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Welcome to the Lane County Beekeepers Association!

 

We’re just about to enter the Pacific Northwest winter doldrums! The holiday season is right around the corner, and both you and your bees should be getting ready. The active beekeeping season is pretty much behind us, but that doesn't mean our work is finished. Remember to keep an eye on your colonies' food supplies and provide dry sugar or fondant if needed. And just as importantly, make sure your bees stay dry and have adequate protection from the winter weather. A little attention now can make a big difference when spring rolls around!

Although November marks the end of our regular club meetings for the year, we have one more opportunity to get together before the holidays.

We normally take December off from our regular meetings, but once again we're planning a holiday get-together at the Grange Hall on what would normally be our meeting night. We'll have more details in an upcoming announcement, but for now, please mark your calendars and plan to join us on December 15th for our holiday "Bee Social"!

It will be a great opportunity to relax, catch up with fellow beekeepers, and enjoy some good company after another busy season.

Finally, thank you all for your continued support and participation throughout another successful LCBA year. Whether you've helped organize an event, shared your beekeeping knowledge, participated in an outreach activity, supported our research fundraising, or simply attended a meeting, you have helped make this club what it is.

LCBA is a volunteer organization, and its strength comes from members who are willing to share their time, knowledge, and enthusiasm. I look forward to seeing what we can accomplish together in the coming year!

Happy Beekeeping!   Norm 

President's Message   November 2026

Message6

Pacific NW Honey Bee Survey

Winter Loss 2025-2026 

Survey Results 

View 2025-2026 results here: Report

                                 

Monthly Meeting, November 18,  2026

Date: Tuesday November 18, 2026

Location: Irving Grange Hall, 1011 Irvington Dr, Eugene

Doors open at 6:15pm

6:30pm   Election of Officers & Directors for 2027

Meet the Candidates  & Honey Tasting - bring a small jar(s) to share. 

Winter is Coming! Time to prepare your Hives,  By Steve Strain

With the daytime temperatures still approaching 70 and the leaves just starting to turn red and gold, it is hard to think about prepping for ice and snow.  I walk around my home and disconnect the garden hoses, block the crawlspace vents and put away the yard furniture. Now is there anything else?  Oh, the bees!

Time to take off the top feeders, reduce the hive size to two-deep or three-western-size boxes.  I place top winter covers filled with pine shavings over my inner covers, and leave a small gap between the telescoping top to let out moisture. I tip my hives forward about 15 degrees and close my screened bottom board with foam board used for mite counting. 

Last, I make sure the mouse guards are in place and block half the entrances to cut the draft.  Some folks like to wrap their hives, but in our mild climate, I haven't seen much difference in hive losses between the two methods.   For a more complete checklist of winterizing your hives, I found a  checklist online.   I'll fill one out for each hive.  Click here for check list.  

See Steve's article in the October newsletter varroa mites on page 10:

One-two Punch of Controlling Varroa Mites


The Lane County Beekeepers Association is an affiliate of the Oregon State Beekeepers Association. LCBA Membership includes membership in the Oregon State Beekeepers Association. 

Become an LCBA Member today!

Join Now

Membership benefits include:

  • Monthly Newsletter
  • Becoming a Member in the Oregon State Beekeepers Association  
  • Attending Field Day
  • Use of Club Extractor and other gear
  • Join our Swarm List and more!



Contact Us:

541-225-5853

info@lcbaor.org

Eugene, Oregon


Lane County Beekeepers Association is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization

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