SOBA Beginning Beekeeper Class April 20, 2024
Southern Oregon Beekeepers Association Spring Bee School.
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2024 Summer Bee School TBD
Date: Cost: $ Location: Southern Oregon Research and Extension Center, 569 Hanley Road, Central Point (map). Educational Topics and Objectives Feeding Options for Fall/Winter – learn a variety of ways to feed to help bees overwinter Tips to help struggling hives overwinter – learn ways […]
SOBA Honey Extractors
Current SOBA members may check out the club honey extractors. We currently have three extractors: a motorized Dadant Ranger Electric Power Extractor that holds 6 mediums and empties both sides of the frame at a time. Dadant Ranger Manual a hand crank Dadant Radial that holds 6 mediums or 3 deeps and empties both sides […]
Ten Natural Beekeeping Approaches
At our June 4, 2018 meeting, Dr. Dewey Caron gave a talk on. “Responsible Colony Stewardship: June Management/Working Toward Treatment Free Beekeeping.” Dr. Caron is Emeritus Professor, Department of Entomology and Wildlife Ecology at the University of Delaware and an Affiliate Professor in the Horticulture Department at Oregon State University and author […]
Should I clean or sterilize my beekeeping equipment?
Question: I just bought some hive boxes from a beekeeper down the road. Do I need to do anything special to prepare the boxes before I add bees? Using second-hand equipment is one of the key reasons to clean and sterilize hives. While used bee boxes can be an economical […]
How early can you split a hive in the spring?
Question: How early can you split a hive in the spring? What about the cold at night? The key to deciding when to split is the presence of drones, and outside temperature during the day. If you see drones flying, or hatched in your hive, then there will be drones […]
Residential Beekeeping Best Practices
Click on the picture or the link below to access the publication Residential–Beekeeping WHY Was This Publication Developed? Residential Beekeeping – A New Law and Recommended Best Practices Ralph M. Rodia, PhD OSBA Agricultural Liaison October 26, 2017 In many instances, when a number of individuals have engaged in […]
Local Sources for Honey Bees and Queens
Several local apiaries offer bees and queens in southern Oregon, including Ruch, the Applegate Valley, Grants Pass, and Jacksonville. Applegate Apiaries provides nucleus colony bees. We select for a good “Southern Oregon bee” having mite tolerance and broad genetic diversity. Text or message Andrew Watson at 541 846-0404. Ken Olmstead – 5 frame […]
Why It is Important to Do a Mite Count After a Treatment
Today is the first day of the 2017 Mite-A-Thon sponsored by the Pollinator Partnership. This event seemed like a great idea, so I planned my next hive inspection date to coincide with Mite-A-Thon week. I was pretty sure my numbers would be pretty good. I test for mites during the […]
To Catch a Swarm
The first video is a pretty good explanation of catching a swarm. Some comments on the technique to consider: Avoid over spraying the bees, especially if you are putting them into a bucket or container that has no frames. Don’t spray sugar water on the hive entrance either, to avoid robbing. […]
In the bee yard – December
December is a great time to plan for the year ahead. Build, repair, and order equipment, replenish supplies, place your order for queens and nucs, and read!
Another “Quilt” Box Idea
In our area, it is very important to keep the hives dry over winter. One way to do this is to add a moisture wicking material to the top of the hive so that the hot moist air created by the bees will not condense on the cold top and […]