SisQ Bee Club – Beekeeping 101 Class Notes

On a crisp morning, over 25 eager attendees gathered at the Greenhorn Grange for an enlightening and well-presented Beekeeping 101 class hosted by the SisQ Bee Club. The event, sponsored by Kendra Bainbridge, owner of Raven Tree in Mount Shasta, offered a deep dive into the art of beekeeping. Raven Tree, located at 138 Morgan Way in Mount Shasta, is Northern California’s hub for nature lovers, making it a fitting partner for this educational morning.

The class was led by Jerry Heikura, a beekeeper with nine years of experience, alongside Siskiyou County Agriculture Commissioner Jim Smith, who provided valuable insights. Together, they shared practical knowledge that went beyond what you might find in books—like using black brood frames to spot the small white larvae more easily against the dark contrast, or maintaining precise 3/8-inch gaps in hives. This “bee space,” discovered by beekeeping pioneer Lorenzo Langstroth, is critical: if you leave a half-inch gap, bees will fill it with comb or propolis to restore their preferred 3/8-inch spacing for movement. For those new to the craft, the presenters recommended The Beekeeper’s Bible as a go-to resource.

Attendees were captivated by bee behavior: A queen bee, pampered by her workers, rarely feeds herself, relying on royal jelly or honey delivered by attendants—though she can forage in dire emergencies. Worker bees, meanwhile, wear out their wings after flying roughly 500 miles during their short 6-week summer lives. They spend the first half as “house bees,” nursing larvae and building comb, before heading out as foragers in their final weeks. Drones, born from unfertilized eggs, lack stingers, die shortly after mating due to their reproductive organs rupturing, and are expelled from the hive by workers come fall to save resources for winter.

The queen succession process stunned the crowd: when a new queen is needed, workers raise multiple larvae in special cells. The first to emerge eliminates her rivals by stinging them through their wax cradles, often “piping”—emitting a high-pitched sound—to signal her dominance and locate unhatched sisters. It’s a ruthless but efficient system.

The class explored regional bee varieties. In Siskiyou County, a hybrid reportedly developed by local breeder Denise Hints stands out as calm, docile, and hardy—perfect for the area’s short springs, rising temperatures, and dry summers. (The work may be a hidden gem in local beekeeping circles!) Grey bees, identified as Russian stock, were noted for their dark coloration, hygienic behavior that combats pests, and knack for surviving harsh winters.

Practical tips abounded, from painting hives in primary colors for easy identification (a boon for note-taking) to clever tricks using everyday items. The class also tackled Varroa mites (Varroa destructor), a devastating parasite that weakens bees and spreads viruses, capable of collapsing a hive if ignored. Attendees learned the best treatment and prevention methods to keep these pests in check.

Jim Smith demystified California’s beekeeping regulations, covering commercial limits, hive spacing, and hives per site. He emphasized that the Agriculture Department is there to help, not hinder. Smith also previewed Bee Day in April, when club members pick up their new batches of bees and get hands-on training at others’ hives before heading home to start their own apiaries. The last day to order bees is April 1st—a new setup costs $180, plus a $20 membership fee to join the SisQ Bee Club, a welcoming community brimming with support and advice.

General Club Meetings: Held the first Tuesday of each month (except December) at the Grange, 300 Ranch Lane, Yreka. Visit www.sisqbeeclub.org for more information.

Takeaway: Top 10 Rookie Mistakes

1. Don’t start with just one hive—have two.
2. Take field trips to learn from others.
3. Keep a journal of your observations.
4. Attend a few meetings to snag the last six tips, plus enjoy personal mentorship and a warm community.

The SisQ Bee Club’s Beekeeping 101 class proved that the little details—like a queen’s piping or a worker’s tattered wings—and a lot more…

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