The September New Bees & Special Topics meeting will be held on Tuesday, September 21th, 2021 at 6:30pm.

Please find session descriptions below.  Zoom session information will be sent in registration confirmation email.

NewBee Fundamentals 

Some days feel like summer, some like fall, but the day are noticeably shorter now, and it’s time to start thinking “winter”.  We’ll discuss colony assessment and things to do to position your hives for the coming cold weather.  It has been and continues to be primetime for feeding, mite management and treatments.  Beekeepers say to “take your losses in the fall”, which means combining weak colonies with strong ones.  We’ll discuss when and how to go about that.  Also on the to-do list is getting the bees’ house in order: mouse guards, ventilation and moisture considerations are all best done before the nights turn cold.

September can be a wonderful month to  practice  beekeeping. The temperatures are still warm but fortunately those scalding hot and humid days are on the decline. Being in your apiary in the morning can be a delightful time as the bees  embark on the  the first of their foraging flights. 

This time of year we like to pay attention to several factors. Number one of course: is the hive queen right and what to do about a queenless hive. 

Another area of concern can be the health status of the hive which often times pivots on the mite count. This time of year still allows for a treatment window before things really shut down in mid to late October.

Stores: honey nectar, and pollen are important in preparation for the long winter. If your hive is lacking in this area what can you do about it? 

As the temperature drops, mice begin checking out winter real estate. They look for a nice warm, dry place, with food exactly like a beehive. Its time to start installing mouse guards.

Another type of guard that can come in handy during periods of dearth where there is no nectar flow, are robbing screens andt reduced entrances.