“Small Scale Backyard Queen Rearing” will be the topic of the Knox-Lincoln County Beekeepers monthly outdoor meeting at 10 a.m. Saturday, July 21, at Spicer Bees, 373 Hunts Meadow Road in Whitefield.

Dave Spicer, of Spicer Bees, will be the speaker and demonstrator for the meeting. Spicer is past president of KLCB and serves as vice president of the Maine State Beekeepers Association.

The backyard beekeeper can effectively produce and raise their own queens. The methods discussed will focus on backyard production and not commercial methods. The focus will be on characteristics that quality queens exhibit and would like to see in the apiaries. Sample characteristics to consider: overwintering, early spring buildup, brood pattern, color, temperament, honey production and hygienics.

Laying queens may be bought from a queen breeder, or they may be reared by any beekeeper who has a good understanding of bee behavior, bee handling and beekeeping.

The presentation is free and open to the public. Bring a veil/protective equipment, lawn chair and bag lunch. As always, there will be a wrap up over lunch with a question and answer time so bring your questions. For more information, visit klcbee.com or call Jean Vose at 563-7564.

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