SC Mid-State Beekeepers Association

02/11/2026

Do you have a plan for the Yellow Legged Hornet?

The good news is that it’s not in our area yet. The bad news is that it’s in the Lowcountry and York County.

March is right around the corner and that is the time when Yellow Legged Hornet Queens start their embryo nests. Think of this as the start of their season.

So what can you do?
1) Be educated.
The SC State Beekeepers Association recently hosted a conversation with Clemson’s Ben Powell about the YLH. Become a member of the SCBA and go watch that conversation.

2) Build traps. Traps are easy and inexpensive. Deadfall traps are made out 2 liter bottles or old milk jugs. The bait is a 1:1 ratio of grape juice and brown sugar.

3) Be vigilant.
If you see something, say something. If you see hawking behavior, report it. If you catch what you think is a Yellow Legged Hornet, report it.

4) Build up your hives.
A strong hive can handle a lot of issues. If the Yellow Legged Hornet is present then a strong hive can survive. That process starts now.

02/08/2026

With warmer temperatures on the way and the bulk of our Spring forage at least a month off, we want to remind everyone that starvation is a real concern for our colonies in February. During warmer days, try to get in for a quick inspection to assess stores. If you don't have time, heft the back of the hive. If your hives are light, you should start feeding sugar syrup. You should also consider providing pollen supplements. What you do now influences whether you have strong hives going into the nectar flow.

01/27/2026

USC Honors College offers a creative writing and beekeeping course with assistant instructor David MacFawn, who is a member of the SC Mid-State Beekeepers Association. The association brings beekeepers across the Midlands together to share knowledge on environmental and bee-related topics.

Read more at the link in our bio.

✏️ Cassandra Stout
🎨 Grace De Peña

01/25/2026

Spring is coming!

01/17/2026

Get to know your local beekeeper.

01/10/2026

Don’t forget that we are hosting our Beginning Beekeeping Class on January 24th, February 21st, and March 21st. You must attend all three dates to get credit. Please visit our website at https://www.scmidstatebeekeepers.org/ to sign up. You must be a member to sign up which you can also d on our website. Reach out if you have any questions.

The mission of SC Mid-State Beekeepers Association is to educate, support and foster the skills of beekeepers using current best management practices, to share experiences and methods on improving honey production for backyard beekeepers and businesses. We provide opportunities to purchase honey bee...

01/08/2026

Thursday Throwback.

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01/01/2026

10/03/2025

The South Carolina State Fair will soon be here! Stop by the State Beekeepers' educational booth to view the beautiful honey display, find the queen bee in the observation hive, and get information on registration for the annual local beekeeping course. The booth is usually in the Ellison building which is the first building on the left if you come in the stadium entrance.

09/01/2025

September is National Honey Month!

September is National Honey month!