Important Dates:
Bee School February 3rd, 10th, and 17th
Bee Day Saturday April 19th
Meetings: February 24, March 24th, and April 28th, May 19, July 23rd (picnic), July 28, August 25, Sept 22, Oct 27th, November 24th, No December meeting.
7:09 Rich called the meeting to order.
7:10 Chow time!
7:49 Meeting called back to order
Anna took the podium to talk about auburn university brood monitoring program
It is a study in its third year and they monitor when brood is present to determine the best time to apply oxalic acid.
OSU is participating in the study. Last year there was brood in December, this year brood in January. In October there was LOTS of brood. You can check out the data at https://aub.ie/winterbrood
Rich
We have the rooms reserved at the church for the remainder of the year. We donated $1500 to the church.
Time to elect officers Rich Suggested:
President Rich Farrier
V Pres Anna Ashby
Secretary Elaine Timm
Treasurer Laura Evans
Refreshments Terry Holm
Library Debbie Blando
Nathan put forward a motion to accept the board
It was seconded
And affirmed
OSBA requires five WVBA members to be OSBA members in order to qualify for insurance, and usually board needs to be announced by November. However the new treasurer initiated a 45 day grace period.
There is an overwintering hive in Falls City.
Elaine is going to start a quarterly club newsletter
Beeline offered us a discount for a club order. Rich passed out an article about integrated mite management by a researcher out of France.
Mann Lake is selling Varroax in 20 and 60 packs. It is an extended release OA treatment.
In 2023-2024 commercial beekeepers lost 55% of colonies, hobby beekeepers had better results. No reason was given for the losses.
Rich passed out an article on Tropilaelaps mites, an impending threat, which could be devastating. Brood breaks may be an effective cultural control.
Canada has been importing bees from various countries including the Ukraine, which is close to areas affected by Tropilaelaps mites. Canada will not import our bees due to resistant foul brood and varroa.
Queens are also illegally imported by individuals transporting queens in their pockets on airplanes.
Debbie has 12 eight frame screened bottom boards for sale.
Raffle time: Stuff donated by club members and Flying bee and purchased by the club.
There was a hive hanger, a queen marking contraption a hive tool, a smoker, a nuc box, fondant patties, Debbies banana bread, and lots of other items.