it's best fresh!

Funny how quick things get stale; like a blog site that hasn't been updated. Well, since the last post KBee hosted an informational meeting that went well. In an e.mail to a member who didn't attend the meeting this was one member's recount of the KBee gathering," The last KBee meeting was very informative.  Chester Danbury and Oliver Shagnasty shared their knowledge about varroa and bee diseases with the group.  Chris of Honi Honi Honey seems to want to take an activist role in putting posters at Honolulu and mainland airports to keep Kauai varroa mite free.  He also wanted to get some legislation passed to strengthen laws against the unristricted importation of bees and other pests into Kauai.  This was a public meeting and there were a few new people in attendence.  There was a good flow and dynamics at the meeting with no one trying to dominate the agenda.  I think Jimmy Trujillo would like to keep it that way so everyone will feel comfortable.  To expand membership we need to have a compatible group willing to work together for a common goal."

The meeting did inspire some action and hopefully some drafting a resolution or perhaps legislation to help reduce the likelyhood of inter island shipping being the culprit most likely to bring varroa to the garden isle.

As another beekeeper pointed out there might be even worse things out there than varroa. Check out this article for more on that subject. I'd have to say the bee's are fighting for survival these days. It doesn't help to have marauders like those in the photos tearing you out of the hive and trying to relocate to more manageable location. more on that later.

It's nice that the days are a little longer now and if the wind ever stops blowing, it just might be pleasant again. Should be good right about swarming season. If you need help getting rid of those pesky bees, KBee has friends that will assist in removing them and finding a more suitable location for habitation. Will post sooner than later next time; hard to keep up but it's been nice to hang w/the bees lately.

These photos are from two recent hive management tasks. I harvested with some friends on their property and help to remove and relocate a feral hive in Lihue that had been established for over a year beneath a deck and living space. They were well established and had the load honey, brood and bees. Hopefully I got enough of the right combo of bees, broods and stores of honey, pollen and royal jelly. Wish'em well.