Friday, October 9, 2009

Lothar's Swarm 2009


Attached is the image of my October 8, 2009 bee swarm. The swarm settled around 3 PM and by 7:30 PM I provided the bees with a new home and now I will have to feed them. First they will get drivert sugar and a half pound pollen patty then 2:1 syrup with Fumagilin.
This swarm came out of one of my colonies but I could not determine which one. I hope that the virgin queen in the source hive will find mates this late in the year.
Lothar

Tuesday, October 6, 2009

Heifer Project Donation

The Bee Guild voted to donate $120.00 to the Heifer International Bee Hive program. Our donation will provided four hives to those signed up for the program.
Here's the link if you would like more information or if you wish to make a donation. http://www.heifer.org/

Essential Oils and Bees

Eric Mussen talked a little on the use of essentials oils in the reduction of some RNA viruses. Eric did stress caution since it's a fine line between being helpful and deadly for the bees.

Guild member Wayne Crafts is putting together a booklet (base on his notes and research) on the use of essentials oils in beekeeping. He will make copies available for the guild members.

Here is a link to a site Eric Mussen suggested to find out more about essential oil use.
http://www.dave-cushman.net/bee/naturaloils.html

October Guild Meeting Highlights

Just some of the misc. information from the Bee Guild meeting last night.
Our speaker was Eric Mussen who is always a wealth of information. More on that later.

Guild member, Jim Campbell would like to take a survey on how many hives each of us have. If you would like to participate please email fuzzy.campbell@spcglobal.net

Marc Vallancey has arranged for a local brewery to make up a batch of beer honey for the Guild if we provide the honey. Alan Henninger volunteered to donate 5 gallons to the cause. After the beer is made, the guild members are welcome to a tasting at the brewery. Email Marc for more information. marc@vallancey.com

The guild is looking for a portable P.A. system for our next meeting. Please let us know if you have one for us to borrow.

Thursday, October 1, 2009

October Meeting at Harry's Hofbrau in San Jose

Our next guild meeting will be at Harry's Hofbrau on Saratoga Ave in San Jose. October 5 at 7:00 pm. Dr. Eric Mussen will be the speaker. The meeting will be held in one of the private rooms at the restaurant.

Saturday, September 19, 2009

Guild BBQ on Sunday


Remember the Bee Guild BBQ is this Sunday.

Wednesday, September 9, 2009

Guild BBQ

It's time to have our annual BBQ! This year it will once again be held at the Craft's residence at 16380Harwood Los Gatos 95032. The Guild will provide meat and drinks, please bring a potluck dish that can serve 8 hungry beekeepers and a chair for each attendee. Spouses are welcome. Pleae RSVP Carolyn at (408) 266-0945 so we can have enough meat for everyone. If you have a shade canopy, please bring it for setup around 1:30PM and the party will start at 2:00 pm. What day, did I forget that? It's September 20, from 2 'til ?