Welcome to MSBA

MSBA is a non-profit membership organization of beekeepers in Maine, dedicated to education, using best practices and honey bee health. Affiliated with local chapters throughout the state, MSBA also works with the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry to promote the honey bee, products of the hive and initiatives to support beekeepers. 

SHB
Small Hive Beetle

2024 Webinars

  • 9/24/24 7:00 PM EST Dr. David Peck- "Small Hive Beetle Biology" Sponsored by Betterbee

  • 11/19/24 7:00 PM EST Jen Lund, Maine State Apiarist- 'The Buzz 101' Sponsored by Green Bee Soda

Members can watch previous webinars here

Annual-Meeting-2024
Join us at the Annual Meeting!

Annual Meeting


The 2024 event will be held on Saturday, October 19th, hosted again by Tri-County Beekeepers Club. Speakers at this year’s conference are Jon Zawislak, an Assistant Professor of Apiculture and Urban Entomology for the University of Arkansas, and Mike Palmer of French Hill Apiaries in St. Albans Vermont. Maine State Apiarist Jen Lund will give the State of the State address. This is a full day of learning with beekeepers from all over the state. There will be vendor booths, buffet lunch, honey tasting contest and a fundraising raffle auction of bee-related items. The fee is $35 if registered by October 9th, $45 after that date.

Hive-with-mouse-guard
It's time for mouse guards

Beekeeper's Calendar

AUTUMN: The beekeeping season is starting to wind down. The queen has drastically reduced her egg laying and the hive is making its last foraging push before winter. If weather permits, sample colonies for varroa mites one final time. It’s not unusual to have a spike in varroa mite populations during this month as surrounding hives collapse from varroa infestations and mites migrate into your hives (called the “mite bomb” effect). Make sure you follow the label instructions if you have honey supers on the hive.