Minutes of meeting of the ETBA June 5, 2008:

Vice President Andrew Bellefeuille called the meeting to order with the pledge to the flag.  Dick Counts gave the invocation.  Andrew introduced the first time visitors.  There were reports of 67 swarm calls.

Dick reported that the TBA summer clinic is scheduled for June 7 in Paris.  The lunch cost is $12.75.

Dadant will be open and the group will inspect the honey house at Randy Johnson's apiary.  There will be hands-on activities for those desiring.  The speaker is Nancy Gentry and she will be discussing identification of honey makeup.  It is difficult to identify what plants bees have visited in collecting nectar for the honey produced.  Most honey in our area is considered wild flower honey.  If standards can be determined that seem reliable, they might be adopted in Texas.  Jim Lathem advised that he attended the Mississippi state meeting, which was well organized in four areas so those attending could hear about several different subjects.

Dick advised that there were five Handiman queens from Georgia on hand for sale.  Also, coral vines were available for the taking.  Two samples of vitex were shown.  The one with the smaller flowers are more pleasing to bees.  There was discussion of various flowers that bees like.  It was pointed out that large grouping of the same flower is best for bees.  The sugar content of flowers will govern the activity of bees on the plants, and this sugar content may vary from year to year.  Damaged fruit on trees will also draw many bees.

It was reported that Ralph Johnson is in University of Texas hospital with pneumonia. He is now home and recovering quickly.

The affect of cell phones on bees was discussed, but there was no consensus.

Jan Aerts advised that he is interested in capturing a swarm of bumble bees if anyone should come upon such a swarm.  These bees are used in green houses.

Dick reported that he would be extracting on a Saturday in the near future.  If interested, call Dick.  He also discussed the poor honey crop.  Some of the reasons mentioned were cold nights, periodic rain, and high wind.  Some of those present reported better production than in 2007.  Dick thanked those persons making contributions to the newsletter.  If you are interested in working swarms, call Dick and get on his list.  There are some areas that need interested persons.

Everyone was encouraged to remove honey the same day that one plans to extract and then return the super to the hive.

Queen excluders were discussed.  Insofar as honey production is concerned, there was no consensus as to whether the excluder had any affect.  Some of those present made modifications to excluder to make it easier for bees to move up in the hive.  Dick said he cuts out the side of the excluder.  Andrew reported that he tried the use of a fan, but it would never work on solar.  Dick said that he uses a piece of wood to hold up the cover for additional air.

Jerry Lopez reported his experience with bees left in Broken Bow, Oklahoma by a northern beekeeper.  The bees that were out of the hives when the beekeeper left area swarmed in trees and wherever.  He was able to collect 20 boxes of bees.

Dick asked those present to furnish their email address to Don in order to save on postage.

Gloria reported on a swarm that was part up in a tree and part on the ground.  Randy reported on a swarm on a truck bumper--got publicity in newspaper.  He has had 156 calls in 2008.  Sometimes small amounts of bees are left over from a swarm that moves on.

The cost to register beeyard in Texas is $35, list all counties, and year is September 1-August 31.

EDUCATION-- Swarm, group of bees looking for a home.

                   --Colony, group of bees living in a hive.

ATTENTION:  The July meeting will be on July 10.

The meeting adjourned at 8:45 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,