General Meeting (February 2018)

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

This meeting usually starts with a beginner’s corner 30 minutes before the regular club proceedings start around 7pm.

Agenda

• 6:30pm – New Beekeeper Corner (lower meeting room) – Barry D
  • Sanitizing your equipment and getting ready for the new season
• 7:00pm – Main meeting (upper hall)
  • The life cycle of the mite – Paul P
• 7:30pm – Club business
  • What beekeepers are doing in February – Larry L
  • What’s blooming and what to plant – Nairn H
  • Getting Ready for the Annual General Meeting – Bill F
  • Playing in the PayPal Sandbox – Werner G
  • Seedy Saturday – Bob L
  • Iotron trip – Alanna M
  • Executive updates
• 8:30pm – Social: Coffee, tea and treats
• 9:00pm – Close

Minutes

Bill Fosdick called the meeting to order at 7:07pm.

Theme of the evening is “Healthy Hives”. Bill brought to the attention of the members that as Barry Denluck was downstairs with the new beekeeper corner, Bob Liptrot was on the main floor fielding questions from
members who had some years of experience.

Paul Peterson, the main speaker for the evening gave a lesson the “Life Cycle of the Mite”. Interesting facts: The mite is spread by bees. The female mite migrates from the hive, the male does not. There are 2 stages of the mite – phoretic stage and the reproductive stage. This was very informative.

Club business:
Larry Lindahl discussed what to do in February. Check for dead bees in yard. Watch the Varroa count. Brood is being raised, be careful how you treat for mites. Make sure the hive has food (they will need 5-6 lbs a day). Keep the entrance clear. Watch for early swarms (could happen by mid March). Clean bottom board. Get equipment ready. Keep queen safe.

What’s in Bloom – Nairn gave a list of what she has seen in bloom around the area. Snowdrops (n/p), early crocus (n/p), spring heather (n/p), dandelions (n/p), hazelnut. One member saw borage, rosemary. Where to plant for the bees: plant close to the hive but at least 100 feet away (bees eliminate when they leave the hive), plant in clumps as bees look for colour and scent. They like the colours yellow, mauve, purple and blues.

Iotron – Don Lambert explained what the Iotron was to the new members. Sign up list for members at the back of the room.

Paypal – Werner gave the members an up date and demonstration as to how the system will work so membership and rentals of equipment could be done on line. This item will be discussed with the executive at their next meeting.

Canadian Honey Council – Stan Reist, the provincial representative to the CHC, gave an update as to what is happening countrywide. He spoke about the upcoming Apimondia to be held in Montreal. Antibiotics to be purchased only from veterinarians.

Bob Liptrot spoke of his courses for beginners starting March 27 at Royal Roads and the intermediate course starting April 24 – May 5th. Contact Royal Roads if interested.

Bill spoke to the members that the club is in need of help. There are positions that need filling on the roster. Please see the lists posted on the front wall. They are as follows: Swarm Committee, Membership secretary, Swan Lake observation hive, Host club equipment (Victoria and West Shore), Social Committee and 1st Vice President.

March meeting is the Annual General Meeting.

Meeting adjourned at 8:50pm.