Reading Our Hives 6:30PM Wed 4/17 |
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Topic: Reading Our Hives, SnoKing Beekeepers Association April 17, 2024 Monthly Meeting Time: Apr 17, 2024 06:30 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada) Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83077943328?pwd=MzZaUjRKZDQ2U25DSWJ1S1JPK0orZz09 Meeting ID: 830 7794 3328 Passcode: 618169 |
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Let's gather 6:30PM this Wed April 17 to review what we should be seeing in our hives and what we hope not to see in our hives. Eli will put up some slides to get the conversation going with emphasis on reading our hives and staying one step ahead. Even while installing a nuc, what should a new beekeeper be looking for on the frames? You experienced beekeepers, what should you be pointing out to new beekeepers making their first hive inspections? We can review what we are facing now and soon: swarms and splits for overwintered colonies, hunger absconding for unfed nucs and packages, putting up swarm traps and every way we can think of to be proactive. All of that depends on what we see in nature and in our hives. After Eli's presentation, we will continue with club discussion. Any last minute questions on nuc/package ordering, pickup, installation, care and followup, etc.? This is not just for beginners, but also a review for potential mentors. If you mentors have successfully done it in the past, can you explain it to help someone else succeed? Any reviews on nucs/packages already picked up? If you describe the quality of a nuc, give us as many specifics as possible: number of brood frames included, was there at least a frame of stores (honey/pollen), overflowing with bees or just an okay number, etc. |
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At the time of writing this newsletter, the temperatures are warm enough in many areas of Western Washington for rapid brood buildup, even if not every day is sunny enough for foraging. How many of you have completely changed from dry to liquid feed? How many beekeepers (maybe at higher elevations) still don't trust the weather and still offer both? We believe we have passed the latest snow or serious freeze date on the ridge here at the Maltby Apiary. How's your bigleaf maple flow? Closeup of the flower shown above. Have you ever tasted maple honey? I was surprised to find out that many trees contain essential oils in their sap and therefore in their nectar. |
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Below you will find classes, workshops, discussion group meetings and other networking/sharing opportunities of 2024. Spring gets busy fast! Don't delay anything beekeeping related. Try to stay proactive and one step ahead: adding needed space; swarm traps and yellow jacket traps deployed; deciding on varroa treatments, ordering them and other supplies. |
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CONTENTS: The Beekeeper's Apprentice 4/10/2024 Club Apiaries opening late this month Membership - new and renewal Classes: "Auditing" classes - free for members Beginner – starting May 13th 6:30PM Mondays Apprentice – starting June 20th 6:30PM Thursdays Journeyman – starting Sept 2024 Master Beekeeper Certificate at Cornell University 33 1/3% discount for SnoKing members still available. Email Eli for discount code, or with questions about program because Eli is currently enrolled in the program! Healing through Hives: beekeeping class reimbursement for military veterans & family members Discussion Groups: The Hive Mind 4th Mondays for all levels novice to experienced, led by Journeyman candidate Gina Cuff Facebook SnoKing Beekeepers discussion group – always open Trophallaxis 1st Wednesdays – May 1st. Topic to be announced' State of the Hive': Eli Ocheltree Feature Article: Honey Bee Nutrition, first article of a series by Heidi Goodgion, Journeyman candidate WSU seminars and workshops 5/18, 5/19, 6/29 Donations Extractors Club Apiaries - closed for the season until weather permits opening (late April) |
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The Beekeeper's Apprentice, 30th Anniversary Event SnoKing Beekeepers presented at a Bellevue event commemorating the 30th anniversary of The Beekeeper's Apprentice, the first book in what has now become a series of 18 novels written by Laurie R. King. Pictured above left to right are Matt Burrough (locks expert), Eli Ocheltree, Laurie R. King, and Pat Wehmeyer. Eli and Pat are SnoKing members who displayed the observation hive in the picture, set up a honey tasting and presented on why beekeeping fascinates all minds, particularly the mind of a detective. Fans of Sherlock Holmes already knew that he became a beekeeper in retirement. The main character of author Laurie R. King's series is Mary Russell. In 1915 Mary Russell meets Sherlock Holmes who is then keeping bees on the Sussex Downs. Mary becomes his beekeeping apprentice, then his detective apprentice, and then partner in sleuthing. You can find more information on the series at the author's website https://laurierking.com/russell-holmes-days/ The event was a double feature: beekeeping and lockpicking, an interesting combination. In addition to our beekeeping presentation, locksmith Matt Burrough standing on the left in the picture is the locksmith who had 50 people picking locks under his instruction. He writes books and does seminars on this "locksport." https://burrough.org/ |
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Above: Queen Valkyrie II granted audiences at the Bellevue event. |
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Volunteer opportunities in Apiaries: Message from Granite Falls Apiary Manager Ron Robinson: “Due to an untreated injury I received awhile back (wife says I'm stubborn) I am down to 1 useful arm this year (hopefully not a full year). That being said, at the Granite Falls Apiary this season, we will focus on how to manage hives with a handicap/disability preventing us from using traditional hives. I will have top bar, long Lang, (possibly bringing back the famed bee barn) as well as using lighter weight Apimaye hives. |
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If you are interested in attending the apiary classes at either location, email eliochel@snokingbka.org and we will put your email on a list to notify when the dates and times each of the apiaries will be open. Eli will do most Saturdays April 27 through mid-August and Ron did alternate Sundays in 2023. We will put the dates and times on the Calendar page at www.snokingbka.org in the newsletter and post them occasionally on the FB group discussion page but it may be best to get on the email notification list by contacting Eli/Ron. There are also a few opportunities to come by on weekdays during the summer and talk bees and help out, usually because some volunteers are working on the queen rearing project those days. So, stay in touch and stay tuned for updates. |
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MEMBERSHIP - Please join or renew to support our club activities in 2024. SnoKing Beekeepers membership year runs from October 1 to September 30 of each year. Our thanks to those who have already renewed. If you have not already done so, please join or renew by completing our membership application at www.snokingbka.org/join and payment of $30 via paypal to snokingba@gmail.com or to the Donate button at the top right of our webpage header: |
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NEXT CLASSES START: APPRENTICE weekly on 7 Thursdays June 20 & 27; July 11, 18 & 25; August 1 & 8, 2024 6:30-8:00PM. Please note no class on July 4th BEGINNER weekly on 7 Mondays 6:30PM May 13 & 20, June 3, 10, 17 & 24, and July 1st. Please note no class on Memorial Day. JOURNEYMAN starts again Fall 2024 (Sept-Nov). Ask to be notified when dates and times are set for the next session. Although the academic course is only part of Journeyman certification, many Journeyman candidates find that it gives them knowledge and confidence to complete the other requirements, particularly the service hours requirement which may include mentoring, presentations, and other club & community service hours. MASTER BEEKEEPER Certificate at Cornell University https://ecornell.cornell.edu/certificates/beekeeping/master-beekeeping/ Before registering, email Eli eliochel@snokingbka.org for discount code because the 33 1/3% discount for SnoKing members is still available. Also, Eli is currently enrolled in the program, enjoying it, and would be happy to answer questions. Cornell's program is the best Master program available to us in Western Washington at this time! |
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AUDITING CLASSES: In addition, SnoKing offers an unusual member benefit: a member can audit a class for free for any level already achieved. Email eliochel@snokingbka.org to be placed on the weekly class email list at no cost for current members. This is of particular benefit to those who took classes pre-2019, before the major rewrite of the manuals. Any member who previously earned a certificate is welcome to join a current class for free and access the most current information. The easiest way to join as an “alumnus” is to email eliochel@snokingbka.org and ask to receive the weekly class emails with link, handouts and other information. |
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Military Veterans and your families: Thank you for your service. In addition to mere words such as those, there are some programs that thank you by assisting with some expenses such as beekeeping classes. If you are a veteran or a family member thinking of starting beekeeping, there are funds for reimbursement of some beekeeping class fees and perhaps for other classes as well. WASBA included an article on this in its bi-monthly newsletter. It should apply to WASBA certificate classes taught by SnoKing or any other member clubs of WASBA. |
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CLASSES offered year-round via zoom with SnoKing Beekeepers Assn. All classes include manual, online testing, and WASBA certificate plus WASBA 2024 membership upon course completion. Please register as far in advance as possible so that print manuals can be ordered and mailed to you before the beginning of class. Questions about the level at which you should start? Call or text 206-859-7392 or email eliochel@snokingbka.org. |
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Next TROPHALLAXIS zoom meeting Wed May 1st at 6:30PM is open to WASBA Journeyman candidates, Journeymen, and Master Beekeepers. Topic to be announced. Masters, Journeymen and Journeyman candidates: Trophallaxis, a Journeyman and Beyond online networking and sharing group for all who have taken or are taking the academic portion of the WASBA Journeyman, is meeting by zoom on first Wednesdays. Although hosted by SnoKing Beekeepers, this discussion group is open to all Washington State Beekeepers who are Journeyman or Masters, and those who are taking or have taken the academic course of WASBA Journeyman certification. Other groups such as The Hive Mind can meet the needs of beekeepers not yet taking Journeyman. See that information elsewhere in this newsletter. |
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State of the Hive Above: WS-5000 Ambient Weather Station report at Maltby Apiary, 15324 228th ST SE, Snohomish, WA 98296, for the last 60 days. The line on this graph shows the average outdoor temperature as well as the highs and lows at the Maltby location. Please notice how many days and how many hours of those days that bees cannot forage per this average temperature. Many of you beekeepers are in locations that are warming faster than the Maltby Apiary locations, so you are adjusting management of your hives for that difference. Compare the daily temperatures in the graph line to the temperatures at which bees can perform different activities in the thermometer diagram below (The Beekeeper's Handbook, Sammataro and Avitabile, 5th ed.). The difference between real time temperatures from necessary or ideal temperatures for an activity, illustrates the bees' continuing high need for energy. Our strong overwintered hives with stores are managing; smaller colonies with less stores and a smaller foraging workforce may be struggling to keep the broodnest at 92-94 degrees F and expanding. |
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Supplemental feed to keep nutrition up when foraging is limited by inclement weather or a small hive's shortage of foraging workers is an important seasonal management tool. Another is trapping yellowjacket and hornet queens coming out of dormancy. Maltby Apiary just trapped its first yellow jacket queen! That means one less wasp hive that will build up to prey on honey bees this summer and fall! |
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Broodminder weight change graph above for 2 overwintered colonies: visual inspection confirms expanding broodnest in each, but overall weight is still dropping as the colonies consume the last of winter stores. Liquid feed placed on hives last Saturday. |
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FEATURE ARTICLE The following article is written by one of our members, Journeyman candidate Heidi Goodgion, owner of Honey Products, LLC, hive products and hosting/consulting service. |
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Honey Bee Nutrition Part 1: What is honey bee nutrition? Just as humans benefit from the nutritional value of Honey, Pollen and Propolis, Honey Bees benefit from raw resources such as, Water, Nectar, Pollen, Tree Resins and Honey Dew. These nutritional food resources are collected by foraging Honey Bees, brought back to feed hive bees and provide adequate shelter for the hive. These resources are passed on to hive workers that begin the process of cultivating nutritional food source for larvae, pupae, Queen Bee, Drone Bee, and House Bees. If there are minimal resources available or the resources available produce minimal nutritional value to the Honey Bee, the effect will be (1) colony death (2) absconding, (3) robbing from other colonies. Honey provides daily carbohydrates for Honey Bee function and energy. Nectar flows within an approximate area contain carbohydrates, protein, minerals, amino acids, natural sugars. Pollen sustains Honey Bees with protein nutrition collected from pollen producing flora, trees and grasses. Pollen contains amino acids, lipids, vitamins, macro- and micronutrients. Bee Bread From the collection of Honey & Pollen Bee Bread is produced by the Honey Bee as a winter food source for adult and emerging Honey Bees. Tree Resin is produced by trees (conifers, cottonwoods, etc.) from growth or inflicted damage. When collected and returned to the hive, resin is then mixed with the honey bee salivary enzymes and beeswax. The final product is called Propolis. Propolis contains minerals & vitamins, is antimicrobial, antiviral and anti-fungal. All of these elements contribute to (1) colony hygiene, (2) sealing the hive as added protection from the weather elements and (3) defense against predatory pests. Honey Dew is not derived from a plant, flora or conifer but is collected from plant-sucking insect (aphids, leafhoppers, and psyllids) defecation. Honey Dew composition varies based on the source the insect is feeding on. Essentially honey dew is sweet, sticky sugar enriched with amino acids that provides a nutritious enriched carbohydrate. Some Bees may pass up nectar to get the carbohydrate rich honey dew. Water is collected to help keep house hive workers hydrated as they work to maintain a temperature for brood rearing and support their digestive system. Water is also mixed with pollen, honey and propolis. End of Part One of Honey Bee Nutrition, H. Goodgion. To be continued in next newsletter. |
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Policy Statement: There will be one essential rule at Trophallaxis and at any meeting or activity hosted by SnoKing Beekeepers. Ron Robinson stated it best for our Facebook discussion group, when he said: "SKBA prides itself on the fact we are not like other groups on Facebook. We have become known as a safe group for keepers of all levels to comfortably ask questions and opinions without being blasted or publicly humiliated for asking what may seem like a very basic question to others. Any harassing, bullying, demeaning behavior, or such will not be tolerated. We have a zero tolerance policy and such behavior will result in immediate removal from club and all club activities." |
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WSU seminars and workshops SnoKing has been asked by Bri Price of WSU to provide the following message to our members about upcoming beekeeping workshops offered by WSU. Bri says: “We have a limited capacity during our upcoming workshops. Here is an update on how many spots were available in case you were still deciding whether you plan to register. As of today (April 9) at 12pm… “There is 1 spot left in the hands-on training portion of the Diagnostic Microscopy Workshop in Puyallup (May 18) – reminder: the seminar / lunch portion has a much larger capacity! Register here: https://registration.events.wsu.edu/webentom/product/wsu-bee-keeping-workshop/ “There are 5 spots left in the hands-on training portion of the Diagnostic Microscopy Workshop in Mt. Vernon (May 19) – reminder: the seminar / lunch portion has a much larger capacity! Register here: https://registration.events.wsu.edu/webentom/product/wsu-honey-bee-microscopy-workshop-registration-mt-vernon/ |
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Journeyman SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES: Outreach/Service Opportunities are most frequent at this time of year. If you might be interested in a certain area or type of group presentation, contact Eli 206-859-7392, eliochel@snokingbka.org. One way to reach out to the public is through podcasts. “Teach Me Bees" is a podcast from Honey 4 Hope in Monroe, Washington, co-hosted by Dave Wescott and Scott Calentine. They welcome just about anyone with bee experience and episodes are about 30-40 minutes long. If you're interested in joining us, email scott@honey4hope.org. |
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FREE for pickup by SnoKing members at the Maltby Apiary. Free cinder blocks and quart glass canning jars donated to our club by fellow beekeepers. Text Eli 206-859-7392 or email eliochel@snokingbka.org . |
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DISCUSSION GROUPS: SnoKing club ASK A BEEKEEPER sessions will pick up again in spring; dates and times TBA. THE HIVE MIND networking group for beginning (and advanced!) beekeepers continues on 2nd Thursdays. Contact Gina Cuff ginacuff@gmail.com for information and zoom link by monthly reminder email. SNOKING BEEKEEPERS Facebook discussion group is open to all Western Washington Beekeepers and continues throughout the year. Ask to join on Facebook or by emailing beebuddy.skba@gmail.com Ron Robinson with the email that you use on Facebook and he can invite you to join. |
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DONATIONS: Donations are growing our club; thank you to all who donate equipment, money and time. Please continue to help us in 2024 as well, including by payment of annual dues via paypal after completing membership form at www.snokingbka.org/join . If you need a donation letter as receipt, SnoKing Beekeepers is glad to provide one as a 501(c)3. Contact Eli 206-859-7392, eliochel@snokingbka.org |
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EXTRACTORS: Three extractors are now available for use by club members. Get more information at the meeting or contact Ron 206-719-3604 or Eli. |
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CLUB APIARIES: Maltby opening Saturdays on May 4th (except May 18th) Times will be posted on www.snokingbka.org/calendar Eli - eliochel@snokingbka.org 206-859-7392 Granite Falls will open with installation of nucs in the next couple weeks, so text or email Ron if interested in attending beebuddy.skba@gmail.com 206-719-3604 |
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We look forward to talking bees with you at 3rd Wednesday monthly meetings. Zoom link for the next meeting: Topic: Reading Our Hives, SnoKing Beekeepers Association April 17, 2024 Monthly Meeting Time: Apr 17, 2024 06:30 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada) Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83077943328?pwd=MzZaUjRKZDQ2U25DSWJ1S1JPK0orZz09 Meeting ID: 830 7794 3328 Passcode: 618169 |
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The mission of the SKBA, a 501c3 member club of WASBA, is to provide educational opportunities, networking and support to beekeepers and people interested in honey bees, particularly those involved in small-scale beekeeping in Washington State west of the Cascades. |
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"We talk bees!" at SnoKing Beekeepers Association. Best wishes for 2024: keep your hopes high and your mite counts low! |
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