Within a hive there are three types of bees. The queen, drones, and worker bees. There is only one queen in a hive, is female, and lays eggs to produce more bees. About 15% of the hive population are drone bees which are male and their only job is to mate with a different queen. Finally about 85% of the bees are female worker bees and they do all of the work around the hive. They take care of the brood, clean and defend the hive, and gather pollen and nectar.
There are numerous factors to consider when determining where to place your hive(s) which include they physical location, bee needs, and human needs. A good starting point is to do an internet search to determine if your local community has set guidelines for maintaining hives. Allouez Wisconsin, for one, has a number of rules to be followed.
Location
Bee Needs
Human Needs
The following video discusses the most basic bee equipment that a first time beekeeper will need. You will learn about different personal protection gear, gloves, hive tools, bee brushes and smokers.
The short answer is that honey can contain a bacteria that babies digestive systems are not yet developed enough to handle. The learn more click here.
BCBA participating in GIRL SCOUT Journey!
The Brown County Beekeepers Association recently partnered with Girl Scout Troop 4679 from West De Pere, WI to assist troop members on their Girl Scout journey. The members Brooklynn Steier, Nicki Waystedt, and Skylar Schultz, participated with BCBA club members to construct, paint and install a hive as part of their Outdoor Journey. The Girl Scout Outdoor Journey is focused on environmental stewardship. The girls learn how to care for our planet by minimizing our ecological impact and to be an advocate for nature. Working with BCBA is a perfect fit for the girls to complete their Journey due to the important role bees play in our environment. The girls certainly have talent painting and were very engaged in installing the nuc in their new home.
It is always encouraging to see young students getting involved with bees. Below is the write up from Tia Savage describing the bee project she presented at her school on March 28, 2109. She has been invited to attend an upcoming bee club meeting to present her project. She has also expressed interest in furthering her knowledge of bees by joining the club. Excellent work Tia.
“My name is Tia Savage and I attend a project-based learning school, John Dewey Academy of Learning in Green Bay, WI. I did a project working to Save the Bees and raise awareness. I presented the project at Event Night at my school and it was one of the most successful Event Nights I’ve had. I built a bee box out of wood, Styrofoam and paint. I printed honeycomb using a 3D printer and used jello to simulate honey. I had samples of artificial honey and real local honey out as well. I was given the name of “the Bee Girl” and I think I may have really got people to understand the importance of honeybees. “
Each year the Brown County Beekeepers Association recognizes one of its members for their knowledge of bees, for exceptional contributions to the club, and dedication to continuing their personal education.
This year’s selection is Carl Fisher. As a member of the club since 2017 Carl has worked tirelessly the last two years as coordinator for the Introduction to Beekeeping class, volunteered to be a member of the nominating committee, lead the audit committee and learned about marking queen bees before conducting a Meeting Before the Meeting on queen marking for club members.
Previous honorees:
2017 – Lynn Lindgren
2016 – Dave Doering
At the February 2019 meeting club President Dave Elsen presented former President Steve Hupfer with a momento in recogonition of the years of service he has given the club. Inscribed on the plaque are the heart-felt thoughts of club members.
With sincere appreciation for exceptional leadership, support, and guidance over 6 years as Association President and Vice President
This is welcome news as American Foulbrood is very damaging to bees and beekeeping. Not only are the bees killed but the spores can remain viable for 40 or more years on the hives. The only way to “treat” hives infected with American Foulbrood is to burn the equipment! Very harsh indeed.
Bees may soon get an ally in their fight against bacterial disease — one of the most serious threats the pollinators face — in the form of an edible vaccine. That’s the promise held out by researchers in Finland, who say they’ve made the first-ever vaccine for insects, aimed at helping struggling honeybee populations.
The scientists are targeting one of bees’ most deadly enemies: American foulbrood, or AFB, an infectious disease that devastates hives and can spread at a calamitous rate.
Read the full story here.
Brown County Beekeepers Association will have a booth at the Einstein Expo on February 2, 2019 at Shopko Hall in Green Bay WI. Experienced beekeepers will be present to answer any and all of your bee related questions.
For more information: click here
