Home page

Welcome to the home page of the Tri-State Beekeepers Association. We are a group of hobbyists in Ohio, Marshall, and Belmont counties who are dedicated to promoting beekeeping. We meet monthly and host local and state speakers in an attempt to educate beginners and foster camaraderie among more seasoned members. The meetings are always casual and supportive, drawing on the knowledge of veteran members in an exchange of techniques and know-how. We foster novice beekeepers through a mentor program, pairing an experienced member with a newbee.

We support a speakers bureau with individuals enthusiastic about presenting programs on bees and beekeeping for private and civic groups. The Tri-State Beekeepers Association welcomes all interested individuals to contact us for an informative and memorable experience.

Click the tabs at the top of the page to access information about events and news about the club and our members.

2013 HONEY BEE SURVEY

It has been suggested by Paul Poling, the WV Apiary Specialist, that as a club we conduct our own survey of practices to determine what works or does not work in the area.  He felt that if we carried out an ongoing 5 year survey of as many members as possible, we would have a very clear picture of the most effective management methods for this region.  I have included a simple survey to get us started and as time passes, we can amend it as needed, but I ask you to start with this.

Each beekeeper is asked to survey up to three hives.  Please try to vary your choices as much as possible such as different bee yards or different types of bees.  If you have only a few hives, then go with them.  Start by identifying your survey hives and mark them so that you can follow throughout the survey periods.  You are asked to survey the hive on May 31 by counting the number of frames with drawn comb that are full of bees on both sides.  Do not include frames with only a few bees on them.  Use one survey sheet per colony.  As the summer progresses, you are then asked questions regarding you methods of management concluding with a second count on October 10, 2013 and submission of your results to me for compilation.  The survey of the same colony will then continue in the following years to track the success or failure of your practices.

I have attempted to keep it simple by requiring minimal time to complete.  I realize that you have probably been approached 2-3 times already this year for surveys, but Paul thinks that a local study may reveal some very helpful information for our club.

If you have any questions you can contact me at sroth29201@comcast.net or 304-242-9867.  The survey is found below.  If you copy and paste it on a blank page before printing it, it will print in a larger font.  Thanks so much for your help as I think we may all benefit from the study to help us all become better beekeepers.

Steve

2013 HONEY BEE SURVEY

PLEASE USE ONE FORM PER COLONY

TYPE OF HIVE

          LANGSTROTH             _________

          TOP BAR HIVE             _________

TOTAL NUMBER OF FRAMES WITH BEES 5/31/2013         __________

·        count only the frames with significant numbers of bees on both sides

SOURCES OF COLONY:

          OVERWINTERED                  ________

          PACKAGE                               ________

          NUC                                        ________

          SPLIT                                      ________

          SWARM                                  ________

SOURCES OF PACKAGE OR NUC _________________________

SUBSPECIES OF BEES

          ITALIAN                                           ________

          CARNIOLA                                      ________

          BUCKFAST                                      ________

          HYGENIC                                         ________

          OTHER                                             ________

DID YOU FEED YOUR BEES?

          SUGAR WATER                              ________

          HONEY-B-HEALTHY                       ________

          POLLEN PATTY                              ________

          FONDANT                                       ________

          CORN SYRUP                                  ________

DID YOU USE MEDICATION?                  _________________________

WHAT MEDICATION USED?                    _________________________

WHEN DID YOU MEDICATE?                  _________________________

OTHER PEST MANAGEMENT SUCH

AS SCREENED BOTTOM BOARD,

POWERED SUGAR DUST,

DRONE FRAMES?                                     _________________________

DID YOU CHECK FOR MITES?                _________________________

WHEN AND HOW?                                    _________________________

DID YOU REQUEEN THE COLONY?       _________________________

DID YOU MOVE COLONY?                      _________________________

POUNDS OF HONEY TAKEN FROM THE HIVE         _______________

TOTAL NUMBER OF FRAMES WITH BEES 10/10/2013       __________

·        count only the frames with significant numbers of bees on both sides

TO WHAT DO YOU ATTRIBUTE YOUR SURVIVAL OR LOSS?

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

NAME (optional)   ______________________________________________

Please bring your forms to the November 21 meeting or submit them to Steve Roth at sroth29201@comcast.net or   325 Whites Lane, Wheeling, WV 26003