Central Oregon Beekeeping Association

04/24/2026

You may see a cluster of bees resting on a tree, fence, or structure. This is a natural part of the honey bee lifecycle.

The bees are resting while scout bees search for a new home. In most cases, they will move on within a day or two.

What you should do:
• Keep a safe distance
• Keep children and pets away
• Do not disturb or spray them

If the swarm needs to be removed, contact a local beekeeper! Beekeepers are often able to safely relocate swarms, typically at no cost.

Not sure what you’re looking at?
Visit our Swarm Page: 👉 https://cobeekeeping.org/Swarm-Page

You’ll find a list of Central Oregon beekeepers, organized by area.

01/31/2026

🐝 COBKA 2026 Beginners Beekeeping Course 🌸

Our once-a-year Beginners Beekeeping Course is designed to give new beekeepers the knowledge, confidence, and local support needed to successfully navigate the first year of beekeeping in Central Oregon.

We will cover:
🍯 Hive components & setup
🐝 Essential gear & protection
🌼 Acquiring and managing bees
🔍 Colony inspections
🛡️ Pest & disease prevention

Saturday, February 7, 2026
8:30 AM - 3:30 PM
Registration:

If you’re brand new to beekeeping or want to strengthen your foundational skills, join us for our 2026 Beginners' Beekeeping Course. This in-person course is designed to build practical knowledge and confidence for your first year of beekeeping using Langstroth hives. Course Details Location: The ...

11/15/2025

🐝Next Tuesday (Nov 18th): Join us for a for a hot winter topic!

The Million-Dollar Question: Do I Insulate or Ventilate My Hives This Winter?

We'll have examples of insulating materials ranging from clever DIY solutions to commercially produced options.

One question to consider:
Do bees need more food when it’s very cold, or when it’s warmer and they’re more active?

Raffle: Feeling lucky? Stay for a chance to win an insulated inner and outer cover from Bee Smart (a $71 value) that fits both 8 and 10 frame boxes!

Beginner’s Corner (5:00 PM)
New to bees or just want a refresher? Drop in at 5:00 PM for our beginner-focused Q&A. Everyone’s welcome - but this session is especially for new beekeepers and their questions.

5:00 PM – Beginner’s Corner
6:00 PM – Main Presentation
https://cobeekeeping.wildapricot.org/event-6409558 See less

10/24/2025

The OSBA Conference in Bend begins tomorrow! 🐝✨

Riverhouse Conference Center
October 24–26, 2025
www.ORSBA.org

10/23/2025

COBKA members can watch the full recording of our October meeting: “Keys for Successful Beekeeping: Varroa and Nutrition Management” presented by Dr. Ramesh Sagili (Professor of Apiculture, OSU).

10/20/2025

Tomorrow! 🐝 10/21/25
COBKA welcomes Dr. Ramesh Sagili, Professor of Apiculture at Oregon State University, for a special presentation on two of the most critical factors in honey bee health: Varroa mite control and nutrition.

🗓️ Tuesday, October 21 at 6:00 PM
📍 469 NW Wall St, Bend, OR
🔗 More info at cobeekeeping.org

08/24/2025

SMOKE AND HONEY BEE HEALTH

As heavy smoke from the Flat Fire moves across Central Oregon, here are some reminders and resources for beekeepers:

🐝Reduced Foraging & Disorientation:
• Bees fly less and navigate poorly in smoke, which reduces nectar and pollen intake.
• Disoriented bees may drift to other hives or become lost entirely.

Air Quality Stress:
• Even inside the hive, prolonged exposure to poor air quality can stress colonies.
• Hives already under pressure (from mites, low food stores, etc.) are at greater risk of decline.

Recommended for Beekeepers in Smoky Areas:
• Minimize inspections unless absolutely necessary. Less disturbance = less stress.
• Feed supplemental syrup and pollen if natural forage is scarce.
• Check hive ventilation and ensure bees have fresh water nearby.
• Document hive conditions before and after wildfire events for insurance, research, or recovery planning.
• Establish and rehearse an apiary evacuation plan.
• Avoid preemptive hive moves unless you're in Level 3 or an evacuation appears imminent.

If your colonies are in or near an active evacuation zone and you need assistance, email us and we’ll do our best to connect you with volunteer support or a safe temporary location: [email protected]
Stay safe out there and keep an eye on your bees.

Fire Map (Watch Duty): https://app.watchduty.org/i/60936
Deschutes County Emergency Info: https://www.deschutes.org/emergency
Deschutes Alerts (sign up for local warnings): https://www.deschutesalerts.org
Central Oregon Fire Updates: https://www.centraloregonfire.org

OSU Extension Service | How do wildfires affect bees? https://extension.oregonstate.edu/forests/fire/how-do-wildfires-affect-bees

How do wildfires affect Oregon bees? Flames and heat can destroy their nests and smoke can disrupt their navigation abilities. But research shows they rebound strongly along with other flora and fauna after a fire.

03/17/2025

🌿🐝 TOMORROW! Don’t Miss Our March Meeting – Planting for Pollinators! 🐝🌿

Spring is almost here, and now’s the time to get ready for a season of pollinator-friendly planting! 🌸🌱

📅 Tuesday, March 18th, 2025
📍 Bend, OR
🕕 6:00 PM – Main Presentation
🕔 5:00 PM – Beginner’s Corner

Join us for an inspiring evening with Lisa Sanco, Executive Director of Worthy Garden Club & a founding member of Pollinator Pathway Bend. https://cobeekeeping.org/event-6034926

03/06/2025

🚨 THIS SATURDAY! 🚨 Whether you're new to beekeeping or looking to sharpen your skills, don’t miss our 2025 Beginners’ Beekeeping Course! 🐝✨ Sign up now! https://www.cobeekeeping.org/event-6019220

📅 Date: Saturday, March 8, 2025
📍 Location: The Embark Coworking Community, Bend, OR
⏰ Time: 8:45 AM - 3:30 PM
🎟 Non-Members: $20-$60 (sliding scale, includes COBKA membership)
🎟 Members: FREE!

🐝 What you'll learn from experienced Central Oregon beekeepers:
✅ Hive setup & essential gear
✅ Installing & managing bees
✅ Pest & disease prevention
✅ Hive inspections & best practices

It’s almost here—don't miss out! 🏃‍♂️💨

03/01/2025

🐝Honeybee Losses Update!

Historically, around 40% annual losses had become the “norm,” but this season’s losses are even higher—potentially surpassing losses last seen during the Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD) era.

Watch the full webinar here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VOCis4ZPfp8

PNW Beekeepers: Your input is needed! We’ll be sending this out again when the survey opens:
https://pnwhoneybeesurvey.com/survey (Open March 16th to May 1st) PNW Honey Bee Survey Project Apis m.