeting
December 13, 4:00 – 6:00 pm
https://fugue.zoom.us/j/98709166326?pwd=Y0VKZ1pMckpnY3hVTWNMa0JiRno5UT09
Meeting ID: 987 0916 6326
Passcode: 588577
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+1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)
2021 Membership
2021 club memberships are now available. If you are a current member wanting to renew your membership, please make sure you are logged onto the site before clicking the "Join Now" button.
For next year, we'll be offering our full line-up of classes, bees for sale and speakers from across the nation. Don't miss out
Needing a gift idea? How about a club membership for that beekeeper in your life! It's not too late to add a class or bees to your Christmas wishlist as well!
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.
Hungry Bees?
The club has pollen patties for sale, $3 each. For those in the Placerville area, contact John Havicon at 916.996.8371, or for the Cameron Park area, contact Bernie Ruiz at 916.719.6708.
Wishing everyone a happy holidays!
Bee well and bee safe!