Varroa 101
April 10, 4:00 to 6:00 pm
We're back at the Cameron Park Community Center, Social Room for our April club meeting.
This month we tackle the vile Varroa destructor, the mite that not only feeds on both larvae and adult bees, but also vectors deadly viruses. Join us Sunday, April 10 as we review best practices for testing; various treatment options and a demonstration on how to use Randy Oliver's Varroa Control Model plus mobile app (chickabuzz.com). We will also visit the Honey Bee Health Coalition's website to review the Varroa Management Decision Tool and Varroa Management Guide. You won't want to miss this meeting. Here's your chance to learn all about Varroa and ask questions.
April 7 is last day to order packages!
Bee sales are almost over for the year. If you haven't ordered your bees yet, do so soon! Our nucs are coming from Golden West Apiaries, Eric and Randy Oliver, and our packages are from Pendell Apiaries and will feature Cordovan Italian bees. Remember, if you have a top bar hive or are using three mediums for a brood chamber, you will need to order packages. We buy our bees early in the year, look for delivery around late April or early May.
Bees are coming!
Packaged bees pick up day is Saturday, April 16 at 9:00 am at Bluestone Meadow Lavender Farm.
It's recommended that packages be installed during the early evening hours or during sunset. Be sure to keep packages in a cool, shady, protected area with good ventilation prior to installation. Just a reminder, when moving bees, it's always best to be prepared: travel with your veil and smoker. If you are unable to pick up your package that morning, please contact John Havicon at (916) 996-8371 to make arrangements.
Beginners with Bees
You’ve just installed your bees. Now what? This field day class provides new beekeepers an in-hive review and demonstration of topics covered in Beginning Beekeeping. You'll learn to properly identify the queen, drone and worker bee, how to open and close a hive, how to pull a frame, how to test for Varroa, how to read the frames and a review on feeding and mite treatments. We are almost sold out, so sign up today!
Sticky, sticky sticky
Once again we'll be offering our Honey Extraction Workshop Saturday, May 14. Stay tuned, all members will receive an email late April with details on how to sign up. In the meantime, save the date.
Hungry Bees?
It's a good idea to have pollen patties on hand, so you have them when necessary. 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.
Looking forward to seeing everyone at our next meeting!