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Club News - April, 2026



Swarm List

 

The club maintains a list of members who will remove swarms.  This concerns the 2026 list.

 

If you would like to be on the list please send the following info to Brian Gallagher at brian.j.gallagher@comcast.net .  We will give beekeeper names to the public who call about a swarm.

 

You should have beekeeping experience before you attempt this.  The swarm needs to be collected soon after the call as they often leave as the scouts find a new hive site, these days often in someone’s house.  

You should have a dedicated, prepared swarm hive (with body attached to the bottom) with frames and ready to go, so that quick response is possible.

 

Send this info:

1) your name and cell phone number.

2) area you will cover, be specific, if you say Albemarle you mean the whole county.

3) Hours you are available if not all day.

4) how high a swarm can you handle?

5) it is assumed that you have a method of moving the collection box to your home and, that you can leave the collection box/hive until the evening and return for them when they are all inside.

6) What special equipment do you have to capture them (stepladder, long pole, etc.)? 

7) Beekeepers often leave the homeowner a jar of honey as thanks.

8) Will you remove a beehive from within a building?  That is, a cut-out.  This requires a bee vacuum.

 

 

Extractors

 

We are checking with the caretakers of the club’s extractors to get ready for a new year of great honey harvests.  If you are a caretaker, can you please email Brian Gallagher brian.j.gallagher@comcast.net.  

Include what size it is, approximate geographic location so we can send users to the nearest one, and any other pertinent data on it.  Thanks.

 

 Beekeeping Class

 

The Beginning Beekeeping class is scheduled again this fall beginning Sept 27, 2026. It

is sponsored by the Albemarle County Parks & Rec. Dept.  Watch for their “Open

Doors” newsletter and here in the CVBA newsletter for more info. Experienced

beekeepers will teach the core topics; Karen Hall will act as class coordinator. It will run

2-4 pm, Sunday afternoons for 5 weeks: Sept 27, Oct 4, 11, 18 and 25.

  

Beekeeping Outreach

 

If you hear of any bee or beekeeping outreach requests, that’s talks for schools, garden

clubs, libraries, tabling events, festivals, workshops, etc., have inquiries forwarded to

Karen Hall at 434-999-6150. Karen and Ken Hall have provided this service for many

years and are equipped with a truck load of props and demo equipment. Additionally, if

you’re interested in helping with outreach, give Karen a call.

 

 

Virginia Winter Honey Bee Colony Loss Survey

 

Winter is a stressful season for honey bee colonies in Virginia. Traditionally, the majority of annual losses occur during this time.  Over the past 25 years Virginia’s beekeepers supported a statewide winter loss survey through the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS).  The surveys resulted in valuable information to better beekeepers’ management practices for improved colony health and survival.  By now you and other beekeepers have discovered the number of colonies that made it through the winter months, and those that did not.  Please take a few minutes to let us know how your colonies fared this past winter by completing the “Winter Honey Bee Colony Loss Survey.” 

 

 

 


 

 
 
 

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