York County Beekeepers Association

York County Beekeepers held its first annual Smoker Contest at the August Open Hive at Sandie Hamel’s apiary. Six members participated in the contest using a variety of fuels from traditional pine sprills and newspaper, to custom mixes. Everyone was a winner, especially Valerie Cole whose smoker using traditional materials lasted through the open hive and potluck lunch (about 3 1/2 hours), and Joe Barberi whose ‘Marly Bomb’ lasted a total of 9 hours and 10 minutes. About 20 YCBA

We had a good turnout for this event, about 30 members. Vice President Joe Barberi brought all the woodenware for this demonstration and described the process for making nucs and splits. He showed how to use the Snelgrove board (also known as a double screen board). Joe also demonstrated his own invention, the “Snelly” which improves on the Snelgrove by redirecting heat and air flow within the split.

Volunteer Coordinator Primary responsibility to recruit/manage other volunteers to sign up for bringing snacks, being the sign-in greeters, and other tasks as needed. Time commitment- 0-1 hour per month

In February, YCBA members were surveyed on important beekeeping books they would like to see in local libraries. The top rated books were purchased and YCBA President Beth Goodwin recently met with Cindy Appleby, Head Librarian at Wells Public Library and presented four titles on behalf of the club. The books are available at Wells Public Library and through Maine’s Interlibrary Loan service.

Links to both the April 6th webinar and the April/May issue of The Beeline will be posted on MSBA’s website, and on the MSBA Facebook page. On April 6th at 7pm, Karen Thurlow will walk us through two consecutive spring brood cycles as bees are gearing up for peak population in her zoom presentation titled “The next 42 days with your colonies”. For those interested in joining MSBA, membership dues are $15 for an Individual membership and $22.50 for a

About 20 beekeepers turned out on March 21st for our first in-person gathering in over two years. Highlights included ‘bee talk’, announcements, questions, snacks, and examining dead outs. Lynne Lincourt, Lynne Gobeil and Joe Barbari led the hive autopsies. On the left, Lynne and Lynne are looking for the queen and any evidence of deformed wing. On the right, Joe has a frame with some capped honey and a small cluster of bees. Based on our observations, both colonies likely

2022 t-shirts and hats will be yellow…the 2022 Queen color…with black lettering and the YCBA logo. T-Shirts $24 Click here for the Order Form

February 14, 2022 Shawn Jalbert joined the February YCBA zoom meeting and spoke on Using Native Plants to Make Pollinator Friendly Backyards. Shawn is a plant biologist specializing in native species and is the owner of Native Haunts in Alfred. He offers consultation services for landowners and his greenhouse specializes in native plants. Shawn talked about plants for all pollinators, especially honey bees, and the importance of preserving and using natives in our backyards. He shared sources for purchasing native

In 2021 YCBA participated in the Sentinel Apiary Program. This is a citizen scientist initiative. Seven YCBA members joined together once a month to sample for varroa and nosema in four colonies at Lynne Gobeil’s apiary. The program is part of the national, non-profit Bee Informed Partnership which uses science-based, data-driven approaches to improve the health and long-term sustainability of honey bees. The Bee Informed Partnership (BIP) is dedicated to working with beekeepers to improve colony health and increase colony