If you see a bee hive – swarms and hornets
Honey bee swarms and hornet nests. In the spring it’s common to see swarms of honey bees. They are usually hanging on a tree or other object and have thousands of visible bees with many flying around. In the late summer fall and winter it is common to see bald faced hornets nests. They look…
We Got the Trailer!
Last year the Guild received a Grant for extraction equipment from the PA Dept. of Agriculture. The project is nearing completion with the acquisition of a trailer for honey extraction that will serve as a certified honey kitchen. It features state-of-the-art equipment and aims to facilitate honey processing anywhere and any time.
Therapeutic Beekeeping Program – Participants Needed!
Researchers from Temple University are seeking older adults for a pilot therapeutic beekeeping program linked to occupational therapy research. Aimed at enhancing mental well-being and social connections through nature, the program involves six guided sessions. No prior experience is necessary, and participation is voluntary
Farm Show 2026
This year, PBG Apiary Committee Lead Eric Schoefer volunteered for the Pennsylvania State Beekeepers Association at the Farm Show, where he engaged in educational activities about beekeeping. He enjoyed various demonstrations and competitions. Despite the crowds, he found volunteering rewarding and encourages others to visit on weekdays for a more relaxed experience.
Do you have boxes to build?
The 4H club of Montgomery County is promoting a bee box assembly event on February 22. They’ve got a bunch of kids ready to hammer and glue but not many boxes yet. So, they are offering free assembly of bee boxes and frames. Fill out the form to express interest and you will be contacted…
Lankenau – the bee friendly environmental high school
As part of the Philadelphia School District’s Facilities Master Plan Lankenau High School in Roxborough has been scheduled for closure. Lankenau is a strong supporter of beekeeping in Philadelphia. Please join the conversation and support keeping this vital resource open and thriving.
Chester County Beekeepers Annual Beekeeping Conference
The CCBA Annual Beekeeping Conference is scheduled for March 28, 2026, at Penn State Great Valley Conference Center. The event features a main morning session, three concurrent afternoon sessions, and a vendor area with various beekeeping supplies, apparel, books, and gifts available for attendees.
Beekeeping Job Openings
Our State Apiary Inspector has taken a new job! We’re going to miss Jeff but this change has created two seasonal beekeeping job openings: a Seasonal Beekeeper Assistant under Jeff and a State Bee Inspector position for Southeast Pennsylvania. Interested candidates should apply promptly.
Learn about the PA bee law from the experts at Penn State
VIRTUAL LIVE WEBINAR The Pennsylvania Bee Law June 3, 2025 Explore Pennsylvania’s bee law—past, present, and future—and discover how upcoming changes may impact beekeeping across the Commonwealth. Learn about the current Pennsylvania Bee Law, enacted in 1994, and how it shapes beekeeping practices across the Commonwealth. This presentation will provide a detailed overview of the…
March Monthly Meeting – Phil Lester and DSRNA for Varroa Mites
We were fortunate enough to get Dr. Phil Lester from New Zealand for our March Meeting speaker. A next-generation biopesticide for Varroa management: gene silencing and the use of dsRNA with Dr. Phil Lester. Varroa destructor is a global pest that has developed resistance to synthetic pesticides. In this talk, I’ll discuss a novel, next-generation…
February Monthly Meeting featuring Ty Kelius of Bee Rescue Company
In February local removal expert Ty Kelius shared his business and current work with us. It was an impressive show and well worth your time. Removals need to be done carefully and with a detailed understanding of the structure you’re removing from. Ty combines a love of beekeeping with a family legacy of contracting to…
Update from Project Apis m.
We’ve gotten a note from Tessa Dingman at Project Apis m. about a webinar on what they’ve found out so far about the big bee die off this spring. From all reports it’s much bigger than the 40% annual losses that seem to be reported every year. Those reports also usually say that commercial beekeepers…
Beekeepers Experiencing Heavy Losses Across the Country
Boxes where the bees were found dead in California this month. Beekeepers across the country are experiencing heavy overwintering losses this year. Attached you will find the best information we have about this situation. It also explains what is being done to understand the cause of the losses. Please share this widely. – Robyn Underwood. Original…
A Flood of Extension Links
Everybody loves Robyn Underwood. This is a beekeeping fact as well known as the proper term for a laying worker. It’s gospel. Well Robyn has been up to it again and has flooded my inbox with incredibly helpful information and asked that we pass it on. Since it’s too cold outside to do anything, even…
A Beekeepers Co-op?
Yes! The Guild has been awarded a Farm Vitality Grant from the PA Dept. of Agriculture for assistance in setting up a Beekeepers Co-op. The Grant is for $7,500 towards the $10,000 contract that the the Guild is entering with the Keystone Development Center. KDC is a non-profit that specializes in developing cooperatives. The Guild…
Mobile Extraction Grant
The Guild has been awarded a PA Dept. of Agriculture grant to build a mobile honey extraction trailer. The proposal is to put a complete extraction line including uncapper, wax recovery, holding tank for uncapped frames, extractor, clarifier, honey pump, filters, holding tanks, bottling tanks, bottling machine, air conditioner, generator, etc. The idea of this…
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