East Central Iowa
Beekeepers Association
Minutes from
September
10, 2018
***** Important
Notice: The date for our December meeting will be Tuesday the
11th
rather than the 10th due to conflicts with
availability of
the meeting rooms at the Coralville Library. The December
meeting
will be in room A of the Coralville Library as usual.
The
meeting was called to order by Dave Irvin. New members were
introduced.
A
big
thanks was given for those who volunteered to help with the bee
tent
at the Johnson County Fair.
Dave
gave an update on his health condition, and we're glad he is
looking
well.
State Fair:
Some
members attended and enjoyed the experience, though it was hot.
Crowds at the bee exhibit were steady.
Honey Crops:
Various
members reported on their season's production. Results were
mixed. Currently, there is a lot of goldenrod but bees don't
seem to be on
it much.
Mentoring:
A
sheet was passed around for those who are interested in working
with
someone to learn about beekeeping and those who are mentoring or
would be interested in mentoring.
***
Working with another to share your knowledge and experience can
be
fun and rewarding. If you would be willing to work with someone,
please contact one of the individuals below.
Samantha
Jacobs 319-431-8644 samijj1310@yahoo.com
Rob
McCain 319-621-7653 Rob.McCain@gmail.com
Small Hive Beetles:
There
seems to be an increase in the number of small hive beetles in
our
area. Keeping a strong hive will diminish the effects they may
have
on a hive. Some suggest having limestone around the base of the
hives to keep the area dry, which may discourage the beetles.
Creamed Honey:
Bill
and Tina Jennings run Rapid Creek Honey from their backyard
apiary. They currently have 11 hives and sell at the farmer's
market. Creamed
honey is popular at the market. The Dice method is the standard
method of creating creamed honey and this can be found online.
However, Bill uses an egg beater to blend up crystallized honey.
He
puts about a tablespoon of this into a jar of clear honey and
after
several days in the refrigerator the jar has turned into creamed
honey, with a nice firm consistency. He does not heat the clear
honey
as the Dice method recommends, as this destroys many of the
healthy
aspects of the honey. The Jennings offered taste samples, then,
of
their creamed honey. Discussion followed with questions about
moisture content, temperature effects on honey, and various
names
creamed honey goes by.
Bill
also talked about his experience with Apivar, a mite treatment,
applied after honey removal. He has had 100% winter survival
using
this treatment method. Floyd mentioned the chemical doesn't kill
the
mites but weakens them so they can't attach to the host. Bill
also
keeps a stack of hives through the winter rather than reducing
to one
deep chamber. The importance of ventilation and methods of
ventilating the hive was discussed by various members.
Matt
Stewart/Neonicotinoids:
Matt
spoke about some agricultural practices that are detrimental to
honey
bees, particularly neonicotinoids.
North American
Mite-A-Thon:
An
information sheet was passed around about this national mite
survey
taking place September 8-15.
Winter Prep:
Look
at hives to see if feeding is needed. Pure honey fed back is
best but
sugar water also works.
Make
sure to do mite treatments.
Close
off screened bottom boards, put mouse guards in place. Strips to
keep varmints from eating bees are recommended as well.
Wrapping
hives also recommended, black roofing felt is common. Be sure to
leave holes for access and ventilation. Placing hives close to
one
another can help protect them.
Hives
can be moved for better winter protection, once winter starts.
General Comments:
Floyd
has some extra equipment he will make available since he is
downsizing. Contact him for more information.
Best
mite treatment? Many options, but oxalic acid or strips such as
Apivar are recommended.
After
extraction, let the bees clean up the honey supers.
Questions
were raised about how to protect frames from wax moths after
extraction. Freeze frames after extracted and cleaned to kill
larva/eggs, then moth balls can be used to help keeps moths
away.
Someone
could volunteer to attend the November Annual meeting of the
Iowa
Honey Producers and report on that. (If anyone would like to do
this,
please email or phone Jim Davis to get on the agenda. davisjk@southslope.net
319-626-2998. )
Topic ideas for the
December meeting:
--Many
recent reports have focused on declining quality of queens. Is
there
research to support this?
--A
calendar of flower blooms throughout the year could be made
available
to club members.
--A
field trip to someone's apiary could be arranged
Minutes
submitted by Jim Davis (davisjk@southslope.net)
Visit
our website at: http://eastcentraliowabeekeepers.blogspot.com
