Minutes of October 8, 2011 Club Meeting

Thirteen Cheatham County Beekeepers met at the Ashland City Library on October 8. The morning’s focus was Preparing our Hives for Winter. As each aspect of fall management was brought up, members shared valuable hints and interesting tricks they have learned throughout the years.

For the hive:

Tip it forward to allow for moisture drainage from rain and dampness

Use an entrance reducer with opening up, so dead bees will not block the entrance

Install a few brads in the reducer opening to keep out mice & snakes

Remember to remove entrance reducer when treating with formic acid

Use an Imirie shim in winter for ventilation (keep opening at front of hive)

Winter is a good time to paint & repair woodenware – no paint inside the hive

Winter is a good time to read more about bees or study them via Internet

For the bees:

Check for disease – if uncertain, ask advice from a seasoned beekeeper

Check the Queen’s condition – requeen now for a good start in Spring

Check stores – need 60-80 lbs for a strong colony – equivalent of 9 deep frames

Rearrange frames in both hive bodies – center frames ought to be two-thirds filled to allow room for the cluster – move honey frames to within reach of it

Feed heavy syrup: 25 lbs sugar with 3 gallons water makes 5 gallons syrup; “superfine” sugar is easiest because it dissolves in tap water

Scott Honey Farms in Columbia has sold 5 gal. sugar for $12

Paul Carter checking a place in GA with “dirty” sugar for $50-60/drum

Try feeding syrup in qt. Ziploc bags – make small slit on top of bag AFTER laying bag across the top bars

When very cold, feed with fondant patties – check website soon for recipe

Alternate feed: raw sugar spread on paper laid on top of bars – doesn’t add extra moisture to your winter hive

Feeding honey instead of sugar syrup would be ideal (but NEVER STORE-BOUGHT HONEY or HONEY from a diseased hive)

Since the scent of syrup might attract potential robbers be cautious not to over feed and make the hive honey-bound

Unite a weak colony (those with <5 frames of brood & bees) with a stronger one

For pest control:

Formic acid must be used with great care and according to precise directions. 65% strength – temps between 50 and 80 degrees – without entrance reducer

Ed Johnson (Gallatin) has sold formic for $25/gallon

Jonnie Bell brought pads for us to use to administer the acid; thank you, Jonnie

Jeff McLaughlin folds a paper towel and staples it to a section of cereal box

Formic acid treats for both Varroa and Tracheal mites

Beetle blasters can be used and re-used with vegetable oil or hydrated lime

West Hive Beetle trap used hydrated lime or diatomaceous earth and provides easy access from back of hive, without suiting up or disrupting the hive

For us: Next meetings: Nov. 12 at Library and Dec. 10 Riverview Restaurant, 1 PM

The Cheatham County Library is having a Festival on Saturday, Oct. 29, noon-2:00 and is offering us a booth. No one at today’s meeting seemed interested. If any club members want to take up this invitation (might they let you sell some honey??), please call the Library at 792-4828.