Central Oklahoma Beekeepers Association

Ever thought about becoming a Beekeeper?

2012-02-24T22:40:00.007-06:00

It’s getting more popular as more people are becoming interested in supporting honeybees who’ve been threatened by various diseases and conditions in recent years. And, because honeybees are such important pollinators, many gardeners love having bees nearby in order to help their plants keep on producing.

March 24, 2012 the Central Oklahoma Beekeepers Association (COBA), is hosting a three-hour Introduction to Beekeeping class.

Experienced beekeepers will give you an overview of the hobby and how you can get started. We will be answering your questions and also showing you the tools of the trade and hive components. The class is only $20 and space is very limited. So if you'd like to join the Introduction to Beekeeping class on Saturday, March 24, from 9am to Noon, at the OSU Extension located at 930 S. Portland, OKC, you can register by calling Rick Hall at (405) 473-5680 or by sending an email to Rick@OKBees.com in order to reserve your seat.

February 2012 Meeting

2012-02-13T19:04:00.005-06:00

Dear COBA Beekeepers:

Our next monthly meeting is scheduled for February 23, and it is going to be loaded with some great information for both the beginner, and the experienced beekeeper.

We will be looking at some examples of feeding during the remainder of February and discussing what your March duties should be. I will show what we did to help increase our honey production last year during a Dearth.

We have a person who has expressed an interest in stepping up and filling the Secretary position, and we will be voting on that. We also have some other housekeeping duties to complete, prior to the evening’s presentations.

Drinks will be provided and any refreshments brought would be very appreciated.
Doors will be open at 6:30pm and our meeting starts at 7pm. Anyone able to arrive early and assist in the room preparation will be greatly appreciated.
I look forward to seeing everyone there, and hope you can attend.

NOTE: We need volunteers for March 31 at 8:30am until Noon, at our normal meeting location with tools to help the beginner beekeeping students assemble the equipment that they have purchased. We will be assembling SBB, Hive Bodies, Frames along with Wax Foundation or Plastic Foundation, Inner Covers, Telescoping Covers, and Migratory Covers. We will NOT be doing any painting. If you can help please let me know so we can have enough hands available. Just email me with your contact information and what area you can help in. Rick@OKBees.com

Introduction letter from the President

2012-01-27T16:37:00.015-06:00

Dear fellow Beekeepers:

I feel my first letter to you should be one of thanks.

First, thank you for your faith in me for electing me as your President. With your help, I will try to help the club meet even more of your wants, needs and expectations. We as a club can only move forward as an organization as long as we are in agreement. The input of the membership is the only way this will work. Please feel free to email me, or for more pressing questions phone me. I am here for all the membership. I answer to you and I will always remember that.

Second, I would like to thank the Officers that are stepping down this year.
Rick Schantz, our President for the past few years. He spent many hours working out how to solve problems in the organization and keeping the association on a straight path. Good job Rick!
Tracy Carmack, she has been our Secretary and Treasurer this year. She also ran the membership as well. This was not an easy set of jobs to do. She has always done it well, and with a passion that is hard to find in a person in a volunteer position.

Third, thanks to all the behind the scene members and volunteers, who do the thankless jobs that are needed, to keep this association running smooth. Thanks to the audit committee for assisting in the association’s financial accountability. Thanks to the election committee for the hours spent in locating qualified members to become officers. Thanks to Scott Carmack for his assistance in keeping our internet presence operational. Thanks to the volunteers who assist in preparing and cleaning up our meeting room. I am sure that I have missed others, but please know that I truly do appreciate your involvement in this association, and only through your selfless participation are we successful.

Fourth, I want to thank Linda Daxon for accepting the position as Vice President for this upcoming year. And thank you to Jay Silver in accepting the position of Treasurer for this upcoming year. Not only have they accepted these volunteer positions they have been instrumental in the success in our current beginner beekeeping class, which is currently in session. I look forward to working with them this year.

We are very blessed to have a lot of people that give of their time so unselfishly. Thank you all!

We will have some “growing pains” this year, as we move forward toward becoming a stronger association. I will try to keep the “growing pains” to the most tolerable level as I can. I would like to hear from you on topics you would like to know more about, in the upcoming meetings. We are going to have a great year and I am excited to see the changes, and hope you are too.

Thank you all

Rick Hall COBA President
rick@okbees.com
405-473-5680

January 2012 meeting

2012-01-24T09:40:00.002-06:00

Time to start a new year of beekeeping, hopefully we won't experience a drought, tornado's, wildfires, or earth quakes this year! I do have some vary important beekeeping things we should consider this time of year, as well as tips to overcome this years winter. We will also be electing new officers for 2012 year. Hope everyone can make it, it will be great to see what the new year has in store for us. I have scheduled the forth Thursday of every month for 2012 with the exception of Thanksgiving week we won't meet, and switch to forth Friday / Saturday for the October 'Fall bee conference'. We will meet at 7:00pm to 9:00pm OSU Ext. 10th and Portland OKC.
Hope to see you there.

COBA Meeting minutes

2011-12-22T00:19:00.010-06:00

Below are the minutes from the Central Oklahoma Beekeepers Association meetings. The March and April minutes are unavailable due to a change in officers. All are in Adobe pdf format. If your computer does not have a pdf reader, you can download a free one here, or email me here. I can get you a copy in nearly any format.

February 2012
January 2012

December 2011 - No minutes. Holiday party only.
November 2011
October 2011
September 2011
August 2011
July 2011
June 2011
May 2011
February 2011
January 2011

December 2011 Club Meeting

2011-12-19T14:17:00.002-06:00

Merry Christmas to all the Beekeepers, and future beekeepers!
The COBA club meeting will be held at OSU Extension center on 10th and Portland OKC.
At 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm or maybe a Little longer, this will be our Christmas party and with the events and all the talking we may stay a Little longer than normal.
We will have $400.00 in presents for the drawing, and a prize will be given out to the person with the ugliest, sorry, most beautiful Christmas sweater.
Please bring a snack dish if you are attending, we will provide a main dish, punch, and some cold drinks. All COBA members are welcome to attend. There will not be a structured meeting, just fun things and getting to know one another.
See you there! Rick Schantz COBA Pres.

November Club meeting 11/17/2011

2011-10-16T15:37:00.003-05:00

This time of year things get confusing. So to keep in the spirt of things we will have the bee club meeting on the third Thursday instead of the forth :)
First i will share a couple of new bee innovations I've learned about. Then Gene will 'SHOW and TELL' about the Bee condominium he built. We should have time for anyone else to 'SHOW and TELL' their items of interest, so bring'em if you got'em.
See you at OSU Extension Center, 10th and Portland on Nov. 17th at 9:00pm

September Beekeepers Meeting

2011-09-20T21:48:00.002-05:00

" Queen of the Sun"
Have you herd of it yet? If not you will if your a beekeeper.
Well I have a pre release of the movie for temporary viewing. We will be viewing and discussing it this next meeting.
Don't miss this opportunity!
See you Thursday the 22 at OSU Extension Center, 10th and Portland at 7:00 pm.

2011 State Fair and Beginning Beekeeping Classes

2011-09-13T11:33:00.003-05:00

It's Oklahoma State Fair time again! As in past years, you can visit your friendly local beekeepers at the beekeeping booth in the Agtropolis building. There will be lots of information, local honey to buy, people to talk to who love talking about bees and sign-up sheets for the 2011-2012 Beginning Beekeeping Classes. The booth and the classes are fun ways to learn more about the fascinating world of bees and beekeeping. Come by and see us in the Agtropolis building.

You can pick up a class application at the beekeeping booth,
or click here for a PDF version you can print and mail,
or click here for a Microsoft Word version you can print and mail.

The classes are only $75 per family which includes 5 classes (and possibly a 6th), 1 year membership to the Central Oklahoma Beekeepers Association, the "First Lessons in Beekeeping" book and a one year subscription to Bee Culture magazine.
The classes dates are Nov. 26, Dec. 3, Dec. 24, Jan. 7 and Jan. 28 from 9:00 am to noon at the OSU Extension Center 930 N. Portland Ave. Oklahoma City. Weather permitting, there may be a March class session that will meet in a bee yard.

Come by and see us. We're looking forward to talking with you about bees!

August 2011 COBA Meeting

2011-08-23T08:23:00.002-05:00

THE HEAT WILL BE OVER SOON !
That's my prediction, hope I'm right. I would say so does the bees but some of the bees seem to do vary well in 100 + heat. This will be the topic for our next meeting. We will also have a video on some commercial honey extracting facility's.
Also we will have a business meeting and decuss activities relating to the upcoming State Fair.
See you Thursday night at OUS Extension center, 10th and Portland at 7:00 PM.

July 28th Meeting 2011

2011-07-23T16:34:00.002-05:00

Honey Extracting & Air conditioning your bees

I will try again to do a Honey Extracting demo. I will show how to extract from 1 or 2 frames, as well as a whole supper.
We will also have a presentation from Brion Okenfels, one of our members, on how he and Werna added Air conditioning to their hives and how it effected the bees.
We will further discuss changing the by laws concerning Secretary / Treasurer. And we will need to appoint a comity to coordinate the State Fair Exhibit.

June 2011 COBA Meeting

2011-06-19T21:52:00.002-05:00

This meeting we'll have some information on summer pest to the bees.
We will also have a Honey Extracting Demo for small hobbyist beekeepers. If all goes well some beekeepers will go home with some freshly extracted honey.
mmmmm good!

May 2011 Club Meeting

2011-05-23T19:46:00.002-05:00

This month I have had several calls about bees dieing. I will offer an explanation why I thing people are experiencing this unusually May Bee die off.
We will also have some good advise on supering your hives, and some helpful frame manipulation tips that will help you and your Bees.
I am also going to try a "Show and Tell" time for bee equipment and bee oddities. So if any of you have something you aren't sure what it is or what it does, bring it and we will talk about it. And if you have anything that is unusual that you just want to show off here's an opportunity.
See you Thursday the 26 @ OSU Extension Center, 7:00 PM

April Club Meeting

2011-04-24T21:35:00.003-05:00

Bee Meeting Time

Time for our monthly get together, and talk about Bees and Beekeeping. This month we are having a discussion about SB 58, Honey definition and labeling law changes purposed. Jimmy Coundit will be heading a informative discussion on the purposed house bill. Jimmy also volunteered to check out pricing and types of hand extractors, he will share what he found and we can continue in making a decision to bye a extractor for member's use.

Casey will also give a Bloom report for the month and have samples from Martin Park.

Can't wait to see you April 28th, this Thursday.

March Meeting

2011-03-19T20:27:00.002-05:00

This month meeting Date is March 24th

The meeting will be about splitting and making new hives. This will give each of you some ideas on how to restock any hives that didn't make it through the winter. It will include some traditional ways with purchase bees. But will also tell you how to restart your hive with any hives that survived the winter. I will also give you insight on doing this without having to purchase a Queen or Queen cell.
We will also be starting a "What's Blooming" report from our own roaming reporter beekeeper!
See you guy's Thursday
Rick COBA Pres.

2012 COBA meeting dates

2011-02-10T08:00:00.008-06:00

COBA 2012 meeting dates

2012 meeting dates for the Central Oklahoma Beekeepers Association are:

February 23rd
March 22nd
April 26th
May 24th
June 28th
July 26th
August 23rd
September 27th
October Friday 26th - The day before the State Fall conference
November none
December 20th (3rd Thursday)

All meetings are at the Oklahoma State University Extension Center at N.W. 10th and Portland in Oklahoma City.

OSU Extension Center

February Club Meeting

2011-01-01T15:02:00.009-06:00

THIS MONTHS MEETING IS THE 4TH Thursday,
Feb. 24th AT 7:00 pm At OSU Extension Center 10th and Portland.

Congratulations to our New officers, Casey Lindo Vice President, and
Tracy Carmac Secretary / Treasurer. I, Rick Schantz, was retained as President.
We also want to give a big thanks to Terry Hicks and Ann Davidson for their services last year.
Our next Club meeting will be about how to get started in bees. The most common ways, Swarms, Packages, Nuc's, and a video i took of me and my wife removing bees from the wall of a building, you know, Home Movies. Hope everyone can make it!

Don't forget the State meeting: Feb. 26th in Duncon at Stevens County Fairgrounds. Registration starts at 8:00 am, the speakers start at 9:00 am. Meeting is over at 4:30
Everyone that is taking the Beginner Beekeeping class has a free state membership, just let them know at the door.

Rick
COBA President

Oct. 2010 Bee meeting

2010-10-24T20:58:00.002-05:00

Hay everyone, It's time for our October Bee Meeting. But this month it will be on Friday night, instead of our usual Tuesday night. Same time, same place OSU Extension center @ 7:00 PM.
We will be hosting the State meeting as usual, the Friday night gives us an opportunity to meet speakers, and vender's the night before. Dadant Bee Supply will be there. If you need anything from them call the Paris TX. branch early in the week and he will bring it to you, NO SHIPPING CHARGE. Their phone # is 877-632-3268
I will have a brief presentation on a couple of new things that are hot news in the bee world, lots of time to visit, and sum it up with a brief Business meeting. The following will be the Agenda for Sat.
8:00 to 9:00 Sign in
9:00 Introductions
9:30 Don Molnar (State Bee Inspector)
9:45 Gary Grose (Commercial beekeeper)
10:15 Everett Taylor (OLD beekeeper) Ha Ha But really don't miss this guy!
10:45 George Richtmyer (Mann Lake Dealer)
11:00 Break
11:15 Summer side Vineyards (Making Mead)
11:45 Chuddy Smith (Powder Sugar Treatment)
12:15 Pot Luck Lunch ........This is why i go!
1:00 Ken Davis (Essential Oils)
1:45 Honeymoon Apiary (Bee Suit's)

See you Friday night!
Rick
COBA Pres.

2010-09-28T10:12:00.003-05:00

DON'T FORGET
Bee meeting tonight, sorry i didn't get any calls made before now the fair kept me busy as a bee.
We will be talking about keeping your bees alive through the winter, Don't miss this one!
see you tonight at OSU Extension Center, 10Th and Portland at 7:00 pm.

Also we had 12 pages of interested in beekeeping" people, but only 15 solid commitments, so the classes are still wide open for people to sign up for beginner classes. This may fill up as Ann calls all the interested people so sign up soon.
See you Oct. 29th, Friday night before the State meeting at OSU Extension center at 7:00 PM
Rick

Fair and More Again

2010-09-12T16:34:00.005-05:00

It's Fair time again, lots of fun and events but most of all the bee booth at Agtropolus and time to sign up for New Beginner Beekeepers Classes!

The classes will start Dec. 11th 2010, with 5 additional classes for a total of 6 (possibly a 7th for a second field day.)

Click Here to get a copy of the 2011 Beekeeping Class Application to print.

We will be accepting applications at the State Fair with a $25 deposit to immediately reserve your spot. If you want to mail your application mail it to: Ann Davidson 5008 NW 47th st. Warr Acers Okla. 73122. Classes fill up quickly, so if you are serious get your deposit in ASAP! The balance will be due by December 1st. This year it will cost $75.00 per family which includes 6, maybe 7 classes, a one year membership to COBA bee club, a First Lessons in Beekeeping book, a subscription to Bee Culture magazine and a hive tool. And if that isn't enough you will get the best deal available on a beekeeping starter kit (brood super, frames, foundation, bottom board, cover lid, and veil with hat)

P.S. If you are going to bring family members you will need to note it on your application. Number of and ages will help us decide on which class room will accommodate you best.

All the info, including the dates, is on the application. All the sessions are on Saturdays from 9:00 am until Noon, at the OSU Extension Center located at NW 10th and Portland.

NEXT COBA MEETING Sep. 28th at OSU Extension Center at 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm
STATE MEETING Oct 30th, 2010 - 8:00 am - 4:30ish pm
COBA meeting will be Friday Oct.29th, the night before at 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm
We are hosting the meeting as usual and will need some volunteers to help out with the pot luck lunch and clean up after lunch and after the meeting.

Aug. 24 th 2010 COBA Bee Club meeting

2010-08-20T20:51:00.004-05:00

Exciting times for Central Oklahoma Beekeeping Association!

This Saturday is National Bee awareness day, and the grand opening of the observation hive at Martin Park in Oklahoma city. I think Marybeth notified all the bee clubs in the state, and there should be beekeepers from all over Oklahoma there. Hope many of the COBA members will be able to drop bye for a while and see what's up. But if you don't make it on Saturday hope you make it on Tuesday night. Tuesday, Aug 24th at 7:00 pm we will meet at Martin park for the COBA club meeting. This is a pot luck dinner meeting so bring a dish, if you don't have time to prepare something just stop on your way and pick something up, any dish will do. COBA will supply the drinks.

We will have a brief demo on smoker lighting, fuels, and techniques from several beekeepers.
Lot's of time to visit and enjoy the observation hive.

2010-07-21T21:38:00.002-05:00

Hay Gyes and Gals, It's club meeting time again. This month we will be going over Mid summer hive management. Things to do with your frame's or suppers after extracting. Hive beetle problems and management.
We will also need all pictures for the calenders! You can bring prints, or e-mail me the pictures. You can even tex message me pictures from your Mobil phones. I have some pictures already and would love to have as many as possible to pick from.
We also will have all the Tee shirts at the meeting for you to pick up your orders. We do have extras, but sizes are limited. Please try to get your orders picked up ASAP so we can evaluate how many we will have for the fair.
Terry will also share a unique way to relocate your hives in your backyards, without disorienting your bees.
The meeting will be July 27, at 7:00 PM at the OSU Extent ion center.
Hope to see everyone there!

2010-06-18T09:58:00.002-05:00

It's time for another fun filled beekeeping meeting! This months meeting will be about robing and extracting YOUR HONEY from YOUR BEEHIVES. We will go over robbing and extracting, on a small and a large scale. We will have a demo from Terry Hicks on extracting from 1 frame only. We will have a demo from Tommy Thorton on recapping and scientifically extracting. And some video on bigger extracting operations. I hope to see you at the next meeting on June 24 at OSU extension center, on 10th and Portland at 7:00 PM.
Oh I almost forgot, THE TEE SHIRTS ARE HERE! They are $8.00 for all but XX Large which are $10.00. I ordered some extras of the most popular sizes and styles, so if you missed the ordering date you might still be able to get a tee shirt.
See you next Thursday.
Rick
P.S. This meeting is on Thursday not Tuesday like normal, so make yourself a post-it so you don't forget. Then make yourself a post-it telling you where you put your reminder post-it ?

May 25th Bee Meeting

2010-05-19T21:30:00.002-05:00

Hello Fellow Beekeeper's
I hope everyone is having fun with there bees, I know i am. I would even more if it would only stop all this normal Oklahoma spring time weather and just be sunny and calm. FAT CHANCE!
Oh well let's have a club meeting anyway.
This May 25th meeting will be about HIVE MANAGEMENT. The do's and dont's with your hive in a early spring time honey flow. I should also have some sample Tee Shirts to make our final decision and take orders on them.
See you Tuesday the 25th of May at 7:00 pm

April 27th Meeting

2010-04-15T20:58:00.003-05:00

This months meeting will be on different methods for installing Queens. I will also give a brief presentation on VSH Queens. Everyone getting Nuc's from my apiary will be getting this type of Queen crossed with Minnesota Hygienic Drones. We will also be discussing the logo's for the Tee Shirts, and putting a order together for them. I also have a couple of other subject's we will need to vote on, so please attend and make your vote count.
Also the spring State Bee Keepers meeting was a BIG HIT in Guthrie, A big thanks to Frontier Beekeepers and all who were involved.
SEE U TUESDAY.
Rick your C.O.B.A. Pres.

March Meeting

2010-02-28T18:31:00.004-06:00

We are having a lot of events in the next two months, starting with our CLUB MEETING ON
MARCH 23. The meeting will be on the 12 best ways to feed your bees. Everyone should find a way that works best for them. Next is the WORKSHOP MEETING ON MARCH 27th. at 9:ooam. Bring all your assembled equipment to the classroom to have someone help you put it together. Or just show up for the interesting conversations about Bees. Then there is the SPRING STATE MEETING on APRIL 9th & 10th. At logan county fairgrounds in Guthrie. Friday the 9th at 7:00pm to 9:00 pm and Saturday the 10th 9:00am until it is over, around 2:00pm. I think there will be a pot luck lunch, so bring a dish and join us for lunch.
It's going to be a great Beekeeping Spring, Good Weather or not.
Sincerely Rick Schantz i.e. COBA President

Ferurary club meeting

2010-02-21T07:55:00.002-06:00

We will be talking about building bee equipment. Boxes, frames, top's, and bottom boards. We will also go over top bar hives, garden hives, and skips.
Sincerely Beekeeper Rick

New OFFICERS

2010-01-27T22:00:00.006-06:00

We now have all new officers. Rick Schantz is President, Terry Hicks is Vice President and Anne Davidson is the new Sec. Tres.

I am looking forward to serving as president in the following year, I have lots of idea's I think the club will enjoy. We have an exciting year ahead with Lot's of new members, thanks to the effort's of all who worked at the state fair, informing the public and signing up people for the Beekeeping classes. We have a lot of very talented people in the club, with many years of accumulated bee knowledge which the new members can gain from.
Look forward to seeing everyone 2/23/10 at 7:00 pm
sincerely Rick Schantz

Stay tuned in for upcoming info.

BEGINNING BEEKEEPER CLASSES 2010

2009-12-21T14:28:00.004-06:00

We have closed the Registration for the 2010 Beginning Beekeeping Classes.

We will be sending address information to Bee Culture Magazine for the Currently registered participants to receive their 2010 subscription.

If you are a registrant and would like to pick up your Book in advance you can pick it up at Beekeeping Etc. @ 202 S. Bryant Pl. in Del City. They are open from 9 to 4 PM Monday through Friday. They will be closed Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Years Day. They will have a sheet for you to sign, stating you have received your book. We will be e-mailing a syllabus with a class schedule soon.

Thanks, Tom

2010 Beekeeping Course

2009-12-09T21:38:00.005-06:00

You have a great opportunity!

We have had a few people not able to come to the classes so their reserved places have opened up. Due to this we now have 7 places open!!!

If you are still interested in attending the Beekeeping Classes click here, print the registration form and send the full payment to the address provided on the form. Remember first come first serve.....

Also, the Oklahoma State Beekeepers Association (OSBA) has also passed the proposal that everyone who completes a Beekeeping Course from an affiliated association (like COBA) they will receive a free 1 year membership to the OSBA.

Paying for someone to attend Beekeeping Classes would be a good Christmas Present, for that person interested in this amazing little insect.

Dec. 2009 meeting

2009-11-20T18:46:00.016-06:00

Our next meeting will be Dec. 15th, we moved it up because of Christmas. This meeting will be mostly a time of fellowship, fun, bee stories and a little R & R. SO BRING SOME MUNCHIES, bring a good story and we will See Ya There!

Wow, has this year gone by fast! We have worked hard starting with our first ever 2009 Beekeeping Classes (January - May) to the Bee Haven Agtropolis State Fair Booth (September) to the Oklahoma State Beekeepers Association Fall Convention (October) and now we are at the end of the year again.

THANK YOU to Rick Schantz and Randy Brady for helping teach the 2009 Beekeeping Courses (and the upcoming 2010 classes too). THANK YOU to those who pitched in at the fair working shifts, scheduling, filling in, setting up, tearing down, bringing support materials and displays..... THANK YOU to those who helped with the State Convention, setting up, tearing down, and all around support. THANK YOU to everyone all year long for bringing snacks, bringing door prizes, sharing your experiences and helping with meetings all year long. We all have busy schedules and I know how hard it is to find the extra time. I really appreciate all the help!!!!!!!!! Never could have done it without you AGAIN!

Now concerning "The 2010 Beginner Beekeeping Classes", as of now Dec. 4th we have openings for 3 more people. We have set the number of attendees at 70 and we are at 67. You can CLICK HERE to print a copy of the application. The classes will be at the same place as our meetings, NW 10th and Portland at the Oklahoma County Extension.
NOTICE; All of the $$$$ are due for the classes by Dec. 1 if you only Pd. the deposit please mail the balance ASAP. Thanks Tom

Attention!! September Meeting Attention!!

2009-09-07T15:41:00.003-05:00

Because we will be working the Oklahoma State Fair from September 17 - 27 our September 22nd, regular scheduled association meeting is cancelled. If you have not signed up for a time to work the fair please contact Maribeth Snapp, she is handling the schedule, and doing an AWESOME job!

Please continue to watch the website because we have some important things coming up in September and October and will be passing information on!!

We are excited about the opportunity we have to work the Oklahoma State Fair and being able to talk to the public about this amazing insect and it's benefits to us.

Come join us at AGtropolis! #29 on this map

Oklahoma State Fair

2009-07-31T15:10:00.003-05:00

We will be having a Booth in the Fair in OKC. this year It will start on Sept. the 17th.

We need you !!!!! If you are a member of one of the local Assn.s and would like to help with the booth we would be glad for your help. Contact Mari Beth at beesrneat@gmail.com

It was a blast last year and everyone seamed to enjoy it. The number one question was; Is that white spot on the queen naturally? Honeybees are very intriguing.

Our next meeting will be Aug. 27th.

""Finally"" IT RAINED. Most of our bees were going backwards (eating more than they were collecting) until now. Hopefully we will continue to get SOME rain.

The dates have been set for the Classes. They will be on Saturdays from 9am till noon. Jan. 16th, 23rd, Feb. 6th, 20th, & April the 17th. We will be taking deposits and have applications available at the fair. More info will be available later.
There will be 3 classes of 25 making a total of 75 applicants this year.

June Meeting

2009-06-21T21:33:00.004-05:00

Our next meeting is this Thursday June 25th. 7pm @ NW 10th & Portland in OKC, OK. Rick Schantz will be our speaker, he intends on speaking about bee removal. If you know of anyone that is interested in beekeeping CALL them invite them !!!!! This meeting is on THURSDAY NOT TUESDAY!!!!! Help us get the word out.

Thank you to everyone who brings door prizes and snacks, it is a great help!!!!

See you there!

Be sure to keep adding supers to your hives so your bees have plenty of room to put that sweet sweet honey!

2009-05-01T12:30:00.006-05:00

April Meeting

2009-04-26T19:22:00.003-05:00

Our April Meeting is this Tuesday April 28Th @ 7 pm. We meet at the OSU County Extension Office, NW 10th and Portland in Oklahoma City. Our meeting will be on what you need to be doing next month (May) and Collecting Swarms. If time allows we will also cover Honey Bee Removal.

The yellow sweet clover has begun to bloom officially starting our honey flow here in Central Okla. Also the vetch, black locust trees, crimson clover, Dutch clover, Canola and Alfalfa are all presently blooming. I planted some Mustard and Turnips for the deer last fall. The Mustard bloomed all the way through February and then I mowed it down. Now the Turnips and the Mustard are blooming again.

When Carol and I were in Sacramento last year I talked to a local beekeeper and he said they get a honey crop from wild mustard every year. Maybe Okla. needs some wild mustard?

Well the small hive beetles are most definitely here. If you haven't seen them you need to look fast. See you at the meeting Tom

February Meeting

2009-02-22T20:17:00.006-06:00

The January meeting was cancelled do to inclement weather. So our business meeting will be at the conclusion of our February meeting. Our February meeting is this Tuesday night at 7 pm @ the OSU extension center, NW 10th and Portland in OKC, OK. It will be in the Auditorium on the north side of the extension center building.

We had planned to have hot dogs and finger foods last month. What the heck lets have fun ....... Steve you got your wish! We will provide the Hot Dogs & Buns & Mustard. Please bring something to go along, such as: Potato Chips, Chili, Relish, Onions, Cheese....... or any finger foods. Bring your favorite treat and we will see ya there.

Its time to start feeding if you plan to expand your apiary or need to replace some dead outs. Patties and syrup (1 to 1 by weight).

Observations

2009-01-28T20:16:00.003-06:00

It would be great if we, like our bees were able to buzz around the hive and stay warm and not have to scrape the ice off the vehicles, cross our fingers and hope not to get "stung" while driving ...... Sorry we had to cancel the meeting but it was way more safe to just stay clustered in the hive. So you will be aware of what we should be doing in February click here.

JANUARY MEETING!

2009-01-26T18:15:00.002-06:00

TODAYS Central Oklahoma Beekeepers Assoc. Meeting has been CANCELED do to inclement weather!!!!

Cluster up and stay warm, Our next meeting will be Feb. 24th.

HIVASTAN

2008-12-09T19:23:00.002-06:00

Hivastan is now approved for sale in Oklahoma by the EPA and the Okla. Dept of Ag. This is a section 18 approval for one year. At which time it will be reapplied under a section 3.
Hivastan is being distributed by Dadant, Walter T. Kelly and Brushy Mountain Bee Supplies. It comes in a 25 pound bucket. Which will treat 50 hives. It should be good for at least 2 years as long as you keep the lid on as much as possible. To treat for V.mites Apply 8 oz. patty on frames above brood leave for 6 weeks, then remove any that has not be consumed. BEFORE OR AFTER Honey flow.
Smaller quantities should be available in the future. For price and other details contact the distributors.

December Meeting! Ya'll COME!

2008-12-07T17:44:00.005-06:00

Our next COBA meeting will be Thursday evening Dec. 18, 2008 at 7 pm located at the OSU County Extension Center at N.E. 10 th and N. Portland in OKC, OK. We will be discussing HONEY, ( moisture, straining or filtering, color, granulation, returning to a liquid, pasteurizing, etc.) Pollen ( collecting, cleaning, dehydrating, etc.) Bees wax ( melting capping's, straining, filtering, etc.) Propolis (collecting, uses) Royal Jelly ... interesting...

Carol will be making another presentation, more about that to come......

If you would like to bring some finger foods and/or a door prize it would be great. See ya there. Tom

PS. I recently found a web page that is a beekeeping glossary of terms. If you have ever heard a beekeeper say a word you didn't know what it was. Go to http://maarec.cas.psu.edu/bkCD/glossary.html

2009 Meeting Dates

2008-12-06T20:58:00.012-06:00

Meeting times: 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm January 27February 24March 24April 28May 26June 25July 28August 27September 22October 23November 17

December 15

N.W. 10th & Portland Ave.

Auditorium North side of north Bldg.

Okc, OK

2008-12-02T20:07:00.002-06:00

Honey Festival

The Honey Festival is this Saturday. Dec. 6th, 2008
If you haven't been you should take the time and go. The weather should be descent. If you do get a chance to go be sure and go tour the Ross honey plant. It's located in Minco, Okla. east of Hwy 81 and north of Main Street. For more info you can go to www.minco-ok.com/minco/festival.htm Tom

BEGINNER BEEKEEPING CLASSES

2008-11-20T20:59:00.001-06:00

We want to thank everyone who took time and stopped by the 'Bee Haven' booth at the Oklahoma State Fair this past September. There were 253 people who signed up as being interested in Beekeeping Classes. To all those who signed up at the State Fair booth (and those who didn't sign up too) THEIR FINALLY HERE!

The first Beekeeping Classes will be on the first Saturday in January, February, March, April & May.

The April class will be in the bee yard, weather permitting.

The May meeting will also be in the bee yard.

Then in July we will extract your first frames of honey.

There will be a beginners kit available for students of the classes to order, at the first class. First come, first serve.

The cost will be $65.00 per individual or $75.00 per family. Included in the class will be one each of the following;

First Lessons in Beekeeping - book

One year subscription to Bee Culture Magazine

One year membership to Central Oklahoma Beekeepers Association

Prepaid regisrtation is required. THE CLASSES ARE FULL AND WE ARE NOT RECEIVING ANY MORE REGISRTATIONS

Thanks again for your interest in beekeeping. Tom

Our November Meeting

2008-11-16T16:19:00.006-06:00

Our November meeting will be Thursday, November 20th at 7PM @ OSU Extension Center Auditorium. The scheduled agenda for the meeting is as follows:

Open as usual
Tom (2008 Oklahoma Beekeeper of the Year) will deliver a presentation titled, "The Year of the Oklahoma Beekeeper"
Beginning Beekeeper Courses information will be discussed
Break and eat all the "Goodies" our faithful members bring
Carola will deliver a presentation titled "If I Were a Varroa Mite"
Draw for door prizes that our generous members bring
Adjourn and clean up our mess and go home

See Ya There.

PS Don't miss it!

November and December meeting (different evening)

2008-10-29T21:28:00.002-05:00

Do to THANKSGIVING and CHRISTMAS we are moving our Nov. and Dec. meetings to the Thursday Before. So our meetings will be Nov. 20th and Dec. 18th.

THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!! TO ALL THAT HELPED. At the last meeting and the state conference.

It went GREAT. I didn't hear a thing negative. Everything was good. There were around 40 Friday evening and around 90 for the state conference. The food was good too. There were 2 new officers elected to the state. Randy Brady from Edmond is the President and Stacy Pollard from Norman is the new Secretary.

I'm getting closer on the classes there is more involved than one would think. Hopefully by next week I will have some of the info solidified enough that I can share it with everyone.

Well we had our first freeze. I was feeding some bees today and I saw some bright Orange pollen coming in. I can't imagine what is still producing pollen now, especially after the freeze.

I'm sure a lot of rag weed pollen sufferers are glad the rag weed pollen is gone.

Thanks again to all, see ya later, Tom

P.S. Oh ya thanks for nominating me for the Oklahoma State Beekeeper of the Year Award, I am excited that I won! Bye

Congratulations!

2008-10-26T19:16:00.002-05:00

We are proud of our president Tommy Thornton who was named the Albert Lincoln State Beekeeper of the Year on Saturday, October 25, at the Oklahoma State Beekeepers Association Fall Meeting.

October Meeting

2008-10-03T21:57:00.004-05:00

Before I get into the meeting information, just wanted to let every one know you may need to double check your hives. We haven't had any rain in 3 weeks and it's been in the 80's. Most of our hives are going backwards. A month ago they were heavy with honey and today they're light.

We moved some hives tonight and some of them felt like there wasn't anything in them. Two deeps should be 90 # s PLUS. You may need to feed, if you do, feed thick, 1 to 1 sugar water or thicker. Another option is candy boards. The recipe is on the states web page @ http://www.okbees.org/.

Our next meeting is Friday OCT. 24 th @ 7pm @ the OSU extension center main auditorium on the north side of the building at NW 10th & Portland.

We will be covering what you need to be doing next month and also Ed Levi, a honey bee specialist and inspector from Arkansas will be speaking to us about 'Integrated Pest Control in the Hive'. You don't want to miss it!

Don't forget to bring some goodies for refreshments and door prizes.
SATURDAY Oct. 25th is the Oklahoma State Beekeepers Association Fall meeting! COBA is hosting the meeting and we need you! The meeting will be right where we meet every month. Registration starts at 8 am. With the meeting starting at 9 am, Pot lunch @ noon, and winding up at 4 or 5 pm. For more information see the state website at: http://www.okbees.org/

We are responsible for setting up, cleaning up, helping wherever needed please come lend us a hand! They have some very good speakers lined up. Check out the states website for more info!

See ya there TOM

It's done

2008-09-22T17:33:00.003-05:00

Well the Fair is over. Now it's time for things to settle down a little. I finally got to mow some this evening.
Our meeting is tomorrow, Tuesday the 23rd. Be sure and bring some goodies. (finger foods)

Thank you to those of you who pitched in at the fair. We all have busy schedules and I know how hard it is to find the time. I really appreciate all the help!!!!!!!!! Never could have done it without you.

The interest was phenomenal. I never would have dreamed we would have so much interest in HONEY BEES. At one time there were 5 of us answering questions at one time. 253 signed in for beekeeping classes.

See ya at the meetin. Tom

Oklahoma State Fair - Honey Bee Haven

2008-09-13T09:17:00.013-05:00

We are having lots of fun at the Oklahoma State Fair. We have a booth at Agtropolis (Expo Hall) located on the Northwest side of the fairgrounds next to Gate 10. When you enter the main part of Agtropolis we are to the right, you can't miss Queen Beatrice!

We have been getting a lot of interest, we had 253 people that put there name & info down for "interested in Beekeeping classes" and a lot of questions.

We marked the queen with a dot so the kids could find her in the observation hive.

A few questions were:

There is the Queen bee, where is the King Bee?

Are all Queens born with a dot on their back?

Come and join us!

Don't forget our next meeting Sept. 23rd.@ NW 10th & Portland OSU Ext. center, 7PM.

Rick S. will be speaking.

See ya, Tom

Oklahoma State Fair Sept 11 - 21

2008-09-02T21:41:00.009-05:00

It's getting close. The fair starts on the 11 th. Set up will be Wednesday the 10 th.If you aren't lined up to help work the booth contact Maribeth as soon as possible. If your not sure if you're scheduled contact Maribeth AT: BeesRNeat@gmail.com

Here is a sneak preview of our booth.

This is Queen Beatrice the Mascott for The State Fair of OKLAHOMA '08

Our next meeting will be Sept 23 rd at NE 10th and Portland in OKC,OK @ 7PM

August Meeting

2008-08-24T21:26:00.006-05:00

Our next meeting is THIS TUESDAY, August 26. Bring some snacks and be ready to get organized! We will be getting things organized for the fair, everything seems to be coming together and in the spirit of the Olympics the Finish Line is in sight! We need you to pitch in and helps us finish. What an opportunity to help Oklahoma see some of the reasons we love beekeeping. We will be finalizing the working schedule so get with Maribeth at the meeting to join in the fun.

Next month Rick will be speaking, and much much more.

Thank you all for your interest in beekeeping and this club. You make it a success.

See ya there.

Tom

The OKLAHOMA STATE FAIR

2008-08-07T10:57:00.003-05:00

WE NEED YOU! If you are a member of the Noble Beekeepers Assn., Central Okla. Beekeepers Assn., or Frontier Country Beekeepers Assn. and have a few hours extra out of your busy schedule from Sept 10th thru Sept. 21st we DESPERATELY need you to volunteer and help us with our free booth in "Agtropulous" @ the state fair. Just e-mail me @ okbeekeeper@gmail.com and someone will get in touch with you ASAP.

ONE MORE THING. We need pictures that you have taken of your bees or of you working bees. Carol is going to put together a slide show for the fair. We can't guarantee we will use all of them. E-mail them to okbeekeeper@gmail.com. They must be digital for them to be in the slide show.

I think this is going to be the biggest thing that has been done to promote BEEKEEPING in Oklahoma for a very long time. The fair has been great and very giving in this endeavor. Let's Get-R-Done!

How are your bees doing? How HOT is it? I read an insert the other day that said when it gets over a hundred degrees that Honey Bees don't do much. I can guarantee you one thing when it gets over a hundred degrees I DON'T DO ANY THING! Most of the beekeepers I have talked to are just waiting for cooler weather to do anything. COOLER (Not as hot)

Most of us will be robbing or as my dad called it "COLLECTING RENT" in 3 or 4 weeks.
Don't forget to move the Queen down and put on Queen excluders 3 weeks ahead of time, so no brood is in your supers.

Our next meeting is August 26 @ the OSU Extension center @ NW10th & Portland in OKC, OK
SEE YA, Tom

COBA Nominee

2008-06-15T19:05:00.017-05:00

At the last meeting the members all voted by secret ballot for a nominee to be submitted to the Oklahoma State Beekeepers Association for consideration to receive the Albert Lincoln Beekeeper of the Year Award that is presented at the State's fall meeting every year.

I forgot to announce who the members chose as our nominee, it was Tommy Thornton. Thank you for your help and for your confidence in Tommy. Plan to attend the fall meeting and support our nominee!

See you Thursday, June 26th for our next COBA meeting.

Carola Thornton, Secretary
Central Oklahoma Beekeepers Association

Next meeting not on Tuesday

2008-05-26T21:24:00.002-05:00

Our next Meeting will NOT be on the 4th Tuesday it WILL be on the 4th THURSDAY!!!!!!June 26.

May Meeting

2008-05-26T21:00:00.005-05:00

Tomorrow, Tuesday May 27, 2008 is our next meeting @ the OSU extension center NW 10th & Portland Ave @ 7 pm. We will have 2 observation hives present for you to find a virgin Queen and a young bred Queen. We also will be speaking about what you need to know to bee a bee-tter beekeeper. Members, we will be selecting COBA's nominee for the Oklahoma State Beekeeper of the Year Award that will be presented at the Fall State Meeting. See Ya There. Don't forget the goodies. Tom

4.5 feet wide, 12 feet in the air, looks like fun don't it?

swarming time again

2008-04-30T20:13:00.002-05:00

I hope everyone has given your hives plenty of room to grow.

Every few years we have what some call "A SWARMING SPRING" I think this will be known as one of those years. The other day I went into some hives that I just taken some brood out of for splits 6 days prior. Well evidently I didn't take enough brood out because they were full and had 7 to 10 queen cells in them. If you haven't checked your hives lately, Check them.

Below is a guaranteed way to keep your hives from swarming.

Yep, There ain't one.

I have been in hives that had all kinds of space and there were still cells.

All you can do is the best you know how. They have a mind of there own.

Good Luck, Tom

April meeting

2008-04-12T20:52:00.004-05:00

APRIL 22, 2008 is our next meeting @ The OSU Extension @ NW 10th & Portland in OKC, OK from 7PM TO 9PM.

At our next meeting we will be viewing a film on FREE BEES. I will also be doing a presentation on collecting swarms and removing a hive of bees from the wall of a home. Don't forget the goodies, snacks, drinks, door prizes etc.

Sorry, I'm TARD. In case you don't know what that is it's, passed plum tuckered out! SEE YA AT THE MEETING. TOM

'08 first SWARM

2008-03-27T19:30:00.026-05:00

March 27, 08

Well I don't normally tell stories on this blog but I think this is worthy of telling.

I was getting ready to leave the office and my cell phone wiggles. (vibrates) I said hello and a voice I could hardly understand begins to explain to me about a swarm of Honey Bees. She evidently was on the back of her 5 acres examining a wild pear tree and there it was "A SWARM" in a cedar tree about two feet off the ground. She wanted to know how much I would charge, I said, "Where are you located?" Turns out, it was right on my way home, so being the bee-man that I am, I said, "No charge." She seemed surprised. I looked for a piece of paper to write down the address and phone number. "Say again, Okay." I could hardly understand her, I just hope I got it right. Off I go on another adventure.

I arrive at the address I wrote down and there is not a drive way or mail box there. Well, I just hope I wrote the phone # down right. I call and I got it right. She tells me the address again and I only got one # wrong, It's just down the road.

As I pulled up to the house and get out of my pickup, this small elderly Asian woman comes out of the house. In one hand is a small metal pot with a pair of rubber gloves, and a steak knife. In the other hand she is carrying what would appear to be a white plastic sewing machine case, on top of the case was a small box of matches.

As I watched her slowly walk to the gate in front of me I came to the conclusion that I wasn't getting this swarm. "DO YOU WANT THE BEES?", I said. "You put in box", she said. After a little thought I now understood why she was surprised that I wasn't charging. "Of course," I said, "YES, I will put them in the box."

As she started walking around the house, talking all the way, I fell in behind her and we were off. There was no need to try to understand her I just said uh huh ever few steps. I attempted to explain to her as we were headed through the tall grass that she needed to get a wooden box and some frames but it became evident that she already knew what she was going to do with those bees, after I put them in that box.

There it is she pointed. It was a small swarm a little smaller than a volleyball. I took the box, removed the bottom , started to move a small limb out of the way and she said, "NEED SMOKE?". I said, "NO." She immediately started moving backwards, away from me. I waited a moment and then put the box under the swarm , hit the limb and put the bottom back on, in almost one motion. Then I looked up at her and she was smiling.

"Where do you want them?", I said. We started off again, her talking and me saying, "Uh huh." We arrived at the spot. I put the box where she wanted it, looked up at her and she said, "YOU CUT HOLE IN BOX?" I took the knife she was handing me and cut a hole in the box.

I started back to the pickup and she thanked me 3 times between there and the pickup. YES, I said, "Your welcome" three times back.

I hope you enjoyed reading this experience as much as I enjoyed helping this nice lady with her swarm of honey bees.
TOM

March 23, 2008

2008-03-23T21:30:00.003-05:00

Our meeting is this Tuesday 3-25-08 We will have a video on How to find a Queen, How to reQueen and how to make divides. BEE THERE. OSU extension @ 7 to 9 pm NW 10th and Portland in OKC, OK s.e. corner on north side of the brick bldg.

I have been working bees every day for a couple of weeks. The main thing that I have found is that some 0f the hives are almost Honey logged. Be sure your Queens have plenty of room to lay eggs. You got them through the winter now don't let them swarm. Speaking of swarms I already have received my first swarm call last week. Weather permiting our workers should be up and working. I've also seen a good number of drone cells. So we may get started grafting in a few days.
Don't forget to look for mites. and treat when found.

See ya @ the meeting !!!!

March Meeting

2008-03-06T19:12:00.003-06:00

Our next meeting will be March the 25th. We will be covering "Making Splits". Hopefully we will have some nice weather by then. I don't know about you but I'm ready for SPRING. (enough about that)
I WANT TO TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO THANK ALL WHO HELPED WITH THE LAST MEETING.
Everyone I talked to liked the video and thought it was good.
The weather has set back the dates on nucs and queens we will just have to get them when we can. My Queen Breeder has said he is already 2 weeks behind at this point.
I put another round of patties on as many of my hives as I could the other day when it warmed up. Most of the hives had ate all or most of the patties. Some had only ate a little, most of those still had honey stored.
SEE YA AT THE MEETIN'

Don't forget the STATE MEETING THIS SATURDAY, March 8th, IN ENID, OK.

February

2008-02-07T20:58:00.001-06:00

Are You Ready For Some BEEKEEPING!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The phone is beginning to ring. Harry and I were boiling frames the other day and we both started getting bee calls.
If you are intrested in getting swarms or removing some bees call me.
I received over 600 bee related calls last year. I can't do it all!
Last year we had plans to do a removal as a club outing and it fell through. Maybe this year we can get it done.

Also I've received a few calls already this year from people interested in beeing beekeepers. If you are an experienced beekeeper and would like to mentor a new beekeeper let me know.

A BIG THANK YOU for all who helped making Pollen Patties and cleaning up afterwards at the last meeting I think everyone had a BLAST.

Our next meeting is the fourth Tuesday evening of February @ the OSU Extension Center @ NW 10th & Portland in OKC, OK. One of the things I plan to talk about will be Introducing Package Bees. I have a video that covers introducing package bees and some other things pertaining to new beekeepers. Hopefully we will have time for all of it.

This weather is unbelievable 78 one day and 36 and flurries the next day. Hopefully it will mellow out soon.

A few days ago when it was nice I put patties on all my hives and picked up a few dead outs. Most of the hives appeared to be OK but I did find Beetles in one hive and a few mites in a few others. Be sure to look for these pests. If you find Beetles in a hive do not put in a pollen patty. The small hive beetles love them. You can try to mix some protein supplement to your liquid feed instead. There is a new product out that has been ground extra fine so that it will stay suspended in syrup. It's called Mega Bee and is available at Dadant. Although as any new product it is Pricey.

I think we're all getting anxious. If you haven't put patties on yet, IT'S TIME, find a warm day and GET'R DONE.

Click Here to see my PowerPoint presentation Producing Honey in Oklahoma, in March. It will show up in your browser and you can move through it. It has been changed to an Adobe .PDF file and page numbers have been added to where the original links were. You will need Adobe Reader to view this file, you can download it free from the web. Hope it works Okay.

If any of you would like to bring some refreshments or door prizes Tues. evening it will be appreciated. SEE YA

2008 COBA Meeting Dates

2008-01-24T20:33:00.005-06:00

January 22nd
February 26th
March 25th
April 22nd
May 27th
June 26th Fourth THURSDAY !!!!!!!!
July 22nd
August 26th
September 23rd
October 25th *The Friday before the OSBA State Meeting
November 20th
December 18th

January Meeting

2007-12-23T12:04:00.000-06:00

Our next meeting will be the Fourth Tuesday in January. January 22nd, 2008. It's hard to believe it's another year again. I guess we can just quite counting.

That reminds me of an elderly man we purchased fishing bait from years ago. Every year we made a point to ask him how old he was and every year he said 49. He had to be 70 or more. Every year, 49.

Well back to the meetin, We will be electing officers and making POLLEN SUPPLEMENT PATTIES. If you have an old mixer bring it. This will be hands on. If you would like to bring some of the ingredients that would be fine but not necessary. The ingredients are Soy flour (not soy meal), granulated sugar, Homoginized Honey, Pollen and Hot water. Also wax paper and zip lock gallon bags will be needed.

If you intend to nominate someone for a position be sure you have contacted them and they will be willing to serve. Also they must be a member.

We'll see ya there,

TOM

Dec. 2007 Meeting

2007-12-07T19:50:00.000-06:00

Our Dec. Meeting will not be Christmas evening! It will be on Dec. the 18th @ the usual place, NW 10th & N.Portland from 7 to 9 PM.

Be sure and bring some refreshments (finger foods).

I plan to speak on CUTTING CORNERS or also known as being ECONOMICAL.

If any of you have something that saves money some how in BEEKEEPING bring it.

There should be plenty of time for fellowship or shootin the bull something most beekeepers don't have any problem doing.

See ya there.

November meeting

2007-11-21T18:14:00.000-06:00

Our next meeting is this Tuesday Nov. 27th. At the usual place. N.W.10th & Portland in OKC, OK.
We will be covering the assembly of wooden ware and the pro's and con's of different types of equipt.
Hopefully we will have plenty of time for discussion.

Are your hives heavy with honey, hope so.

Today I was checking into feed prices for next spring and it's not looking good. All sugar and fructose prices are UPPPPPPPP!
See ya Tuesday

October Meeting

2007-10-12T21:03:00.000-05:00

Our Next meeting will NOT be on the 4th Tuesday this month!
We are sponsering the State Associations Semi Annual Meeting this Fall. Therefore Our October meeting will be Friday PM Oct. 26th the evening before the State meeting on Saturday Oct. the 27th @ 9 AM. See Ya There.

Small Hive Beetles

2007-09-16T13:10:00.000-05:00

The SMALL HIVE BEETLES ARE HERE!!!!!!!

IF YOU HAVEN'T SEEN ANY BEETLES COUNT YOURSELF LUCKY or your not looking.

One way to find these pests is to move the bees down from the top super by smoking or fuming. then take it off the hive and slam it down on a solid flat surface. ( I use the flat bed of my truck.) Then pick the box back up and look under it. Your looking for small dark brown or black bugs about 1/4" or so around. You can smash them with a hive tool or something hard. These bugs are fast but it is surprising to me how slow they are in cooler weather (less than 68 degrees).

These pests seem to be held in check by the bees in a strong hive. Weak hives seem to have problems with them. I also have seen a difference between the hives that are in the shade and the hives in full sun. Some of the hives in full sun have been without any beetles.

At one of my locations I have bees in two different places. One place has tall trees on three sides and one place has only tall trees on the south side they are about 50 feet apart. The hives with less trees only had 4 or 5 beetles, that I've found, the other hives had 25 or 30 beetles.

They also seem to like the top part of the hive. I'm not finding them in the middle or bottom of the hives. Keep in mind I have Screen bottom boards.

I understand that in other parts of the USA the biggest problem with these pests have been in the honey house. Be sure you extract as soon as possible. (within 3 days) Also, DO NOT leave your capping's sitting around. The beetles are most likely in them and could lay eggs there. Melt them or Process them as soon as possible.

The way these pests operate is they enter an empty cell and cut a hole into the next cell that is full of honey and then deposit eggs inside that cell. There have been as many as 300 eggs found in one cell. In a few days these eggs hatch and become larva or worms and tunnel through the honey comb making a BIG MESS, ruining everything, destroying honey and hive.

I understand that they can't take the cold. They must be kept warm by the bees. So if the bees die in the winter the beetles do too. Not that this is any consultation.

I am aware of only one approved treatment for these pests. Checkmite strips. Consult the instructions.

I've heard of a treatment that is not approved, but some beekeepers are using it. It has worked in killing the beetles and doesn't seem to bother the bees. Basically you get some plastic cardboard (like political signs) and cut them into 2" by 5" pieces so that the holes are across the short side not the long side. Buy some COMBAT roach bait in the syringe. Squirt some into every 4th or 5th hole.

Make sure to clean the cardboard off with a paper towel so that none of the bait is where the bees can get to it. Place one on the top bars and one on the bottom board. The holes are too small for the bees to enter and are just the right size for the beetles to hide in. I have heard that the beetles try to hide from the bees and that this really works well.

Leave in for about a week and then discard.

Good luck.

August meeting

2007-08-19T21:48:00.000-05:00

Our next meeting is Aug. 28, 07

We will be covering the things you need to be doing next month. We also will have a REFRACTOMETER available to test samples of your honey. If you have harvested your spring honey you can bring a small sample and we will test it to see what the moisture content is. It only takes a very small amount, around a teaspoon. Be sure to put it in a sealed container so the moisture doesn't change.

THANKS, to everyone who contributed to the last meeting.

Thank you for your help with snacks, drinks, and door prizes we appreciate it!

See ya there!

August Meeting

2007-07-29T22:29:00.000-05:00

I would like to take this opportunity to THANK everyone that contributed to our July meeting.

We have been harvesting our Spring crop this past week. At this time it looks great. Probably will be our largest spring harvest. We'll know more after it's finished.

Hopefully, the rain will continue and we'll have a great summer harvest.

The news of the Cotton producers oil mill going to set up for Canola oil and Oil sunflowers is GREAT.

If local farmers take advantage of this it could change beekeeping in Oklahoma.

Both of these crops make Honey and could be very beneficial to OK beekeepers.

Canola blooms from March 15 to April 20th. Sunflowers are later on in the summer depending on when they plant it. Both make very substantial amounts of Honey.

Sunflowers NEED pollinating. Canola does better with but a crop can be made without Honey Bees.

See ya at our next meeting Aug.28. 7 to 9 pm @ the OSU extension center auditorium NW 10th and Portland St.

July meeting

2007-07-22T21:51:00.000-05:00

Well before you know it. We'll be buying Christmas presents. This year is going fast.

It finnally is drying out and in some locations the honey bees are putting away the honey. If you haven't checked your hives in the last two weeks you should.

Our next meeting is THIS TUESDAY. We will be hearing some news. Pretaining to Bethany, Small hive beetles and some real good news pretaining to CANOLA and OIL SUNFLOWERS. Also I will be talking about AFRICANIZED HONEY BEES.
SEE YA THERE ! 7pm @ the osu extention @ NW 10th and Portland.
If you could bring some snacks and /or door prizes it would be appreciated.

We are in the middle of Harvesting our Honey now. Some locations are doing very well and some are not. We'll see how this harvest is after it's all over. I have seen more Varroa mites than I like to see, keep an eye out for this pest. The only approve treatment that can be used now is SUCROCIDE.

SEE YA TUES. NIGHT. TOM

SOGGY, BOGGY, MUGGY,

2007-07-02T21:27:00.000-05:00

Well, I don't have to tell anyone in central Oklahoma what the above words mean. If you live hear and you didn't know what the "ggy" words meant you do now!! As of today it has Rained in OKC,OK 20 DAYS IN A ROW! Mold is becoming a problem. By the way Chlorine will kill mold. Bee careful of the fumes. I was concerned about the small hive beetles this year because of the wetter weather but evidently they must have drowned. Haven't seen any yet!

As far as I know I haven't lost any hives to the flooding.

I HAVE SEARCHED HIGH AND LOW BUT HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO LOCATE ANY "LIFE PRESERVERS" for my Honey Bees. One thing for sure we couldn't use the inflatable type those stingers would pop them for sure.

I met a serviceman in a store the other day he said he had been stationed in Mobile, Alabama and that our wet weather reminded him of there. Then I had a beekeeper call and order some gloves from Alabama the next day, so I asked him how the weather had been and he said they were in a Severe Drought!

Well may bee this rain isn't so bad after all!!!!! I can remember last years DROUGHT!!!!

OUR next meeting will bee JULY 24th, N.W. 10th & Portland, 7pm to 9pm. We will be looking for ya.

See ya there !!!!!!!

Our Next Meeting, Robbing, Extracting, Straining & Bottling honey

2007-05-24T18:37:00.000-05:00

Well if you missed our last meeting you missed a good one.

I had one member say he thought it was the best meeting ever.

We had a blast trying to get those little larvas in those Queen cell cups. Even the weather cooperated.

Tony K. and Rick S. make a couple of real good teachers. If you enjoyed this meeting be sure and let them know the next time you see them.

We also learned almost everything there is to know about SWARMS. From how to get them to why they do it, to what discourages it.

THANK YOU! If you contributed to the last meeting including those who donate door prizes and brought refreshments or helped in the clean up.

Our next meeting will be on June 26th @ 7pm @ the OSU extension @ NW 10th and Portland.

It wil include how to Rob, Extract, Strain, & Bottle your honey. It's a sticky job.

If time allows we will also learn a little about Africanized Honey Bees.

See ya at our next meetin.

Our Next Meeting

2007-05-08T21:57:00.000-05:00

Well, I'm not sure if we will be driving our automobiles or our boats to the next meeting, I suppose it will depend on whether it stops dripping from the sky or not!

Our plans were to graft at our next meeting and then have those who want to return on the next Thursday in a week and pick up there cells.

NOW! Our plans are for those who want to try their skill out on grafting can, but we will be bringing some cells that we will have available for those who want some. Depending on how many cells we are successful in making and how many of you want some will determine how many each person gets. I think this will be easier and we won't need to make two trips.
So, bee prepared to take some cells home. You need to have a way to keep the cells warm (90 degrees) to transfer them back to your hives.

Other topics to be covered will be: "Which Varroa treatments that can be used now", "How to reduce Swarming", "The quickest way to know if your hive is Queenless", etc. "How to get your bees to draw plastic frames/foundation", and more.

CORRECTION:
At the last meeting I mentioned that Carol would be out of state at this meeting. But it is at the July meeting that she won't be here.

I got a swarm today that was over 20 ft in the air on a limb. I didn't have a bee sucker or a ladder. My feet didn't leave the ground.... I'LL let everybody know how I got it at our next meeting.

See ya Tuesday May 22 @ 7 pm

Its SWARMING TIME AGAIN

2007-04-21T21:56:00.000-05:00

The weather has finally mellowed out. The little girls are going to work AGAIN.

Last year we didn't have very many swarms because of the Drought. But not this year. Since we are receiving rain once or twice a week there is plenty for the bees to work. I've already found a couple of hives that had lots of Queen cells. And to date I've already received 10 swarm calls so far.
Crowding causes swarming when the queen runs out of cells to lay in, she thinks it's time to go. If you go into a colony and find 5 or more queen cells that have larva in them, DO NOT destroy them! If you destroy them and they swarm anyway then they have no chance to survive. If they have that many Cells, they most likely are going to SWARM no matter what. The best thing that I have found to do for swarming if you find several Queen cells with larva in them is to make 3 frame splits out of the entire colony. Be sure there is at least one cell in each split and at least one frame of brood in each split.

I had an inquiry about re-queening and treating for mites.

If you find ANY Varroa Mites I would not hesitate to treat with SUCROCIDE, Immediately!!!

The way I re-queen is to Find the Queen, Pinch her, Drop her back onto the frame then let some of the bees gather around her for a minute I then replace the frame into the middle of the box.
You can let them make a new Queen which I do NOT recommend. If you are putting in Queen Cells then you can put them in now. If putting in a newly purchased Queen, then I prefer to put it in the next day. Don't pinch your old queen until you have cells or a new queen ready. I have had queens lost in shipping before.

If you contributed in any way to our last meeting, THANK YOU!!!!

WE WILL BE GRAFTING QUEEN CELLS AT THE NEXT MEETING IF ALL GOES AS PLANNED! May 22nd.

If grafting sounds hard come See How Easy It Is!!!!!

May 31st we hope to have your grafted cells for you. If you just want to try grafting and not get your cells that's OK too.

We will also have other things at the meeting.

SEE YA AT THE NEXT MEETIN'. NW 10th @ Portland Ave. OSU Extension center north side.

April 15, 2007 Update

2007-04-14T19:15:00.000-05:00

Well, if it isn't the drought, it’s a flood, the cold and then there is, SNOW at Easter. What's next? Oklahoma sure is living up to its reputation. Our weather has really been CRAZY. In the 70's one day and snow the next. POOR BEES don't know what to do. I was outside today with a coat and hood, it was cold, and those bees were flying. If you are making splits don't make them too small (a minimum of 3 fames). Keep an eye out for those Varroa Mites. Treat when found.

Colony Collapse DISORDER (CCD)
If you don't know what the symptoms are, they are as follows:

1. In collapsed colony's
    a. A complete absence of adult bees in colonies with no or little build up of
        dead bees in the colonies or in front of those colonies
    b. The presence of capped brood in colonies.
    c. The presence of food stores, both honey and pollen bee bread
        i. which is not touched or robbed by other bees within 2 weeks, and
        ii. when infested by other pest such as wax moths
         or small hive beetles, the invasion is noticeably delayed.
2. In cases where the colony appear to be actively collapsing.
    a. An insufficient workforce to maintain the brood that is present.
    b. The workforce seems to be made up of young bees.
    c. The Queen is present.
    d. The cluster seems not to consume provided feed, Syrup or patties.

I have been hearing some horror stories about this thing. Notice I said thing. No one knows what it is. There are a lot of people guessing and several are working on its cause. Hopefully they will discover the cause before it becomes a big problem here in central Oklahoma. So far the most sensible thing that I have heard is, a certain pesticide that France outlawed in 2004 because of large bee losses there in 2003. They haven't had any big losses since. It's hard beeing patient. See ya Tuesday.

April 2007 Meeting April 17th

2007-04-02T21:43:00.000-05:00

NOTE OUR NEXT MEETING IS April 17th . This is the THIRD Tuesday NOT the Fourth Tuesday!!!
Well SPRING HAS SPRUNG. I saw a field of Vetch beginning to bloom today. The alfalfa is getting tall but I haven't seen any of it blooming yet. Hopefully the rain will keep coming every few days. The honey bees have been bringing in pollen and some nectar. I have already stopped feeding in some places were the bees seem to have plenty to forage.
Some of the hives I have checked lately have a considerable amount of honey left on them from the winter. If you are feeding syrup be sure and check on your hives, watch for them becoming HONEY BOUND. (This is were the bees fill the cells with honey and the Queen doesn't have any empty cells to lay eggs in). You may need to remove some frames of honey and replace them with empty frames. Or add another box of frames with empty cells in them.
No room for the queen to lay will cause Swarming!!! I haven't received any swarm calls yet but I'm sure it won't be long.
I have already seen some drone brood with varroa mites on them, keep an eye out for these pest. If they are present, treat. With the new discovery that Varroa Mites can spread several types of viruses, which can be fatal to the honey bee, it has become very important that we keep these pest under control as much as possible. At the next meeting we will be giving more information on Raising Queens. At our May Meeting we will be grafting Queens. In the April Meeting we will also be covering what you should be doing in May.
If you are an old beekeeper, a new beekeeper, or a young beekeeper come and learn about "Producing Honey in Oklahoma". Even if you are just interested in honey bees come join us.
There are a lot of new things now to do with beekeeping, new Varroa Mites treatments, new antibiotics, screen bottom boards, new equipment that makes beekeeping easier, etc. Everyone is invited to attend and bring a door prize or snack if you wish, but it is not required. Come join the fun! Our meetings are from 7 pm - 9 pm and we meet at the Oklahoma County Extension office at NW 10th and Portland in Oklahoma City, the North Auditorium. Remember we will need some help with the refreshments this month, our usual person who handles this will not be able to attend. So if you can, bring a yummy treat, but it is not required. BEE THERE!
The reason Carol my wife wasn't at our last meeting is because she was in Washington D.C. on business. While she was there she discovered that there was going to be a Congressional hearing on CCD (Colony Collapse DISORDER). YES, She got to attend. There were several beekeepers who testified about losing their bees. Also several scientist from various universities and entomologist from the USDA who were wanting to do research on what is causing the disorder.
Oh by the way she will be in Florida during our next meeting so be sure and bring goodies for refreshments. THANK YOU, to those who brought the goodies to the last meeting. There was plenty.
Hopefully, Your Queens are ordered and your colonies are built up and you're ready to make your splits. ReQueen those DINKS.
SEE YA AT OUR MEETIN !

March Meeting

2007-03-10T22:41:00.000-06:00

Our Next Meeting is March 27, 2007

The Pear trees,red buds,peaches,dogwoods,etc. are blooming, The honey bees have been bringing in pollen for 3 weeks now. Some of the hives I have checked lately have a considerable amount of honey left on them from the winter. If you are feeding syrup be sure and watch for your hives to prevent them from becoming HONEY BOUND. (This is were the bees fill the cells with honey and the Queen doesn't have any empty cells to lay eggs in. For more info check the bottom of this page.) You may need to remove some frames of honey and replace them with empty frames. Or add another box of frames with empty cells in them.

I have already seen some drone brood with varroa mites on them, keep an eye out for these pest. If they are present, treat. With the new discovery that Varroa Mites can spread several types of viruses, that can be fatal to the honey bee, it has become very important that we keep these pest under control as much as possible.

At the next meeting we will be giving more information on Raising Queens. At our May Meetings we will be grafting Queens. In the March Meeting we will also be covering what you should be doing next month. At our January meeting the present officers were re-elected for another year. The officers are Tommy Thornton, President; Tony King, Vice-President; Rick Schantz, Sec/Treasurer.

If you are an old beekeeper, a new beekeeper, or a young beekeeper come and learn about "Producing Honey in Oklahoma". Even if you are just interested in honey bees come join us. You would think an old Beekeeper would know it all but this is not true. There are a lot of new things now to do with beekeeping, Varroa Mites, new treatments, new antibiotics, new equipment that makes beekeeping easier, etc. Everyone is invited to attend and bring a door prize or snack if you wish, but it is not required. Come and learn about producing honey in Oklahoma and join the fun! Our meetings are from 7 pm - 9 pm and we meet at the Oklahoma County Extension office at NW 10th and Portland in Oklahoma City, the North Auditorium.

Remember we will need some help with the refreshments this month, our usual person who handles this will not be able to attend. So if you can, bring a yummy treat, but it is not required.

BEE THERE!

Don't forget the state beekeepers spring convention @ the Norman fairgrounds march 23rd @7pm and Sat. the 24th registration starts @ 8am pot luck lunch.

I have been finding a large number of my hives like the below illustration.

TOP BOX of 2 box's
All Honey
All Honey
Honey and pollen
Honey and brood
Brood
Brood
Honey and brood
Honey and pollen
All Honey

I reversed these box's first. Then I rearranged these frames to be as the following;

Bottom Box

Honey
Honey and pollen
Empty comb
Brood and honey
Empty comb
Brood
Brood
Brood and honey
Empty comb
Honey and pollen

Top Box

Honey
Honey
Empty comb
Empty
Empty
Empty
Empty
Empty
Empty
Honey

The queen is reluctant to move down while it is still getting cold at night. Arranging the frames this way gives her room to lay more eggs. The frames full of honey was preventing the cluster from expanding fully. Notice I only put one empty comb frame between brood frames. Now instead of four frames of brood she can possibly grow the cluster into 7 frames of brood. By this time the cluster will be large enough to expand into the top box. Not all hives were like this. Use your best judgment on other hives.

2007-01-25T19:27:00.000-06:00

Here is a list of COBA's 2007 Meeting Dates:

January 23
February 27
March 27
April 17 *3rd Tuesday
May 22 *More info to come
June 26
July 24
August 28
September 25
October 23
November 27
December 18

First Meeting of the Year, January 23, 2007

2007-01-01T08:16:00.000-06:00

Let's all start the year out right and attend the first COBA meeting of the year! We will be covering information on "Building up hives for Splits in the Spring, in Oklahoma". We will cover what should be done to build your hives up early so you can make splits and still make honey for harvest. We have just returned from the AHPA (American Honey Producers association) meeting in Phoenix, AZ and have some interesting information to share with you. For instance, How to remove 95% of the miticides from your boxes, frames and comb without destroying the comb; How many viruses do Varroa mites carry and infect your bees with;
"Mitezapper", I'll let you guess what that is. We sat through three and a half long days of presentations from researchers and other bee related experts and took a lot of notes.

Also, we will be taking nominations and will be voting for officers for the year of 2007 at this meeting. Tommy Thornton, President; Tony King, Vice-President; Rick Schantz, Sec/Treasurer are the current officers. If you are a member of the Central Oklahoma Beekeepers Association come show your support and vote.

Everyone is invited to bring a door prize or snack if you wish, but it is not required. Come and learn about BEEKEEPING in Oklahoma and join the fun!

Our meetings are from 7 pm - 9 pm and we meet at the Oklahoma County Extension office at NW 10th and Portland in Oklahoma City, the North Auditorium. BEE THERE!

December 19th is the last meeting for 2006!

2006-12-05T18:27:00.000-06:00

Can you believe that it is almost the end of the year? With all the Christmas hustle and bustle, we moved the December meeting to the 19th. We will be grilling!!!!

We will be meeting at the same place: NW 10th and Portland in the OSU County Extension Center Main Auditorium. Everyone come and lets visit and have a good time. We will have a "Queen Finding Contest" and door prizes!

The Meat, Buns, Plates, Plasticware, Cups and Drinks will be provided. At the November meeting we had a list of things to sign-up for to bring. There were a couple of things left on the list if you didn't get to sign-up:

Chips
Desserts

You don't have to bring anything if you don't want to or can't. Come have fun anyway. You do not have to be a member to attend.

Next Meeting November 28th

2006-10-29T16:28:00.000-06:00

THANK YOU to all COBA members who helped with the 2006 Fall OSBA Meeting on October 21st! The meeting was a great success and OSBA bragged on what a good job the COBA members did to pull this off. Thank you to everyone who brought gifts for the speakers bags; brought food for the meeting; and worked before, during and after; including those who taught workshops, helped with the auction and helped organized the event.

The next COBA meeting will be November 28th at our regular meeting place, NWth 10th and Portland, County Extension Office Main Auditorium.

This month we will be receiving information about the different Bee Lines (Breeds) and also putting together Frames and Boxes. If you have any frames or boxes you want to get some information about assembling, feel free to bring them with you.

Thank you to everyone who continues to bring refreshments and door prizes to the meetings, you all are a great help, and part of the reason we are growing and learning together.

Membership to COBA is $7.50 a person or $10.00 a family per year. Bring your friends, family or anyone interested in Bees. Our meetings are open to the public.

Next Meeting is October 20th

2006-10-01T22:38:00.000-05:00

Our next meeting is moved to Friday, October 20th. It is the night before the Oklahoma State Beekeepers Association Fall Meeting. We are hosting the State Meeting on Saturday so come help us be a great success! Please contact Carola Thornton at we.bee.ok@gmail.com so you can find out what needs to be done. Friday, we will be having our normal meeting with "Producing Honey in Oklahoma, November". Jerry Logan, President of OSBA, will bring a candy board and his recipe. We will be talking about Winter Feeding Methods and Cleaning and Storing Hives for the Winter.

Thank you to everyone who supplies refreshments and door prizes! We are excited about everyone getting involved with COBA, Your Bee Club!

We will be meeting at the Oklahoma County Extension building at NW 10th & Portland, our usual meeting place. We will be in the main auditorium like last month.

Plan on attending the OSBA Fall Meeting on Saturday, October 21st. There will be Workshops, Informative Speakers, Beekeeper of the Year Award, Vendors, Pot Luck Lunch, and much much more! Come and join the State Association.

September 26th Meeting

2006-08-30T14:56:00.000-05:00

We will be meeting at the OSU Extension Center, N.W. 10th and Portland, Oklahoma City, OK, in "THE AUDITORIUM" on the NORTH side of the center brick building. The meeting is Sept. 26th from 7 pm until 9 pm. Our meeting will be on the Topic "Getting ready for winter". Such subjects to be discussed will be "equalizing", "super storage", "cleaning up old equiptment," etc. We will also be discussing the State Meeting which will be Oct. 21st. As usual we will have door prizes and refreshments. Thank you to all the people who brought refreshments and door prizes last week they were GREAT and everybody loved them, I heard many many positive comments. We actually had more door prizes than people. Anyone wanting to bring refreshments, feel free to do so. If you would like to bring something for a door prize that would be fine as well. Our meetings are open to the public. Anyone who is interested in Honey Bees is encouraged to attend. If you wish to become a member the dues are $7.00 per year; you do not have to join to attend. IT IS GREAT to see the new faces coming back for more. Hopefully everyone is learning something new each month. See you there !!!!If you have a specific question you want to be covered in this next meeting pertaining to any of the above subjects, leave a comment on this site and we will do our best to cover it in the meeting. Starting with the September 26th meeting we will be changing rooms! We will still be at the OSU Extension Center but we will be in the main auditorium; the double doors on the North side of the same building! We are excited that we have gotten large enough to need a bigger room. Hopefully we can continue to grow and learn and interest more people in Beekeeping!!

Our October Meeting will be the evening before the STATE meeting October the 20th. Same time and place.

Attention! Attention! August Meeting Date Change!!!!

2006-07-26T15:17:00.000-05:00

The August meeting will be on Tuesday, August 29th.

We will be meeting at the OSU Extension Center, N.W. 10th and Portland, Oklahoma City, OK, in "Classroom B" on the east side of the center brick building. The meeting is from 7 pm until 9 pm.

Our meeting will be on the Topic "Treating for all Major Bee Pests and Diseases". There are many different types of treatments for pests and diseases, many of them have been tried and have worked in Oklahoma and some have not worked. We can learn how to maintain our bees the best that we can, which will help them fight their natural enemies!

Thanks Deedra for your presentation on Top Bar Hives. It was very interesting.

As usual we will have door prizes and refreshments. Thank you to all the people who brought refreshments last week they were GREAT and everybody loved them, I heard many many positive comments. Anyone wanting to bring refreshments this month, feel free to do so. If you would like to bring something for a door prize that would be fine as well. Our meetings are open to the public. Anyone who is interested in Honey Bees is encouraged to attend. If you wish to become a member the dues are $7.00 per year; you do not have to join to attend. IT IS GREAT to see the new faces coming back for more. Hopefully everyone is learning something new each month. See you there !!!!

If you have a specific question you want to be covered in this next meeting pertaining to pest or diseases, leave a comment on this site and we will do our best to cover it in the meeting.

Have you remembered the "Gum Test"? Remember when you work your hives, chew gum and let me know if the bees hit your veil. Thanks!

Starting with the September 26th meeting we will be changing rooms! We will still be at the OSU Extension Center but we will be in the main auditorium; the double doors on the North side of the same building! We are excited that we have gotten large enough to need a bigger room. Hopefully we can continue to grow and learn and interest more people in Beekeeping!!

July 25th Meeting

2006-07-11T21:23:00.000-05:00

Varroa Mites

Small Hive Beetle

Wax Moths

July 25, 2006 is our next meeting. We will be meeting at the OSU Extension Center, N.W. 10th and Portland, Oklahoma City, OK, in "Classroom B" on the east side of the center brick building. The meeting is from 7 pm until 9 pm.

Our meeting will be on the Topic "Bottling Honey". Also we will be covering "The pest of the honey bee". If we can understand how these pest live and know there life cycle. Hopefully we can better control them. I'm not sure if we will have time to cover all of the pest so we will start with most important and go from there. So, bring your questions and your notepads to write down answers. As usual we will have door prizes and refreshments. Thank you to all the people who brought refreshments last week they were GREAT and everybody loved them. Anyone wanting to bring refreshments this month, feel free to do so. If you would like to bring something for a door prize that would be fine as well.

Our meetings are open to the public. Anyone who is interested in Honey Bees is encouraged to attend. If you wish to become a member the dues are $7.00 per year. But you do not have to join to attend. IT IS GREAT to see the new faces coming back for more. Hopefully everyone is learning something new each month. See you there !!!!

If you have a specific question you want to be sure to be covered in this next meeting pertaining to Bottling Honey or pest, leave a comment on this site and we will do our best to cover it in the meeting.

Have you remembered the "Gum Test"? Remember when you work your hives, chew gum and let me know if the bees hit your veil. Thanks!

June 27th Meeting

2006-06-18T15:57:00.000-05:00

June 27, 2006 is our next meeting. We will be meeting at the OSU Extension Center, N.W. 10th and Portland, Oklahoma City, OK, in "Classroom B" on the east side of the center brick building. The meeting is from 7 pm until 9 pm.

Our meeting will be on the Topics "Robbing and Extracting Honey". If you have 1 or 1000 hives we will be discussing robbing the honey from the hives, how to know when to remove supers, how much honey to leave on the hive, transporting the honey to where you will be extracting and much more. We will also offer information on how to extract honey, tips and tricks, and other information on extracting. So, bring your questions and your notepads to write down answers.

As usual we will have door prizes and refreshments. If you would like to bring something for a door prize it would be GREAT. If you would like to bring a small snack that would be good also, but not mandatory. Our meetings are open to the public. Anyone who is interested in Honey Bees is encouraged to attend. If you wish to become a member the dues are $7.00 per year. But you do not have to join to attend. IT IS GREAT to see the new faces coming back for more. Hopefully everyone is learning something new each month. See you there !!!!

If you have a specific question you want to be sure to be covered in this next meeting pertaining to Robbing and Extracting Honey, leave a comment on this site and we will do our best to bring you information to answer it.

Next meeting May 23, 2006

2006-05-13T21:43:00.000-05:00

May 23, 06 our meeting will be at the OSU extension at N.W. 10th and Portland in""Classroom B"" on the east side of the center bldg. in Oklahoma City, OK.
Well, IT RAINEDDDDD AND RAINED. The honey flow is on...Doesn't the yellow sweet clover look great. Another beekeeper called me today (May 13,) and said he saw some white sweet clover begining to bloom today. I helped a different beekeeper make 40 splits yesterday and saw some Canola still blooming. Totally amazing!!! I would not have ever expected to see any Canola blooming this late. It's usually dried up by now and the farmers are getting ready to harvest it. I've gotten a few swarm calls but not near as many as last year. Perhaps the drought has had an impact on the ferral colonies.
The first half of our meeting will be on Topics related to "Producing Honey in Oklahoma",
then we are planning on the second portion of our May meeting to be dedicated to Questions and Hopefully some good answers. So write down all those Questions and have them ready.
Oh, by the way, we will have door prizes and refreshments. If you would like to bring something for a door prize it would be GREAT.
Our meetings are open to the public. Everyone that is interested in Honey bees is encouraged to attend. If you wish to become a member the dues are $7.00 per year. But you do not have to join to attend. IT IS GREAT to see the new faces coming back for more. Hopefully everyone is learning something new each month. See you there !!!!

Next meeting April 25, 2006

2006-04-11T21:16:00.000-05:00

Our April 25, 06 meeting will be at the OSU extension at N.W. 10th and Portland Classroom B on the east side of the middle bldg.in Oklahoma City, OK. One Topic to be discussed will be "Making Queens". Our honey flow normally starts around the first of May.
Other topics related to "Oklahoma Beekeeping in May" will also be discussed. If time permits we have a couple of other things on the agenda. Oh, by the way, we will have door prizes and refreshments. We have had several people contact us wanting to know if our meetings are open to the public. The answer is, YES. Everyone that is interested in Honey bees is encouraged to attend. If you wish to become a member the dues are $7.00 per year and we encourage interested persons to join us. But you do not have to join to attend IT IS GREAT to see the new faces coming back for more. Hopefully everyone is learning something new each month. See you there !!!!

We learned to WAGGLE!

2006-04-06T20:46:00.000-05:00

At our last meeting Tony King showed us the waggle dance that honey bees use to relay to each other where the nectar sources are. We are excited we had 19 attendees. Welcome all newcomers and old comers and new members. We learned what we should be doing with our beehives in the month of April, mainly how to make splits, 3 different ways.

March 28,06 Meeting

2006-03-05T20:19:00.000-06:00

Our March 28, 06 meeting will be at our new location @ the OSU extension at N.W. 10th and Portland in Oklahoma City, OK. One Topic to be discussed will be "Making splits and introducing Queens". When you have a hive that is 2 deep boxes full of bees and it's not time for the honey flow yet you need to split that hive to make more room for the colony to grow. If it becomes too full it will probably swarm. Other topics related to Beekeeping in April will also be discussed. If time permits we have a couple of other things on the agenda. Oh, by the way, we will have door prizes and refreshments. We have had several people contact us wanting to know if our meetings are open to the public? The answer is, YES. Everyone that is interested in bees is encouraged to attend. If you wish to become a member the dues are $7.50 per year and we encourage interested persons to join us. But you do not have to join to attend. See you there !!!!

Febuary 28 meeting

2006-02-15T21:43:00.000-06:00

Our Febuary 28, 06 meeting will be at our new location @ the OSU extension at N.W. 10th and Portland in Oklahoma City, OK . One Topic to be discussed will be "Capturing Swarms" Swarming time will be here before you know it. Other topics related to Beekeeping in March will also discussed. If time permits we have a couple of other things on the aqenda. In our previous meeting it was mentioned that the By -laws were out of date and needed to be updated. The COBA officers are looking into this and hopefully will have some suggestions soon. If you are interested in beekeeping we encourage you to come and join us. Oh, by the way, we will have door prizes and refreshments.

Central Oklahoma Beekeepers Association

2006-02-09T22:46:00.000-06:00

We are meeting on the 4th Tuesday of each month from 7pm - 9pm. We meet at the OSU County Extension Center located at NW 10th and Portland OKC, OK.

Come learn about honey bees and beekeeping.