Worcester County Beekeepers Association

WCBA HONEY EXTRACTORS !

WCBA has several extractors available for rent to our members. For details see here.

NEXT WCBA MEETING - Saturday, October 5 - 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM 

Knights of Columbus, Leicester, MA

SPEAKERS: Dr. Reed Johnson, Dr. Heather Matilla

TOPIC: Our Bees and the Environment Around Them

Twice a year, the WCBA brings in professional apiarists from universities across
the country to enhance our knowledge in beekeeping based on research they
have done over the years. This fall we have two outstanding professors, Reed and
Heather, with presentations that will help us better understand the relationship
between our bees and the environment around them.

Both Reed and Heather will make this understandable for all beekeepers. I really
hope to see you all on October 5th for this outstanding opportunity—Ken

This event is FREE for WCBA members, non-members pay $10 or may join
the WCBA for $15.

For more details, including the full agenda, see our Events page.

KID'S DAY - NATIVE BEE HOUSE PROJECT - Looking for Volunteers!

At our August WCBA meeting, Worcester County League of Sportsment's Clubs' (WCLSC) VP, Joe Afonso described their "Kid's Day" project which will prepare, assemble and distribute up to 400 Native Bee Hives to young Worcester County conservationists.

Joe and the WCLSC have asked WCBA to partner with them and are looking for volunteers in each phase of the project:

- Review and provide input into the design of the proposed bee house (Aug/Sept)

- Help acquire materials for the interior of the bee house (wood pieces w/holes, bamboo, etc. (Oct-Dec)

- Participate, if requested, at specific club Kids' Day events to promote the WCBA and explain the use of the kits (Feb - June, typically 8-10 events)

- Cut and package the kits for distribution (1 day event, late Jan/Feb)

For more information or to volunteer, contact Joe Alfonso at  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  or 617-939-1605.  WCLSC also has a facebook page here.

HONEY BEE SWARM COLLECTION AND COLONY REMOVAL

Honeybee swarms are a natural process where the bees divide their colony and half of them leave home along with their queen, to start a new hive. Before they find their new space, they may hang around in a temporary spot for a few hours. If you see a honeybee swarm, keep your distance and please don’t panic--they are normally fairly gentle. Do call a beekeeper who will come and get them.

A list of Worcester County Beekeepers who are on call to collect swarms can be found here. Most will also travel to nearby towns.

Sometimes a swarm will decide to take up permanent residence inside a structure such as in the walls of a house. If you are in need of someone to remove a colony and the associated honeycomb from a structure, please see this link.

Honey as a Wound Dressing

Did you miss our February meeting? Would you like to get another look at those great slides from Drs. Allen and Jane Dennison? You can find them here.

77th Annual WCBA Bee School

Bee School is finished for the year. Congratulations, Bee School Graduates!

SLIDES and VIDEOS from PREVIOUS MEETINGS

Insurance For Beekeepers (April 2018) -- Wendy Ashe of A&B Insurance in Westford

Beekeeping Insurance Info

Temperature Probes for your hives (April 2018) -- Max Weagle, WCBA Director

If you are interested in having an inspector check your hive, please submit an online inspection request here:

MDAR Apiary Inspection Request Form

You can also call 617-626-1801 to request a visit from an inspector.

MA POLLINATOR PROTECTION PLAN

The MA Pollinator Protection Plan has been released and can be found at http://www.mass.gov/eea/docs/agr/farmproducts/apiary/pollinator-plan.pdf

DOES YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS NEED UPDATING?

If your membership is up to date but you are not receiving club emails (quarterly newletter & important announcements), please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  to update your email in our records.

NEXT WCBA MEETING - Saturday, October 5 - 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM

Knights of Columbus, Leicester, MA  (See directions @ the bottom of this page)

SPEAKERS: Dr. Reed Johnson, Dr. Heather Matilla

TOPIC: Our Bees and the Environment Around Them

This fall we have two outstanding professors, Dr. Reed Johnson and Dr. Heather Mattila, with presentations that will help us better understand the relationship between our bees and the environment around them. I encourage all of our members, from the advanced to the first year beekeeper, to attend this all day conference. I know that everyone is busy but give your bees some of your time to expand your beekeeping skills. God only knows they need it to help them survive. - Ken

Both Reed and Heather will make this understandable for all beekeepers. I really
hope to see you all on October 5th for this outstanding opportunity—Ken

This event is FREE for WCBA members, non-members pay $10 or may join
the WCBA for $15. The lunch registration deadline has passed.

SPEAKERS: (See biographies in Summer Newsletter, sidebar on page 5)
     Dr. Reed Johnson  - Ohio State University
     Dr. Heather Matilla - Wellesley College

AGENDA & TOPICS

8:00–9:00       Coffee, Danish & Bee talk
9:00                WCBA  President’s Welcome—Kathy deGraaf
9:15–10:30     Pesticides and Poisons in the Hive: An overview of bee toxicology -

                        how bees are affected (Dr. Reed Johnson)
10:30–12:00   Effects of Bee Nutrition During Brood Rearing on Adult Performance and

                        Learning (Dr. Heather Matilla)

12:00-1:00      Lunch (registration deadline Sept. 28)

1:00–2:15       Risks and Benefits of Bee Foraging in Both Urban and Agricultural Areas

                       (Dr. Johnson)
2:15–3:30       Does feeding pollen in the fall season help produce better winter bees?

                       (Dr. Matilla)

3:30                Closing and Raffle

BE SURE TO SAVE THESE DATES FOR UPCOMING MEETINGS AND EVENTS

Indoor monthly meetings and many of the Special Events of the WCBA are held at the Knights of Columbus Hall, Manville Street, in Leicester, Massachusetts.

From Webster Square in Worcester: Follow Route 9 West into Leicester. Two miles from the town line turn right onto Manville Street, just after Entwhistle’s Garage. Entrance to the Knights of Columbus is 1/2 mile up on your left.
From the Spencer or Leicester area: Follow Route 9 East. Turn left onto Manville Street, just before Entwhistle’s Garage. Entrance to the Knights of Columbus is 1/2 mile up on your left.