A quick note following up on last month’s issue on oxalic acid in glycerin strips for mite control. While becoming more widely used, this method is not yet an approved method or a registered formula with the Pest Management Regulatory Agency in Canada.
Our monthly meeting is this coming Thursday, April 10th 6:30-8:30 p.m.
- Venue: Central Saanich Seniors Citizens Association, 1229 Clarke Rd., Brentwood Bay
- Agenda:
- 6:30-7:00 Beginner’s Corner Upstairs: Don L on Queen Marking, Mite Count Demo
- 6:30-7:00 Intermediate’s Corner Downstairs: Christina K: Topic TBD
- 7:00-7:45ish: Amy S: Best Garden Plants for Bees
In 2024 I decided to closely observe the wide diversity of bees in my garden and nursery to understand more about the flowers they favour. This presentation will highlight some of the best forage plants for different seasons from my collection of hardy, low water perennials and shrubs.
Amy Sanderson is a gardener and owner of the specialty nursery Stellata Plants in Central Saanich. Originally from Edmonton, Alberta, Amy’s unquenchable thirst for better garden plants sent her on a study tour of English gardens, including Beth Chatto’s and Great Dixter. Subsequently, there was no choice but to move to Vancouver Island and open a nursery focused on resilient perennials. You can find regular updates on Instagram: @amysandersonflowers or @stellataplants - 7:45–7:55ish: Larry L: What to do this month
- 8:00-8:30: Club Social Time with Coffee, tea, cookies…
New Apiary Inspector for Vancouver Island and Gulf Islands South
A huge congratulations to Don Lambert, who is well known to all of us for his presentations to the club and his hard work on the Executive and with the annual Sterigenics run. He is now our new local Apiary Inspector! You are required by law to have him inspect and approve your materials before ANY sale or donation of bees or equipment, and he is available to help if you fear your hives are getting into trouble. He can be reached at:
- Phone: 250-538-7355
- Email: ziggster40@gmail.com
Hive Survival Survey
Now that Spring has sprung, you can expect a phone call from Katrina Jones regarding our hive survival survey, her number ends in 9043 and she’ll be calling on evenings and weekends – so pick up! She’s not a telemarketer! Some of the questions will be: How many hives did you overwinter? How many survived? Causes of death? Location of hives? Mediums or deeps? Plastic or wax? How much winter honey? When did you stop feeding pollen? Did you insulate/when/with what? Did you use a quilt box? Any winter treatments/what/when?
Equipment Rental
We need a new volunteer to host our rental bee equipment for the Western Communities. After many years of service, Jim Henry has decided to retire and hang up his suit and hive tools. Many thanks to him for providing this service to our members over these many years!! And if you are interested and willing to host the equipment and oversee the rentals for the Western Communities, please let me know at president@capitalregionbeekeepers.ca.
Swarm Line Volunteers
We need enthusiastic volunteers to assist during the upcoming swarm season. We’re seeking support in the following areas:
- Swarm Collectors
- Phone Dispatchers
- Mentors – to support fellow club members managing their own swarm situations
- Bumblebee Collectors
- Hived Removals – simple removals from attics or walls (non-complicated cases only)
- We will also be reaching out to previous volunteers directly.
If you’re interested in helping out, a sign-up sheet will be available at the end of the meeting on April 10th. Alternatively, feel free to contact Cristina on the Swarm Line at 250-900-5787 for more information or to volunteer.
This Year’s Exec
Last month was the club’s Annual General Meeting (AGM); elections were held and here is your new Executive:
- President: Bill Cavers (re-elected for a 2-year term)
- Past President: Bill Fosdick
- 1st Vice President: Don Lambert
- 2nd Vice President: Bill Hadden (newly elected for a 2-year term)
- Secretary: Cindy Parker
- Treasurer: Katrina Jones (newly elected for a 2-year term)
- Membership Secretary: Mary Quayle
- Audiovisual Manager: Amanda Johnson
- Outyard Manager: Janet Fontaine
- Swarm Line Manager: Cristina Dimarzio
- Directors at Large:
- Christina Klimaschka
- Mark Polle
- Heather Welsford (newly elected for a 2-year term)
- Cathy Totten (newly elected for a 2-year term)
I look forward to seeing you this Thursday at the meeting, but if you cannot attend Amanda will be doing her magic and recording it; the link will be made available in the Members only area of the website.
The season is truly upon us now, so happy beekeeping to all! I just feel it in my bones – this year is going to the best yet!