WINTHROP N.Y. — A field-day workshop for beginner and experienced beekeepers will focus on Varroa mite control in honeybees from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. (plus bonus material until 5:00 pm) on Sunday, June 4th near Winthrop, NY.
The Local Living Venture’s Bee Group will visit one of the Squeak Creek Apiaries’ beeyards where Mark Berninghausen and other experienced Bee Group beekeepers will focus on mite management how-to tips and useful knowledge.
The “Varroa destructor” mite is an external parasitic mite that attacks and feeds on honey bees and is the world’s most devastating pest of Western honey bees.
Beekeeper Mark Berninghausen will demonstrate lighting a smoker, checking for mites, proper Apivar strip placement, how to use formic pads, and more. Questions from attendees are welcomed as part of the learning process.
This field-day workshop will share those standard methods of chemical mite control and also discuss “natural” beekeeping methods. Beekeeper Justin Bennett will discuss breeding selection and the use of an OAV wand.
After the mite workshop, there will be a bonus demonstration on splitting a hive for those who wish to stay.
Attendees are advised to bring appropriate beekeeper’s apparel and an epi pen or appropriate medications if it may be needed.
There is a suggested donation, to benefit Local Living’s Bee Group, of $10 to $20 sliding scale, though no one will be turned away for lack of funds.
For the exact location and more information, contact the LLV Bee Group at 315-347-4223 (text best) or email to locallivingventure@gmail.
–Local Living Venture