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For more information, contact Heike Williams at heike.williams@oregonstate.edu


Establishing pollinator-friendly habitats and food sources for bees, butterflies and birds https://pollinatorpathwaybend.org/


Upcoming events

12 Jul 2025 • Madras - RSVP is required and space is limited
15 Jul 2025 6:00 PM
09 Aug 2025 • Madras - RSVP is required and space is limited
16 Aug 2025 10:00 AM • Well Rooted Produce ~ 20377 Swalley Rd Bend, OR 97703
13 Sep 2025 • Madras - RSVP is required and space is limited


2025 Swarm Study Opportunity

Please see the info below from Dr. Ramesh Sagili of the OSU Honey Bee Lab:

Opportunity to understand honey bee swarm biology via participatory research / citizen science

Honey bee swarms are fascinating. Have you ever wondered what percentage of worker bees leave the parental hive during a swarm? You have probably read in bee books or a couple of journal articles that about 50% of the worker bees will swarm along with the old queen to establish a new nest. One study published in 2012 (Rangel and Seeley, Insectes Sociaux 59, 453-462), suggests that 75% of worker bees leave in a swarm. The percentage of worker bees leaving in a swarm could vary depending on the time of the year (April, May, June or July) and a few other factors. We (OSU Honey Bee Lab) are interested in exploring this interesting and not so well understood aspect of swarm biology with the help of citizen scientists (our passionate beekeepers) by examining as many swarms as possible. If you would like to be a part of this research either this year or next year (2022), then please read the study process below.

Study process / method: If you witness a low hanging swarm that can be easily accessed and captured without any risk / hazard, and you also know for sure the source of that swarm (parental hive), then you can be a part of this study. Once the swarm is settled on a branch or other substrate, that swarm needs to be hived carefully in a single-story hive with eight or ten frames (frames can be empty or with some honey and pollen). Then the worker bee population should be estimated in both the captured swarm (in the single-story hive) and the parental hive (original hive that swarmed). Please call Heike Williams (direct office line 541-460-7684, cell 541-740-7877) if you happen to successfully capture a swarm and know the parental hive from which the swarm was issued. Heike will either assist you with estimating worker population or will provide you with step-by-step instructions. Coverage of frames with bees in both colonies need to be estimated ideally within 24 hours (best) and latest within 72 hours after swarm issued and at a time of day when bees are not flying (mornings, evenings).

Appreciate your help in increasing the body of knowledge regarding swarming.


Ramesh Sagili

Oregon State University Honey Bee Lab

Are you interested in learning about bees and beekeeping?

If you have little or no experience, the 'Getting Started with Bees' Certificate Program is a great place to start. It is a stand-alone program that satisfies the curiosity of those who want to know more about bee biology and backyard beekeeping through online learning and discussion forums. No waiting list - join at any time!

Take your beekeeping to the next level!

Are you interested in learning how to become a better beekeeper? Have you experienced problems in the past that you'd like to remedy? Do you want to help others learn about bees? The Oregon Master Beekeeper program is for you!

Participating beekeepers gain experience at three successive levels: ApprenticeJourney, and Master. Each level provides opportunities and support for additional learning, practice in the field, and community service.

All of our beekeeping programs represent a cooperative effort between the Oregon State University Honey Bee Lab and the Oregon State Beekeepers Association to contribute to both the health of honey bee colonies and the integrity of the practice of beekeeping.


https://extension.oregonstate.edu/mb

Nectar and Pollen Plants of the PNW List

How to help: Read the guide that was shared during the March meeting:

Nectar and Pollen Plants of the PNW.pdf

Join the Oregon Bee Atlas project on iNaturalist and contribute observations of honey bee activity in your yard or community.

Nectar and Pollen Plants of the PNW (INaturalist)

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July 2025 in the Central Oregon Apiary

July marks the main honey flow in Central Oregon. 

Our Key Actions This Month:

  • Re-Queen If Needed. You can quickly gauge colony strength by watching the entrance.30–90 bees per minute means the hive is strong, roughly equating to 40,000 bees. New colonies may be less.
  • Check brood pattern: a healthy queen should have a tight, solid pattern. “Shotgun” brood indicates she may need replacing. Many beekeepers replace their Queens every year in order to increase their productivity and reduce the swarming tendency.  If you replace her in the mid to late summer, you’ll have that extra “umph” next spring during the increase period.
  • If needed, replace with a purchased queen or one you’ve raised if you planned ahead, perhaps from your spare parts nuc.
  • Manage HEALTHY Weak Colonies by combining them with strong ones using the newspaper method , and always remove the failing queen first. Combining two weak colonies is less likely to solve the problem as the outcome may still be a weak colony.
  • July is still acceptable for doing splits if you want to expand or manage swarmy hives. Make sure the split has enough bees, brood, and a quality queen and manage for bee number increase instead of honey production.
  • Add supers when 7 - 8 frames in your brood boxes are filled. If the current super is nearly full, or you’ll be away for a while, add another. Or harvest capped frames and replace them with drawn or empty frames. If adding a second honey super, place the full one above the brood nest, new empty one on top. This “honey barrier” helps keep the queen down without an excluder.
  • If drawing comb in a new super, 1:1 syrup can help. Stop feeding once wax is drawn to prevent syrup in your honey harvest. White wax is a good sign your hive is healthy and queenright.
  • Hot days above 95°F can stress colonies. Provide shade if you feel necessary. Add ventilation: prop open the outer cover slightly, crack boxes slightly, or stagger boxes to help airflow, but don’t create large gaps that allow robbing.
  • The main way to help your bees during these hot days, is to ensure fresh water is always available near the hive.
  • Watch for Robbing! Small, weak hives are at risk. Reduce entrances if necessary. Keep the apiary tidy. No exposed comb, wax, etc. Consider robbing screens if robbing becomes a problem.
  • Monitor your mite loads! Alcohol washes are most accurate. The bee population flattens now, but Varroa mites keep multiplying. If you find 3% or higher (9 mites per 300 bees), plan to treat. Options depend on temperatures and whether you have honey supers on. See the Honey Bee Health Coalition Varroa Guide for updated treatment options.

This is the big honey month! Minimal disturbance helps maximize your harvest. It’s also a great time to sit, observe, and learn: watch flight patterns, pollen coming in, and general bee behavior. Subtle changes can teach you a lot.

Hydrate yourself too! Beekeeping in the heat is tough. Take breaks, wear protective gear sensibly, and enjoy the season. Remember: Bees can’t fix weak queens, high mite loads, or starvation on their own. If you see a problem, fix it now while there’s still time.

Next start thinking about your late summer plan. Mite treatment, preparing colonies for fall, and ensuring adequate food reserves for winter. 

Happy Beekeeping!

ed: Allen Engle

  COBKA Notes - Archives


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ABOUT US

We are a diverse bunch of individuals who share a fascination for the honey bee and its workings. Our members range from full-time beekeepers and pollinators with hundreds of hives to hobbyists involved in backyard beekeeping. 

Some members do not even keep bees, but are fascinated by the six legs and four wings of Apis mellifera.

OUR MISSION

The Mission of the Central Oregon Beekeeping Association (COBKA) is to promote effective, economic and successful regional beekeeping through education, collaboration, communication and research in the spirit of friendship.

Contact Us 

webkeeper@cobeekeeping.org


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