Manitowoc County Beekeepers Assn

03/03/2024

Please keep in mind that Bee orders are due on March 7th. nothing later then 7:00pm. This is your last chance to get your packages.

We will be cutting the orders off at the end of the Monthly (March 7th) meeting at 7:00pm. Please reach out if you have any questions.

02/20/2024

With the warm weather we are having put out a little sugar water or pollen substitute so they can gather something as they are flying around.

They will reward you in spring!

02/12/2024

01/31/2024

Free Bees! Here is your chance to win a free 3lb package of bees. All members that pay yearly dues on Thursday the 1st will be entered into the drawing for a 3lb package.

You must be current member and be in good standings to be entered into the drawing.

01/31/2024

https://pub.marq.com/20ac2b4f-c7b1-4b39-a2d3-1a3558e466c4/

01/29/2024

Don't forget this Thursday Feb 1st, is our monthly meeting. We are talking about ordering bees and Beekeeping 101 and a few other subjects. I hope to see you all there.

01/21/2024

Our next Bee meeting will be February 1st at 6:00pm. We will be talking about ordering and beekeeping 101.

The agenda will be sent out soon.

01/20/2024

This is by Blake shook

5 Tips to Keep Your Bees Alive This Winter

1. Make sure each hive has at least 30 pounds of surplus honey stored in the second box. Your bees will need at least 30 pounds of stores to survive the winter. As temperatures drop, bees dramatically slow down the rate at which they consume syrup. If your hive doesn't have at least 30 pounds in their second box, keep feeding! Click here to buy syrup. We also highly recommend using an essential oil supplement to encourage your bees to consume the syrup faster.



2. Make sure the queen excluder is removed completely. If the bees move up to the top box to feed and the queen excluder has not been removed, the queen won't be able to move up. Without the cluster, she could freeze in the bottom brood box.



3. Remove any excess empty supers. If the supers are full of honey or bees, it is fine to leave them. But if they are empty, be sure to remove them.

4. Install a mouse guard or entrance reducer to keep mice out of the hive. A mouse guard restricts access to the hives by mice but still allows bees to enter through the small holes. It also can be used like an entrance reducer to help control temperature and ventilation within your hive.



5. Don't worry! Bees are very good at surviving cold weather. If you need to check your hive in the winter, go for it! Just be sure to limit an inspection to a couple of minutes. As long as the inspection is brief, your hives can be checked even if the temperature is below freezing.

01/20/2024

https://pub.marq.com/97e4fe18-b81f-4a0d-8f0a-c75a041c04b1/?_kx=htJwRsSex9XLPBE4_SkqUjbbxZYBtgSGmC3JcKAZENqpJoYzZdew9A_ez_xhsGgp.Scs7ur

01/20/2024

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h-wDgd5yURo&t=113s

Just a little info about mites.

Animation of Varroa Destructor life cycle. Nice and simple explanation of how Varroa kills entire bee colonies.Video by NOD Apiary Products, full video on yo...

01/10/2024

Hey Friends!
It's getting cold late this week and next week! Unusually cold! When cold fronts hit, what does that mean for your bees? Is there anything you should do to help prepare them?
The good news is that a healthy, strong hive with plenty of food can handle the cold quite well. But here are some things to keep in mind when extreme cold hits:

1. Starvation is the biggest concern. It's too cold for bees to drink liquid syrup in most areas, so we recommend placing a sugar brick on any hives that don't have their second brood box mostly full of honey. This only applies to strong hives that are one box full or more of bees. Weaker or smaller hives should be fine with 1/2 a second box full of honey. Try to get the sugar brick on before the cold arrives!
2. Cover screened bottom boards, or make sure cold wind can't blow up under them.
3. Make sure lids are secured.
4. Avoid opening your hives late in the afternoon. Add feed a few hours before dark to give the bees time to recluster before it gets colder at night.

Please let me know if you have any questions

Thanks