Date: TBA Time 9:00am-3:00pm Cost: $40 Location: Southern Oregon Research and Extension Center, 569 Hanley Road, Central Point (map). Educational Topics and Objectives Murl Ming- Feeding Options for Fall/Winter – learn a variety of ways to feed to help bees overwinter Noah Clipp -Tips to help struggling […]
In our area, it is very important to keep the hives dry over winter. One way to do this is to add a moisture wicking material to the top of the hive so that the hot moist air created by the bees will not condense on the cold top and […]
Contributed by Marianne Heater We are getting our annual fake out February here in Southern Oregon and my beehives are coming alive. Bees are out foraging on alder, hawthorne, early blooming rosemary and crocus. They are busy bringing in pollen that is creamy yellow in color as well as gray […]
After the daytime temperatures fall below about 60 degrees it’s time to stop using a liquid syrup to feed the bees, and to remove any remaining pollen patties from the hive. In our area that generally means early October. Bees don’t take up syrup when it is below 50 degrees, and […]
Contributed by Dewey M. Caron In 2015, I surveyed 250 Oregon backyard beekeepers during April asking about overwintering losses, colony feeding, sanitation and varroa control efforts (The 2015 survey questions are posted on the website pnwhoneybeesurvey.com/annual-surveys/). Loss levels statewide were 27% for both 8-and 10-frame Langstroth hive beekeepers, double that number for […]
Contributed by Dewey Caron Mite monitoring is good bee stewardship. It lets you know precisely how the bees are doing and how successful everything you may have done for mite management so far this season has helped the bees. Monitoring means taking the pulse of the colony – are they […]
How to build your own quilt box for your hive. Quilt boxes help reduce moisture in the hive and provide insulation.
Karessa Torgerson spoke at our December 8th meeting outlining the five most common beekeeper mistakes. Karessa is owner of Apicurious (www.api-curious.com), an EAS Master Beekeeper, co-founder of Nectar Bee Supply (www.shonnards.com/beekeeping), and board member of Tree Hive Bees (www.treehivebees.com). She serves on the Oregon Master Beekeeper committee and teaches and […]
Here in southern Oregon, excessive moisture in the hive is one of the biggest concerns. Consider using a telescoping cover instead of a migratory lid so that the lid is watertight. If the bottom board is solid, the hive should be tilted so that water drains out and away. Make sure there […]
In October, drones are often gone from the hive, and brood rearing is reduced. It is a quiet month for beekeeping. Supplementing with protein patties and 2:1 syrup is still OK, but only if necessary. The window is closing for getting your hive ready for winter. If it is is a […]
