Winter

To vent or not to vent?

/ leatherstockingbeekeepers / Leave a comment

That is the question we are considering as we discuss what the season ahead holds at this months meeting of the Leatherstocking Beekeepers’ Associaiton.

In addition to some delicious snacks provided by our members, this months meeting will be featuring a presentation on the benefits and considerations of Condensing Hives versus Vented Hives.

What are these, you may ask. A condensing hive operates on the idea that heat rises and brings respiration from the bees with it which then spreads out across the top and condenses on the sides of the hive, there are no ventilation holes at the top of the hive.

A vented hive is one that uses vents and the airflow they generate to manage moisture in the winter hive.

We will be discussing these two types of winter bee survival strategies in a webinar with Peggy DeSanto of Hive Huggers who will provide information on the two types of hives as well as introduce the Hive Hugger system.

Following the presentation we will have our regular discussion of month to month activities, a chance for Q&A with the group and then our regular business meeting. All are welcome.

The meeting will be heldThursday, August 27, 2026, at the Louis C. Jones Center at the Fenimore Farm and Country Village (formerly The Farmers’ Museum) at 5775 State Highway 80, Cooperstown.

Snacks will be available at 6:30 p.m. with the meeting starting at 7 p.m.

We’ll Bee seeing you there.

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

/ leatherstockingbeekeepers / 1 Comment
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.

Bee Prepared… for winter

/ leatherstockingbeekeepers / Leave a comment

Our bees have worked hard all summer long and now the time of cold is almost upon them. Learn how we as beekeepers can help our girls to survive the winter ahead with the Leatherstocking Beekeepers’ Association.

The first presentation will be “Getting hives ready as they head into winter” with Richard Lercari discussing the physical prep of the hive for the cold months ahead. Following will be a cautionary commentary on (expired) bee treatments for both the beekeeper and the bees with Richard Burroughs.

Club president Mike Lyons will then host “Responsible beekeeping practices” an open forum about the LBA mission.

All are welcome to visit, learn, and get bee questions answered.

The Leatherstocking Beekeepers’ Association will be meeting Thursday, October 26 at 7 p.m. at The Farmers’ Museum, Cooperstown.