Dave Broxterman will be talking about a "Winter Prep Regimen." Wait, what? While it may seem like it's too early to be thinking about winter, there are some important things beekeepers should be doing right now in prep for the fall and winter. Oh, where do we begin?

We need to be wondering if we'll get a fall harvest... and making the moves to get it! We can't say the weather has been completely dry and dearthy. In fact, the season has been more kind to the bees than the previous several.

• When and how do we evaluate if we'll get a fall harvest?
• What do we do once we remove our honey?
• What about handling mites in between all this?
• What about equipment in need of repair?
• What other goals do we have for Spring?

The answers to the above depend on YOUR goals. While the goals are different from one beekeeper to the next, the constant is... you need to be making the right decisions that move you closer to your goals. One common goal for all of us are that bees go into the winter with their LOWEST mite load. If the mites are not in check... it will wreck all our spring plans. Now is the time to deal with mites... not the spring. See everyone on Thursday to talk about it!

SIBA Meetings occur the 3rd Thursday of each month through the year. Topic will be announced here ahead of each meeting.