Our first meeting of the new bee year will be next Sunday, 9 September at Paul Taylor's place; http://www.kootenaybeekeeping.com/ from 13:00 to 15:00. We have about 15 five-gallon pails of spilled sugar collected over the summer, just in time for fall feeding. So bring an empty 5-gallon pail if you want to join in the… Continue reading September Bee Meeting
Author: Axel
Beekeeping and Almonds
Do you like almonds? Or anything made from almonds, like almond "milk" or marzipan? Here is an informative article about the dependency of the almond industry on beekeeping; https://www.nytimes.com/2018/08/15/magazine/the-super-bowl-of-beekeeping.html?emc=edit_nn_20180815&nl=morning-briefing&nlid=6984410420180815&te=1
Bio Lab Field Day
Here we are at the Beginners Course Field Day in the College Bio Lab. Used the microscopes to look at honeybee workers, drones, and wasp anatomy and to test for Nosema spores. Beekeeper Seth found some spores in one of our sample bees. Everyone had an interesting time. Thanks to beekeeper Laena for the picture.
Winter 2017-2018 Survival Survey
Spring 2018 Survival Survey If you over-wintered 10 or more colonies, you should have received an email asking you to do the survival survey. If you did not, the link is; https://forms.gov.bc.ca/indus…/beekeeper-spring-survey-2018/ Please fill it in. It is only 20 click-choice questions and completely anonymous. Your answers will appear only as part of the "Kootenay"… Continue reading Winter 2017-2018 Survival Survey
Castlegar Garden and Nature Fest
The 9th annual Castlegar Garden and Nature Fest is happening this coming Saturday, 26 May at the Castlegar Community complex from 10:00 until 15:00. I can be there as usual for most of the day, but need to attend a memorial service from 13:00 - 14:00. Bronwyn is off on holiday and is not available… Continue reading Castlegar Garden and Nature Fest
Top Bar Bee Hives for Sale
$250 Nelson, British Columbia Beekeeper Malcolm has 2 top bar hives for sale which he has asked me to post for him; Each hive unit consists of; · 1 Top bar hive body and roof (standard WAM dimensions) · 20 + top bars, many with drawn comb · 1 entrance cover · 1 follower board… Continue reading Top Bar Bee Hives for Sale
May monthly meeting
Reminder folks, of our May monthly meeting at Paul Taylor's place next Sunday, 6 May from 13:00 to 15:00. Should be a lot less "business" than last time at our AGM, so more time for questions and discussion.
Reminder of our AGM this Sunday (8 April)
Just wanted to remind folks of our Annual General Meeting of the West Kootenay Beekeepers branch of the BCHPA to be held this Sunday, 8 April 2018, at Selkirk College, Castlegar campus. We will meet informally, as usual, at 12:00 in the college cafeteria for socializing and conversation. Please bring your own lunch and drink… Continue reading Reminder of our AGM this Sunday (8 April)
Werner Gysi’s Modified Method
Werner Gysi’s modified springtime method of; Swarm Control, Varroa Control, and Queen Replacement: He calls it SMC, sustainable mite control (everyone has to have a three letter acronym!) Timing: is when the dandelions are in full bloom. This will vary from one beekeeper to another due to the microclimates of the bee yard locations. Dandelion… Continue reading Werner Gysi’s Modified Method
Lithium for Varroa treatment
At our March meeting I mentioned the recent (published Jan 2018) article detailing the discovery that various Lithium compounds can be used to control Varroa mites. If you would like to read this article for yourself, here is the link; https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-017-19137-5#Tab2
