Jan Poston Day, MSBA and DC Beekeepers Alliance Board Member, has shared a special recipe that we can only make during the bloom season that has just arrived! This vodka-based aperitif can include both the results of bee forage and one of the plants upon which it is based. The Basswood Tree (Tilia americana) is a member of the Linden family, and its bloom is a chance to make a signature, super special “product of the hive” that might surprise Read More …
New varroa silver bullet? Nectar is hard! Too many bees? Almonds, Bt, pesticide concentrations. Read More …
Cybil Preston updates us on pandemic practices for which apiaries are inspected and how they must be conducted, as well as the National Honeybee Survey. Read More …
Puerto Rico has faced hard times –hurricanes, earthquakes, economic collapse, and now a pandemic–but the Maryland State Beekeepers community can take pride in pulling together and overcoming obstacles to get critical bee feed into the hands of these special beekeepers as of May 14, 2020. Dr. Tugrul Giray of the University of Puerto Rico reports that “the 1500 lb dry protein supplement, Ultra Bee is at CN 120 at the University of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras campus, kept palleted at Read More …
Beekeeping club phones and email boxes, Extension and Apiary Inspection offices, entomology departments and (perhaps gleefully) pest control companies have been inundated with frantic inquiries since the unfortunate May 2 New York Times article describing a terrible threat, especially to beekeepers, from this fearsome looking insect. This creature is more accurately known as the Asian Giant Hornet, Vespa mandarinia. As of May 29, a total of three sightings (two dead individuals, and a nest in Canada that was eradicated) have Read More …
The UMD Bee Squad has created a series of online webinars for beekeepers, taking the place of the planned in-person events and classes planned for the Summer of 2020. The Bee Squad offered several sessions, free of charge, this Spring and is in the process of planning a new series. On April 22, the Bee Squad offered a Zoom Session on “Online Resources for Beekeepers” that you can now watch online. The session from Nathalie Steinhauer, “Survey Says: National Colony Read More …
Last year, MSBA had the privilege to welcome Dr. Humberto Boncristiani to discuss his deep research into small hive beetle and the challenge of control. He is now offering an online, dynamic, and collaborative new channel of communication for beekeepers and beekeeping groups, InsideTheHiveTV. He explains, “‘Inside the Hive.TV’ is a place where I will attempt to continue sharing my knowledge as a scientist in a very relaxed and entertaining (hopefully) way. I hope that by using the power of the Read More …
During the coronavirus pandemic restrictions, MSBA will be conducting meetings as “webinars” that us the Zoom platform. You will need two things for each meeting, a Zoom Account and the meeting Number and/or password Meeting Numbers and Passwords The Meeting Number and Password (if any) for each individual meeting will be shared on the members-only Zoom Meetings page. There will be different meeting numbers for each meeting or class. You Need a Zoom Account To participate inMSBA webinars, please set Read More …
There is an old custom in Old World beekeeping that some carry on in the New World, that is telling the bees when the beekeeper dies. So, we must tell the bees of the passing of their extraordinary friend, Ann Harman. Read More …
MSBA Kim Mehalick comments on an interesting year, new online alternatives, the importance of remembering to take time to smell the nectar! Read More …