At our August 11 meeting, MABA will welcome Mike Evans, Director, Plant Protection Division at the Georgia Department of Agriculture. He will be giving us an update on GDA’s efforts to eradicate the Yellow Legged Hornet. In August 2023, yellow-legged hornets (YLH; Vespa velutina) were identified near Savannah, GA, the first time the species has been detected in the U.S. Because the yellow-legged hornet poses a serious threat to honey bees and other pollinators in Georgia, it is imperative that these invasive pests are tracked and eradicated. Last year, some 47 nests were located and destroyed in the Savannah area. This talk will update us on GDA’s efforts, their methods and progress, and how beekeepers across the state can stay vigilant.
Our August meeting will begin at 6:30 pm with a mentoring session led by MABA President Peter Helfrich who will be discussing “Bee-ing A Good Bee Neighbor.”
Our monthly meetings are held at Peachtree Road United Methodist Church (3180 Peachtree Road NE, Atlanta, Georgia 30305) inside third-floor classroom C302 on the 2nd Monday of each month, except September and December when we hold our annual fall honey show/pot luck and holiday party respectively. On arrival, check-in at the welcome table to be entered into our monthly door prize drawing. Enjoy snacks and fellowship in the back of the room. Membership is not required. Everyone interested in honey bees is welcome!