Dear members and beekeeping Friends,

 It may seem cold outside, but to honeybees, Spring is just around the corner.  Yesterday and during this week, my bees were already bringing in pollen loads to the hive.  Our recent guest, Tom Attwood, spoke about about immediately feeding sugar water (1 to 1 ratio or 5 pounds of sugar to every gallon) and pollen substitute in patty form.  He mentioned that if you do not prepare the bees in such a way in our area, your bees will not be ready to capture the honey flow when it begins.

 This is the time when equipment should be counted, cleaned, assembled, and painted.  I have been doing some of all of these things during the past month.  This week I need to paint a hive stand and some supers in preparation for the Spring.  I also have some bottom boards that need to be assembled and painted.

 We will be discussing important issues for our association in the days ahead.

Major issues are connecting mentors with those that want to be mentored.  A challenge is finding enough veteran beekeepers to work with beginners.

We also need to define the who, when, and where to locate a course or seminar, with a field experience for beginning beekeepers. 

 Recent research indicates beekeepers will continue to face new challenges and risks.  The parasitic fly lays eggs in the abdomen of honeybees, causing disorientation, zombie-like behavior, and death.  I have lost 3 hives this winter, not because of starvation, but probably due to failing queen or CCD (colony collapse disorder).  I hope you have faired better.

 We have a great program scheduled for our next meeting on Monday, February 13th.  I hope to see you at 6:30 at the AA China Buffet in Burleson.  See attached agenda.  Don't forget to feed the bees!

 Best wishes,

Stan Key

President

Metro Beekeepers Association

Dallas/Fort  Worth