Eddie Van
Dude
Besides being an MDS'er, I’m a local beekeeper, and want to let you know about FREE services the The Montgomery County Beekeepers Association (and other Capital region groups, see bottom of post) provides. www.MontgomeryCountyBeekeepers.com
1. REMOVE BEE SWARMS: If a swarm of honey bees comes on your property, MCBA will rescue them (and you!) for free. Swarming is a sign that a bee colony was so healthy and strong, they split to make two colonies! The cluster of bees you see is looking for a new home. Unfortunately, only 1 out of 5 swarms survives the winter on their own. So, if you see a swarm, report it as soon as possible on MCBA's website under the “Report Swarm” tab, and a volunteer will swing into action.
2. FIND LOCAL HONEY: If you want to buy LOCAL honey, MCBA lists area beekeepers selling fresh honey. Info is on the website under the “Help Bees” tab.
3. BEE FRIENDLY GARDEN: If you want to choose plants that help bees, MCBA has a fantastic chart of plants that grow well in our area. It is on the website under the “Help Bees” tab.
4. EFFORTLESS BEEKEEPING: If you like the idea of having a beehive in your yard (to help your garden, and to be cool), but don’t want to take classes and do the beekeeping work, MCBA has just started building a list of beekeepers seeking places to keep their hives (win-win!). The website has information about lending a corner of your yard to a beekeeper, and a sign-up form, under the “Help Bees” tab.
5. BEE LECTURES: If you are interested in bees & beekeeping, MCBA has free monthly meetings. Upcoming topics and other details are on the website under ‘Meetings’
6. BEE SPEAKERS FOR YOUR ADULT GROUP: MCBA has an outreach program that sends a knowledgeable beekeeper to speak to clubs, and other groups. The service is free, although not every request can be accommodated. A form to Request a Speaker is on the website under “Speaker Request”
Prince Georges Bowie-Upper Marlboro Beekeepers Association (BUMBA) website for swarms: http://bumbabees.com/gotta_problem.html
Anne Arundel Beekeepers Assoc. http://aabees.org/services/swarm-removal/
1. REMOVE BEE SWARMS: If a swarm of honey bees comes on your property, MCBA will rescue them (and you!) for free. Swarming is a sign that a bee colony was so healthy and strong, they split to make two colonies! The cluster of bees you see is looking for a new home. Unfortunately, only 1 out of 5 swarms survives the winter on their own. So, if you see a swarm, report it as soon as possible on MCBA's website under the “Report Swarm” tab, and a volunteer will swing into action.
2. FIND LOCAL HONEY: If you want to buy LOCAL honey, MCBA lists area beekeepers selling fresh honey. Info is on the website under the “Help Bees” tab.
3. BEE FRIENDLY GARDEN: If you want to choose plants that help bees, MCBA has a fantastic chart of plants that grow well in our area. It is on the website under the “Help Bees” tab.
4. EFFORTLESS BEEKEEPING: If you like the idea of having a beehive in your yard (to help your garden, and to be cool), but don’t want to take classes and do the beekeeping work, MCBA has just started building a list of beekeepers seeking places to keep their hives (win-win!). The website has information about lending a corner of your yard to a beekeeper, and a sign-up form, under the “Help Bees” tab.
5. BEE LECTURES: If you are interested in bees & beekeeping, MCBA has free monthly meetings. Upcoming topics and other details are on the website under ‘Meetings’
6. BEE SPEAKERS FOR YOUR ADULT GROUP: MCBA has an outreach program that sends a knowledgeable beekeeper to speak to clubs, and other groups. The service is free, although not every request can be accommodated. A form to Request a Speaker is on the website under “Speaker Request”
Prince Georges Bowie-Upper Marlboro Beekeepers Association (BUMBA) website for swarms: http://bumbabees.com/gotta_problem.html
Anne Arundel Beekeepers Assoc. http://aabees.org/services/swarm-removal/
