honey

Swarm Traps, Mite Tests, and Splits

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The bee yards are heating up and the Leatherstocking Beekeepers’ Association is here to discuss. Join fellow local beekeepers to discuss upcoming activities for June, share stories from your apiary and get questions answered.

We will have 3 educational presentations at this months meeting. We will return to the swarm season with Julia Hernandez presenting on “The World’s Easiest Swarm Traps.” No ladder or tarp necessary.

That will be followed by Richard Burroughs (LBA Treasurer) presentation on “Varroa Tests and Treatments.” The Varroa mite is one of the leading causes of poor honey bee health and managing the bees to reduce their number is one of the most important tasks for a beekeeper. Learn how to get a jump on it ahead of the summer boom.

And finally, did your hives make it through winter and now are overcrowded? Are you worried about swarming? Do you want to expand the apiary or replace winter losses? Learn how easy it is in the presentation “Splits” with Steve Davis (Mentoring Coordinator).

A business meeting will follow the lectures. All are invited to attend.

The LBA was donated several medium supers, each with 9 frames. We do not recommend using old equipment. These are available for no charge and at your own risk. The frames do contain old and most likely unusable foundation and comb.

Also, we are currently seeking beekeepers to sign up to be included on the LBA Swarm and/or Cut-Out list. The information will be posted for public access to our website. If interested, please contact Steve Davis at paperclip5@hotmail.com under the subject line Swarm Catcher. E-mails should include name, town, phone number, best e-mail to reach you at, and whether you do cut-outs or swarms only.

The Leatherstocking Beekeepers’ Association will meet May 23 at 7 p.m. at The Farmers’ Museum, 5775 State Highway 80, Cooperstown.

We will Bee seeing you there!

What’s coming up in Beekeeping?

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Honey Bees are never idle and neither is the beekeeping world. Check out the below events and make your plans early.

NY Bee Wellness SPRING SURVEY 2024 now open!

NY Bee Wellness has been conducting a spring survey for over 10 years. It provides
good information on honey bee health within NY’s bee population. I
encourage beekeepers to participate. Below is the survey link.

Please use the following link to complete the survey https://www.surveymonkey.com/
r/JTFZKDW

Leatherstocking Beekeepers’ Association monthly meeting

7 p.m. April 25, 2024 at The Farmers’ Museum, Cooperstown

Meet fellow beekeepers, learn about catching swarms as the swarm season approaches, and find out what we should bee looking for the first time we inspect our beehives. Followed by business meeting open to all members.

The Buzz about Pollinators (May 11 – October 31, 2024)

The Farmers Museum Main Barn Exhibition Space

This interactive exhibit is all about bees and the many other insects and organisms like
them that help make farming possible. It explores the topic of pollinators in New York
State and their important role in the production of some of the state’s leading crops,
including apples, honey, and maple syrup. The exhibit also examines climate change
and other threats that pollinators face and how everyone can help them continue to
thrive. Sponsored in part by Nellie and Robert Gipson, and NYCM Insurance.

Betterbee’s 20th Annual Field Day on June 22, 2024

Join us for the chance to learn from some of the most knowledgeable beekeepers in the field and
take part in open hive demonstrations (weather permitting) to learn new, hands-on skills that you can
put to use right away in your apiary. Plus, you’ll have the chance to enter to win products from your

wishlist through the raffle!

https://www.betterbee.com/classes-and-events/2024-field-day.asp

NY State Beekeeper Registration Form

“Honey bee health is a critical issue today. The goal of the New York State
Department of Agriculture and Markets is to assist beekeepers in maintaining
their colonies in a healthy condition.”

https://beekeepers.agriculture.ny.gov/registration

Set up a new hive, and learn why this one died this month with the LBA.

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These bees looked to be healthy, other than being dead. Find out what happened at the next meeting of the Leatherstocking Beekeepers’ Association.

This month learn all about setting up that first hive, featuring a hands on demonstration on installing packages and nuclues colonies with Richard Lercari.

Then Steve Davis will present on his Dead Out inspection at an LBA members bee yard. Learn about the difficulties bees face going into winter, the hazards of the transition between winter and spring, and what we can do as beekeepers to help.

Annual dues are also due by the end of the month. $10 for an individual or $15 for a family. Attend the monthly meeting, get access to the clubs honey extractor, and learn from experienced local beekeepers.

Members who attend this meeting will be entered to win a nucleus colony from Kutick’s Everything Bees to get started with this Spring.

In other business we will also be holding our elections for club officers, including the office of the president. So bee there or bee square. 

The monthly meeting of the Leatherstocking Beekeepers’ Association will be held Thursday, March 28 at 7 p.m. at The Farmers’ Museum in Cooperstown.