In This Issue:

Letter from our President

Greetings to all ABA members.

I hope everyone is as busy with their bees as I have been. It seems to be a great year so far. Just a few quick reminders for all of us.

1. As the nectar flow slows down and we remove our honey suppers it is a great time to perform mite checks and apply treatments. Please be mindful to follow the directions for whatever treatment method you use.
2. Believe it or not, NOW is a good time to be thinking about fall. As beekeepers we should always be thinking months in advance not just what we will be doing today or this week.
3. Lastly, big shout out for our Alabama Master Beekeepers program. It is a great opportunity for you to expand your knowledge of beekeeping no matter your experience level. We offer a Beginner Course as well as the Apprentice, Journeyman and Master’s program for beekeepers with more experience. If you are interested, please register through THIS LINK from our website. The class will be held in Clanton July 23rd-25th.

Happy Beekeeping,

Hal Hendrix, President

Letter From the Vice President

WOW how time flies during Beezy bee season!  It has been a BEEUTIFUL spring, with AMAZINGLY cooler temps, rain has been spot on and the bees are working their wings off!  Thank you GOD for the wonderful little critter I love to learn and work beside! 

Folks the registration is now up for our Fall conference, we are going to have a GREAT conference!  Please plan to register early, things are going to be a little different this year as your board has voted on different than usual food options!  We as a board are working on having the BEST CONFERENCE yet by also celebrating our country’s 250 birthday!  WE have so Much to Celebrate!

Please get your suggestions and also your votes in for our this years BOTY BEEKEEPER OF THE YEAR to David Ellis!
Praying your honey year is the best yet! 

YA’LL BEE BLESSED!
Allyson A. Andrews

 

The Case for Brood Breaks

If you think the only way to beat Varroa mites is by chemical treatments, you could be missing the most powerful biological weapon in your arsenal, the intentional brood break.

Forcing a temporary halt in the colony’s reproductive cycle resets your mite loads without wearing out your bees.

The biology is very simple as both Varroa and Tropi mites can only multiply inside the safety of capped brood cells. When you let your queen lay eggs nonstop all summer, you are providing parasites with a luxurious, endless breeding ground. By taking control and creating an artificial brood break, you completely disrupt this reproductive conveyor belt.

How do you actually execute this The easiest method is to capture your queen and lock her inside a small isolation cage right in the center of the brood nest for 21 to 24 days (do not take her out of the hive please, just cage her in a square).

During this isolation period, all the existing capped brood will emerge, leaving the hive completely clean of any capped cells. What happens to the mites Without any pupae to hide under, every single mite inside that hive is forced out onto the bodies of the adult bees. They are exposed, vulnerable, and have absolutely nowhere to hide.

At this point, a single application of oxalic acid at the exact moment the hive hits absolute zero capped brood will achieve a devastating kill rate that purifies the colony. VIP – It’s very important to do this treatment when ALL the bees are inside the hive, either at dusk or dawn.

The optional timing for this operation would be mid to late summer, right after you harvest your main honey flow. Timing like this aligns perfectly with the natural summer dearth between the spring and fall flow before they slow down for winter.

If you still have some nectar around and wish to gather the extra honey, you can take out some capped brood from assist hives and pump fresh bees into the production hives, but be careful so they all hatch before you apply the treatment.

Brood breaks can be a valuable tool in your IPM as a well timed one helps prevent chemical exhaustion and snaps the back of the Varroa population when it hurts them the most.

Nomination Committee Needed

In September, at the ABA fall conference, we will be electing four positions:

1 North board member
1 Central board member
Vice President
President

To do this, we will need a nomination committee consisting of two members from each of the
regions: North, Central, and South. If you are interested in being on the nominating committee, please call Hal Hendrix at +1 (205) 243-8424. If he doesn’t answer, leave a text or a message and he will get back to you.

How New Beekeepers Can Improve Faster and Avoid Common Mistakes

By Brandon Hargraves

One of the most rewarding aspects of beekeeping is that there is always something new to learn. While mistakes are part of the journey, there are a few common pitfalls that can slow colony growth and lead to unnecessary setbacks. The good news is that most of these mistakes can be avoided by focusing on quality equipment, quality bees, and quality mentorship.

1. Be Careful with Plastic Foundation

One of the most overlooked issues for beginning beekeepers is improperly coated plastic foundation. Honey bees are naturally attracted to wax, and when plastic foundation lacks an adequate wax coating, colonies may be reluctant to draw comb efficiently. This can slow colony expansion, delay brood production, and reduce the overall momentum of the hive during critical growth periods.

Colonies that struggle to establish strong comb during spring buildup may become more prone to swarming pressures or fail to reach their full potential before seasonal changes occur. Always inspect foundation before installation and consider adding an additional coating of quality beeswax if necessary.

2. Learn from Experienced Beekeepers

The fastest way to become a better beekeeper is to spend time with beekeepers who have already faced the challenges you are encountering. Books, videos, and online resources are valuable, but nothing replaces standing beside an experienced beekeeper and seeing firsthand what healthy colonies look like throughout the year.

Make an effort to build relationships with mentors, visit apiaries, and participate in hive inspections whenever possible. Consistent pursuit of knowledge is one of the greatest predictors of long-term success in beekeeping.

Equally important is learning what each month presents in your area. Understanding seasonal colony needs—whether it is swarm prevention, honey production, mite management, feeding, or winter preparation—helps you stay ahead of problems rather than reacting to them after they occur.

3. Immerse Yourself in Your Local Beekeeping Community

Successful beekeepers rarely work in isolation. Local clubs and associations provide opportunities to learn from others, hear about regional conditions, and stay informed about current management practices.

Attend club meetings regularly. Participate in field days, workshops, and educational events. The conversations before and after meetings often provide as much value as the presentations themselves. By immersing yourself in your local beekeeping community, you gain access to decades of collective experience that can help shorten your learning curve significantly.

4. Buy Quality Bees from Reliable Local Sources

The quality of your bees matters. Whenever possible, purchase bees from reputable producers within our state. We are fortunate to have excellent honey bee genetics being produced by commercial beekeepers, sideliners, and local beekeepers throughout the region.

Locally produced bees are often better adapted to our climate, forage conditions, and management challenges. Supporting local producers also helps strengthen the beekeeping community and promotes the continued development of productive, resilient honey bee stock.

5. Ask Questions and Keep Good Records

Never be afraid to ask questions. Every experienced beekeeper started as a beginner, and most are happy to share what they have learned.

Just as important, keep detailed records of your own observations. During the active seasons, inspect your colonies approximately two to three times per month and document what you see. Note brood patterns, queen status, honey stores, population levels, signs of disease, and any management actions taken.

A simple but effective technique is to use weather-resistant pens or markers to write short notes directly on hive lids. This allows you to quickly review colony history at a glance and maintain a record that can be referenced for up to a year. Good records help identify patterns, improve decision-making, and accelerate your growth as a beekeeper.

Final Thoughts

Beekeeping is a lifelong learning experience. By using properly prepared equipment, purchasing quality local bees, seeking mentorship, participating in your local beekeeping community, and maintaining good records, new beekeepers can avoid many common mistakes and become successful much more quickly. The colonies will benefit, and so will the beekeeper.

Brandon Hargraves, Apiary Inspector
Plant Protection Division
AL Dept of Agriculture and Industries
1445 Federal Drive
Montgomery, AL 36107-1123
 334-922-8996
brandon.hargraves@agi.alabama.gov

Registration is Open for ABA Fall Conference

Alabama Master Beekeepers Annual Conference

Candidates and Masters:

The Alabama Master Beekeepers Program will hold annual classes and testing July 23-25, 2026 at the Clanton Conference and Performing Arts Center in Clanton, Alabama. Classes are available for Beginner Beekeepers, Apprentices, Journeyman and Master Levels. Please visit the Master Beekeeper Program tab on the ABA website for more information.

2025 Master Beekeepers, James Guy and Marisa Masters

Congratulations to the Whites, Again!

Op-Ed: Connections Matter

By Ros Horton

Alabama’s runoff election is Tuesday, two days from now. One of the offices of particular concern to beekeepers is the office of Commissioner of Agriculture as this individual will have authority over all of us.

I have not met Corey Hill but I support him. Several beekeeper associates have met him and I appreciate their insight.

I have met Christina Woerner McInnis. She is a nice lady with impressive credentials. But some of her connections are of concern as they are not necessarily friendly to beekeeping. How do I know this Because I experienced the “wrath of God” over a political issue from some of her connections, and beekeeping was one of the things I was clobbered over the head with.

Taken to the extreme, the mindset that warranted an unprovoked attack on me would eliminate human exploitation of bees altogether and let them return to the wild. (And you’re thinking like I am that every pest and disease out there would exploit them instead!) Thankfully humans like their honey too well and the bulk of us aren’t like hard core vegans who think beekeeping is immoral.

Animal rights and animal welfare are not the same thing. Animal WELFARE, what we used to call CONSERVATION, means you CARE for your land, your bees, your livestock, your pets, wildlife and humanity in a sane balance that works for all. It’s Genesis 3:15. It’s what most people who claim to be for animal rights actually believe. And it is Corey Hill.

Sadly, animal rights propaganda using emotional manipulation is so effective that most are blind to the actual agenda of those organizations, the ones that beg for money on TV with images of pitiful animals, usually in third world countries. The end goal is less about animal welfare and more about money and power and control to the tune of hundreds of millions in offshore accounts being used to lobby and pay for commercials. On a legislative level things like due process, civil rights, free enterprise, and the Constitution take a back seat as evidenced in the recent passage of Beau’s Law which includes a provision to “legally” violate the 4th and 14th Amendments, and to a minor degree the 5th. There are already several cities and counties in our state where landowner rights and free enterprise have been curtailed because of animal rights activism.

The same people who doxxed me in retaliation for not supporting a bad bill ten years ago are the ones who are hopeful to influence our next Commissioner of Agriculture. Currently our deep south activists concentrate on pets, a steppingstone to ridiculous controls like IP28, a ban that would criminalize hunting, fishing and farming in Oregon if it goes through. It could happen as the initial petition already exceeds the required signatures. Oregon did get there overnight. It was done little by little, chipping away here and there. Alabama has a few chips already. So let’s just not go there. Vote for our Department of Agriculture to be led by a livestock farmer with actual skin in the game, not someone with connections to extremists with no respect for existing law or traditional values.

The thoughts expressed here are those of the author and may not reflect those of others within the ABA.

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Thank you for visiting The Stinger. We’re always open to improvement and welcome your thoughts, ideas, photos and submissions. Please send to stinger.editor@gmail.com.

The post June 14, 2026 first appeared on Alabama Beekeepers Association.

In This Issue:

Letter from our President

Greetings to our beekeeping family.

I hope everyone is having a wonderful spring with your bees. It is one of our busiest times of the year. Controlling swarms, keeping up with equipment, adding supers, realizing you were not as ready as you thought …and much more. It seems like we went from “When will the year start” to “Oh no! That was a fast start”. It seems like the swarms have been wide open from South to North Alabama all at once from what I have seen people posting about. Bees have been building FAST so give it your best to prevent your colonies from swarming in whatever way works best for you. Don’t ever forget that a swarming hive is not a productive hive. 

Good luck to everyone this season. We’re excited that it is setting up to be a great year across the entire state.

Hal Hendrix 
President ABA

Letter From the Vice President

 

HAPPY SPRING MY FELLOW BEEKEEPRS!

So much going on it seems that my bees have hit the air FLYING!  Spring is here and WOW how the ladies are brooding up!  My colonies and nucs are looking GREAT! 
I was thrilled to bee inspected by our new apiary inspectors, Inspector Salem and Inspector Henson!  We are so BLESSED by these new inspectors!  It was a BEEUTIFUL DAY and we only found 0,1 & 2 mites, in 3 colonies 

 GOALS!
Our Confrence planning is coming along nicely with lots of new things coming this year! 

Praying y’all’s day, week and months are full of love, joy and plenty of BEES!  Hope you’re ready for the nectar flow!

YA’LL BEE BLESSED!
Allyson A. Andrews

Letter from the Secretary

Andrea Riley is a kindergarten teacher at Grantswood Community School in Irondale, Alabama. Grantswood feeds into Shades Valley High School. She gets about twenty kids per year, and she changes their lives. She has been teaching beekeeping to five year olds for four years. She says, “It is so important to get kids familiar with agriculture.”

The kids work the bees. Andrea lights the smoker and hands it to them, and they pull frames and inspect the hives. So far, in four years, no one has been stung. When they harvest honey, they label it “Mrs. Riley’s Rise and Shine Honey” and at the bottom of the label, it reads “Harvested by Mrs. Riley’s Little Worker Bees.” She has one parent volunteer, Adam Crandall,who comes on Fridays to help her out.

Unfortunately, at the end of February this year, there was a catastrophe. Andrea believes it was an accident, but it resulted in the destruction of the outdoor classroom and of all three beehives. Someone was clearing land adjacent to the school, and they cut down trees that landed on the
hives and surrounding area. Thankfully there were no students or teachers in the outdoor
classroom at the time. A first grade teacher who was outside and noticed the trees falling alerted Andrea to the disaster.

“It was disheartening,” Andrea said. “Kids were crying; it was terrible.”

She said she’s asked the local government to help her find out who the contractor was that was doing the work, but to no avail. She spent her own money to buy new boxes to replace the broken ones, and Jimmy Carmack of Pure Alabama Honey donated two packages of bees paid for by Jefferson County Farmers Federation to replace two of the dead hives.

The kindergarteners lost a Flow hive, a hive with three deeps, and a hive with two deeps with what Andrea estimates to be about five gallons of honey, and they’ll have to rebuild. This year her class won’t get to harvest much honey. If anyone has equipment or resources they’d like to donate or help out in any way Andrea’s email is ariley@jefcoed.com.

Amy Seiber, Secretary

Links to learn more about Andrea and her class:

Show 1102 – Kindergarten Beekeepers – Simply Southern TV

Beginner Beekeepers Worth the Buzz  – Alabama Farmers Federation

Andrea’s Instagram Account

US Beekeeping Survey Open till April 30

Alabama Department of Agriculture Update

If you are selling nucs you must have a state health certificate. We will inspect the hives for varroa that you are splitting from and look at your brood in the nucs. Why are we doing this The past few years more people are selling nucs loaded with varroa and sick bees. It’s very unfortunate that some people are doing this because it’s just down-right wrong. Beekeepers spend their hard-earned money and expect to get healthy nucs that they deserve. This is why the state now requires certification to sell nucs.

Please treat for varroa and most especially if you are selling nucs. If you don’t want to treat your own bees for varroa you MUST still treat any nucs you plan to sell. We are also checking for Africanized genetics by testing drone pupae. We are doing our best to control Africanized genetics in our state so we appreciate your cooperation.

On some great news we recently hired two more state apiary inspectors. Adler Salem and Stephany Henson. Adler will be based in Auburn area and Stephany in the Birmingham area. You can contact Adler at (334) 850-7758 or adler.salem@agi.alabama.gov and Stephany at (334) 850-7757 or stephany.henson@agi.alabama.gov.

If you would like to schedule an inspection or have any questions, please reach out to us. 

Phillip Carter, Apiary Inspector
Plant Protection Division
AL Dept of Agriculture and Industries
1445 Federal Drive
Montgomery, AL 36107-1123
334 414-1666
phillip.carter@agi.alabama.gov

Upcoming Educational Events

Alabama Master Beekeepers Annual Conference

Candidates and Masters:

The Alabama Master Beekeepers Program will hold annual classes and testing July 23-25, 2026 at the Clanton Conference and Performing Arts Center in Clanton, Alabama. Please visit the Master Beekeeper Program tab on the ABA website for more information.

2026 Young Beekeeper Scholarship Application

Time is ticking! There are still two months before the first deadline for Alabama’s Young Beekeeper Scholarship application. We hope you’ve shared this info with any students from non beekeeping families you have met who show an interest in beekeeping.

1. Student must submit an essay to their local beekeeping club with the application form signed by students and parents no later than June 15.
2. The local club assigns mentors, signs additional papers and mails in the essay and completed application form by July 15.
3. Winners are announced in August and essays are published in the August ABA Stinger.
4. Student attends Fall Conference where the presentation is made and equipment collected. Bees are furnished the following spring.

Bee Venom, Lyme Disease and Staying Safe

Ticks don’t buzz but there’s a lot of buzz about this summer’s predicted tick population and it doesn’t bode well for anyone who works or plays outdoors. With the expected population increase comes a greater risk of getting Lyme disease and Pfizer is waiting in the wings with another unproved vaccine to experiment on the masses.

The risk certainly includes beekeepers, however word is getting out that we have a built-in advantage. Ellie Lobel was the first person to stumble on this. She was quite literally waiting to die of Lymes when a horrific event saved her life and she has been educating people about the connection between bee stings and Lymes for more than ten years. You may learn about it from this BBC Article or This Video.

While none of us relish the idea of multiple bee stings for any reason, and all of us abhor chemical pesticides that could harm our bees, there are some ways to protect your property, your apiary, and your people from the risk of this awful disease.

Keep a tidy yard. Ticks prefer shady areas with overgrown foliage. Mowing, keeping things trimmed and debris free keeps your living area less hospitable for them.

If you must wade through brush or tall grass – use a walking stick to bump everything in your path. This will knock ticks waiting to grab your clothing to the ground. An insecticide on your clothing is also a deterrent. Phillip Carter, our southeast Alabama Apiary Inspector, uses a deet product while wearing snake boots in these situations.

When you do have to be in risky areas, throw your clothing in the washer or dryer immediately when coming in from the outdoors. Have someone check your skin and run a fine-tooth comb through your hair and over your scalp.

Plant things that ticks hate. Aromatic and bitter plants like marigolds, rosemary, lavender, garlic, catnip and lemongrass repel them.

If you plant a garden, a fence is a fine thing. Ticks cling to various wildlife species; birds, deer, rabbits, skunks, stray dogs, cats, and other critters that like to wander around and/or munch on your vegetables while carrying unwelcome hitchhikers.

Learn to recognize nests and burn the eggs in case you find any.

Any cedar based product like Cedarcide is good for eco-friendly pest control.

TARGET tick carrying mice with Toilet Roll Tubes. Yes, it uses Permethrin. Watch the video before passing judgment.

Lymes is no joke and many people have suffered for years with a range of debilitating symptoms before being diagnosed. Thank the Lord there is a “Pound of Cure” for those who suffer with it, a cure readily at our disposal, but most are not so lucky. An “Ounce of Prevention” is a much better way to go.

Stay safe out there, Friends!

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Thank you for visiting The Stinger. We’re always open to improvement and welcome your thoughts, ideas, photos and submissions. Please send to stinger.editor@gmail.com.

The post April 15, 2026 Newsletter first appeared on Alabama Beekeepers Association.

In This Issue:

Letter from our President

Well, as the seasons and/or weather goes, I hope everyone is having a good late winter/early spring. Whatever you call it bee season is here in some shape or form by either getting grafts going, assessing food stores, building equipment, reworking honey rooms, or just enjoying talking about bees as many did at the ACES Symposium. Always remember Alabama is basically a three zone state; just because you live in North Alabama and you see someone posting on some social media page they are splitting or grafting they may be from south Alabama, or they are adding suppers, it may not be your time yet. That being said, between now and April is when most beekeepers lose bees to starvation, so be sure they have food stores, just not so much the queen does not have room to lay. 

Your Alabama Beekeeper’s Association board of directors is already working on the Fall Conference and things are coming together nicely. As those of you heard me say at last year’s conference, we were not sure of this year’s location due to facilities remodel. I am pleased to announce that we will be back at the same location this year.

Many of you may be receiving emails concerning our zoom board meetings. I want remind all that if your local clubs have a minimum of 10 ABA members then your club president can listen in on those meetings so your local club will know what is taking place at the state level. I would ask that all local clubs please update your information with the ABA as some are not current in the registry.

Please be aware as many of you order packages or nucs that Alabama is a closed border state, meaning that you cannot legally bring bees on comb into the state (i.e. nucs or colonies) so please do your homework and get your bees from a reputable source. 

God Bless you and your bees and don’t let the season’s changes catch you unprepared.

Hal Hendrix 
President ABA

Letter From the Vice President

Hapbee NEW YEAR!  It’s hard to beelieve that it is already middle February!  We had some cool BEEUTIFUL weather in January and early February!  It’s time to get all of your equipment ready for spring, IT IS COMIMG QUICKLY!  

We had a wonderful time supporting ABF in Mobile. Having the conference in Alabama was great and made me proud to bee a beekeeper for Alabama!  THANK YOU Jeff Monroe for the fun Photo Booth which was well visited!  Thank you to all who helped support their Conference!

We had a great turnout for the ACES symposium in a new location!  Thank you to Brian & Michelle Deassis who set up and ran our ABA store, also thank you to board member James Guy and Hal for their help Friday for setup! Thank you to Kelley Fredrick who did a great job with the honey show!  Fun was had by all!  Ya’ll better get your show entries ready for the Fall Conference honey show!  Keep reading for our new exciting Fall Conference theme and bee ready to participate! 

I’m excited to announce that our Fall Conference key note speakers have been secured!  You will not want to miss Jim Tew, Jerry Hayes and Corey Stevens!

 A great lineup of break out speakers and vendors are in the works too!  With this beeing the 250’th anniversary of our BEEUTIFUL country our theme is FOR COLONY & COUNTRY!  SO excited for this event! 

Yall have a great and safe February!

Ya’ll BEE BLESSED!
Allyson A. Andrews

Letter from the Secretary

Hi! I’m ready for spring and I know you all are as well. As you prepare for the bee season, maybe you’d like to read a book?

I recently read a REALLY GOOD BOOK called The Honey Bus: A Memoir of Loss, Courage,
and a Girl Saved By Bees, by Meridith May.
I love books that have honeybees in them. This true story was sad, but as a beekeeper I
appreciated the accurate descriptions of honeybees. The ending was satisfying, and I’m looking forward to discussing it in a virtual book club that Tara Chapman (author of For the Bees) is leading. You can join the group from her Instagram page. It is listed as @twohiveshoney.

I’ve listed books for you with bees in them in the past, and here are a couple more good ones I’ve enjoyed lately with honeybees and beekeeping in them:

The Last Beekeeper by Julie Carrick Dalton – This is a fictional story of what the world would be like without honeybees. Hopefully this never happens, but it was interesting to read.

Bees in June by Elizabeth Bass Parman – A sweet romance and magical, fictional story of generational beekeeping.

I hope your bees made it through winter and are ready to go!

Amy Seiber, Secretary

2026 Fall Conference – SAVE THE DATE!

The Alabama Beekeepers Association Annual Fall Conference is set for September 18 and 19 at the Clanton Conference and Performing Arts Center in Clanton, Alabama…and you don’t want to miss it.

Theme: For Colony and Country

We are excited to welcome confirmed keynote speakers Cory Stevens, Dr. James (Jim) Tew, and Jerry Hayes, with additional speakers to be announced. This year’s program will offer something for every BEEK, from beginners to seasoned experts.

Anticipated topics include:
* All things queens
* The latest research on Varroa mites and treatment options
* Practical beekeeping advice
* Technical research-focused sessions
* Making bee-related products
* Mead and more
* Business, marketing & legal aspects
* New beekeeper classes
* “Ask the Experts” panel discussion with our keynote speakers

New this year:
* The Honey Show will feature special entry categories centered around the conference theme, including a themed gift basket category.
* We will have a large honey tasting bar, where attendees can sample honey from across Alabama, across the country (including special varietals), and possibly even from around the world.

Mark your calendar now! This is a conference you don’t want to miss! Use the QR code to access more information as it becomes available.

Upcoming Educational Events

Alabama Master Beekeepers Annual Conference

Candidates and Masters:

The Alabama Master Beekeepers Program will hold annual classes and testing July 23-25, 2026 at the Clanton Conference and Performing Arts Center in Clanton, Alabama. Please visit the Master Beekeeper Program tab on the ABA website for more information.

2026 Young Beekeeper Scholarship Application

Be sure as you’re out and about to mention Alabama’s Young Beekeeper Scholarship to students who show an interest in beekeeping. This year’s application package is ready to share and print for students to get started. While the application paperwork can look complicated the process is actually simple. All parties interested in participating are encouraged to read the application in its entirety before signing. Parents, student and mentors all understanding their roles is the key to a successful and enjoyable experience for all.

1. Student must submit an essay to their local beekeeping club with the application form signed by students and parents no later than June 15.
2. The local club assigns mentors, signs additional papers and mails in the essay and completed application form by July 15.
3. Winners are announced in August and essays are published in the August ABA Stinger.
4. Student attends Fall Conference where the presentation is made and equipment collected. Bees are furnished the following spring.

This and That

Editor’s Note: In 2013 I was unable to attend the Fall Conference when Alabama’s first Master Beekeepers were recognized and awarded. I was not in any of those photos as I was traveling and couldn’t get to Montgomery till the second day of the conference where David Kelton and Allyson Andrews awarded me privately with hugs and a quick photo.

It was the same with last fall’s Beekeeper of the Year presentation. Fate doesn’t seem to want me at my own celebrations so Allyson presented the award privately in December at the best little restaurant ever in the middle of nowhere, Alabama. Another photo, more hugs . . . blessings. Thanks again and I love you all.

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Newest Honey Marketing Trend

Hats off to these clever beekeepers who are tapping a niche market for their products! Several of these brands may be found at major online veterinarian suppliers.

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Thank you for visiting The Stinger. We’re always open to improvement and welcome your thoughts, ideas, photos and submissions. Please send to stinger.editor@gmail.com.

The post February 15, 2026 ABA Stinger first appeared on Alabama Beekeepers Association.

Table of Contents

Letter from the President

Well, winter is upon us. It seems we went from a dry fall where we were wondering if there would even be a fall honey flow to scrambling to get treatments done and food stores built up to get through winter. But that is typical of beekeeping. I hope everyone is already thinking and starting to prepare for spring. If we’re not thinking three months ahead we are behind. 

Speaking of thinking in advance, I hope everyone is planning to attend the ACES Spring Yymposium in February at its new location. ABA will be their helping as always. Also, we here in Alabama are thrilled about having American Beekeeping Federation conference here in January in Mobile. I’m looking forward to seeing many of you at both.

Speaking of conferences, we are already in the planning stages for your Fall ABA conference and will have details coming out in the next months. 

I hope everyone has their bees in good shape for the next few months. We all have losses but just as our bees we are resilient and seem to always recover and not give up. 

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving, I wish you all a Very Merry Christmas, and a Blessed New Year.

Hal Hendrix 
President ABA

Letter From the Vice President

HAPBEE DECEMBER my beekeeping friends!  I pray that you all have a BLESSED Christmas and a HAPBEE & safe New year! 

This is the short period where bee keepers have a teeny break!  Bees are clustered, Forgage is limited, keep an eye on the weight of your hives! January is coming soon, to Do some clean up, do some building and start  getting ready for the 2026 bee year!

I would love to invite you all to our AMERICAN BEE FEDERATION conference in Mobile, January 7-10 2026!  We are in need of volunteers for this program.  Please reach out to me if you desire to help for this Confrence. Auburn will host ACES bee symposium February 7, 2026.  Let me know if you would like to help out with this event too! 

Ya’ll BEE BLESSED!
Allyson A. Andrews

Letter from the Secretary

Happy Holidays to everyone!

I’m looking forward to spring! I can’t wait to see if my bees made it, if my flowers come back up, and what this spring at Foxhound’s new location will be like!

Our ABA board is already preparing for the 2026 Fall Conference, and it is going to be great. Be thinking about who you’d like to nominate for Beekeeper of the Year, and think about encouraging a young beekeeper to apply for the Young Beekeeper Scholarship.

The North American Honey Bee Expo (NAHBE) is coming up in January in Louisville, Kentucky, as is the American Beekeeping Federation (ABF) Conference in Mobile, Alabama. Then in February there’s the Alabama Cooperative Extension (ACES) conference in Hanceville, Alabama. We have got lots of opportunities to catch up on our beekeeping knowledge and community before the beekeeping season hits.

In January all the local clubs will start back up, so try to find one to join if you haven’t already and get involved. There’s always something to learn and ways to grow as a beekeeper.

I wish you all a Happy Holiday Season and a wonderful 2026.

Amy Seiber, Secretary

2025 Best in Show: Spicy Hot Honey Barbecue Sauce

A sneaky, hot barbecue sauce made with partially fermented hot honey base. The degree of hot can be adjusted to personal taste. This recipe started out as a barbeque sauce but it is excellent on fried chicken or hot wings

Barbecue Sauce Recipe

4 cups ketchup

½ cup prepared mustard

½ cup white vinegar

2 cups pepper infused hot honey base*

¼ cup Dales Marinade

Heat all ingredients except honey to a low boil for 3-5 minutes. Mix throughly with an immersion blender. Remove from heat. Combine honey with the hot mixture. Blend throughly. Ladle into ho pressure canning jars, cap with 2 part lids. Place in a boiling water bath for 10- 15 minutes. Shake well before using. Refrigerate after opening.

*Hot Honey Base

Loosely fill a ½ gallon jar with clean fresh habanero peppers. Fill with wildflower honey. Cap. Allow to sit for 6 months. Over the 6 months there is some degree of fermentation in the jar due to the natural moisture of the fresh peppers. After 6 months strain the peppers out of the honey. The partially fermented liquid honey is too hot for mere mortals. For the hot honey I mixed 5 parts of my wildflower honey with 1 part infused honey. At that ratio the taste of the honey and the heat of the peppers can be appreciated without too much pain. You will taste the honey first then wait for it – the heat.

David and Lori White, holding their ribbons in Black Jar, Best of Show and Grand Champion categories of the 2025 Alabama Honey Show. They each have their own kitchen at their home in Phenix City where they create wonderful recipes from their hives and garden bounty. We can’t wait to see what they enter in 2026!

Upcoming Educational Events

JANUARY 6 – 10, 2026 – Don’t Miss Out! The American Beekeeping Federation Conference is Coming to Alabama!

Fellow Alabama Beekeepers, if you haven’t already, mark your calendars! We are incredibly fortunate to host the American Beekeeping Federation (ABF) 2026 Conference and Tradeshow right here in our own backyard, Mobile, AL, from January 6–10. This is a rare and exciting opportunity—the conference is often held far across the country, so let’s show the ABF some Alabama hospitality!

Your Chance to Connect and Learn Whether you’re a hobbyist or a commercial operator, this conference is the industry’s premier event for learning and networking. You’ll have access to:

• Incredible Keynote Speakers and dozens of Breakaway Classes
• The highly competitive Honey Show
• A massive Vendor Showroom
• Social events like the Banquet and Live Auction
• The wonderful Kids & Bees educational workshop, plus other auctions and raffle drawings.

This is truly the best opportunity to connect with beekeepers, researchers, and suppliers from across North America! We encourage everyone who can attend to do so.

Support the ABF & Showcase Alabama Honey

The ABF works tirelessly on behalf of all beekeepers, advocating for legislative actions concerning honey bee health and research, and ensuring the purity of honey in the market. Membership in the ABF provides essential benefits, including legislative updates and free monthly educational webinars—the last one was about successfully entering honey into a honey show!

Call for Honey Donations: The North American Honey Bar

The ABF is kicking off a brand-new feature: the North American Honey Bar! Each participating state will have a display featuring our state flag and honey for all attendees to sample, giving a taste of honey varieties from across the country.  This will be set up Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday.

We need your help to represent Alabama! We are asking for donations of 3 different varieties of honey (at least 3 pounds of each).

If you are interested in donating honey for this exciting display, please contact Rebekah Hargraves immediately to coordinate delivery. Let’s make Alabama’s display the sweetest! I hope to see y’all there.

Just a P.S.

If you’re in the area for the ABF conference, please come see me at B’s Bees Apiary and Store in Loxley, we’re right of of I-10 about 20 minutes outside of Mobile.  

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JANUARY 8-10, 2026 North American Honey Bee Expo

This year’s NAHBE unfortunately takes place during the ABF conference. For those wanting information on this event please please check https://www.nahbexpo.com/.

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FEBRUARY 7, 2026 31st Annual Alabama Beekeepers Symposium

The 31st Annual Alabama Beekeepers Symposium will take place Saturday, February 7, 2026, at the Wallace State Community College School of Nursing and Center for Science in Hanceville, Alabama. Check-in begins at 8:00 a.m. and is located at the building’s center doors at 453 Frances Dodd Drive, Hanceville, AL 35077. The symposium begins at 8:30 a.m. and ends at 4:30 p.m. The cost to attend is $45, and online registration is required by February 1. After February 1, the registration fee increases to $55 and is payable at the door the day of the event. Lunch and refreshments are included in the registration cost.

Keynote speakers for the event include Cameron Jack—an assistant professor of honeybee toxicology with the University of Florida—and Jon Zawislak, an assistant professor of apiculture at the University of Arkansas. The symposium will include a day-long beginner beekeeping workshop and several other educational tracks to choose from. Hotels, registration and other information is available at https://www.aces.edu/blog/topics/lawn-garden/alabama-beekeepers-symposium/.

Hope to see you there!

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March 14, 2025 –  Journey to becoming a Certified Honey Judge

Norroa – The Jury is Still Out

There’s been a lot of buzz about a new tool in the fight against varroa that was released mid October. Many consider Norroa, the market name for Vadescana, to be a radical new treatment. The concept of disrupting the reproductive cycle of a pest has been around for decades however, evidenced by the fact that there have been multiple reproductive disrupters created for other pests out there for years. Science has only just now been able to produce a product that targets Varroa disrupter.

Vadescana, the active ingredient, works through RNA interference (RNAi) which uses double stranded RNA (dsRNA) to “prevent the expression of a specific gene that the Varroa mite needs to survive”. In other words, it messes up offspring DNA so they can’t successfully procreate. It is highly specific to Varroa mites and does not affect bees, humans or other non-target organisms. It’s basically a designer chemical that only affects the mite.

Both the EPA and the State of Alabama have approved it and it’s wicked simple to install – just place a pouch or two on top of the hive frames or bottom board, allowing bees to access the syrup. That’s it.

Is it as effective as they advertise So far beekeepers have reported positive experiences with Norroa. It’s winter though, and we’ve not had a chance to try it approaching spring. The product is advertised to last up to 18 weeks so application late winter or early spring should conceivably put a hive in optimal health during honey flow.

We love our spring honey sales for sure, but that brings up another issue with Norroa – it’s not cheap. Single pouches run $10 – 11 each. OUCH! Right! But that’s something increased honey production should easily make up for, and hopefully for the other two or three times a year it would be needed depending on how you manage your colonies.

So should you try it Heck Yeah! This beekeeper is excited to get my hands on some and look forward to seeing my counts going into spring. I’m also hoping to see some controlled studies between well managed hives using tried and true varroa controls vs hives using Vadescana only.

Time will tell, but the Jury is most hopeful.

This and That

Calling all Nuc Providers:

I am compliling a list of Alabama nuc sellers; this list will be a handout at our Beginning Beekeeping course and available to any other Alabama beekeeper or beekeeper wannabe who wants a copy.  If you are selling nucs in 2026, please let me know.  I would like your contact information and as much information about your nucs (e.g; where you are located, 2026 price and approximate available delivery dates).  You can contact me at wgmiller@aol.com.

Bill Miller

Wiregrass Beekeepers Association

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Trenton’s First Halloween

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Thank you for visiting The Stinger. This is YOUR newsletter and your thoughts, ideas, photos and submissions are always welcome. Please send to stinger.editor@gmail.com.

The post December 15, 2025 ABA Stinger first appeared on Alabama Beekeepers Association.

Table of Contents

Letter from the President

I hope everyone has had a successful bee season as we wind down this year. It has been a interesting year for Beekeepers across the State. It started out wet, wet, and wet and it seemed like nothing was going to produce nectar. Then everything seemed to come in all at once. Following that the drought moved in and now we are all hoping for just enough rain to kick off a fall flow. But as all beekeepers do, we do what we have to do keep our bees going. I hope everyone is thinking towards spring already; checking honey stores and treating their hives.

To everyone that came to the ABA fall conference, I thank you and hope you all had a great time. To those that didn’t make it I hope to see you next year. I want to thank this year’s Board of Directors for coming together year long to plan the conference. You all did a great job. To all the volunteers that put in hours of your time to help your Board present a good conference, your time did not go unnoticed, and we could not have done it without you.

Finally I want to thank everyone that attended the conference, you are the most important part of the event.

May God bless you and your bees all.
Hal Hendrix 
President ABA

Letter From the Vice President

WOW what an AMAZING fall Conference!  Thank you for allowing me to plan and prepare for our 2025 Conference!   Thank to everyone for your help setting up, IT for designing the program, many others for working our ABA store, kitchen help, those who taught break out classes and also to everyone attended!  Attendance was great!  Please let me know if you have any thoughts or ideas for next years conference!  We will bee announcing our 2026 fall key note speakers in January and will start planning for another year of fabulous break out sessions!

A special congrats to Roslyn Horton who is our 2025 BEEKEEPER of the YEAR!  It was a honor to bee able to receive her plaque for her in her absence due to her precious Mamas health.  We love you ROS and are so thankful for all that you do for the love of beekeeping! 

The HONEY show was very well visited this year a special thanks to all who entered, judged, and to our show secretary!  Congrats to all who won!  keep on entering!   

We are finally heading into fall with some cooler temps!  Pull your fall honey, treat your bees for mites, tighten up their hives and get prepared for winter – they say it’s coming!

A very special thanks to Jerry Hayes who is giving our fall Conference attendees a discount on Bee Culture magazine.

Ya’ll BEE BLESSED!
Allyson A. Andrews

Letter from the Secretary

Hello, I hope you have had a great year of beekeeping! I know that I wrote about Foxhound Bee Company in the last issue, but I want you to know that the old location in downtown Birmingham has officially closed, and we are hoping to set up and open the new location by the end of October.

Please come see it! Adam Hickman has big dreams for the Alabama Beekeeping Community, and this store will be a landmark. Unlike the old location, we will have heat, air conditioning, and running water, as well as twice the retail space, more selections, a classroom/event room that you can rent, a honey extraction room that can be rented, a pollinator garden, and so much more. It’s really designed well. I’ve never seen anything like it. 

I started working at Foxhound after retiring from teaching in 2021, and it has been an amazing journey so far. I learn things every day that I’m there for both customers and co-workers. I get to be around a diverse group of very interesting and curious people. I had heard about Adam selling things out of the back of his truck before I ever knew him, and to see what he’s created just in the time I’ve known him is extremely impressive. I expect that I won’t be disappointed in the next few years either!
Get ready- 2026 is going to be a really great year for beekeeping in Alabama!

Amy Seiber, Secretary

2025 ABA Honey Show Results

Please use the scroll bar on the right side to see both pages

David and Lori White of Phenix City with Black Jar, Best of Show Ribbons and Grand Champion Ribbons.

“Thank You” Seems Hardly Adequate

On Thursday, Sept. 18, I woke up excited as my priorities that day were to complete a few farm chores, then hit the road to Clanton for the Fall Conference.

God knew differently. Mid morning I received word that my mother was in the emergency room for the third time within a week and about to be taken to ICU. She was five hours away I was the only one in the family that could drop everything and go.

Time seems to stand still in a hospital. It’s like you’re doing nothing and everything all at once. All your energy is focused on the wellbeing of another person, whether you’re doing small tasks they can’t do for themselves or hanging on to every word a health provider speaks trying to understand what’s taking place, and what may be next.

That’s where my head was on Saturday morning during the ABA business meeting. I was knee deep trying to get Mom to eat Jello when my phone started blowing up congratulatory texts. Don’t laugh at me . . . all I could think was, “Are they smoking crack down there#8221; Nothing made sense till our Vice President sent this photo:

Flabbergasted would be the best word to describe my reaction. It had been a bit of work to compile the list of Beekeeper of the Year recipients that was published in the previous Stinger. To have my named added to that list . . . well, I’m still wrapping my head around it. I have looked up to those men and ladies (I love you, Allyson!) for many, MANY years and never thought of myself in the same league as I’ve always considered them role models.

So I guess this is my acceptance speech. To say I am humbled is an understatement and my heart’s desire is to be worthy of this honor going forward.

I love you all,

Ros Horton

VIP Department of Agriculture Updates for October 2025

Two-Spot Cotton Leafhopper Confirmed in Alabama: What Beekeepers Need to Know

Professionals with the Alabama Cooperative Extension System have recently confirmed the presence of the invasive two-spot cotton leafhopper (also called the cotton jassid) in Alabama cotton fields.

Why This Matters to Beekeepers

Honey bees commonly visit cotton blooms to collect nectar and, at times, honeydew from aphids. Some beekeepers place colonies near cotton fields to build honey stores for harvest or winter feed, while others live in agricultural areas where cotton is a major crop.

To control the jassid, farmers are applying Bidrin (active ingredient: dicrotophos), a systemic organophosphate pesticide. Unfortunately, organophosphates are highly toxic to honey bees. When spraying coincides with cotton bloom, the risk of bee losses rises sharply—sometimes leading to dead bees at hive entrances, on bottom boards, or in severe cases, collapse of entire colonies.

Steps Beekeepers Can Take

• Avoid field edges: Place hives as far as possible from cotton field perimeters.
• Use natural cover: Position colonies under trees or shrubs, which provide some protection from aerial drift.
• Avoid closing hives: Sealing hives during the day can cause deadly overheating.
• Temporary cover option: For small-scale beekeepers who cannot relocate colonies, draping a thin, breathable sheet over hives may reduce exposure (leave ventilation space at the bottom).
• Feed syrup inside the hive: Offering supplemental feed before spraying may encourage bees to stay inside.
• Communicate with farmers: Building good relationships and learning spray schedules is the most effective way to reduce incidents.

If you observe unusual bee deaths near cotton fields, please report it immediately so it can be investigated.

Phillip Carter, Apiary Inspector Plant Protection Division

AL Dept of Agriculture and Industries

1445 Federal Drive, Montgomery, AL 36107-1123

334 414-1666 phillip.carter@agi.alabama.gov

Packaging for Holiday Sales

If you anticipate lots of demand for your honey at Christmas or plan to participate in any market events presenting your product with some holiday cheer could produce more sales. Most people who buy honey do so because honey is such a great gift, but sometimes that extra bit of pretty produces more sales when people are in a buying mood.

Switching your regular label for a Christmassy label is an easy way to accomplish this on the surface but could easily become an unnecessary consumption of resources for a small producer. The first consideration is time and cost for special labels. There’s also the issue of needing to change labels for inventory left after the Christmas rush.

The exception is if you have the capability of printing your own quality labels as needed. Two companies make this possible – Avery and Online Labels. Both have free internet design programs and both sell blank labels to print them on. Avery is more common as you can get labels from Wal Mart and office supply stores. Online Labels are mail order and offer a wider variety of papers including poly for laser printers. The advantage to poly is that labels aren’t affected by moisture, so dampness is never a concern. Online Labels also offers print service.

The other option to packaging for Christmas is to “pretty up” your regular product. This is easily accomplished with a clear bag or a piece of cellophane tied with ribbon. Drop it in, tie it up and it’s all dressed up! Plus, it keeps fingerprints off your jar. You can add a piece of honey candy for fun or add a dipper. Tulle is another material that allows you to see the product inside. Christmas colors are fun but neutral works too. It’s your product, your decision.

For those of you who make value added products with your honey and beeswax, (cream or comb honey, bath and body products, candles, etc.) gifts sets are a fabulous way to showcase and move more product. Cellophane can be used (shown below) but a basket or box is a great option for this too. The sky is the limit with gift sets and you can make your special collection as large or small as you wish.

If you’re ready to give it a try many items are available locally. Stores like Hobby Lobby and Dollar Tree have a good variety of wrapping items. More specialized products, like boxes with clear lids, can be ordered on the internet from sources like Papermart, ULine, Amazon, and the ever so humble Wal Mart.com.

Here’s hoping your 2025 sales exceed your wildest expectations!

This and That

A Good Tool in your Varroa Arsenal: If you missed the Fall Conference one great piece of information that many will be implementing is that you can mix a “wash” for checking varroa using 2 tablespoons of Dawn Ultra mixed with 1 gallon of water. In the long run it’s more cost effective and it’s supposed to give equal or better results.

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Who needs botox?

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Thank you for visiting The Stinger. This is YOUR newsletter and your thoughts, ideas, photos and submissions are always welcome. Please send to stinger.editor@gmail.com.

The post October 15, 2025 first appeared on Alabama Beekeepers Association.

The post 2025 State Honey Show Entry Form & Exhibitor Affidavit first appeared on Alabama Beekeepers Association.

Table of Contents

Letter from the President

Happy summer everyone.

I hope all is well with you and your bees. It has been a trying year so far across the State from all I am hearing, but that seems to be the norm here in Alabama. I have heard most people are little to no honey, up to 25% off from last year.

We here at ABA have been working hard planning and getting your Fall Conference together. It is looking to have some great talks, food and fellowship as well as great vendors. We also just wrapped up the Master Beekeeper Program in Clanton. Congratulations to all those who took part and those who received certification. I encourage anyone wanting to expand your knowledge in bees to look into taking part in the program next year. 

Remember now is the time to start preparing for next spring with your bees. What you do in the next few months will determine how well they do in spring.

I look forward to seeing you all in Clanton the third Friday and Saturday in September.

Hal Hendrix 
President ABA.

Letter From the Vice President

WOW This bee year has flown by! I know one thing I AM READY for cooler temperatures and my bee ladies are as well!
 I hope that you all have harvested your honey!  I would love to hear how good or bad your harvest was!  I beelieve it was a good honey year.

We are wrapping up the planning of our fall Confrence. We have some Amazing key note speakers and something offered for all keepers and spouses of keepers.  Yall come and bee a part of our Fall Confrence! This years theme is “Well BEEING, from HEART to HIVE”! 

Can’t wait to see you all soon!
YA’LL BEE BLESSED
ALLYSON 

Letter from the Secretary

Happy August! I hope everyone has enjoyed their honey harvest and that you’re testing and treating for varroa mites. This is a really crucial time to do that, as the bees are preparing to make their winter workers.

If you are struggling with the choice of which treatment to use, I’d like to recommend that you listen to the Beekeeping Today Podcast. They are doing a series of special twenty minute episodes about all of the different varroa control methods, and I have found them to be very
interesting and informative. (By the way, I’m using Apiguard on my hives right now.)

The Alabama Master Beekeeper classes and testing were in July, and I got to attend the event this year as a Master Beekeeper. I didn’t have to study or take a test, and I was honored to get to teach one of the beginner classes. Congratulations to all the new Apprentices, Journeymen, and Masters!

Being at the Master Beekeeper event, listening to the Auburn scientists and the other Master Beekeepers teaching reminded me of one of my favorite things about beekeeping—that there is always more to learn. I’ve heard that beekeepers live longer than people who aren’t beekeepers, and maybe that’s why. Learning keeps you young. I encourage you all to keep
learning. Read a new book, listen to a podcast, go to a beekeeping club meeting, or watch YouTube. Most importantly: Sign up for the ABA Fall Conference in Clanton! Have you seen the list of keynote speakers! You will definitely learn some things if you attend. Check it out on the ABA Website!

Amy Seiber, Secretary

Fall Conference Details

Make Your Plans Now for the 2025 Alabama Beekeepers Association Fall Conference!

Theme: Well-Bee-Ing: From Heart to Hive
September 19–20, 2025 | Clanton Conference & Performing Arts Center, Clanton, AL

This year’s conference brings together world-class beekeeping minds, fresh research, and practical skills for beekeepers of every level. Register now to hear from leading voices in beekeeping science, industry, and keeper care!

Keynote Speakers

• Randy Oliver – (TBA — You know it will be good!)
• Dr. Garrett Slater – Bee Breeding in the Age of Genomics -and- TBA
• Bob Binnie – Managing Varroa Mites -and- Old Comb and Toxic Chemistry in Our Colonies
• Jerry Hayes – Bee-conomics: The Billion Dollar Industry Within Your Hives -and- Honey Bee Nutrition

Other Featured Talks

• Mahmoud (Sammy) Ramazani – Plants, Landscape, & Nutrition for Honey Bees
• Mitch Henry, J.D. – Business Buzz: Legal and Profitable Beekeeping
• Dr. Esmareil Amiri – Small Hive Beetle Research

In addition, we have many other topics centered around the theme as well as everything from practical to advanced beekeeping.

Bee & Beekeeper Health & Well-being (conference theme)

• Diagnosing Diseases and Managing to Eliminate Them – Barbara Bloetscher
• Bee Stings Gone Bad: Managing Anaphylaxis – Donald E. Johnson
• Hive Mind: Bees, Balance, and Better Mental Health – Dr. James C. Guy
• Yoga and Stretching for Beekeeper Health – Shannon Brasovan
• Doing Removals Without Killing Yourself and Others – Donald E. Short

Bee Biology & Breeding

• Honey Bee Genetics and Breeding to Better Manage Varroa – Lawrence Connor
• Instrumental Insemination of Queens – Adler Salem & Jeff Monroe

Beekeeping Skills & Hive Management

• Splitting for Success: Year-Round Methods – Tyler Walker
• Using Swarm Boxes to Catch Feral Swarms & Your Own – George Baldwin
• NCRS Grants for Pollinators – Alex Johnson

Fun and Practical

• Making Beeswax Candles – Phillip Garrison
• Simple Video Tips and Tricks for Beekeepers – Bruce Jenne
• Lotions & Potions – Lisa Gowan
• Making Mead I and II – Roo Cline
• Honey Shows – Preparing for Competition – Kelley Fredrick
• Cooking With Herbs and Honey – Lisa Reynes

Beginner Beekeeper Program
All weekend in Room 102: “Bee-coming a Beekeeper” — a complete introduction to bees, equipment, and hive care from Adler Salem & Co. Whether you’re just getting started or brushing up on basics, you’ll leave ready to start your first hive with confidence.

Lunch and Learn (included with pre-purchased conference tickets by Sept. 15^th)
This year, we will have special presentations during lunches.

• Friday: Q/A with the Alabama Master Beekeepers
• Saturday: State of the State with Inspectors (& Special Topic Presentation)

Vendor exhibits, honey show, association banquet, and plenty of networking time included!
Register today at AlabamaBeekeepers.com — seats are filling quickly!

Please use the side bar on the schedule below to view the schedule for Sept 19th and 20th.

ONE LAST NOTE

Your ticket price includes the best conference meals in the south and  Alabama Beekeepers Association asks that if possible, as in years past, attendees please donate a homemade dessert in a disposable container. This has become a favorite tradition but we can’t do it without you. Dessert donations should be taken to the kitchen at registration.

Honey: Nature’s Medicine Cabinet, Straight from the Hive

A look at how honey keeps doing what it’s done for thousands of years—heal.
By Talmadge James, 2025 Master Beekeeper Candidate, Allums Farms & Apiary

Any beekeeper will tell you—honey isn’t just sweet, it’s special. Our bees work day in and day out to turn flower nectar into one of nature’s most impressive creations. And while most folks know honey tastes great, fewer realize it can actually help the body heal, too.

Long before modern medicine, ancient civilizations like the Egyptians, Greeks, and Chinese used honey to treat cuts, burns, infections, stomach problems, and sore throats. Today, science is starting to back up what they seemed to know all along—honey isn’t just food, it’s medicine.

Sure, honey is mostly sugar, but it also contains enzymes, antioxidants, minerals, and plant- based compounds that help fight inflammation and infection. These extras come from the flowers our bees visit, which means each jar has its own natural fingerprint. One of the best examples of honey’s healing power is how it helps wounds recover. It pulls moisture out of the wound, which makes it tough for bacteria to grow. On top of that, it produces a tiny amount of hydrogen peroxide to help clean things up. Hospitals today are even using medical honey to treat burns and pressure sores—it’s been shown to reduce
swelling, ease pain, and speed up healing.

Manuka honey, in particular, has gotten a lot of attention. It contains a compound called MGO that makes it especially strong against bacteria—even some types that don’t respond well to antibiotics. But any raw, well-handled honey from healthy hives has healing potential.

There’s also some interesting research about honey and blood sugar. While it’s still a sugar and should be treated as such—especially for folks with diabetes—it doesn’t spike blood sugar quite as fast as table sugar. Some studies even suggest honey may help lower bad cholesterol and support better blood sugar control, when used in small amounts.

Honey is also good for your gut. It helps protect the stomach lining, encourages good bacteria, and may even help prevent ulcers. And believe it or not, it’s showing promise for liver health and even brain function in early studies.

Of course, most of us have already used honey to calm a sore throat. A spoonful in warm tea or just straight off the spoon can coat the throat and settle a cough better than some over-the-counter syrups. That’s not just an old wives’ tale—clinical research backs it up, especially for kids.

Even in cancer research, scientists are paying attention to honey. Lab studies suggest it might slow the growth of certain cancer cells and help support chemo treatments. That doesn’t mean honey is a cure—but it sure points to how powerful these little bees’ work can be.

One final benefit that doesn’t get talked about enough: honey can help give your immune system a natural boost. It seems to help your body’s defense systems get ready and respond better when there’s a threat.

For us beekeepers, this just confirms what we’ve always believed—honey is more than a sweetener. It’s a gift. It’s health and healing, straight from the hive. Every jar we harvest carries not just the flavor of local blooms, but the hard work of our bees and the tradition of thousands of years of natural medicine.

So next time someone reaches for a jar of honey, remind them: it’s not just for toast. It’s for wellness. It’s for healing. And it’s one more reason to be proud of the work we do and the bees we care for.

Works Cited
Erejuwa, O. O., Sulaiman, S. A., & Wahab, M. S. A. (2017). Honey: A Novel Antioxidant.
Pharmacognosy Research, 9(2), 121–127.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5424551/

Alalbama Department of Agriculture Update

Followup on AHB Finding:

After the finding of AHB in Barbour County I installed 10 swarm traps within a 3-4 mile radius of AHB confirmation. In addition I collected bee samples from both registered and non registered beekeepers in the radius area as well as samples from tree cavities and abandoned houses for DNA testing. I wish I could say it’s an isolated AHB case but I’m not going that far until we get the results back from the current samples and future samples that will be taken from 2026 spring swarms.

On a different note it appears that more beekeepers are doing a better job treating for varroa, something that my test washes have been revealing. So I’m certainly glad to see more beekeepers taking action to keep varroa at lower levels. If you haven’t treated since last year DO check where your levels are on your strongest hives cause varroa will really start picking up now as hive populations are reduced. Personally, I am always treating all my colonies in July with Apivar or Varroxsan after pulling my honey, despite not doing washes at this time.

The Auburn Bee Lab did travel around the state to visit with beekeepers to see how effective Apivar(Amitraz) was working on varroa and their findings indicated that it’s still working well enough on most colonies. I’ve been seeing good results from Varroxsan and the Florida panhandle bee inspectors are saying the same thing. I’m reluctant to use oxalic acid vapor in the recent hot temperatures as it’s appears to be stressful on the bees and uncapped brood. Again, that’s just my observations.

Seems that after swarming in the spring we lose some colonies due to the colony not leaving a queen replacement. It’s unfortunate but it’s reality. If I lose a colony like that and I know it wasn’t due to pest and diseases then I want those queen and drone genetics out of my apiary. That’s just my view on it based on my own observations. Consequently, I just don’t get upset anymore from losing a colony from swarming. The benefits of swarming are natural brood breaks which are even more important for those who are not treating for varroa.

If you want a colony inspection don’t hesitate to contact your local state bee inspector. If you are not sure who your bee inspector is just call the Apiary Protection Unit at 334 240-7228 or go to our website, Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industry. Our primary role in doing inspections is to provide another view on the overall health and condition of your colonies. We are very flexible and will only check the colonies that you want inspected. We never force anyone to get an inspection by us if you decline. However, we will be requiring inspections on anyone that will be selling nucs and/or queens in 2026 to receive a health certificate. Without the health certificate you cannot sell nucs and/or queens. Why are we doing this We are getting to many calls from individuals purchasing nucs that are loaded with varroa and bad queens! It’s very unfortunate that there are beekeepers out there knowingly or unknowingly doing this. Either way it has to stop! We certainly appreciate your cooperation and this will benefit all of Alabama’s beekeeping industry, especially beginners who need to start with healthy nucs.

Phillip Carter, Apiary Inspector
Plant Protection Division
AL Dept of Agriculture and Industries
1445 Federal Drive
Montgomery, AL 36107-1123
334 414-1666
phillip.carter@agi.alabama.gov

2025 Master Beekeepers Report

CONGRATULATIONS to the 2025 Master Beekeepers!

Left: James Guy

Right: Marisa Masters

Congratulations 2025 Journeyman!

David Goodson

Jeffrey Scott

Lisa Gowan

Kim Ly Patten

Jillian Scott

WELL DONE Apprentice Beekeepers!

The BOTY List

We Know! That’s a strange acronym to be in a beekeeping publication, but for your editor and many others have worked on this list, it has become much easier to type than BEEKEEPER OF THE YEAR.

Beekeeper of the Year was initiated in 2009 and Alabama Beekeepers Association has continued to recognize someone yearly for going above and beyond, not only in their personal bee business, but also in their public service related to beekeeping. We will honor another person at the Fall Conference. Below is a list of our state’s BOTY recipients who have and continue to exemplify outstanding service to our community. We hope that if/when you see “BOTY” in the future you’ll think of the beautiful people who have contributed so much to beekeeping in Alabama.

2025 Honey Show Rules

Rather than print all 16 pages of this year’s Honey Show rules they are published separately on our website and may be viewed HERE.

This & That

The Stinger has advertised CELL PUNCH QUEEN REARING KITS for many years. Barring someone taking up production of that product, this will be the last mention of it as Mr. Wil Montgomery passed last month. Wil was a patriarch of Alabama Beekeepers Association and trained many a beekeeper to rear queens. Rest in peace, Mr. Wil. You will be missed.

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Order your Hives and Supers for Pickup at the Fall Conference and save 5% on each.

$30 off all Bee Suits and Jackets.

10% off Hat/Veil combo and Gloves pre-ordered for pickup at the Fall Conference.

Pre-order your spring 2026 packages and save $5 each.

After the conference the price will be $140 per package.

Thank you for visiting The Stinger. We’re always open to improvement and welcome your thoughts, ideas, photos and submissions. Please send to stinger.editor@gmail.com.

The post August 15, 2015 first appeared on Alabama Beekeepers Association.

HOST: Alabama Beekeepers Association (hereinafter ABA)
SHOW MANAGER: TBA
ARRIVAL TIME: Thursday, September 18, 2025, between 3:00 PM and 5:00PM; and
Friday, September 19, 2025, between 8:00 AM and 10:00 AM.
LOCATION: Clanton Conference & Performing Arts Center, 1850 Lay Dam Road, Clanton,
AL, 35045
JUDGING: September 19, 2025, Beginning at 10:15 AM
RELEASE TIME: All entries will remain in the show area for public viewing after the
judging. All entries will remain on display until 1:00 PM Saturday, September 20th.
Exhibitors may pick up their entries on Saturday, September 20th between 1:00 PM and
3:00 PM. Entries not picked up by 3:00 PM will be disposed of by the Honey Show
Committee.
JUDGES: TBA
SECRETARY: TBA

I. ELLIGIBILITY
GENERAL RULES OF THE HONEY SHOW

1. The honey show is open to any ABA member who wishes to enter one or more exhibits,
   except as otherwise specifically provided for herein. The honey show is NOT open to
   individuals serving as judges, stewards, or show secretaries, nor to individuals who are
   immediate family members of those individuals serving as judges, stewards, or show
   secretaries. “Immediate Family Member” is defined as individuals who are spouses,
   siblings, parents, children, grandparents, grandchildren, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews,
   first cousins, parents of common children, step-parents, step-children, or any individuals
   residing in the same residence. *The Black Jar category is only open to honey produced in
   the State of Alabama by current ABA members who are paid attendees of the 2025 ABA
   Fall Conference.
   II. Turn-in / Submission Period(s) & Deadline
2. Entries must be received either Thursday, September 18, 2025, between 3:00 PM and
   5:00PM; or Friday, September 19, 2025, between 8:00 AM and 10:00 AM. No entries will
   be accepted after this deadline.
   
   III. Exhibitor Declarations & Affirmations
3. Each Exhibitor must sign an affidavit stating that each exhibit he or she submits was
   produced by the Exhibitor in conformity with the rules set forth herein.
4. Each Exhibitor must affirm the inclusion of any image, likeness, or work of any individual
   other than the Exhibitor, portrayed in or made part of any exhibit, was done so with the
   prior, informed consent of said individual, and that each exhibit is submitted with the full
   consent of all parties.
5. Unless specifically otherwise provided for under an individual category’s rules, ALL
   honey, beeswax, propolis, pollen, or royal jelly exhibited, or made part of any exhibit, must
   be produced by the exhibitor from honeybees owned and harvested from the bees kept by
   the Exhibitor. Any exhibit previously submitted for consideration in any prior honey show
   sponsored by the host organization, with the exception of mead, is not eligible for this
   competition.
6. All beeswax items, unless otherwise specifically allowed herein, must be prepared from
   pure, unadulterated beeswax, free from any additives or enhancements. The use of
   synthetic, artificial, or adulterated beeswax or drawn honeycomb is strictly prohibited.
   Exhibits found to be containing any of the above will be disqualified.
   IV. Double Entries Prohibited
7. Each Exhibitor may make only one exhibit per category. More than one individual from a
   family or household may submit exhibits across different categories; however, family
   members and individuals from common households may not submit multiple exhibits in the
   same category.
8. With the exception of Extracted Honey, in instances where the exhibit may qualify for
   consideration in multiple categories, the Exhibitor shall have the right to choose which
   category to enter their exhibit; the Exhibitor’s selection will not be overturned by the
   Judge(s); and, said exhibit will be judged based on the criteria set forth in the category
   selected by the Exhibitor. The Judge shall have discretion to make the final determination
   as to proper color designation in regard to all exhibits of Extracted Honey.
9. Double Entries are strictly prohibited. A “Double Entry” is when an exhibitor has more
   than one exhibit placed in a single exhibition category. As used in this rule, the term
   “Double” is not limited to two, but also encompasses any number greater than one. The
   Show Secretary shall not knowingly accept any subsequent exhibit which would create a
   Double Entry. Whenever a Double Entry is created by the decision of a judge in
   reclassifying an exhibit pursuant to the rules herein, the following procedure shall apply:
   Prior to the judging of any other exhibits in the affected category, the exhibits constituting
   the double entry shall be identified and examined by the head Judge; the head Judge shall
   make a determination as to which of the exhibits constituting the Double Entry is the best
   under the criteria listed for the affected category; the best exhibit of those comprising the
   Double Entry will be returned to the show bench, and the other(s) will be disqualified.
   Whenever a Double Entry results in the disqualification of one or more exhibits, and after
   the results are publicly announced or posted, it shall be the responsibility of the head judge
   to personally inform the affected exhibitor of the determination of the Double Entry and
   subsequent disqualification of the exhibit(s).
   
   V. Security
10. Exhibits must be unmarked or identifiable in anyway, except as provided herein.
11. The Show Secretary will provide each exhibitor identifying labels to be affixed to each
    exhibit as provided in the rules for each exhibition category. The Exhibitor shall be
    responsible for placing the ID labels on each exhibit as directed for each exhibition
    category, unless otherwise specified herein.
12. Once exhibits have been accepted into the competition by the Show Secretary, they
    may not be altered in any way.
13. After submitting entries to the Show Secretary, exhibitors may not enter the area where
    the exhibits have been placed. The Secretary, Stewards or Judges are the only persons who
    may enter the honey judging area.
14. Judges will enter the honey show area after the close of exhibitor acceptance. This is to
    ensure as close to a blind judging as possible.
    VI. Food Safety
15. All food & beverage exhibits must be prepared under sanitary conditions and follow
    food safety guidelines. All food & beverage exhibits must be sealed and shelf-stable, or
    otherwise prepared and packaged in such a way to be able to withstand spoilage. Any entry
    that appears to be unsafe or unpalatable will not be judged and will be disqualified.
16. Any food or beverage item made with any dairy (or other perishable) ingredient(s) or
    components, or any exhibit that calls for or requires refrigeration for proper storage or
    holding, should be transported to the honey show, and presented to the Honey Show
    Secretary in a cooler, insulated/temperature-stable bag, or some other temperature
    controlled container. The Exhibitor MUST notify the Show Secretary of the necessity of
    refrigeration or cold storage for any item at the time of submission of the exhibit. Any
    exhibit, or component of an exhibit, that the Judge(s) deem unfit or unsafe due to a
    temperature-related storage or transport issue will not be judged and may be subject to
    disqualification.
    VII. Miscellaneous
17. All exhibits submitted in categories containing the designation “Extracted Honey” are
    to be presented in one-pound, glass (no plastic), “Queen-line” or “Classic” style jars; any
    exhibits submitted in any other style of jar or container will not be accepted by the show
    secretary.
18. In regard to the requirement of uniformity, items within or comprising any single exhibit
    should be alike and matching in every way: jars, containers, closures, contents,
    composition, orientation, placement, presentation, etc., should be identical across all
    individual items comprising any single exhibit.
19. For all exhibits which require, or give the Exhibitor the option of using, any display
    case, dish, base, frame, stand, or any other exhibition aide, the same should be presented in
    the same clean, neat, and uniform manner so as to compliment and add merit to the
    accompanying exhibit.
20. All weight requirements refer to the net contents of the exhibit. For instance, a
    16-ounce jar of honey should contain 16 ounces of honey. This does not include the weight
    of the container, the lid, the label, or any other packaging.
    
21. For all exhibits which call for the submission of a white descriptive card or index card
    with the exhibit, any size card or sheet of paper from 3”x5” to 8.5”x11” will be accepted.
    Additionally, the Exhibitor may submit multiple cards for any exhibit as the Exhibitor sees
    fit. Should the Exhibitor wish to submit multiple cards, they should be secured together by
    staple or paper clips.
22. Allowances will be made for minor damage to cappings in entries in the comb honey
    categories, where such minor damage is clearly the result of previous judging in another
    show.
23. For all mead, beer, and other honey beverage categories, any Exhibitor may, at their
    discretion, submit a second bottle for chilled tasting. If the Exhibitor chooses to submit a
    second bottle for chilled tasting, the Exhibitor must submit two identical specimens, both
    suitable for judging. After the exhibit is submitted, the show secretary will randomly select
    one of two bottles to be placed in a cooler or refrigerated container. The show secretary
    will place the other bottle on the judge’s bench. Both bottles submitted will be evaluated for
    the same criteria as a single bottle exhibit. *If the Exhibitor submits a second bottle for
    chilled tasting, they must note such on the descriptive card submitted with the exhibit.
24. Copyright of any submitted recipe, artwork, literary work, or other media remains with
    the exhibitor, but the host organization has the unrestricted right to publish images of
    submitted recipes, artwork, literary work, or other media in its newsletter, on its website,
    and via its social media outlets, plus unrestricted rights to use the same in any related
    material for PR purposes.
25. Where the submission of a “recipe” is required, that term includes the complete list of
    ingredients, quantities thereof, and the procedure used to combine and prepare the exhibit.
26. The Presiding Judge may, based on the number of exhibits submitted, combine one or
    more categories into a single category, or divide a single category into one or more sub
    categories.
27. Return/Disposition of Exhibits-
    (a) Exhibitors who wish to retrieve their exhibits at the conclusion of the honey show must
    make arrangements to pick their exhibits up at the specified release time on Saturday,
    September 20th between 1:00 PM and 3:00 PM. If an exhibitor wishes to have their
    exhibit(s) released to a third party or proxy, they must indicate so in writing.
    (b) Exhibitors who wish to have their exhibits returned via USPS mail must clearly indicate
    so on their entry form, AND provide such packaging and packing material(s) as appropriate
    and adequate to ship their exhibit(s) to the Show Secretary upon submission of said
    exhibits. Return packaging must include BOTH a self-addressed shipping label AND
    sufficient pre-paid postage to accommodate the packaged exhibits. Neither the host
    organization nor any member(s) of the Honey Show Committee shall be responsible for any
    damage to any exhibit(s) incurred pursuant to return shipping.
    (c) Exhibits and other items not retrieved by the deadline posted for pick-up, shall be
    deemed abandoned, and shall be donated to the Honey Show Committee for future use or
    disposal. The sponsoring organization, nor the Honey Show Committee, is not responsible
    for any items left after the pick-up deadline.
    
28. The honey show committee reserves the right to reject any exhibit submitted if it is
    objectionable in any way. For these purposes, the definition of “objectionable” includes, but
    is not Limited to: representations of nudity, graphic violence, profanity, obscenity, or any
    depictions of a sexually explicit nature. Decisions of the Presiding Judge on this issue will
    be final.
29. The use of AI to create or enhance an entry in any category is prohibited. An example
    of entries not allowed, but not limited to are … AI generated poetry, AI generated
    photographs, AI electronic media, AI artwork and 3D printing. It is our intent to showcase
    beekeepers’ talents, creativity, and originality in the culture of beekeeping.
    Prizes and Awards
    It is the intention that ribbons will be given in all categories even if there is only one
    entry in the category. However, in order to receive an award that entry must be worthy of
    placement. Entry into a category does not guarantee an award. The decisions of the judges
    are final. Exhibitors found willfully cheating, or purposefully altering or disfiguring an entry
    for the purpose of influencing the validity of judging will be disqualified from the contest, as
    well as from any future honey shows sponsored by the organization for a period of not less
    than three (3) years.
    Ribbons, Prize Cards & Grand Champion:
    Ribbons will be awarded to the Grand Champion winner, the Best in Show winner,
    and to First, Second, and Third place winners in each category.
    Prize points for participants in the AHSTC Judging Program will be awarded to the
    Best in Show winner and all First through Sixth place winners in all categories as follows:
    Best in Show = 6 points; First Place = 6 points; Second Place = 5 points; Third Place = 4
    points; Very Highly Commendable= 3 points; Highly Commendable = 2 points; and
    Commendable = 1 point. *In the Black Jar category, only First through Third Places prize will
    be awarded.
    The points awarded will be used to calculate the winner in the Grand Champion
    award as provided herein. The Grand Champion prize will be awarded to the exhibitor who
    earns the highest number of prize points across all categories.
    Prize cards for participants in the AHSTC Honey Judging Program will be provided
    electronically (via email) upon request.
    Cash Prizes will be awarded as follows: -In each category, $20 for 1st, $15 for 2nd, and $10 for 3rd
    *Except in the Black Jar category, only a 1st Place will be awarded – Best in Show – $100 – Grand Champion – $100
    
    Appeals
    After the announcement of awards, any exhibitor may meet with the category judge
    to discuss their entry and ask questions. The show room will be open to exhibitors for a
    reasonable interval (typically 10-20 minutes) prior to opening to the public to allow for any
    appeals. An Exhibitor may appeal the Bench Judge’s ruling concerning their own exhibit in
    instances where the Exhibitor believes the Bench Judge misinterpreted or misapplied a rule
    in regard to the judging of their exhibit. The Exhibitor must first present their protest to the
    Bench Judge who judged their exhibit, and calmly and clearly state the basis for their
    protest. The Bench Judge should hear the Exhibitor out, and then typically should explain
    to the Exhibitor the basis for their initial decision and discuss the Exhibitor’s concerns with
    them. The Bench Judge, together with the Exhibitor, will then bring the protest to the
    Presiding Judge. After hearing both sides and examining the rules and the exhibit at issue,
    if the Bench Judge concedes an error, or if the Presiding Judge decides in favor of the
    Exhibitor, the Presiding judge may amend the decision, award(s), and/or official record in
    such a manner as to affect the most just result available. If, after hearing both sides and
    examining the rules and the exhibit at issue, the Presiding Judge decides the Bench Judge’s
    original decision was correct, the Presiding Judge may uphold the Bench Judge’s original
    decision. The decision of the Presiding Judge is final.
    The following categories will be accepted and judged at the Honey Show:
    HONEY (H) CATEGORIES:
    H1a: Light Extracted Honey
    H1b: Amber Extracted Honey
    H1c: Dark Extracted Honey
    H2: Novice Extracted Honey
    H3: Infused Honey
    H4: Creamed Honey
    H5: Comb Honey
    H6: Full Frame Comb Honey
    H7: Black Jar
    BEESWAX (W) CATEGORIES:
    W1: Beeswax Block
    W2: Beeswax Bars
    W3: Beeswax Candles
    BEVERAGE (B) CATEGORIES:
    B1:
    Meads
    FOOD (F) CATEGORIES:
    F1:
    F2:
    Honey Cake (pound cake)
    Honey Cake (open recipe)
    F3: Confections made w/Honey
    F4:
    Condiments made w/Honey
    ARTISAN (A) CATEGORIES:
    A1: Artwork Related to Beekeeping
    A2: Crafts Related to Beekeeping
    A3: Needlecraft Related to Beekeeping
    A4: Notions, Potions, & Lotions
    A5: Photography Related to Beekeeping
    A6: Poetry Related to Beekeeping
    A7: Beekeeping Gadgets
    A8: Best Bee Joke
    
    RULES FOR INDIVIDUAL CATEGORIES:
    EXTRACTED & COMB HONEY
    H1: EXTRACTED HONEY
    Extracted honey is judged in three subcategories: (a) light, (b) medium or amber,
    and (c) dark. Exhibitors may submit one exhibit in each of these three subcategories. One
    exhibit of extracted honey is defined as three (3) identical one-pound jars, as specified in
    rule #17 under the General Rules of the Honey Show. Closures may be of metal or plastic.
    Tamper-proof seals are strictly prohibited; any exhibits submitted with any tamper-proof
    seal(s) will be severely penalized. Judges evaluate entries on the following: confirmation
    with the criteria set forth herein; cleanliness of the jar and lid; correct fill level; uniformity of
    the jars that comprise the exhibit; cleanliness and clarity of the honey; moisture content
    (only if needed); and aroma and flavor (for off aromas or flavors). *See Appendix hereafter
    for notes on correct jars and fill level.
    H2: NOVICE EXTRACTED HONEY
    This category is open only to exhibitors who have never won a First prize in any
    extracted honey category at any prior honey show. An exhibit consists of one (1) one
    pound jar of extracted honey, as specified in rule #17 under the General Rules of the
    Honey Show. Closures may be of metal or plastic. Tamper-proof seals are strictly
    prohibited; any exhibits submitted with any tamper-proof seal(s) will be severely penalized.
    Judges evaluate entries on the following: confirmation with the criteria set forth herein;
    cleanliness of the jar and lid; correct fill level; uniformity of the jars that comprise the
    exhibit; cleanliness and clarity of the honey; moisture content (only if needed); and aroma
    and flavor (for off aromas or flavors). *See Appendix hereafter for notes on correct jars and
    fill level.
    H3: INFUSED EXTRACTED HONEY
    An exhibit consists of three (3) identical one-pound jars, as specified in rule #17
    under the General Rules of the Honey Show, of extracted honey which has been infused
    with one or more added flavors and/or aromas. The judging criteria for this category is the
    same as that for H1 (Extracted Honey), with the exception that the use of infusing agents is
    permitted. The infusing agent(s) should be removed from the honey, and the honey should
    be free of all visible inclusions and debris. Judges evaluate entries on the following:
    confirmation with the criteria set forth herein; cleanliness of the jar and lid; correct fill level;
    cleanliness and clarity of the honey; moisture content (only if needed); aroma; flavor;
    potency; balance; and finish. *A white card with a description of the flavoring(s) added to
    the honey must accompany each exhibit. *See Appendix hereafter for notes on correct jars
    and fill level.
    H4: CREAMED HONEY (soft set)
    Creamed or Soft Set honey is honey that has been subjected to a manual or
    mechanical process to assist and control the otherwise natural process of granulation. An
    
    entry of creamed honey is three (3) identical wide-mouth jars, no less than eight ounces
    (8oz.), nor more than sixteen ounces (16oz.) in net weight. Creamed honey must be
    displayed in identical, clear, straight-sided, glass jars with one-piece lids. Judges evaluate
    entries on the following: confirmation with the criteria set forth herein; cleanliness of the
    jar and lid; correct fill level; cleanliness and purity of the honey; uniformity of product
    within the jar; fineness of crystals; appropriate set or firmness (should be spreadable but not
    runny); freedom from foam, frosting, or visible moisture; freedom from added flavors,
    striation, or colors; uniformity of the jars that comprise the exhibit; aroma and flavor (for off
    aromas or flavors); and moisture content (only if in question)
    H5: CHUNK, SECTION, OR CUT COMB HONEY
    One entry of comb honey consists of three (3) identical examples of the respective
    style of comb honey.
    For chunk honey, exhibits must be displayed in straight sided, uncolored, glass,
    wide mouth, jars. The glass should not be embossed. Such jars are available from many
    commercial beekeeping suppliers. Only one chunk of comb should be in each jar for
    competition. The chunk of comb must be in one piece, of uniform thickness, and with a
    straight mid rib. Virgin comb with this year’s wax is preferred. All foundation should be
    unwired, thin surplus. The cuts should be clean and uniform. The chunk comb should be
    cut and sized to appropriately fit the container. The honey should fill the rest of the jar to
    the correct fill line. The comb should be oriented in the container as found naturally in the
    hive. Comb with watery cappings should be avoided. The comb should extend the length of
    the jar. The chunk of comb should account for at least fifty percent (50%) of the internal
    volume of the jar.
    For cut comb honey, exhibits must be displayed in three (3) identical cardboard,
    plastic, or similar boxes. The boxes must be transparent on all sides made for displaying
    cut comb. Each box of cut comb should weigh a minimum of twelve (12) ounces. The
    chunk of comb must be in one piece, with a straight mid rib and of uniform thickness.
    Virgin comb with this year’s wax is preferred. All foundation should be unwired, thin
    surplus. The cuts should be clean and uniform. There should be no leaking of honey from
    the comb into the box.
    For section comb honey, exhibits must be presented in the original round or
    square section containers as designed by the manufacturer. The main display panel of the
    containers may not be obscured or obstructed in any way. One or more of the containers
    may be opened to facilitate the Judge’s evaluation of the exhibit. There should be no
    leaking of honey from comb into the container.
    Judges evaluate all entries on the following: confirmation with the criteria set forth
    herein; cleanliness of the container and lid; correct fill level (where appropriate); uniformity
    of all elements that comprise the entry; cleanliness and clarity of the honey; absence of
    pollen, brood, uncapped cells, “wet” or “watery” cappings, or travel stains on the cappings;
    freedom from granulation; absence of floating wax debris in, or on the surface of, the honey
    and/or comb; moisture content (to confirm 18.6% or below moisture); and aroma and
    flavor (for off aromas or flavors).
    
    H6: FULL FRAME COMB HONEY
    An exhibit of full frame comb honey is one (1) standard Langstroth style frame of
    capped honey. The use of plastic foundation is prohibited; exhibits with comb drawn on
    plastic foundation will be disqualified. Frames must be shown in protective casing without
    lacing or edging and both sides of the comb should be visible. There should be no leaking
    of honey from comb into the case. The frame must be easily accessible for judging.
    Judges evaluate entries on the following: confirmation with the criteria set forth herein;
    completeness of capping; uniformity of appearance and color (including the honey in the
    comb); cleanliness of the comb and frame; absence of uncapped cells, “wet” or “watery”
    cappings, or travel stains on the cappings; freedom from granulation, pollen, and brood;
    cleanliness of the exposed portions of the frame, including freedom from propolis and bur
    comb; moisture content (to confirm 18.6% or below moisture); and aroma and flavor (for off
    aromas or flavors). Total weight of the exhibit may be used as a tiebreaker.
    H7: BLACK JAR
    THIS CATEGORY IS ONLY OPEN TO HONEY PRODUCED IN THE STATE
    OF ALABAMA BY CURRENT ABA MEMBERS WHO ARE PAID ATTENDEES OF
    THE 2025 ABA FALL CONFERENCE. An entry consists of not less than two ounces, nor
    more than four ounces, of pure, unadulterated honey. The required jar will be provided by
    the Show Secretary at the sign-in table, and the Exhibitor will transfer their entry into the
    jar and return the exhibit to the Show Secretary. Judges evaluate entries for flavor only.
    *Black Jar entries will not be returned to the exhibitor.
    BEESWAX & CANDLES
    W1: BEESWAX BLOCK
    An exhibit consists of one (1) block of pure beeswax. The block must weigh
    between one to two pounds, no more, and should have a thickness no greater than 1.5
    inches. The wax should be clean, and free of impurities. The block should be smooth
    surfaced and free of blemishes, decorations or embellishments. Beeswax should be of a
    vibrant, natural beeswax color, and should have a pleasant, natural beeswax aroma. The
    preferred colors of beeswax range from white into all natural shades of the color palate
    yellow. Wax of other color palettes, especially those including shades of gray or brown,
    shall be deemed faulted, and shall be penalized by the judge(s) according to the degree of
    severity of said fault. The preferred aroma of beeswax should include honey and/or floral
    notes. Other aromas, especially those associated with caramelization, smoke, burnt sugar,
    chemical contamination/adulteration, or other aromas uncharacteristic of that of
    commonly found in natural beeswax, shall be considered faulted, and shall be penalized by
    the judge(s) according to the degree of severity of said fault. The block should be submitted
    on a plain, white plate or board (which may be made of paper, foam, cardboard, or any
    similar material), in a zip-top bag. Alternatively, at the Exhibitor’s option, the block may be
    presented in a protective display case. If a show case is used, it must not exceed
    12”(length) x12”(width) x 4”(depth), and the wax block must be readily accessible for
    judging. The show case will not be judged, aside for cleanliness. Judges evaluate entries
    
    on the following: confirmation with the criteria set forth herein; cleanliness; color; finish;
    absence of pouring or casting defects including cracks, raised edges, unevenness, rippled
    or wavy surfaces, and aroma (for off aromas).
    *The presence of the word “BEESWAX” imprinted on one surface of the block shall
    not be counted as a flaw or defect. However, any such mark or imprint shall be judged for
    casting flaws and sharpness of detail.
    W2: BEESWAX BARS
    An exhibit is defined as six (6) identical one (1) ounce beeswax bars. Beeswax
    should be of a vibrant, natural beeswax color, and should have a pleasant, natural beeswax
    aroma. The preferred colors of beeswax range from white into all natural shades of the
    color palate yellow. Wax of other color palettes, especially those including shades of gray
    or brown, shall be deemed faulted, and shall be penalized by the judge(s) according to the
    degree of severity of said fault. The preferred aroma of beeswax should include honey
    and/or floral notes. Other aromas, especially those associated with caramelization, smoke,
    burnt sugar, chemical contamination/adulteration, or other aromas uncharacteristic of that
    of commonly found in natural beeswax, shall be considered faulted, and shall be penalized
    by the judge(s) according to the degree of severity of said fault. The wax should be clean,
    and free of impurities. The bars should be smooth-surfaced, free of blemishes, and identical
    in every way. The bars should be submitted on a plain, white plate or board (which may be
    made of paper, foam, cardboard, or any similar material), in a zip-top bag. Alternatively, at
    the Exhibitor’s option, the bars may be presented in a protective display case. If a show
    case is used, it must not exceed 12”(length) x 12”(width) x 4”(depth), and the wax bars
    must be readily accessible for judging. The show case will not be judged, aside for
    cleanliness. Judges evaluate entries on the following: confirmation with the criteria set
    forth herein; cleanliness; color; aroma (for off aromas); uniformity; casting flaws; and
    sharpness of detail.
    *The presence of the word “BEESWAX” imprinted on one surface of each bar shall
    not be counted as a flaw or defect. However, any such mark or imprint shall be judged for
    casting flaws and sharpness of detail.
    W3: BEESWAX CANDLES
    An exhibit is defined as three identical beeswax (3) candles. The wax should be
    clean, and free of impurities. Beeswax should be of a vibrant, natural beeswax color, and
    should have a pleasant, natural beeswax aroma. The preferred colors of beeswax range
    from white into all natural shades of the color palate yellow. Wax of other color palettes,
    especially those including shades of gray or brown, shall be deemed faulted, and shall be
    penalized by the judge(s) according to the degree of severity of said fault. The preferred
    aroma of beeswax should include honey and/or floral notes. Other aromas, especially
    those associated with caramelization, smoke, burnt sugar, chemical
    contamination/adulteration, or other aromas uncharacteristic of that of commonly found in
    natural beeswax, shall be considered faulted, and shall be penalized by the judge(s)
    according to the degree of severity of said fault. Wicks must be primed and trimmed to
    
    one-half inch in length. The candle should have a flat base with wicks well centered. One
    of the candles in each exhibit will be lit by the judge and allowed to burn. The exhibit must
    be presented with one (1) free-standing, fire-proof base or candleholder. Items comprising
    the exhibit should be uniform in every aspect, including height, thickness, weight,
    appearance, and performance (where appropriate). Judges evaluate entries on the
    following: confirmation with the criteria set forth in herein; cleanliness; color; aroma (for off
    aromas); proper wicking; performance; uniformity; casting flaws; and sharpness of detail.
    The Exhibitor shall place one ID label, as provided by the honey show Secretary, on
    the bottom of the candleholder the candles were submitted with, and another label on the
    bottom, or at the base, of each of the candles.
    BEVERAGES MADE WITH HONEY
    PLEASE READ CAREFULLY: Exhibitors should be aware and keep in mind, this is a
    HONEY SHOW. These beverage categories have been specifically chosen because of their ability
    to showcase honey as an ingredient. The influence and impact of honey on the finished product will
    be the first, and ultimate, factor the judges will consider when making final awards. The stronger
    and more pronounced the flavor and aroma of honey is in the finished product, the greater the
    preference that exhibit will receive from the judges. Conversely, an exhibit of otherwise exceptional
    quality that does not taste or smell profoundly of honey, will not be placed highly despite the
    presence of other exceptional qualities.
    B1: MEADS
    An exhibit consists of one, clear, uncolored, glass standard 750ml wine bottle of a
    mead prepared by the exhibitor. Punt bottles are acceptable as long as they are standard
    pattern wine bottles. Tee, tasting, or mushroom-style corks are acceptable closures;
    traditional, inserted corks will not be accepted by the Show Secretary. Bottles should be
    filled to a point precisely two (2) centimeters from the bottom of the cork. All mead must be
    produced from honey produced by the Exhibitor. All entries will be tasted. Judges evaluate
    entries on the following: confirmation with the criteria set forth herein; cleanliness of the
    container and closure; cleanliness and clarity of the contents; correct fill level; color; clarity;
    lack of sediment; aroma; flavor, including maturity, body, balance, complexity, and finish;
    and influence of honey on the final product.
    *A white descriptive card with a description of the type or style of mead and the full
    recipe (including all ingredients) must accompany each exhibit. The Exhibitor should also
    note on the white card if they have submitted a second bottle for chilled tasting.
    
    FOOD ITEMS & BAKED GOODS
    PLEASE READ CAREFULLY: Exhibitors should be aware and keep in mind, this is a
    HONEY SHOW. These food & culinary categories have been specifically chosen because of their
    ability to showcase honey as an ingredient. The influence and impact of honey on the finished
    product will be the first, and ultimate, factor the judges will consider when making final awards.
    The stronger and more pronounced the flavor and aroma of honey is in the finished product, the
    greater the preference that exhibit will receive from the judges. Conversely, an exhibit of otherwise
    exceptional quality that does not taste or smell profoundly of honey, will not be placed highly
    despite the presence of other exceptional qualities.
    F1: HONEY CAKE (pound cake)
    A pound cake is a rich, sweet, dense cake that’s traditionally made with one pound
    each of flour, butter, eggs, and sugar. The Exhibitor may submit one example of a pound
    cake baked by the Exhibitor. An entry consists of one (1) cake. The recipe for the entry
    must include honey produced by the Exhibitor. Exhibits may NOT be dusted, frosted, iced,
    or glazed. Exhibits must be baked in either a tube or Bundt style cake pan.
    All ingredients in the honey pound cake must come from the list contained below. The
    use of any ingredient(s) not contained in the list below is strictly prohibited. Exhibits may
    contain any of the following ingredients, in any amount(s) or combination(s), at the
    Exhibitor’s discretion: – Flour – Butter, margarine, lard, or vegetable shortening – Eggs – Baking powder – Baking Soda – Salt – Sugar – Honey – Milk – Buttermilk – Cream – Evaporated Milk – Sour Cream – Almond Extract – Vanilla Extract
    Entries are to be presented on a cardboard base, in a standard, unembellished,
    cardboard baker’s or cake box; cake boxes with clear windows are also acceptable. All
    entries will be tasted. Judges evaluate entries on the following: appearance, uniformity (of
    mixing and baking), moistness, texture, aroma, flavor, and influence of honey on the
    finished product. *A white descriptive card with a description of the item and the recipe,
    including all ingredients, ingredient quantities, & procedure, must accompany each entry.
    F2: HONEY CAKE (open recipe)
    The Exhibitor may submit one example of a cake baked by the Exhibitor. An entry
    consists of one (1) standard size cake no less than six inches (6 in.) in diameter or across.
    Exhibits may be, but are not required to be, iced or glazed. The recipe for the entry must
    include honey produced by the Exhibitor. Entries are to be presented on a cardboard base,
    in a standard, unembellished, cardboard baker’s or cake box; cake boxes with clear
    windows are also acceptable. All entries will be tasted. Judges evaluate entries on the
    following: appearance, uniformity, moistness, texture, aroma, flavor, influence of honey on
    
    the finished product, and originality. *A white descriptive card with a description of the
    item and the recipe including all ingredients, ingredient quantities, & procedure, must
    accompany each entry. **The Exhibitor, if they wish to, may place their item in a sealed
    zip-top bag, or wrap the item in paper or plastic film to preserve freshness; the bagged or
    wrapped item should be submitted in the cardboard baker’s or cake box.
    F3: HONEY CONFECTIONS
    A confection is any pastry, tart, petit four, chocolate, or other sweet food or
    delicacy, not otherwise encompassed in another category in this show. An Exhibitor may
    submit one example of a confection prepared by the Exhibitor. An exhibit consists of six (6)
    pieces or servings. The recipe for the exhibit must include honey produced by the
    Exhibitor. All entries will be tasted. Entries are to be presented on a cardboard base, in a
    standard, unembellished, cardboard baker’s or cake box; cake boxes with clear windows
    are also acceptable. Exhibitors, if they wish to, may place their item in a sealed zip-top bag,
    or wrap the item in paper or plastic film to preserve freshness; the bagged or wrapped item
    should be submitted in the cardboard baker’s or cake box. All entries will be tasted. Judges
    evaluate entries on the following: appearance, uniformity, moistness, texture, aroma, flavor,
    influence of honey on the finished product, and originality. *A white descriptive card with a
    description of the item and the recipe including all ingredients, ingredient quantities, &
    procedure, must accompany each entry.
    F4: HONEY CONDIMENTS
    A condiment is a spice, sauce, pickle, preserve or other preparation that is added to
    food to impart a specific flavor, to enhance the flavor, or to complement a dish. An
    Exhibitor may submit one example of a honey condiment prepared by the Exhibitor in each
    of these subcategories. An exhibit in this category consists of one (1) properly sealed,
    properly filled, standard, clear, half-pint or pint canning jar with a metal, two-part lid and
    ring band closure. Entries that are not properly sealed will not be judged and will be
    disqualified. The recipe for the exhibit must include honey produced by the Exhibitor. All
    entries will be tasted. Judges evaluate entries on the following: cleanliness, proper fill,
    visual appeal, uniformity, moistness, texture, aroma, flavor, influence of honey on the
    finished product, and originality. *A white descriptive card with a description of the
    condiment and the recipe including all ingredients, ingredient quantities, & procedure,
    must accompany each entry.
    ARTS & CRAFTS RELATED TO BEEKEEPING
    A1: ARTWORK RELATED TO BEEKEEPING
    Artwork is the expression or application of human creative skill and imagination,
    often in a visual form such as (but no way limited to) painting or sculpture, producing works
    to be appreciated primarily for their beauty or emotional power. An Exhibitor may submit
    one example of any beekeeping-related artwork of their own composition. The artwork
    must be related to some aspect of apiculture, must be the original composition of the
    Exhibitor. The artwork must be mounted or freestanding in design. Judges evaluate entries
    
    on the following: confirmation with the criteria set forth in herein; subject matter, aesthetic
    appeal, technical proficiency, creativity, and originality. *A white descriptive card with a
    description of the item must accompany each entry.
    A2: CRAFTS RELATED TO BEEKEEPING
    A craft is a pastime or a profession that requires particular skill and knowledge of a
    specialized field or subject. Craftsmanship typically denotes experience, knowledge, skill,
    and expertise in making things by hand. An Exhibitor may submit one example of any
    beekeeping-related craftwork of their own composition. The craftwork must be related to
    some aspect of apiculture, and must be the original composition of the Exhibitor. The
    craftwork must be mounted or freestanding in design. Judges evaluate entries on the
    following: confirmation with the criteria set forth in herein; subject matter, aesthetic appeal,
    technical proficiency, creativity, and originality. *A white descriptive card with a
    description of the item must accompany each entry. *If the exhibit is already signed or marked
    in some identifying way, the exhibitor may obscure the signature or identifying mark.
    A3: NEEDLECRAFT RELATED TO BEEKEEPING
    This category includes any decorative or artistic exhibit of needlecraft, some
    examples of which might include knitting, crochet, lace, embroidery, quilting, cross-stitch,
    needlepoint, or weaving, relating to honeybees or beekeeping. An Exhibitor may submit
    one example of any beekeeping-related needlecraft of their own creation. Judges evaluate
    entries on the following: subject matter, aesthetic appeal, technical proficiency, creativity,
    and originality. *A white descriptive card with a description of the item must accompany
    each exhibit. **If the exhibit is already signed or marked in some identifying way, the
    exhibitor may obscure the signature or identifying mark. If a label does not self-adhere to
    an exhibit, it is permissible to pin or clip the label to the exhibit.
    A4: NOTIONS, POTIONS, & LOTIONS
    An Exhibitor may submit one example of any health, bath, or beauty product of their own
    creation, not otherwise encompassed in another category in this show. The recipe for the
    exhibit must include honey, beeswax, and/or propolis produced by the Exhibitor. Entries
    are to be presented in a resealable, unembellished container appropriate to the item.
    Entries should not be less than one ounce (1oz.), nor more than eight ounces (8oz.) in
    weight. All entries will be sampled. Judges evaluate entries on the following: appearance,
    uniformity, texture, aroma, tactile feel, functionality, and originality. *A white descriptive
    card with a description of the item and the recipe, including all ingredients, ingredient
    quantities, & procedure, must accompany each entry.
    A5: PHOTOGRAPHS RELATED TO BEEKEEPING
    An Exhibitor may submit one example of any beekeeping-related photography of
    their own composition. The photograph must be related to some aspect of apiculture and
    must be the original composition of the Exhibitor. The photograph must be mounted,
    matted, or framed. The photograph must stand up for display; either equipped with an
    easel back, or the entrant must provide an easel on which to display the exhibit. Judges
    evaluate entries on the following: subject matter, aesthetic appeal, technical proficiency,
    
    creativity, and originality. *A white descriptive card with a description of the item must
    accompany each exhibit.
    A6: POETRY RELATED TO BEEKEEPING
    This category includes the literary art of rhythmical composition for exciting
    pleasure, thought, action, or even disquiet by beautiful, imaginative, or elevated thoughts.
    An Exhibitor may submit one example of any beekeeping-related poetry of their own
    creation, of not more than 200 words or 20 lines, whichever is greater, excluding title line.
    All poems may be either neatly handwritten or typed, single or double line spacing. Poems
    may be of any form, or style. All entries must be original works. Judges evaluate entries on
    the following: subject matter, aesthetic appeal, technical proficiency, creativity, and
    originality.
    A7: BEEKEEPING GADGETS
    A gadget is a mechanical or electronic device or tool, especially one of an ingenious
    or novel nature. An Exhibitor may submit one example of any beekeeping-related gadget of
    their own creation. The gadget must be related to some aspect of apiculture, and must be
    the original creation of the Exhibitor. Judges evaluate entries on the following:
    craftsmanship, ingenuity, functionality, creativity, and originality. *A white descriptive card
    with a description of the item and its operation must accompany each exhibit.
    A8: BEST BEE JOKE
    A joke is a brief story, observation, or thought that has a setup and a punchline that
    triggers a physiological response – laughter! An Exhibitor may submit one example of a
    beekeeping-related joke of their own creation. Entries may be of any form, or style, but
    may not exceed fifty (50) words in length. All entries must be either neatly handwritten,
    printed, or typed on plain paper. All entries must be the original work of the Exhibitor.
    Judges evaluate entries on the following: confirmation with the criteria set forth herein,
    subject matter, the set-up, the punch line, overall humorous effect or impact, creativity, and
    originality. Entries containing language or material that is deemed indecent, obscene, or
    otherwise inappropriate will be severely penalized.
    *Copyright of each joke remains with the author, but the host organization has the
    unrestricted right to publish submitted jokes in it’s newsletter and on it’s website, plus
    unrestricted rights to use submitted jokes and any related material for promotional
    purposes.
    
    Appendix
    

*Notes on correct fill level: -The correct fill level on a “Queen-line” or “Classic” style honey jar is at the fill ring of the jar. The
fill ring is the raised ridge or ring of glass immediately above the shoulder of the jar, and
below the threads. It can be distinguished from the threads in two ways: a) the fill ring forms
a complete circle, without ends; and b) the fill ring will be completely parallel with the bottom
and top of the jar. There should be enough honey in the jar to clearly touch the fill ring,
without going over. -Liquid honey in a circular shape forms a concave surface sometimes referred to as a meniscus.
For purposes of filling jars, the edge of the meniscus should clearly touch the fill ring, without
going over. -When the lid is properly closed on the jar, there should be no visible light beneath the bottom of -A jar of honey being over-filled is preferable to one being under filled.

The post 2025 Alabama State Honey Show Rules first appeared on Alabama Beekeepers Association.

Table of Contents

Letter from the President

I hope everyone is having a great early summer with your bees. It has been a rebuild year from losses for many, a productive spring and early summer for some, and a soggy season for others. The nectar flow for most has been from “When is it going to start#8221; to “Wow, it’s all here at once!” But that’s beekeeping in Alabama and one thing is for sure, summer is here. Before you know it we will be in Clanton talking all about it with our friends from all across the State at the ABA Fall Conference.

A quick reminder to anyone wanting to expand their knowledge about beekeeping, or know anyone wanting to get started in beekeeping who may missed out on the many beginner courses across the State, there is still time to sign up for the Alabama Master Beekeepers course or the beginner class to be held in Canton the end of July. You may register HERE.

Best wishes and good luck to all of us and our bees for the rest of the summer.
Hal Hendrix 
President ABA.

Letter From the Vice President

WHAT AN AMAZING Spring that we have had!  The weather has been AWESOME, the nectar flow has been nice and now we are heading into the hot, muggy, rainy season. These days we work the bees when we can. Our bees hang out on the porch ALOT, and the very unwanted hive beetles come to stay and seem to produce a million babies! 

I have almost completed the schedule for our Fall Conference!  It’s going to “bee” a good one!  If you would like to participate as a vendor, let us know!  We will have lots of beekeeping equipment and beekeeping themed items! 

We are also working to finalize the schedule for the Master Beekeepers Symposium.  Patrick is doing a great job getting us ready for that 3 day program. The complete conference schedule will be posted on the website in a few weeks!  Go ahead, get registered and save the date! 

Praying that if you have extracted your honey it was plentiful and delicious! 
Let me know if you need me, call 334-799-2254, text or email me! 

Ya’ll have a great summer and BEE BLESSED!
Allyson A. Andrews

Letter from the Secretary

I’ve been working at Foxhound Bee Company since my retirement from teaching in 2021, and I’ve had the opportunity to experience its growth and development into a thriving business over the last four years.

For Adam and Stephanie Hickman, owners of Foxhound, the process has been over a decade. Starting from the back of his truck, then from a garage to the current retail space, the business has grown exponentially. Soon, Foxhound will be moving to a new space in Irondale. I hope you will all come check it out when we open!

I asked Adam to share some information about the new space with the ABA. He
answered these questions for us from his vacation. Thank you, Adam!

Enjoy!

Amy Seiber, Secretary

You Don’t Want to Miss this Fall Conference!

BEE WELL – The KEEPERS & BEES

Jerry Hayes – Editor of Bee Culture Magazine, beekeeper

Bob Binnie – Owner/Operator of Blue Ridge Honey company, commercial beekeeper

Sammy Ramazani – Bee Friendly Horticulturist and beekeeper

Garrett Slater – Professor and Honeybee Etymologist from Texas A&M University

Randy Oliver – Biologist, creator of ScientificBeekeeping.com, commercial beekeeper

In addition to this great slate of speakers there will be a number of breakout sessions on a wide range of topics with something for everyone from beginners to those with vast experience. More will be announced at a future date.

Interview with Adam Hickman

Why is Foxhound Bee Company moving their store location?
We’ve simply outgrown our current spot at Hardware Park. It’s been a great home, but we’re
ready for something bigger — a place that matches our growth and vision. The new location in
Irondale gives us the space to expand our retail, offer more education, increase our
manufacturing, and create a true destination for beekeepers and pollinator lovers.
We are going from 1,500 square feet of retail and 4000 square feet of warehouse to 5,000
square feet of retail and 18,000-27,000 square feet of warehouse space, including a dedicated
classroom, outdoor pavilion, industrial honey extraction room, plus over an acre of outdoor
pollination space for teaching about pollinators of all types.
The new location is set to open later this fall and is situated less than a mile from I-20, directly
across the street from Ruffner Mountain Park and its hiking trailhead, and in the shadow of a
brand-new baseball and softball complex. We will undoubtedly have a mix of beekeepers and
non-beekeepers coming through our space regularly.

2. What part of the new store are you most excited about?
   Honestly, I’m most excited about creating a space that becomes a real destination —
   something Alabama beekeepers can be proud of. We want it to feel like a “toy store” for
   beekeepers, full of fun things that help us all support our bees. A place like no other, right here
   in our state. Nationally known as a model for providing a fantastic experience for beekeepers
   and non-beekeepers alike.
3. The new store has more space — how are you planning to use it What new things
   should customers look for?
   There’s a lot we’ve been holding back on because we just didn’t have the space. Now, we can
   expand into offering non-Apis mellifera bees, so people can get involved with bees without the
   full commitment of multiple hives. This includes solitary bees like Mason Bees and Leaf Cutter
   Bees. We’re adding horizontal hives, a variety of honeys from across the South, expanding our
   bulk honey refill option, and offering a bigger lineup of classes. Not just from the Foxhound
   team, but also guest speakers — covering everything from catching swarms and making mead
   to queen insemination.

4. Do you ever miss when beekeeping was just your hobby Now that it’s your full-time
   business, what do you do when you’re not working?
   Free time’s pretty limited with three boys ages 3 to 9 — days, nights, and weekends stay
   packed! When I do get time, it’s usually with my family. Lately, we’ve been loving camping at
   state parks and doing some geocaching with the boys. And funny enough, I’m writing this from
   vacation in Orange Beach right now.
   Honestly, I love what I do with Foxhound Bee Company — it doesn’t really feel like work when
   you love it. I do less hands-on beekeeping these days; unfortunately, I spend more time
   inspecting business analytics than I do inspecting frames. However, that’s what allows
   Foxhound to continue running and to have a team to support our customers. Both online and
   in-store. I still really enjoy talking with beekeepers and going out to help them with their bees.
   Even though I’m in the beekeeping business full-time, I still see beekeeping itself as a hobby,
   and I enjoy it when I find time to work bees.

5. Where do you see Alabama beekeeping heading in the next few years?
   I’m extremely optimistic. We’ve got great leaders in the Alabama Beekeepers Association,
   Extension Services ALFA, our State Inspectors, and our quickly expanding Auburn Bee
   program. Seriously, we have all those programs working together to make a difference and
   every other state would love to have half that leadership. We’re excited to keep building
   Alabama as a leader in beekeeping alongside them. There are a lot of good people making a
   positive impact on beekeeping here, and we’re grateful to be part of that conversation.
6. What’s your all-time favorite honey?
   Without a doubt, the best honey is eaten straight from your own hive and directly from the
   frame. Still warm from the day and quickly dripping off your hive tool. You absolutely cannot beat
   tasting honey like that. And being a beekeeper, you know what it takes to get to that point.
   After that, my favorite is Black Mangrove honey, which I’ve had over and over. It comes from the
   mangrove trees of South Florida and is truly unique. I’ve had it from multiple sources over
   multiple years, and it remains my favorite. Slightly salty, subtly floral, and smooth all the way
   through. I’ve always felt like it tasted like a pirate put it in an old rum barrel before it washed
   ashore, and somebody bottled it. It’s the best.
7. What’s the one thing you want Alabama beekeepers to know about Foxhound Bee
   Company?
   Foxhound Bee Company and our team are grateful for where we are. Even you reading this
   right now is something I never could have imagined. We’re honored to serve and support the
   beekeeping community in any way we can. We’ve grown a lot over the years, but it wasn’t long
   ago we were parked outside the Alabama State Beekeepers Association meeting, selling gear
   out of the back of a truck. We may be building a national destination for beekeepers, but it’s still
   just me selling out of my garage. IYKYN

VIP Department of Agriculture Updates for June 2025

Phillip Carter has requested both of these important updates be shared with our membership:

I. EPA Proposes to Register New Pesticide for Varroa Mite Control

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has proposed to register one technical and two end use products containing the new active ingredient Vadescana, a double stranded RNA (dsRNA), for control against Varroa mites (Varroa destructor) in honey bee hives.

Varroa mites are parasites that feed on honey bees and transmit numerous honey bee viruses, both of which lead to reduced lifespan of bees. Once infested by Varroa mites, if left untreated, a honey bee colony will likely die. Varroa mites are a national threat to bee colonies and in turn to farmers with crops dependent on pollination services provided by bees, and ultimately to food security in the United States. EPA is prioritizing pesticide applications that target Varroa mites to provide beekeepers with a variety of tools to combat this pest.

No risks of concern to human health or the environment were identified, including risks to federally listed species under the Endangered Species Act. When used according to the label, risks to bees are not expected because Vadescana is highly specific to the targeted gene within Varroa mites.

Additionally, in March 2025, EPA registered a new varroacide product containing l-glutamic acid, an active ingredient that has not previously been included in registered products for use in bee hives. The agency also intends to register another product containing oxalic acid, a slow release varroacide within bee hives, by July 2025. Together, these four end use products are expected to provide new tools, including novel active ingredients, for control of Varroa mites in bee hives.

EPA will continue to work with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, states and honey bee industry stakeholders in coordinated efforts to provide support for the beekeeping community. The agency is also working in collaboration with the National Pesticide Information Center, the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and Canada’s Ministry of Agriculture for Fisheries and Food to develop educational and training content about bee kill investigations. These efforts include the development of videos available in English, Spanish and French Canadian that provide resources for pesticide decision makers and educate the public about Integrated Pest Management options and legal options of pest control for varroa mites, small hive beetles and wax moths. Additionally, EPA funded the development of interactive training modules to help pesticide applicators to conduct bee kill investigations. The videos are available on the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services website.

To read more about the proposed registration of these products and to comment, see docket ID EPA-HQ-OPP-2023-0558 at www.regulations.gov. The public comment period will be open for 15 days, closing on June 12, 2025.

Find additional information about EPA-registered pesticide products for use against Varroa mites in bee hives.

2. USDA – ARS Releases Key Finds on Spring Colony Losses

USDA-ARS has released critical findings from the pathogen analysis of samples collected during this spring’s colony losses—and the results are sounding alarms.

Viruses vectored by Varroa mites were a major factor, and every mite tested carried genes associated with resistance to Amitraz, one of the most commonly used Varroa treatments. This underscores a growing concern within the beekeeping and research communities: the declining efficacy of one of the most widely used Varroa treatments. Thanks to the hard work and urgency of the researchers involved, these results were collected, analyzed, and written up for publication quickly—despite other USDA delays, providing critical information that will help shape how we respond to this ongoing challenge.

Here’s everything you need to stay informed:

•  Honey Bee Health Coalition Press Release: https://lavender-violet-7s4a.squarespace.com/s/06_03_2025-Colony-Loss-Research-Results-Final.pdf
•  Scientific Paper (Preprint): https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2025.05.28.656706v1
•  PAm Roundup & Resources Page: https://www.projectapism.org/colony-loss-information

Project Apis m. is closely tracking this situation and supporting the industry’s response.

This challenge highlights exactly why we created the Bee Health Collective—to make credible, science-based information more accessible to a wider audience of beekeepers, growers, researchers, and policy makers.

In response to emerging issues like Amitraz resistance, and deadly viruses, the Bee Health Collective has launched the Emerging Threats Fund—a new resource designed to provide rapid, targeted support when urgent honey bee health concerns arise.

 Learn more and explore these tools at https://beehealthcollective.org/resources/etf

Last Call for Alabama Master Beekeepers Annual Conference

This is the last Alabama Master Beekeepers Program notification before our annual classes and testing on July 24 – 26, 2025 at the Clanton Conference and Performing Arts Center in Clanton, Alabama.  Registration is now open online.  For more information about the Alabama Master Beekeepers Program, please see the Master Beekeeper Program tab on the ABA website.  This year’s program will consist of two days of instruction by Auburn University Bee Lab researchers and staff as well as Alabama Master Beekeepers.  Testing will be held on the final day of the program. 

This and That

The American Beekeeping Federation (ABF) is offering an award for up to $2,000 to a beekeeper with a practical beekeeping idea that is relevant to other beekeepers. The $2,000 will be split in the case more than one awardee is chosen. We are looking to fund one or more individuals that have developed a practical beekeeping practice OR have a practical beekeeping idea that needs funding to be developed. Examples of practical ideas include, but are not limited to: a novel way of utilizing old bee boxes, an air conditioned bee suit, a more accurate method of sampling for varroa mites, a method of collecting colony information, or a hive design for people with disabilities. Novel ideas will receive a higher rating. More information may be found at ABF Bee Practical Award – American Beekeeping Federation.

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There’s no denying that beekeepers are the most resourceful people in the world. Check out this jigsaw hack video from a kindred spirit in Lebanon that could be useful.

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CELL PUNCH QUEEN REARING: Rear queens using the cell punch method. Kit with complete instructions including photographs using the tool. Kit includes several items to get started plus a tool that is hand fabricated from raw materials. Send $20 plus $4.50 dollars for shipping to: Wil Montgomery, 1401 Lakemont Dr. South, Southside, AL 35907

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Thank you for visiting The Stinger. We’re always open to improvement and welcome your thoughts, ideas, photos and submissions. Please send to stinger.editor@gmail.com.

The post June 15, 2025 first appeared on Alabama Beekeepers Association.

Table of Contents

Letter from the President

Welcome to spring, the season of pollen , build up, and swarms. I hope all of you are doing well and made it through the winter with minimal losses even though the average loss this year is reported to be between 55-75%. Now is the time to be keeping an eye on your build up. Know how much room and brood you have. Keep a check on queen cells in your hives. If you haven’t re-qeened your colonies keep an eye on them as old failing queens is one of the main reasons for colony loss.

We here at ABA are diligently working on planning our fall conference. Plans are coming together well and we are looking forward to having a great meeting this year. Please keep an eye out for details here and on social media for details.

May I also ask that, as many of you are members of local bee clubs in your area, tell others about the ABA and encourage others to join the ABA.

Good luck to everyone this year with your success in beekeeping whether you are a seasoned beekeeper or just starting out.

Hal Hendrix , President ABA

Letter From the Vice President

GOOD BEEUTIFUL SPRING!

I hope that you all got a little winter rest!  SPRING IS HERE! And BEE SEASON is in full swing!  Praying this is an AMAZING year for our bees and their products and us as KEEPERS!

Bees are ramping up in their hives, queen production is in full swing and we have come out of winter in a hurried rush! 

ABA has the Master Beekeepers Symposium coming up in July 24-26!  It will bee a plethora of bee knowledge!

Our wonderful Fall Conference planning continues.  I am on the lookout for someone who would like to present a class or two on cooking with honey.  Please contact me if you are interested. 334-799-2254!

Ya’ll have a great April and BEE BLESSED!
Allyson A. Andrews

Letter from the Secretary

Hi everyone-I’ve recently had the opportunity to assist some new beekeepers in their apiaries, and it has been such a great experience for me.

I remember how much it meant to me when someone (Jeff Moss) came out to help me when I was getting started, and I encourage you all to reach out to new beekeepers and help them if they want it. If you are a new beekeeper, reach out to more experienced beekeepers in your local club. You can get so much out of just watching how someone else keeps bees.

Experienced beekeepers, if you don’t want to travel to mentor someone, invite new beekeepers to come to you. You’ll get free help, and they’ll get a hands-on education. I think we can all benefit from sharing our knowledge and helping bees together.

I want to remind you all to think about who in your local club might be a good candidate for Beekeeper of the Year. Remember to get your nominations in as soon as possible. Send your
nominations to David Ellis at ellisbuzz@bellsouth.net.

Have a great bee season!

Amy Seiber, Secretary

Save The Date! Meet our Keynote Speakers!

BEE WELL – The KEEPERS & BEES

Jerry Hayes – Editor of Bee Culture Magazine, beekeeper

Bob Binnie – Owner/Operator of Blue Ridge Honey company, commercial beekeeper

Sammy Ramazani – Bee Friendly Horticulturist and beekeeper

Garrett Slater – Professor and Honeybee Etymologist from Texas A&M University

Randy Oliver – Biologist, creator of ScientificBeekeeping.com, commercial beekeeper

In addition to this great slate of speakers there will be a number of breakout sessions on a wide range of topics with something for everyone from beginners to those with vast experience. More will be announced at a future date.

Regional Queen Rearing Classes

Alabama has a long history of queen production and this year there are multiple opportunities for you to learn to make queens too.

Enterprise State Community College classes start May 5, and meet weekly on Monday nights ending no later than June 28. Instructors are Richard Woodham, Lynn Hughes, Dwayne Sayers, Mary Sample, and Phillip Carter. The course fee of $50 includes the book Queen Rearing Essentials by Dr Larry Connor. Classes will be held in the Sessions Science Building  (front left building) Room SE111 of ESCC, 600 Plaza Drive, Enterprise, AL 36330. Contact Richard Woodham, 334-389-1563, for more information.  

In addition ACES has three remaining workshops, in Badlwin County, Auburn University and Hartselle to learn queen production through grafting. Registration costs $40 which includes Queen Rearing Essentials by Dr Larry Connor and lunch for the one day course. Don’t delay! Registration is limited to 20 people for each workshop.  Use the QR code shown below or visit  https://www.aces.edu/go/4697 to register.

Department of Agriculture Notes for February 2025

The State of Alabama has two new apiary inspectors. Billy Mullins based in Madison County, and Brandon Hargraves based in Baldwin county. If you are in those regions give them a call if you need help or tohave them speak to your local bee club. Our department is available if you need a health certificate to sell nucleus hives from ADAI or a general inspection. If you are producing queens to sell, please contact us because we are starting a new project to test drone pupae for Africanized Honey Bee genetics. There is no charge for this service and it certainly works to your advantage to monitor your queen genetics.

Surprisingly we haven’t seen any European Foulbrood coming out of winter. And thankfully no American Foulbrood. High viral loads from varroa continue to be an issue from our National Honey Bee Surveys so make every effort to keep varroa levels as low as possible, like 0 or 1 mite/100 bees. We can demonstrate an alcohol wash to monitor varroa levels as well as our method that significantly reduces the chance of washing a queen.

Lastly, if you are concerned about tracheal mites, even though our lab testing has yet to find any, you can treat with menthol. If you are having any issues with your colonies don’t hesitate to contact us for an inspection.

Phillip Carter, Apiary Inspector
Plant Protection Division
AL Dept of Agriculture and Industries
1445 Federal Drive
Montgomery, AL 36107-1123
334 414-1666

phillip.carter@agi.alabama.gov

Alabama Master Beekeepers Annual Conference

Candidates and Masters:

The Alabama Master Beekeepers Program will hold annual classes and testing July 24 – 26, 2025 at the Clanton Conference and Performing Arts Center in Clanton, Alabama.  Registration is now open online.  For more information about the Alabama Master Beekeepers Program, please see the Master Beekeeper Program tab on the ABA website.  This year’s program will consist of two days of instruction by Auburn University Bee Lab researchers and staff as well as Alabama Master Beekeepers.  Testing will be held on the final day of the program. 

I look forward to seeing you in July!

Patrick McCalman
Chairman, Alabama Master Beekeepers

This and That

YOUNG BEEKEEPER SCHOLARSHIP REMINDER: The clock is ticking! The first deadline where students submit essays and their Scholarship Application Package to their local beekeeper association is June 15, 2025. Local associations are responsible for the second part of the application process. Between June 15 and the next deadline, July 15, the local association assigns mentor(s), completes their part of the application package and mails it to the address listed. The winner will be announced in the August 15 issue of The ABA Stinger.

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Help Auburn Help Us! Dr Geoff Williams is leading the Annual U.S. Beekeeping Survey for Alabama.  He has requested that all beekeepers complete The Survey and share it with other beekeeper friends to do the same.

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Many Thanks to Rebecca Fritschle (ABA Master Beekeeper, 2018) for sharing these bee veil bloopers from her early days as a beekeeper.

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CELL PUNCH QUEEN REARING: Rear queens using the cell punch method. Kit with complete instructions including photographs using the tool. Kit includes several items to get started plus a tool that is hand fabricated from raw materials. Send $20 plus $4.50 dollars for shipping to: Wil Montgomery, 1401 Lakemont Dr. South, Southside, AL 35907

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Thank you for visiting The Stinger. We’re always open to improvement and welcome your thoughts, ideas, photos and submissions. Please send to stinger.editor@gmail.com.

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