General Meeting (April 2021)

The Capital Regional Beekeepers Association (CRBA) meets on the second Thursday of every month.

This meeting usually starts with a beginners/intermediate beekeeper corner 30 minutes before the regular club proceedings start around 7pm.

Agenda

6:30PM

• Beginner’s beekeeper corner – Don L

7:00PM

• Welcome – Bill F

• Forage for Bees through the season – Simon L

• What to do in April and May – Larry L

• Just So You Know – Open forum – Carolyn H

8:30PM

• Close

Minutes

Meeting started at 6:35pm (via Zoom)

• Bill welcomes everyone to the April CRBA General Meeting (approx. 29 attendees.)
• Beginners Corner (Mites and Mite Control) – Don
  • Mites introduce viruses to the bee
  • Varroa specifically designed to prey on bees
  • In spider family
  • Inject enzymes into fat body of bee
  • Female mite enters a brood cell and lays eggs
  • Mite lifecycle is 12 days
  • Population can grow exponentially when brood present
  • Signs such as DWV are an indication that there is a serious mite problem in hive
  • Fat body is one of the main organs of the bee. Responsible for many processes including Vitellogenesis.
  • At any one time 60-80% of mites in a hive are under the cappings.
  • 95% are hidden feeding (either under plates or in cells.) If you see them, you have a problem.
  • Alcohol wash is the best method of detecting mites
  • 1/2c of bees is about 300 bees.
  • Need to determine percentage of mites. Divide number of mites found by 3. But, then double that to include those in the cells.
  • Oxalic and Formic acids are most common treatments
  • Show and Tell on mite detection and treatment.
  • Need to learn and understand the life of the mite to protect your bees.
  • Need to learn how to count mites.
  • Need to learn the treatments.
  • Need to recheck after the treatment to ensure effective.
  • Especially important to be healthy for fall and winter.
  • Where do you get Formic Acid from?
    • Cowichan Bees, Buckerfield’s etc.
  • Do you need protection from Acids? YES.
  • Is overtreating harmful? Yes, that’s why it is important to check your mite levels and only treat if necessary. Formic acid has a narrow range of temperatures where it is effective and not damaging.
  • Necessary to treat in spring? Treat only as required. 2% is cutoff.
  • Should take mite count from nurse bees.
  • Dawn dishwashing liquid is now recommended by Randy Oliver, but may be issues with foaming.
• Main meeting begins (about 41 attendees)
  • Forage Through the Season (Simon)
    • A summary of flowering plants through the year.
    • Ratio for sugar syrup in dearth (spring/summer) 1:1 (don’t feed with honey supers on.)
    • Maple produces every year, but often rainy – hope is there for this year.
  • What to do in April
    • Very busy, but also potential starvation month.
    • Spare equipment needs to be ready
    • Need a nuc box and make up a nuc.
    • Make up a swarm box.
    • To keep the queen laying, nectar and pollen have to be coming in (or feed).
    • Number of bees can double in 7-10 days. Need space. If bees on 7 frames, add 3 to 5 supers.
    • Check for swarm cells.
    • What are your plans – honey or bees?
    • Sell packages/nucs?
    • Check for Nosema ceranae. Hidden silent killer
    • Monitor for mite levels. Late Aug is too late to control mites. Want level to be zero by mid Aug.
    • Assess brood pattern – potential replacement of queen.
    • Old brood comb – does it need replacing? If you can’t see light through it – replace.
    • Check out farmer’s markets to sell your products.
    • And a story…
  • Open forum
    • Let us know where your hives are if you want to be on swarm list: swarm@capitalregionbeekeepers.ca
    • Members only area of website is up. Trial run. Comments can be sent to Werner.
    • Kate still has wasp traps.
    • VI Beekeepers page on Facebook.
      • Sub-group for overwintering nucs.
      • https://www.facebook.com/groups/vibeekeepers/permalink/4223950387617628/
    • Nucs/bee/equipment sales require inspection by provincial inspector. Make sure you ask for certificate when purchasing.
    • Some empty frames with mold – treat or discard? If not horrific – bees will clean up.
    • Packages in cardboard tubes – Carolyn is looking for leftover tubes. Good tunnels for pet rodents!
    • Bumblebees aggressive this year?
      • One species can be aggressive.
      • Will defend their nest.
• Bill thanks everyone and wraps up the meeting at 8:14 pm.