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MINUTES
Tampa Bay Beekeepers Association
February 8, 2007
www.tampabaybeekeepers.com
The Tampa Bay Beekeepers Association monthly meeting came to order on Thursday, February 8, 2008 at 7:35 pm at the Hillsborough County Extension Office new meeting hall. President Jim Alderman presided. Guests included Rene (guest of Sandra Kitts), Mr. Cleany (guest of Bert Kelly). Approximate number of attendees: 51. Julie Nichols and Glenda Womble provided the refreshments. Door prizes provided by Bert Kelly.
Treasurer’s report: balance is $4,570.95 in the checking account with. Treasurer’s report and January minutes were accepted with some corrections. The Secretary read to the group a thank you note from Mary Chernesky for the gift from the club.
Club bees have been sent to grove. Orange Blossom is blooming early (December).
Nationwide, bees are mysteriously dying. David Hackenburg explained to the group possible reasons. He has traveled to TX and CA, 400 bees in Apollo Beach were dead Went from 2900 hives to 1000 in 6 weeks. This disease is possibly contagious and is known as “Colony Collapse Disorder” (CCD). Penn State and USDA are involved in the investigation. What is perplexing is that the beehives appear clean with no dead bees, wax moths or hive beetles. Some bees and hives observed to contain a greenish fungus. (Visit www.MAAREC.org for more information and photos. Questionnaire is available on this website for those who have lost bees.) The fungus was seen growing throughout the bees’ bodies. Preliminary reports point to Nicotinoids – new class of chemicals to US – as a possible cause of the die-off. Nicotinoids are nerve-altering chemicals that keep the insects from bothering the plant. Over 75% of agricultural plants were treated with this chemical. The nicotinoids are often mixed with fungicides which is lethal to insects. Unlike Tracheal Mites, which cause the bee to not collect pollen, these bees die with pollen and brood. Dead adult bees had been found inside the cells and exhibit strange behavior. This problem is not limited to US beekeepers. Canadian beekeepers have also complained about this problem for years. French beekeepers call it “mad bee disease” and claimed that “Gaucho” is responsible. Nicotinoids chemicals are known by over 40 different names. The Honey Board has provided some emergency money for the research.
David Hackenburg discussed spraying for greening. To treat for greening, growers are spraying with a chemical, lorisban, (deadly for bees) during the bloom. If you live in Polk or Hardee Counties, be mindful if your hives are on or near a grove that is spraying. Since the TBBA is moving the club hives to a grove, the grove owner will not spray. If the grower changes his mind, then TBBA requires a 5-day moving out notice to move the bees.
New Business:
Treasurer will file an expense report with the State of Florida required of all corporations and non-profits.
Beekeeping Seminar Saturday, May 19th. Jim A. is checking the availability of a pavilion at the park and the upstairs room at the park visitor’s center. Volunteer coordinators include Charlie and Annemarie Hammond. Bert will advertise in state paper. Guest speakers include L. Cuts, and Jerry Hayes. Fee charge is $20.00 advance or $25.00 day of seminar. Seminar includes lunch and donuts. Participants will need to sign a waiver to participate.
Julie and Glenda suggested that people team up to bring refreshments.
Our youngest member, Nathan Gulbis (15) had an article featuring his beekeeping in the St Pete times 2/4/07.
The March TBBA meeting will feature a dual presentation beekeeping certification and bee research.
We need a contact phone number for the website, Dwight and Jim and Cliff Bibb.
Club PO Box will be cancelled. New librarian Dave Kennedy will open a new one.
The TBBA will donate $1,000 with the Florida State Beekeepers for scientific research on the bee die-off.
Meeting adjourned at 9:40.
NEXT MEETING:
Thursday, March 8th, 2007, 7:30 p.m. at Hillsborough Extension office: Steve Gemesi will bring the refreshments.
- Submitted by A. Hammond
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