June 8, 2010 Meeting

Call to order by President Benes at 7:05 pm.
Introduction of all members present and talked about hives, interests, status of their beekeeping "careers"
14 members present
1 visitor: Ms. Drake, Rib Mtn.

Discussion on Mason bees - good for cold but okay with pollination but not the best bee to go with

Moved discussion to Bumble bees and better pollination, use clay or plastic pots and insert styrofoam or sheep wool - will collect there and live

Visitor asked about difficulty of beekeeping - consensus from other members:
Beekeeping only as hard as one makes it.

Frame foundations - added 2 wires horizontal to foundationless frames (Benes) Sillars does it at diagonals.

Sharing of Materials - Benes went over all products
Wish to check out materials - contact Sue
Look at Blog in coming days to find listing of materials available.
Materials have a 1 month checkout period. Pick up at meetings - return to meetings
Materials used for presentations - contact Sue
Trading Cards for presentations and Fair - Members agree unanimously to purchase through Association. Cards are 1 per person with hopes of various places presenting and kids "trading" for ones they want.

Mite Treatments -
Formic Acid Pads - how to use - Benes explains
Powdering of Mites - type of sugar, how often (weekly), effectiveness? good results from those using it but not efficient for those with many hives - 1 or 2 hive keepers are best

Mites tend to be highest in Fall
Spring - bees strong, higher turn around with brood, less mites -
Fal - preparing for hibernation period, less turnaround, more time for mites to "gather"

Baur used gride board underneath and lots of mites at beginning but then went down as year went on (using powdering)

Asked about Russian Bees - anyone using them? no one had - agressive?
mite issue? hygenic but still watch over mites
stops laying when no nectar flow - mites can't "grow"

Aggressive Bee grid - Most to least: Buckfast, Minnesota Hygenic, Italian

Cline - Fair is coming up in August, will have sign up list at Picnic in July, looking for helpers to cover Fair.

July Picnic - July 13 at 5:30 at Marathon County Park
Bring dish to pass, table setting and beverage
Assocation will provide meat, condiments and buns

Meeting Adjourned at 8:12 pm