Saturday, January 27, 2018

presented by

Beekeepers of the Bitterroot

We had a great turnout for our Beeginning Beekeepers Class. About 60 people showed up of the 80 who registered on-line. That was a pretty good turnout. It appeared that everyone enjoyed the class and picked up beginning knowledge and/or enhanced knowledge already stored in their brain.

Alyssa Piccolomini, the state entomologist, was a guest and her presentation was excellent and helped clear up information about registering apiaries with the state (it is a good idea).

Kellieann, Christy,and two more from Ravalli County Weed Commission presented good information on bee friendly plants and invasive and noxious plants we might find in Western Montana. They were impressed by the number of people and interested expressed in bees and bee plants. We hope to have them come to a future meeting to expand on that topic.

Scott and Larry from the Missoula club attended and proposed a cooperative agreement between our clubs. Any member of either club may attend the other club meetings with full privileges. SOUNDS GREAT. We're following up on that.

Remember, out next general meeting is on Saturday February 10th at the First Assembly of God 601 W Main Street in Hamilton.
Please bring a non-perishable food item to contribute to the church's food bank to express our appreciation for the use of the space!

Many thanks to Megann Williams of The Grind, the new coffee shop in the University facility for preparing our lunch meals and being so accommodating in the number of sandwiches needed.

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MINUTES FEBRUARY 2018 MEETING

Meeting opened at approximately 9 AM February 10th President Loren Stormo presiding.

Opening and greetings.

Renewing of memberships

Western Bee sent 2 $50 gift cards

Bitterroot Beekeeper members can join 2-3 sessions in the Missoula Bee club for free

Randy Oliver will be coming to Missoula July 6th and 7th for Field Days.

-More to come

Pros and Cons of package vs. a nuc

· Wait to release the queen to avoid swarming with a package since the bees in the package may not know or “trust” the queen yet

· Nucs’ bees are more settled and ahead of the game but may swarm more readily

· Outdoor Bee will deliver nucs to Missoula. Tim and Loren will pick up in Missoula and members can pick up at Super1 in Stevensville and Hamilton. Check the club website for other bee sources

· It’s important to pick a good mentor! Talk to the club leadership about a mentor for club members.

Kerry Zimmerman shared info about woodenware.

· 3 medium supers = 2 deep brood boxes

· Kerry offered to loan out frame nailing jigs

· It’s a good idea to keep an extra box, lid and bottom for in case you catch a swarm

· Electric bee fences are important to deter bears

· Use a doorway or wall to help create a 90% angle when putting together your boxes.

· Nail a cleat on the ends of boxes to extend handholds

Treatments – time in between? Can treat concurrently for different diseases and pests

Dave Wick can test for diseases and pests if you bring him some bee carcasses

Feeding is important if bees don’t have enough honey. In hive feeders need ladders to avoid bee drowning

Drip board is helpful when harvesting honey

Meeting adjourned at approximately 11:10 AM. Many folks hung around talking (guess what) BEES.

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March 10, 2018

Beekeepers of the Bitterroot Meeting Minutes

<<meeting called to order by President Loren Stormo at approximately 0905>>

Minutes were approved from last meeting.

Discussion regarding separating from Bitterroot RC&D. Consensus seemed to be that it was a better idea to stay

Motion made, seconded and passed to add Tim Meyer and Dianne McBride to the list of people who can authorize checks from Bitterroot RC&D

Randy Oliver coming July 6 and 7. 1st day is classroom stuff and 2nd day is lab day at the bee yard for U of M. Cost should be about $60 for both days.

A microscope to check for Nosema was donated to the club.

A club apiary was proposed. Tim knows of 7 acres near Dutch Hill and 93 that would work. Concerns about how to register this Apiary with the state were discussed.

Western Bee still has some packages available for those who have not yet ordered bees.

Outdoor Bee will deliver to Hamilton on or about April 27 for those who have ordered from him. Bring cash or money order to pay when you pick them up from him. He may or may not have a few more nucs. Call Rueben to ask (509) 270-5803

A review of packages and nucs was done. Reminder not to release the queen too quickly since workers have not had a chance to get used to her.

Queens from this year are being marked in red.

Kerry talked about how to mark queens yourself.

Treatments were discussed. Nucs and packages should always be treated. Loren has oxalic acid vaporizers for ½ price for club members.

Hopguard was mentioned as a treatment. Contains lupulin from hops to treat for mites.

Testing for Nosema: Next meeting will be a lab day after the usual meeting. Members can bring squished bees to learn how to look for Nosema using the club microscope.

Feeding was discussed: 1 to 1 syrup mixture is ideal for spring.

Pollen patties provide protein to stimulate brood production. AP 23 is a good option.

Missoula Fresh Market offers 50 pound bags of sugar to beekeepers at their cost.

As a general rule don’t open the hive unless it’s 50 degrees outside.

Different types of feeders were discussed.

Boardman feeders (outside) may encourage robbing.

Ziploc bag filled with 1 gallon of sugar water placed on top of frames. 2 slits with a razor blade are sufficient.

Check your hives in late spring. If you are seeing queen cells and they are running out of room either do a split or provide more space with another brood box.

Supersedure (make a new queen) cells are usually in the middle of the frame and swarm cells are on the bottom (usually.)

Foundations should probably be replaced every 5 years or so.

<<open discussion after business portion meeting concluded at approximately 11:05 and meeting adjourned.>>

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Minutes from April 14

Started at 9:04

· Approved minutes from the March meeting.

· Financial Report Income $1,875 ($905 for Beeginner Class, $975 for 39 memberships) Expenses as of end of Feb $916 ($790 program expense, $126 Administrative) Balance approx. $3100.

· Membership report - 39 paid members so far

· Importance of tracking volunteer time and expenses for us and RC&D

· Status of package availability and delivery from Western Bee and NUC Sold out, still planning April 27th. Outdoor Bee – 1 week later!! Sat. May 5th 4-5pm at Mt. Firewood Products at 127 Bell Crossing West Victor, MT

· Still some NUCs available from Arlee Apiaries

· Meeting place now relocated to Mosaic Church, 206 Main in Hamilton

· Anyone interested in catching swarms? Email Tim Meyer to get on the list.

· Motion made, seconded, discussed to get a club apiary. Discussed options for location including Dutch Hill Road, Kerry’s place, or Teller Refuge. Motion passed with location still being researched.

· Update on editing by-laws for our club

· Cleaning Ft. Missoula UM Beekeeping facility. Saturday, Apr 21

· Don’t forget Randy Oliver Field Camp July 6th and 7th

· For sale: Dadant 6-frame hand-crank model, brand new. Price TBD but less than new price of approx. $525. Leave a message for Rob at 258-3867

· Missoula club plans on Autumn Fluke, queen cell construction in May, weather permitting.

· Warren and Kirk are going to put together a queen order. Contact them soon if you want in on it.

9:40 – 11:00 Testing bees for Nosema -

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Beekeepers of the Bitterroot

May 12, 2018 Meeting Minutes

9:08 Begin Meeting

Club business

· Welcome new people.

· Approve minutes from the April meeting.

· Financial Report Income $1,875 ($905 for Beeginner Class, $975 for 39 memberships) Expenses as of March 31, $944 ($790 program expense, $154 Administrative) Balance approx. $3140.

· Membership report - 43 paid members so far

· Thanks to:

o Tim and all who helped with the Outdoor Bee NUCs

o Thanks to the Ft. Missoula cleanup crew

o Thanks to Warren, Tracie and Richard for representing us at the 4th Grade Farm Fair

· This is the time to add a super for established colonies

· Update on Randy Oliver Field Camp July 6th and 7th- Over half full and this class is a great deal. Sign up now if you want to go.

· Now is the time to be watching for swarms and swarm cells

Hive inspection demonstration and Q & A with Warren Neyenhuis

Visual inspection of outside of new hives in the FFA apiary. (Too cold to crack them open)

11:02 Meeting adjourned.

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June 2018

Beekeepers of the Bitterroot meeting minutes

Start at 9:06 am.

A motion was made, seconded and passed to accept the minutes from the May meeting.

Membership and financial update:

46 members have paid dues for 2018.

Teller Wildlife Refuge (where we have the club apiary) is running a fundraiser. They are asking for local beekeepers to donate honey as this year’s theme is “pollinators.” To donate, call 961-3507 and talk to Heather or Karen.

Someone in the club recently lost a colony of bees to American Foul Brood and did the right thing by calling club leadership and the state apiculturist. Their entire colony has to be humanely killed and all equipment associated with the colony was burned.

A motion was made, seconded and passed to donate new equipment to this club member and future club members who take one for the team to prevent this disease from spreading to others in the valley.

We have a member who due to illness must sell four new hives. A get well card was circulated for members to sign. Call Lezlee @ 381-2954 for info – leave message if no answer, they are quite busy.

Small hive beetles were found in nucs that were delivered to the Gallatin area this year. Scott Debnam, doctoral researcher at University of Montana, discussed the life cycle of the hive beetle and ways to deal with it.

A discussion was had about finding a veterinary resource for beekeepers to dispense treatment for American Foul Brood.

Scott talked about the “shook method” for treating foul brood which has been used in Europe with great success. This is not approved in the US.

Meeting ended at 11:03

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There was no Bee Club Meeting during July 2018

Bee Field Camp in Missoula

on Friday July 6 and Saturday July 7

The Field Camp was a big success and we are working on having another one next year.

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August Beekeepers of the Bitterroot Club Meeting Minutes

August 11, 2018

Meeting called to order at 9:06.

Club business

· Welcome new people.

· Volunteer log for RC&D was passed

· Minutes from June meeting were approved.

o Financial Report Income $2,130 ($905 for Beeginner Class, $1,225 for 49 memberships) Expenses as of Sept 30 - June, $975 ($790 program expense, $185 Administrative) Balance approx. $3,360.11.

o Randy Oliver Event:

§ Income = $7,248.45

§ Expenses = $4,900.55

§ “Profit” = $2,347.90 / 2 = $1,173.95 per club

· Thanks to:

o All who worked on the Randy Oliver event

o Mentors

o All who worked on writing the bylaws for the club

· 9:14 am: Bylaws for the club were discussed. A motion to accept the bylaws as written was made by Dianne McBride. Motion was seconded by Warren Neyenhuis.

o Discussion:

§ Do we have enough people in attendance to make a quorum?

§ It was decided that a quorum is not needed until bylaws are actually in effect.

§ Will these bylaws be acceptable to the State of Montana?

§ Bylaws are patterned after the bylaws of other clubs so… yes.

o 9:19 motion was voted on and unanimously carried.

· Small hive beetle, Varroa, American foulbrood, Nosema – watch for pestilence. Get ready for honey harvest

· Two more people volunteered to host the honey extractor at their house.

· Fair Time!!!

o Booth volunteers (Openings: 6 @ 4 hour slots. 3 @ slots are already filled )

o A motion was made by Warren Neyenhuis to donate up to $60 for prize money for ribbon winners in the “baked goods with honey” category at the fair. Motion was seconded by Tim Meyer. Motion passed unanimously.

o Black jars were made available for those who entered honey tasting category.

· Tim Meyer mentioned that Tammany Veterinary Hospital in Corvalis has a vet who is willing to learn about bees enough to be able to prescribe antibiotics for American Foul Brood. A vet will need to visit your apiary and inspect your bees first. Ask for Allie when you call. (406) 961-1321

Jaylene Naylor on WAS 2018 in Boise

Club member and past club president Jaylene was elected 2nd Vice President of the Western Apicultural Society at the most recent conference of WAS in Boise.

Next WAS conference will be mid-July 2019 in Ashland, OR. Should be a good source in information and education.

Loren gave a presentation about Varroa Mites – Pest of the Honey Bee

** Randy Oliver screened Varroa cup for alcohol wash was given to all members in attendance.

· Please visit these web sites to learn more about alcohol wash:

o http://scientificbeekeeping.com/how-to-perform-an-alcohol-wash/

http://scientificbeekeeping.com/an-improved-but-not-yet-perfect-varroa-mite-washer/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CF0X8_Yun9Y

Meeting adjourned at 11:00 am.

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Beekeepers of the Bitterroot

Minutes of September 2018 meeting:

Meeting began at 9:07 am September 8, 2018

Club business

· Welcome new people.

· Volunteer log for RC&D was passed around and signed

· August meeting minutes were approved. (Motion made, seconded and unanimously passed.)

· Financial Report Income $2,130 ($905 for Beeginner Class, $1,225 for 49 memberships) Expenses as of Sept 30 - June, (audit slowed the processing of our reports) $975 ($790 program expense, $185 Administrative) Balance approx. $3,360.11. (This doesn’t include a deposit from 9/6/18 of $1,323.95 for 6 memberships at $150 and 50% proceeds from Randy Oliver of $1,1173.95 or expenses of $30 for prizes at Ravalli Co. Fair.)

· Anyone who has expenses to submit (coffee, doughnuts, etc.) was encouraged to do so soon before fiscal year end.

· Thanks to:

o Mentors

o Tracie and Richard Norman for the booth setup and all who worked at the fair

· Extraction at Joni and Loren’s. Call 406-544-3515 to schedule your extraction

· A quorum was established to vote for officers.

· Election of officers for a 2 year term- Motion made, seconded, and unanimously passed to accept all officers as listed:

o President – Loren Stormo

o Vice President – Jaylene Naylor

o Secretary/Treasurer – Dianne McBride

o Directors:

§ Casey Ruggiero

§ Warren Neyenhuis

§ Tracie Norman

§ Al Pernichele

Fall preparations to increase odds of winter survival

· Remove EXCESS honey (leave approx. 100 pounds)

· Feed 2:1 sugar water

· Take steps to reduce robbing

o Don’t use Boardman front entrance feeders

o Minimize entrance size

· Test for pests and treat if necessary.

o Varroa – high varroa counts have been found in the valley. Test and treat ASAP

o Nosema

· Research / consider insulating and/or wrapping hives during the winter

· Questions