The GCBA Bee School held the first of two field days this month on Saturday, April 16, 2016, at Bridges Bee Supply. It was a perfect day for working with the bees. Approximately 25 students attended and had the opportunity to work with experienced beekeepers Dean Bridges, Allen Thompson, Burton Beasley and Danny McMillan. Students learned how to properly light and safely use thier bee smokers. Students learned how to properly inspect hives to identify the different castes of bees, check for worker and drone brood, check for eggs and brood pattern, and observe pollen stores and capped honey. Students also got the chance to install supers, watched a requeening demonstration and learned how to transfer an established nuc to a full-size hive. To see photographs from the field day go to the Associations Field Day Album on flickr.
The Gaston County Beekeepers Association would like to thank Mr. Dean Bridges for hosting our first field day at his apiary, and for giving our students the opportunity to get valuable hands-on experience working with his bees. Bridges Bee Supply offers beekeeping supplies, including hive bodies, supers, frames, bee suits and smokers, and is located at 121 Parkdale Circle in
Kings Mountain, NC. You can contact Bridges Bee Supply at
(704) 739-6435.
Our next field day, which includes a picnic is scheduled for Saturday, April 30, 2016, at 9 AM, at Alternative Beverage, 1500 River Dr., Belmont, NC. Hope to see you there!!