Colder days coming mean inside projects:

An old-time beekeeper gave sage advice… “Never too early to plan for next year’s bees,” so along that vein, here is a website that shows exactly how to build a very successful swarm trap/swarm box.  The Result?  Free Bees!  I caught one myself last spring with this one, built by Bobby Dupree and Bill Farrell, and Etienne Nadeau of Eliz. City, who suggested this one to our group at a past meeting, has caught MANY with this type of box.

http://www.horizontalhive.com/how-to-build/swarm-trap-free-plans.shtml

While you are on that website, you might explore what a “horizontal hive” is all about… Like a top bar, you don’t have to remove heavy boxes to get to the brood chamber, but you utilize deep frames within, so less chance of cross-combing and sidewall comb supports to deal with.  I hope to build and try one of these horizontal hives for next year!

Do you have a favorite swarm trap of your own?  Please do share with the group!

Denise Deacon
252.722.3118

What a fun evening last night!

First, thanks SO much to Deb Lawson for hostessing the potluck and honey contest in her beautiful home… The setting and decorations (along with her homemade chilis and barbeque) were perfection.

Thanks also to everyone who attended and contributed to the potluck meal, the drinks, and/or the camaraderie.  I heard the suggestion that November is a great time to do this event, as it is a primer to the holiday season, is after our busy summer and sometimes busy shoulder season, and at a time when everyone who harvested would have some honey on hand.  Let’s make November our timing for this event from here on out!

Honey Contest Winners:

Judge’s Choice:
Our esteemed judges, NCSBA President Rick Coor and the Always-Enthusiastic Guild member Fountain Odom, thoughtfully and expertly examined the 10 entries and chose a winner based on Clarity, Color, and Taste.  The winner is… Melissa Warner Anglin from Manteo!

People’s Choice:
Before the Judge’s Choice was announced, so as not to influence the second award, all attendees then tasted the samples and, based on taste alone, chose a winner… Don Babin from Rodanthe!

Congratulations to you both – and thank you to everyone who entered – it was really a treat to taste all the different entries and realize how unique each honey is, depending on it’s floral source.  We really have a fun group, and I am so happy to be a part of it!

Denise Deacon
252.722.3118

P.S. I will be sending info regarding our December meeting (Tuesday, 12/13) in a separate email, so please watch for that soon.