Attention Members: You can now reserve the oxalic acid vaporizer. Go to this link to get started.
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Update: Our Trading Post page now has the most recent updates to bees for sale in 2024. Check it out if you are looking to buy bees in our area.
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Minutes from December 11, 2023
President Joseph Klingelhutz called the meeting to order at 6:30.
Joseph asked for introductions from new members. Welcome! Joseph pointed out that new members may attend a meeting to “try it out” before committing to paying dues.
An election was held for treasurer as Jean Stallman has needed to step down. Diane Kuhlman was voted in unanimously. Thanks fort volunteering, Diane!
Diane gave a summary of our current finances. We have $1,364 carried over from last meeting with an additional $140 collected in September. Payment for $15.85 was made for oxalic acid for the club’s vaporizer. Joseph gave a brief summary of what our club’s funds are used for, including paying for speakers, events such as the field day and county fair and purchases of items for club use.
Elections will be coming up in the next meeting in February. President, Vice-president and secretary positions will be up for election. Jim Davis will be stepping down as secretary but will help maintain the website and facebook page and will help with the transition. Joseph reminded members that dues are up in February. Members will be kept on active membership for two years. After two years with no dues paid members will be polled to see if they are still interested in being members.
Changes in the calendar were again explained, with the changes being a February meeting, one in April and again one in September. A field day will be held in June at a date to be determined in the spring. An additional meeting will be held at club’s discretion.
Club apiary—Shaun Webb gave an update on the location for the club apiary. He has been exploring the possibility of having it at the Iowa City Water Treatment plant but the manager has said after-hour admittance to the site would not be permitted, which basically rules the site out. Other suggestions included area community gardens, private organic farms, the County Poor Farm and Burr Oak Land Trust properties. Concerns about liability might need to be explored. Iowa City has no regulations regarding bees, though Coralville does have regulations. Various members will be exploring options. Will Swain talked about donating honey from these hives to landowners should we have it on private land or to organizations such at Table to Table.
Sarah Gardner, the Climate Action Coordinator for the city of Iowa City has a grant to look into pollen sources from honey obtained from colonies within the city limits. Contact Sarah at (319) 887-6162 you have hives within the city and are interested in participating in the study.
Oxalic Acid Vaporizer update-- The vaporizer has been checked out 4 times. The full instructions, including forms needed and film links are on our club website. Members are encouraged to check it out. It is very quick. Don’t expect to really knock down all the mites with a single application. Reservation of the vaporizer is $10 per day. Oxalic acid is provided with the use but organic acid is available at local hardware stores.
Spring bees for sale-- Tyler Holton, a commercial beekeeper from central Iowa, who currently manages over 700 colonies, is planning to increase the sale of nucs and packages in his business. He intends to sell full five frame nucs, drawn comb, honey and pollen frames and full coverage of bees. These will sell for $190 with prices possibly less with quantity purchase by the club. Tyler currently has his colonies in California for almond pollination. Colonies will be treated and due to growth in the warmer climate, nucs will be available the first or second week in May, which is earlier than typical nucs put together in Iowa. Tyler’s website is https://holtonhomestead.com/.
Randy Hahn will be selling 5 frame nucs as well this spring, available as deep or medium frames, for $200, Carniolan, Caucasian mix. Contact Randy Hahn 319-936-2030.
Floyd Otdoerfer in Coralville will be selling 4 frame nucs in the spring, available around June 1st from Iowa overwintered bees. Contact Floyd at 319-351-7428.
James Miller also may have nucs available. Email James at jmsmill@yahoo.com
A question was posed by Rick Hain about what to do with wet wax cappings. Washing, melting down in a wax melter or double boiler were suggestions. Some simple wax melter plans can be found online.
Beekeeping classes-- Various classes are available this spring, including Indian Creek Nature Center, Holton Homestead and Kirkwood Community College in Washington, Iowa. A list can be found on our Events and Classes page on our website. Iowa Honey Producers also list classes offered statewide on their website. Will Swain reminded members that he and others in the club are willing to serve as mentors to new beekeepers.
IHPA Annual Conference-- James Miller gave a summary of what he experienced at the Iowa Honey Producers annual conference in November. There were many good speakers at this year’s event. A severe drought in much of the state has resulted in smaller hives, lowered brood pattern but less disease overall. Jamie Ellis presented a huge study on pollen patties and their effectiveness. The study, conducted in the South, showed little difference due to the use or absence of pollen patties. Pollen is a necessary protein for brood development. Here in the north, members noted, pollen patties or open pollen feeding can be helpful in the spring when natural pollen isn’t available. Providing pollen or substitute in the colony can help the bees when the weather turns cold and wet and bees can’t get out to collect natural pollen to feed the larvae. Will Swain commented on the importance of pollen from trees in the spring. Joseph cautioned about checking pollen patties as you inspect since small hive beetles can hide under the patties, on top of frames, and create quite a mess. Craig Aldrich sometimes sprinkles pollen substitute right on top of the top frames and the bees seem to take that in.
Mites were a big topic at the conference. James talked about the effect on the bees’ immune systems when the mites introduce viruses and this has a cumulative effect, eventually causing the colony to collapse. Treatment-free and varroa-sensitive bees still require a lot of management to keep the numbers of mites down.
Choose Iowa (http://chooseiowa.com) is a statewide directory that, for a $100 fee you can list your product/service. It’s all about producing and selling local products. Having a Choose Iowa sticker can be good for your business.
Rachel Vakulich was also at the conference and this ended her reign as Iowa Honey Queen. Rachel had a very good, very busy year and we were very fortunate to have her represent ECIBA. Thanks and good luck Rachel!
Winter Management-- Members talked about what they do to prepare for winter. One common element that is considered very important is top insulation. The term “condensing” was discussed, and as Randy Hahn explained refers to controlling moisture in the hive by having more top insulation rather than side insulation, which will help condensation run down the sides of the hive rather than dripping on the bees. Bees then can use this moisture as they need water in the winter, just not raining down on them. Mouse guards and reduced entrances are also important as is having wind breaks, particularly on the north and west side.
Joseph talked about a study looking at the clustering of bees, which the author looked at as not a method the bees use to keep the queen and brood warm but actually a distress behavior. The traditional thought is that the outer bees, which are colder, rotate in toward the center and others take their place. This study suggests many of the outer bees simply die. The thrust of the study indicates that insulation to keep bees warm is very important. The environment for bees in nature is typically more insulated than the traditional Langstroth hive.
Tar paper, stiff foam insulation and the Apimay have concept were mentioned as ways some keep their hives insulated.
Shaun Webb brought in a selection of books and materials to be shared. Members can feel free to borrow and also to bring in books or materials they are willing to share.
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Treats were provided by Rob McCain, Joseph Klingelhutz and Kathy Davis and were very much enjoyed! Thank you! An extended social time took place after the meeting. Again, much thanks to Rob for providing the location for us to meet. Happy Holidays to everyone.
Please email Jim Davis for any corrections or additions. (jim.nwjh@gmail.com)
Next meeting will be February 12th, 2024.
Minutes submitted by Jim Davis, Secretary
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Please note: the club officers are suggesting some changes to the club’s ByLaws. Below are proposed changes to several articles. Please take a moment to look these over. The proposals will be voted on at the February meeting.
4.4 Annual dues will be collected at the March meeting of ECIBA. Members not attending the March meeting may pay at any thereafter.
Change:
4.4 Annual dues will be collected at the February meeting of ECIBA. Members not attending this meeting may pay at any meeting thereafter or send payment to the treasurer.
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5.1 Meetings of the club will be held quarterly on the second Monday in March, June, September and December.
Change:
5.1 Meetings of the club will be held quarterly on the second Monday in February, April, and September. A Field Day will be held in the summer at a date to be determined.
5.2 Additional meetings may be held informally at member discretion.
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6.1 The officers of the organization shall consist of a president, a vice-president, a secretary, and a treasurer who shall constitute the Executive Board of the club.
6.2 Additional officer positions, such as committee chairs, may be created and officers appointed by the Executive Board
6.3 All members of the Executive Board must be members in good standing and must adhere to the ideals of the purposes of the club.
Change:
6.1 The officers of the organization shall consist of a president, a vice-president, a secretary, and a treasurer who, in addition to one to two at-large members, shall constitute the Board of Directors of the club.
6.2 Additional officer positions, such as committee chairs, may be created and officers appointed by the Board of Directors.
6.3 All members of the Board of Directors must be members in good standing and must adhere to the ideals of the purposes of the club.
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7.32 At the end of the two-year term, the vice-president shall assume the position of president.
7.33 The president, upon completion of his or her term, shall not be eligible for re-election to office for a minimum of two years.
Change:
7.32 At the end of the two-year term, should the president choose to resign, the vice-president may be appointed president upon approval of a majority vote.
Deletion of 7.33
