Boston Area Beekeepers Association

Observation Hives Presentation
2025-11-25 19:00 - 21:00 (America/New_York) | https://us06web.zoom.us/j/89559261997
Join BABA and Michael Bush on a presentation about observation hives! Having an observation hive, in addition to other hives, gives you an idea what is going on with your bees. Learn more on 11/25/25 at 7PM!
Michael Bush is an internationally recognized author and speaker on beekeeping. His “The Practical Beekeeper; Beekeeping Naturally” is an authoritative source on sustainable beekeeping without chemical treatments, and his website is an invaluable and thorough source of information on natural, chemical-free beekeeping, as well as beekeeping in general.
There will be a $5 charge for non-members to attend this presentation
Zoom Link:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/89559261997

Natural Disaster Impacts on Bees Presentation 12/18
2025-12-18 19:00 - 21:00 | https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84248234784
Join BABA and Jen Keller for a presentation about how natural disasters impact bees. This presentation will dive into Jennifer’s experience with a hurricane that wiped out a hundreds of hives in North Carolina, and how the beekeepers in NC came together to rebuild. Learn more on 12/18/25 at 7PM!
Jennifer Keller is a member of Dr. David Tarpy’s apiculture program at NC State University. Her past duties include rearing, instrumental insemination, and seasonal management of honey bee colonies. She has now transitioned into a position more focused on outreach.
There will be a $5 charge for non-members to attend this presentation
Zoom link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84248234784

Adding Beeswax to Make Honeycomb Presentation
2026-01-22 19:00 - 21:00 | https://us06web.zoom.us/meetings/86515183365/invitations?signature=8-xgVPeeTZXpSogxoMVprqzMHAHZItajlCFOFUKAe58
Join BABA and Dave Wade on Thursday, January 22nd at 7 PM for a presentation on Adding Beeswax to Honeycomb!
Adding Beeswax to Make Honeycomb- A New Discovery
Add rolled-up pieces of wax foundation to your hives to get the bees to build comb or to get the bees to complete construction on partially built-out frames. Dave will demonstrate how he got the bees to build comb using this method through late-season August and September of 2024. The bees built honey frames and brood frames. Short on built-out comb and your hive is becoming honey bound late in the season? Learn how to remedy the situation by getting the bees to build comb with wax provided to them. Dave will also discuss his 2025 spring experiment using six-package hives to see if they build out stronger and faster when provided with wax rolls. Wouldn’t it be nice if the bees built out significantly more comb and made more honey because they did not need to consume their stores to make wax? Also, learn a method of giving your rendered wax back to the bees for them to build new comb.

Dave has been a hobby beekeeper in Sturbridge, MA for 19 years. His wax adding method to build comb has been seen in the June 2025 edition of American Bee Journal. That article was also recently reprinted in an Australian bee journal, named The Australasian Beekeeper Magazine. Dave has three wax adding articles in the MA Beekeepers Association newsletter. He has given a number of bee club presentations throughout New England, along with an on-line one hosted by Dr. David Tarpy, of North Carolina State University. Dave will also be presenting at the American Beekeeping Federation annual conference and trade show in January 2026, in Mobile, AL.
There will be a $5 charge for non-members to attend this presentation
Zoom link:

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/86515183365

A Discourse on Queen Rearing with Bob Hickey 4/23
2026-04-23 19:00 - 20:30 | https://bostonbeekeepers.org/single-event/a-discourse-on-queen-rearing-with-bob-hickey-4-23/
Join BABA and Bob Hickey on April 23rd at 7 PM for an engaging discussion on queen rearing. This presentation will explore the critical role of royal jelly in raising healthy queens and how beekeepers can leverage natural bee behavior to guide nurse bees.
Bob will walk you through the Cloake board method step-by-step, explain the fundamentals of grafting, and outline the key timelines leading up to queen emergence. Whether you’re new to queen rearing or looking to refine your technique, this session offers valuable insights for beekeepers of all levels.
There is no charge for this presentation.
Zoom link:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/88426027114

Natural Approaches to Treating Honeybees Talk: 5/21
2026-05-21 19:00 - 21:00
Chemical treatments for viruses and Varroa mites can have long-term impacts on both honeybees and the environment. In this session, we’ll explore natural alternatives for managing these threats, with a focus on the promising role of fungi and mushrooms, along with other sustainable beekeeping practices.
Mel has been keeping bees in Massachusetts for over twenty years and has been an active member of the Essex County Beekeepers Association (ECBA) during that time, including serving as Chair of the ECBA Bee School in 2015. He currently manages 24 hives across a variety of settings—schools, the Bedford VA Hospital, and Mass Audubon’s Drumlin Farm Wildlife Sanctuary—where he also developed a robust beekeeping and education program. His work includes beginner and intermediate bee schools, as well as a mead-making workshop. Mel has extensive experience with non-traditional hive styles and is a strong advocate for natural beekeeping methods. He also mentors a Therapeutic Beekeeping Program for veterans at the Bedford VA, incorporating mindfulness practices to support those dealing with PTSD. In 2017, he was named “Beekeeper of the Year” by the Massachusetts Beekeepers Association.
Watch the presentation here: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/83421886442
