As unlikely as it sounds over 180,000 bees survived the enormous fire at France’s Notre Dame Cathedral. You can read more here.
Honey Bees Survive Notre Dame Fire
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Bee Informed – Colony loss and Management Survey
Don’t forget to take the Bee Informed Partnership Survey for Colony loss and management. You have until April 30th to complete the survey. This survey allows beekeepers to gain critical knowledge around different management practices and how they impact honey bee health and survival rates. It also help us to understand long-term honey bee colony loss trends. Please remember to take the survey and be a part of the larger beekeeping community !!
TO TAKE THE SURVEY NOW – CLICK THE LINK BELOW:
https://26.selectsurvey.net/beeinformed/TakeSurvey.aspx?SurveyID=LMS2019#
Youth Involved with Bees
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. “
Status of SPRING
Keep track of SPRING by visiting USA – National Phonology Network
The First Leaf Index is based on the leaf out of lilacs and honeysuckles, which are among the first plants to show their leaves in the spring.
The First Bloom Index is based on the flowering of lilacs and honeysuckles. This Index is associated with blooming of early-spring shrubs and leaf out of deciduous trees.
https://www.usanpn.org/news/spring
BCBA Beekeeper of the Year 2108
2018 Beekeeper of the Year Carl Fisher, on the left, accepting the honor from President Steve Hupfer.
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
Leadership Recognition
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
Intro to Beekeeping
On February 23, 2019 the Brown County Beekeepers Association trained 28 prospective beekeepers eager to learn about how to get bees and to keep them alive. The class was a mix of lecture and hands-on. This is an annual class, generally conducted in February.
Special thanks to our title sponsors
Our youngest future beekeeper learning how to lite and use a smoker
Club member, Julie, sharing her knowledge of protective clothing.
Small group interaction with experienced beekeepers made for excellent learning opportunities.
All seats were filled with future beekeepers.
Club member, Julie, showing folks how to lite a smoker on this damp day.
Where to Buy Bees
Package of bees
At the January 2019 club meeting a there was a handout of companies that sold bees. Several asked for the information to be put on the website. However, before using this information please keep this in mind.
- The Club does not endorse any bee providers. However, we believe this information can aid members in evaluating potential bee providers and stress the importance of members doing their own research.
- Be sure to ask your potential provider where and when you will have to pick up the bees. Some providers do not distribute bees in Green Bay.
- It is important you ask if the bees were treated for mites, when they were treated and when.
- Before making a final decision on supplier verify all the details of your purchase. Information on this sheet can change at any time.
Click here for the pdf of some suppliers.
Mites and “fat body” bees
New research now indicates that varroa mites feed on bee “fat bodies” and not completely the hemolymph. Some beekeepers are thinking about the implication on treating for mites. You can read one person’s thought here.
American Foulbrood Vaccine?
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.