Humboldt County Beekeepers Association Humboldt County
Beekeepers Association
Monthly Meeting Beekeeping Class Beekeeper's Year Bee Removal Bees & Supplies Recommended Sites
The Humboldt County Beekeepers Association is a community of beekeepers and a resource for the public.
We also have Yahoo and FaceBook groups.

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.

Upcoming Meetings  
HCBA October General Meeting.
Thursday, October 6, 2016, 6:00 pm
Topic: "Products of the Hive" with Justin Reeve

The Humboldt County Beekeepers Association (HCBA) General Meeting will be held on Thursday, October 6 and will feature "Products of the Hive". Justin will present the diverse range of products that honey bees produce, and how the beekeeper can make the most of the resources provided by the bees.

The evening program begins at 6:30 pm at the Humboldt County Department of Agriculture, 5630 South Broadway in Eureka (take Hunboldt Hill Rd exit off HWY 101). Come a little earlier for The "Beekeepers Q&A Forum"  which begins at 6:00 pm, an opportunity to share information & compare notes on management & troubleshooting. 
There is a $2.00 donation at the door, refreshments & a raffle.
honey products

HCBA October Board of Directors Business Meeting
Tuesday, October 4,  2016, 6:00 pm

The Humboldt County Beekeepers Association Board of Directors will meet for a business meeting at 6:00 pm at the Humboldt County Department of Agriculture, 5630 South Broadway in Eureka. Call Jamie Bucklin for more information at (707) 845-3362or email jamiebucklin@yahoo.com. Members are welcome to attend. If you have an item for discussion, contact Jamie in advance to be included on the business agenda.







Education & Outreach

Call for Inspired Individuals to Join Us

We are currently looking forward to any members who are interested in joining the Humboldt Beekeepers Education and Outreach Committee - this is your chance to contribute to continuing education for Beekeepers and join us in providing information to the community on beekeeping and pollinators. If this sounds good to you, please contact .


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.

Beekeeper's Year
 October  Swarm
    Evaluate colonies  - Be sure queens are laying, as limited or no availability after October. Consider combining healthy, but smaller (weaker) colonies with stronger ones to increase winter survival, and provide bees with optimal space by reducing hive bodies to brood chamber(s) & winter honey stores.

    Monitor Varroa mite levels to follow up Aug/Sept treatment/management.

    Provide water source for bees in warmer inland areas.

    Watch for robbing - from wasps, hornets and neighboring hives- reduce hive entrances or use robbing screens, (may help when feeding wet frames). Weak hives more prone to robbing. A couple of hours of robbing can have serious consequences. Initial placement of  robbing screen best at night, bees will adjust.

    Consider winter insulation/ventilation Moisture boards, follower boards, adding small upper entrance, and keeping optimal number of boxes relative to colony size may help with limiting moisture/mold. Extreme conditions (extended snow & ice) not usually a problem  in Humboldt Co.

    Store surplus supers/frames in clean, dry conditions. Exposure to light discourages wax moth. Freezing frames will kill moth eggs/larvae. Chemical treatment of storing with PDB- (Para dichlorobenzene) is FDA approved, yet controversial. Napthalene should never be used.

    Be aware of mice in some areas as colder weather sets in, mouse guard will deter rodents.

    Fall is when bears may be a problem in some areas, a solar electric fence is advised (for specs see Randy Oliver's recommendations at scientificbeekeeping.com, search "bear fence" to access pdf file).

      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 tab of the Swarm/Wasp 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 tab of the Swarm/Wasp List who can remove them. If you have wasps, find a person on the Wasp tab of the Swarm/Wasp List who will remove them for a fee.Wasp List


      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.



      Humboldt County Beekeepers Association is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit educational organization.

      Contact the with suggestions or comments.