Notes from the Bee Rustlers presentation by Rob Taylor @ http://www.iowahoneycompany.com/
News story that explains the situation well: http://www.weareiowa.com/news/local-news/bee-hive-thieves-caught-on-camera/450423320
Best Practices
- Have a unique identifier for your woodenware such as branding
- Place hives in an inconspicuous area or make it known that they are under surveillance/being monitored
- Trackers placed on/in hives
- GPS $40-60 each and motion activated
- Tile, price varies. The app is $5 but works only with signal and other tile users https://www.thetileapp.com/
- Other trackers
- Cameras, but they tend to anger people
- Friendly neighbors
- Register your hive with the state
Other notes
We had a great meeting with roughly twenty people attending, full of technical support and fellowship and ending by looking at Judith’s bees in her top bar hives.
Different markets will determine sales success with respect to creamed honey and bottling choices.
Certified kitchens and related regulations are for real. The Mickle Center has a certified shared kitchen as well as cold and dry storage for rent. https://wallace.org/community-kitchen/
Upcoming meetings in the area
- CIBA (6/17 http://centraliowabeekeepers.org/)
- FBI (6/22 https://www.facebook.com/groups/919550424772695/)
- IHPA Field Day (out of area, 7/15 https://www.iowahoneyproducers.org/)
Record keeping – How?
- Hive Tracks https://hivetracks.com/
- Brood Minder https://broodminder.com/collections/products
- In-hive monitor
Record keeping – What? There are many things to keep track of, including
- Weather
- Movement of frames between hives
- Available forage
Record keeping – Why? To anticipate and prepare for next inspection, etc.
FB groups for Iowa flower identification are numerous, including Iowa Wildflower Report https://www.facebook.com/groups/937730669582578/
DMBB and other bee gear can be purchased here: http://www.cafepress.com/desmoinesbackyardbeekeepers