Humboldt County Beekeepers Association Humboldt County
Beekeepers Association
Monthly MeetingBeekeeping ClassBeekeeper's YearBee RemovalBees & SuppliesRecommended Sites
The Humboldt County Beekeepers Association is a community of beekeepers and a resource for the public.
We also have Yahoo and FaceBook groups.
Bee OrderA group order for bees is being taken now.
Submit the order form by March 16th for delivery on April 11th
or this order form by March 25th for delivery on April 26th.
Instructions are on the order forms.

Monthly Meeting

The Humboldt County Beekeepers Association meets on the first Thursday of every month except December at 6:30 p.m, in the auditorium at the Humboldt County Agriculture Department at 5630 South Broadway, Eureka, CA. Directions: Take the Humboldt Hill Road exit from Hwy 101 and then take a right on S. Broadway/Hill Road. The Agriculture Department is on the right across from KIEM. The auditorium is on the south side of the building. Contact (845–3362) for more information. New beekeepers are encouraged to come 30 minutes early to ask questions of more experienced beekeepers.

This Month's MeetingOur next meeting will be on March 5. Beekeepers, no matter how experienced, make mistakes. This month's meeting of the Humboldt County Beekeepers will provide a venue for beekeepers to share stories of their mistakes so that others may learn from them. We also want stories of memorable swarms.
New beekeepers are encouraged to arrive at 6 for a Q & A session.
A donation of $2 at the door is requested. There will be refreshments and a drawing for door prizes.
The HCBA Board usually meets at 5:30 p.m. on meeting days. All are welcome to attend. Please contact to assure that the meeting will take place.

Beekeeping Classes

Beekeeping classes are offered annually beginning in February. The following is a description of the class.

Anyone interested in starting their own hives for the first time this year, as well as folks who are just want to learn more about honeybees and beekeeping, HSU Extended Education is once again offering Practical Beekeeping classes. Topics include basic bee biology and natural history, life cycle and social organization, and basic colony management techniques. The class covers both conventional and alternative methods for keeping bees healthy and coping with common bee diseases and parasites. Students will also learn practical, hands-on skills while visiting local beeyards on several field trips, and will have the opportunity to purchase hive equipment and package bees at a discount in order to start their own honeybee colonies. Info about the class is at the HSU website.

Official HSU flyer

Beekeeper's Year
 March  Combining hives
  • Inspect every 2 weeks for expanding brood nest.
    • Feed 1:1 syrup if supplies low and weather bad.
    • Add supers if bees will be crowded.
    • Swarms possible:
      • Find your swarm kit!
      • Review swarm symptoms.
  • Order package bees and/or queens via class or HCBA.
    • Deadline varies, but about March 15

Bee Removal

First consult the picture on our Wasps vs. Bees page to determine if what you have are really honeybees. If they are honeybees and are clustered outside, find a beekeeper on the Swarm List to remove them free of charge. If the bees have taken up residence in a building wall or other enclosed space, find a beekeeper on the Cutout List who can remove them.

Times Standard Beekeeping Articles

A member gave a talk to the garden club. In 2014, the paper reported on pesticide effects on bees and on Bee Day. It also ran an article on the stresses caused by the dry weather. It quotes local beekeepers Jamie Bucklin, Seth Rick and Garrett Brinton, all members of our organization. They also ran an editorial by Joy Thomas on swarming.

In 2013, the local paper ran an excellent article on beekeeping on Sunday, January 20 which quotes several of the members. A follow-up article on March 8 deals with swarming.

Zombee Watch

No, this isn't a Halloween spoof, there really are zombie bees. These are bees that have been infested with the larva of the Zombie Fly Apocephalus borealis. Honey bees infected by the Zombie Fly leave their hives at night and are attracted to nearby lights where they become stranded and eventually die. We now have reports of an infestation in Humboldt county. San Fransisco State University has set up a website called Zombee Watch that is tracking the infestation and is seeking help from people around the country, especially in California, to act as monitors. We encourage you to add your eyes and expertise to this effort.

Bees & Beekeeping Supplies

This list is not comprehensive but will get you started.

Beekeeping Reading

These are some of the books, journals and websites we've found useful.



by Stephen Sottong
Contact the with suggestions or comments.