Mike Shamblin, Clay County Extension Agent, gave
a presentation on winterization of bee hives
Al Darman and Judy Kerns
West Central Beekeeping Association held their regular monthly meeting Saturday, August 23 at the Roane County Committee on Aging in Spencer.
There were 43 members and 1 visitor present which included all officers, except the treasurer.
Dale Cunningham reported receiving one estimate for t-shirts and is waiting on the second estimate before proceeding to take orders.
There is foundation wax available for purchasing by members at the following rates: $0.90/sheet for shallow; $1.10/sheet for medium; $1.30/ for deep frames.
Members provided items for the fundraiser Tote for auction at the Black Walnut Festival.
Any tote items/donations should be given to Brenda Tatterson.
A program to encourage and nurture new beekeepers was discussed. On a motion by Al Parsons, seconded by Larry Siers, the WCBA members voted to create such a program. Chuck Conners volunteered to write-up an initial outline for the program which will be discussed during the September WCBA meeting. Chuck asked members to e-mail him any suggestions they may have on the subject.
Mike Shamblin, Clay County Extension Agent, gave a presentation on winterization of bee hives. Calling this the first day of the 2016 beekeeping year, Mike gave four main tasks to get a hive healthy enough to get thru the winter:
1. This is the height of the Verroa mite season. Now is the time to medicate your hives so they will be healthy thru the winter;
2. Worker bees created now are genetically different than bees created in the spring. Fall bees are special creations designed to live the five months thru winter (normal bee life is 4-6 weeks) and their purpose is to cluster, not forage.
3. Hives must be checked for at least 60 lbs. of honey (deep 10 frame hives) for the bees to make it thru winter. Weak hives may be combined using newspaper between the two weak hives and let the bees eat thru the paper and unite into one colony, strong enough to cluster and make it thru the winter.
4. Do not overfeed such that your hives become "honey-bound". The top super should have a full rack of honey, but the nest should only have honey frames on the outside one or two frames. Otherwise the cluster will not be able to survive the winter. It cannot cluster properly on honey frames.
Dale reported that Terry Williams, Mayor of Spencer, has approached West Central Beekeepers concerning the possibility of sponsoring a "Honey Festival" in Spencer. Possible dates and incentives will be discussed.
Members interested in volunteering to help at the Black Walnut Festival should contact Brenda Tatterson. Brenda is to contact Black Walnut Festival personnel to obtain a booth in the main armory area.
Cost sharing for 2015 bee purchases was discussed.
The membership was reminded that Larry Caswell, a WCBA member and distributor for Kelly Bee Supplies, will sell bee supplies to club members at a 10% discount. Members were advised to contact Larry at 304-372-2280.
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