Beeline June 2024

President's Message, June 2024

President’s Message, June 2024

Looking back at Spring 2024, and forward to EAS in August! ...
Notes from the Apiary Inspector, June 2024

Notes from the Apiary Inspector, June 2024

MDA has free varroa test kits for registered beekeepers, new product approvals, fair times ahead, surveys and surveillance! ...
2024 June 08 MEETING

2024 June 08 MEETING

RECORDING AVAILABLE! Guest speakers DAVID PECK, PhD. and ROGAN TOKACH present important new info on Oxalic Acid, Tropi Mites, Bee Nutrition, and ...
EAS 2024 in Ellicott City, Maryland August 5-9 – Registration is closed.

EAS 2024 in Ellicott City, Maryland August 5-9 – Registration is closed.

There's more to EAS in Maryland than ever before and registration for this wonderful nearby conference closes on July 1! ...
layout of CUA solar array

Catholic University Solar Array Includes Apiary

Catholic University has built the largest solar array in DC, and beekeepers Rob Yochem and Emily Locke are there! ...
Working a Bee Exhibit This Summer? Here are a Couple of Resources

Working a Bee Exhibit This Summer? Here are a Couple of Resources

Fairs and cramps ahead! Want some tips for making the experience even more fun? ...
Two Summer Gear Tips, and A Grudging Admission

Two Summer Gear Tips, and A Grudging Admission

Why moving screens and ventilated covers are the stars of a summer urban apiary ...
Beekeeper's Gallery, Spring 2024

Beekeeper’s Gallery, Spring 2024

Leading with Matt Gagle, MSBA photographers contribute breathtaking bee and pollinator images ...
Easy Hot Honey from your gardens and hives

Easy Hot Honey from your gardens and hives

Recipe: infused honeys are on-trend this year, and hot honey is one of the most popular. You can make yours 100% Maryland! ...
Beekeeping News and Notes: June 2024

Beekeeping News and Notes: June 2024

AFB vaccine seems to reduce virus loads, more is more when treating for varroa, YLH is back, more! ...

MSBA 2024 Board of Directors

Executive Board
PresidentMary Laura Fitzgeraldthemarylaura58@gmail.com
Past PresidentFred Smithf.smith@myactv.net
First V.P.David Schultzdschultz@specializedengineering.com
SecretaryToni Burnhamdcbees@dcbeekeepers.org
TreasurerLisa Ghezzilisa.ghezzi@icloud.com
DirectorValerie Wamplervalwampler@yahoo.com
DirectorDoug Shumandougshumansr@gmail.com
DirectorRussell Sprangelsprangel@comcast.net
SECOND VPs (County Reps)
AlleganyBen Coopercooperville@atlanticbb.net
Anne ArundelRyan Smithryansmith@honeysmithbees.com
BaltimoreRegina Andrewregina.andrew@comcast.net
Baltimore CityRob Yochemryochem@gmail.com
CalvertSusan Polskysarabellbees@md.metrocast.net
CarolinePaul Dill(302) 249-1866
CarrollMonica Schmittthebeelady@missionbeelieve.com
CecilBrad Luffbradfordluff@verizon.net
CharlesErik Darmerik.darm@gmail.com
Dorchester
FrederickMike Raidemike.raide@gmail.com
GarrettBrittany Llewellyn llewellynfarms@hotmail.com
HarfordHarry Dutcherbspaboy@comcast.net
HowardBill Gloverwilliamglover@verizon.net
KentDave Kygerdavidkyger@mac.com
MontgomeryLen Greiglgreig3@verizon.net
Prince GeorgesMichael Mehalickmichaelrmehalick@gmail.com
Queen Anne’s
SomersetCrystal Lehmankinga.mellifera.a@gmail.com
St. Mary’sDiane Wellonsdeezltownbeez@gmail.com
TalbotLisa Ghezzilisa.ghezzi@icloud.com
WashingtonScott Ediescottaedie@gmail.com
Wicomico
WorcesterThomas Babcocktbabcock0001@gmail.com
Washington, DCJan Poston Dayjpostonday@gmail.com


MSBA Spring 2024 Meeting

  • 2024 June 08 MEETING

    DAY: Saturday, June 8, 2024
    TIME: 8:30 am - 4:00 pm
    WHERE: BOTH In-Person and via ZOOM. (HYBRID)
    In-Person Location: University of Maryland, College Park, Plant Sciences Building, Room PLS 1140. Parking garage across the street is open and FREE!
    LEARN - TONS!
    SPEAKERS - David Peck, Rogan Tokach, Cybil Preston, & MORE


      

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    TOPICS

    The Infamous Tropilaelaps mites by Rogan Tokach
    Understanding the biology, monitoring, and management of the mite garnering increased attention.

    Tropilaelaps mercedesae is a parasitic mite on western honey bees causing increased concern as it continues its global expansion being discovered in new geographic areas. This talk goes into detail about the mite’s biology and life cycle, how it causes harm to honey bee colonies, and addresses current monitoring efforts being undertaken here in the US to determine rapid detection. The talk finishes up describing the different management practices that can be utilized to assist in control of this parasitic mite threat.

    Beekeeping in Thailand vs the US Rogan Tokach
    Come hear about how beekeeping in Thailand differs from in the United States. This talk focuses on Thai mite management, dealing with wasps feeding on colonies, and also covers the interesting dynamics of working with different honey bee species.

    The Changing Legal Status of Oxalic Acid (Including Extended-release OA Pads for Varroa Control) by David Peck, PhD
    We'll discuss the current labeling for oxalic acid as a honey bee miticide, and explore new research on dosage and administration methods expand the use of OA in beekeeping at both commercial scales and smaller scales.  Some discussion of the EPA's labelling laws, and how they affect beekeepers, will be included, as well as a discussion of new and upcoming products that use oxalic acid to fight varroa mites. 

    Understanding Honey Bee Nutrition by Studying Digestion by David Peck, PhD
    What should my bees be eating?  What shouldn't they eat?  How does the honey bee digestive tract process and absorb nutrients from what the bees consume?  What are the dietary needs of different bees at different times in their lives?  What stressors, like pesticides or pathogens, can affect our bees' digestion?  By exploring how a honey bee's body absorbs what it eats, perhaps we can gain insights into what nutritional aids our bees may want or need from us. 


    SPEAKER BIOs

    David Peck, PhD

    Dr. Peck is the Director of Research and Education at Betterbee in Greenwich, NY, where he assists in product development and research, and also teaches classes and develops scientifically-sound educational materials. His doctoral work in Cornell University's Department of Neurobiology and Behavior was supervised by Professor Tom Seeley. His dissertation research focused on the transmission of mites between bee colonies, as well as the mite-resistance traits of the untreated honey bees living in Cornell's Arnot Forest.

    After earning his degree, he has continued to research varroa/bee interactions, including fieldwork in Newfoundland, Canada (where varroa still have not arrived) and Anosy Madagascar (where varroa arrived only in 2010 or 2011). He has served as a teaching postdoctoral fellow in Cornell's Department of Entomology, and is still affiliated with Cornell through the Honey Bee Health program in the College of Veterinary Medicine. Dr. Peck has kept bees for more than a decade, though his home apiary is often full of mite-riddled research colonies so he doesn't usually produce much honey. 

    Rogan Tokach

    Rogan Tokach is a PhD student at Auburn University under Dr. Geoff Williams. His research focuses on developing sustainable parasitic mite management strategies for beekeepers. His work in Auburn involves finding alternative treatment options for amitraz resistant Varroa mites. He has also had the opportunity to travel to Thailand to conduct research dedicated to filling knowledge gaps concerning Tropilaelaps mite management and dispersal. Rogan completed his master’s degree at University of Nebraska-Lincoln under Dr. Autumn Smart and Dr. Judy Wu-Smart where he studied the impacts a pesticide contaminated environment had on honey bee colony functions. Rogan has 14 years of beekeeping experience as a hobbyist, and researcher.


    REGISTRATION is OPEN for the 2024 EAS Conference. This is a Not-To-Be-Missed event. It hasn't been in Maryland for 20 years. Check out this video to see what is in store!

    EAS CONFERENCE IS COMING TO MD! AUG 5-9

    ZOOM DETAILS

    Join Zoom Meeting 
    https://us06web.zoom.us/j/3634766759?pwd=Vm9SSWFnS0ZKRWlKdWc0YnVrQi83Zz09&omn=84614802043

    Meeting ID: 363 476 6759 
    Passcode: 119523 

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    Meeting ID: 363 476 6759 
    Passcode: 119523 

    Find your local number: https://us06web.zoom.us/u/kdEiSulivW