November 1, 2016
The club hive was checked for food (honey) stored for the upcoming winter months. It was found to have inadequate stores of the honey necessary for winter survival. Being early October, it was not too late to get some syrup (2 parts sugar one part water) fed to the bees. They will pack the empty comb in the upper boxes with this and any other food they can scavenge prior…
November 1, 2016
The Oxford Hills Honeybee club made a supporting monetary contribution to the “Gardeners Growing Healthy Communities” 2016 season. GGHC is a non-profit community based organization dedicated to growing and distributing fresh, healthy food to the needy in the surrounding community. With the help of many volunteers and donations, GGHC distributes, from it’s South Paris location, approximately 1000 lbs. of fresh vegetables to 60 families (130 people) each week throughout the…
June 13, 2016
Ken Record along with his son, Gerald, rule over a castle of prolific Queen bees. Jokingly touted as the “King of Queens” by a fellow club member, Ken Record gave a detailed and informative demonstration on how he produces Queen bees that lay beautifully patterned and full brood frames. Counting days till hatch is precise work. Jerry was quick to point out his father’s miscount as he found one queen on…
April 28, 2016
Former Maine State Bee Inspector, Paul Szott, presented his own twist on an older practice of managing two queen bees in one hive. I was aware that this can happen, rarely, in nature. Two queens bees existing in a single hive is not the norm, but it can have many benefits. An ever continuing student of beekeeping, Paul Szott has studied the methods used for managing two queens in a…
April 28, 2016
The answer to “Early Spring?”…. a resounding “NO!” Temperature swings are tough on weak hives and small clusters.
February 3, 2016
The following is offered by George and Harriet Robinson. It is their first hand advice on how to deal with mold on frames. The honey frames from our dead hives were moldy. Although the bees can clean them up to eat the honey if we give these frames to another hive, Carol Cotrill recommended killing the mold by wiping it with a solution of 9 parts water to 1 part…
November 6, 2015
We will NOT be having a November Club Meeting. We will be resuming club meetings on December 12th. Until then, enjoy our last warm November days. Be sure to be ready for the steady cold, however, and wrap your hive(s) by Thanksgiving.
July 22, 2015
Just in case you forgot their was more to summer in Maine than taking in honey.
