For August, Jeff Montag will lead a round table discussion on mite monitoring and control. The honey is harvested and now it's time to check in on the health of your hives. Seasoned beekeepers will argue that the next years bee season starts NOW because now is the time to get an accurate measurement of the mite loads in your colonies. Now is the time to understand if you really need to treat your colonies before the weather gets chilly and time runs out. Bees that go into the winter with higher mite loads get sick and end up perishing in the spring from a variety of diseases. Many of us are pinching queens and replacing them with known stock while others choose a treatment to knock mites down to acceptable levels.

This is a great opportunity to bring the burning mite questions that you've been meaning to ask! Mite mitigation efforts now really pay off in the spring and get your colonies off on the right foot. Join us Thursday and bring a friend!

If you've missed a previous newsletter, find them all archived here.

SIBA Meetings occur the 3rd Thursday of each month through the year with topics being added to the event ahead of each meeting. Meetings are held at 6:30pm at the Sunman American Legion unless otherwise stated ahead of time in the newsletter and website. We're also looking for volunteers to help make the club GO. Contact us to let us know you are interested in helping out!

Check the website or Facebook for the latest information.

• SIBA Facebook Page - General Announcements, etc.
• Discussion Group - Bee questions answered within 24 hours