Minutes of meeting of the ETBA May 1, 2008:

President Joe Moench opened the meeting with the pledge to the flag and the invocation.  Persons visiting for the first time were introduced.  It was good to have several members of Dick's spring class present.  Count of swarms amounted to 84.

Eddie described a very large swarm and passed around pictures.  It was pointed out that if you want to have comb honey, a swarm will build up the foundation quickly.

It was reported that the Van Zandt County Extension Dept. would like to have names of persons interested in catching swarms.

Joe encouraged those new beekeepers visiting to join the ETBA and the Texas Association and to subscribe to one of the bee journals.

Dick discussed the election of officers at the April meeting.  The constitution states that the election will be by secret ballot.  Last month nominees were asked to leave the room and voting was by a show of hands.  In the future, the election will be by secret ballot.

Joe advised that his bees seem to be working with vigor.  Mr. Knight advised that he treats some of his weaker hives.  There was general discussion regarding mites, beetles, and the wax moth.  Some present feel that hives in full sun do the best; others feel that some shade is helpful.  Nucs and raising queens was discussed in length, several different viewpoints.  It was suggested that feeders in hives seem to be a good breeding place for hive beetles.  Beetles seem to lay their eggs where there is pollen.  Some beekeepers use excluders to keep queens from laying in honey supers.  It was pointed out that the head of the queen cannot go through the excluder.

Dick advised that Andrew had agreed to meet with beginning beekeepers at 6 p.m. on our regular meeting day to answer questions that beginners might not want to bring up in the general meeting.  Anyone wishing to help Andrew should give him a call.

Dick also advised that honey sticks are available if you are going to make a presentation at a school.  Paul Jackson left forms with Dick if you want to register for bee removal.

The Texas Parks and Wildlife are releasing 700 black bears in far East Texas river bottoms.  This could be a problem for bee keepers having hives in those areas.

The East Texas Fair has again asked the ETBA to participate.  There is need for about 17 persons to man the booth.  A show of hands indicated a desire of the group to participate.

Dick advised that all of the bee installations are operative and available for visitation.

Gloria advised that she and Karen worked at the Blue Bird Festival.  They sold hand cream, but did not have any honey for sale.

Andrew discussed NAIS, animal registration.  He encouraged everyone with animals to learn as much as possible about this program.  The Department of Agriculture is pushing this registration which is already mandatory for dairy animals.  It is presently voluntary for other animals.

Joe pointed out that the number of hives in the U.S. has decreased from 3.6 million in 1988 to 2.4 million in 2007.

Dick again stressed that there are no free swarms.  A charge of $30-50 should be made for those in the open and $150-250 for those in buildings or hollow trees.  A service is being performed, and a charge should be made.

There was discussion of a summer picnic with lunch being catered.  This could possibly be held at the old fish hatchery on a Saturday.  Will discuss further in June.

An active auction/raffle was held.

The meeting adjourned at 8:45 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

J. Ethridge