Cappings
Pierce County Beekeeping Association
Monthly Newsletter
December 2025 - Volume 31 - Issue 12
From the President
Bitter Sweet
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Dear Friends,
As I complete my three-year term as President of PCBA, I find myself reflecting with deep gratitude on what this journey has meant to me personally and I want to take a moment to express my sincere gratitude to each of you.
When I stepped into this role, I could not have imagined how meaningful the experience would be and what friends I would make. Over the past three years, I’ve been inspired by the dedication, generosity, and heart of this community. Serving you and this organization has been a true honor. I have had the privilege of working alongside passionate, dedicated people who care deeply about bees and our mission in this community that we serve. Together, we have faced challenges, celebrated successes, and continued to move our organization forward with integrity and purpose. I am incredibly proud of what we have accomplished side by side.
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I want to personally thank and say that I am especially grateful to the Board (Kathleen, Katie, Fawn, Nate, Bryce, and Brooke) for your guidance, trust, collaboration, and leadership.
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To the membership and volunteers whose hard work and tireless commitment make everything we do possible, I have seen and personally experienced, your dedication, time volunteered, your care and concern for me and PCBA. It is the living, beating heart of this organization and we thrive because of you! You have my deepest gratitude and thanks.
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As I step away from this role, Kathleen Clerc will be assuming the role of President. She brings her love of bees, beekeeping and this organization to the table. She has been a true friend and indispensable partner these past three years. Because of the person of integrity she is, I have full confidence that she will lead PCBA with vision, care, and strength. As for the rest of your Board, there are almost no words. Katie Marler, Nate Chambers, Fawn Casey, Brooke Stegmeier and Bryce Landrud truly do make up the A team/ Dream team! Their commitment and dedication is extraordinary. I’m excited for the new board members Michele Cyree (Vice President) and Jade Monroe (Events/ fundraising). I know that PCBA is in the best possible hands.
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My call to action as I leave this role is simple but important: please stay engaged. Continue to volunteer, attend events, advocate for our mission, and support this organization in whatever way you can. Your involvement is what makes our impact possible.
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Thank you for the trust, the memories, and the opportunity to serve.
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With heartfelt appreciation,
Mary Dempsey
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Holiday Party
Good company, good food, fun gifts! The Club took the opportunity to thank Mary Dempsey for her service as Club President with a sweet thank you presentation from President Elect Kathleen Clerc. Gifts were stolen and re-stolen until all were claimed. Laughter is the best music at any party, and the Martha Stewart "Martha on the Mantel" gift stole the show!
Thank You to Mary
from Kathleen Clerc
Kathleen's lovely tribute to Mary on behalf of the club is reprinted here to share with all of you unable to make it to the party.
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Good evening, everyone.
Tonight, I would like to recognize someone who has been the heart and soul of the Pierce County Beekeeper Association for the past four years. Mary, it’s hard to put into words what your leadership has meant to all of us, but I’m going to try.
When you took on the role of president, you didn’t just take on a title—you took on a calling. You’ve worked tirelessly, often behind the scenes, handling everything from organizing our monthly meetings to coordinating the swarm list, setting up and managing our multiple fairs and functions, advocating for pollinator health in our community, and somehow always finding time to answer every question, no matter how small. Your dedication has been nothing short of extraordinary.
But what we’ll remember most isn’t just the work you’ve done—it’s the way you’ve done it. You’ve led with warmth, patience, and an open heart. You’ve been more than a president; you’ve been a friend. An honest friend who celebrated our successes, supported us through our challenges, and never hesitated to offer genuine advice or a listening ear. That kind of friendship is rare, and it’s something every member of this association has felt.
Because of you, Mary, we’re not just beekeepers who happen to meet together—we’re a community. You’ve created a space where beginners feel welcome, where experienced keepers share freely, and where everyone feels valued. That’s your legacy.
So thank you, Mary. Thank you for your countless hours, your wisdom, your laughter, and your honest friendship. While you may be stepping down as president, you’ll always be a cherished part of this association.
We wish you all the best in whatever comes next, knowing that your bees—and all of us—have been so fortunate to have you.
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Amen, Kathleen. Thank you, Mary!
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Twelve Days of Christmas in the Key of Bee
by Breanna Opdahl
On the first day of Christmas a blessing sent to me a swarm of bees in a fruit tree.
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On the second day of Christmas a blessing gave to me two brand new beehives and a swarm of bees in a fruit tree.
On the third day of Christmas a blessing sent to me three nice new bee suits, two brand new beehives and swarm of bees in a fruit tree.
On the fourth day of Christmas a blessing sent to me four pairs of gloves, three nice new bee suits, two brand new beehives and swarm of bees in a fruit tree.
On the fifth day of Christmas a blessing sent to me five fellow beekeepers! Four pairs of gloves, three nice new bee suits, two brand new beehives and swarm of bees in a fruit tree.
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On the sixth day of Christmas a blessing sent to me six jars of honey, five fellow beekeepers! four pairs of gloves, three nice bee suits, two brand new beehives and swarm of bees in a fruit tree.
On the seventh day of Christmas a blessing sent to me seven honey dishes, six jars of honey, five fellow beekeepers! four pairs of gloves, three nice new bee suits, two brand new beehives and a swarm of bees in a fruit tree.
On the eighth day of Christmas a blessing sent to me eight pairs of bee socks, seven honey dishes, six jars of
honey, five fellow beekeepers! four pairs of gloves, three nice new bee suits, two brand new beehives and a swarm of bees in a fruit tree.
On the ninth day of Christmas a blessing sent to me nine jars of beeswax, eight pairs of bee socks, seven honey dishes, six jars of honey, five fellow beekeepers! four pairs of gloves, three nice new bee suits, two brand new beehives and a swarm of bees in a fruit tree.
On the tenth day of Christmas a blessing sent to me ten fuzzy bee friends, nine jars of beeswax, eight pairs of bee socks, seven honey dishes, six jars of honey, five fellow beekeepers! Four pairs of gloves, three nice new bee suits, two brand new beehives and a swarm of bees in a fruit tree.
On the eleventh day of Christmas a blessing sent to me eleven books about bees, ten fuzzy be friends, nine jars of beeswax, eight pairs of bee socks, seven honey dishes, six jars of honey, five fellow beekeepers! four pairs of gloves, three nice new bee suits, two brand beehives and swarm of bees in a fruit tree.
On the twelfth day of Christmas a blessing sent to me twelve chicken neighbors, eleven books about bees, ten fuzzy bee friends, nine jars of beeswax, eight pairs of bee socks, seven honey dishes, six jars of honey, five fellow beekeepers! Four pairs of gloves, three nice new bee suits to brand new beehives and a swarm of bees in a fruit tree!!
Swarm Team
If you have signed up to be on the swarm team please make sure your membership is current. There are several that are not. We have been receiving notification of payment details that need updating and if not updated, payments are being declined and memberships not renewed. You should be receiving emails about pending membership renewal and/or pending cancelations. Make sure you are checking your spam/ junk emails as well.
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Also, please add Chris Camper to your contact list so that you will know that it is Chris calling and not a spam call. Chris' phone number is 253-319-0327 press 2 for swarms
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Thank you to Chris for taking over managing the swarm calls for Mary!
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With that said, our insurance company needs waivers signed by the community and also by you, the beekeepers. Follow this link to the waiver. It is at the bottom of the page.
Become a Member of PCBA!
It has been an amazing year and we have so much more to come! We are asking all of you that are participating on our social platforms and subscribing to please sign up for membership in 2025 and help us continue to grow our resources and programs.
For those who are already members, the automatic renewal is working! Your membership will be renewed on your anniversary date. If you are unsure of your status you can email president@pcbeekeepers.org. Thank you!
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Become a Member
2025-2026 EVENTS & PROJECTS
Members, we need you! Pierce County Beekeepers Association couldn’t happen without you, our volunteers! Ten (10) hours per year of volunteer service is required for each member.
Please sign up to help with the upcoming events. It is a great time to get to know other members and educate the community about the bees and what our organization is all about. Some of these events are fundraisers where we will be selling honey.
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From brand new beekeeper to experienced beekeeper, you have a place at our table! You pick your comfort level, from selling the honey/ raffle tickets to just talking about bees. You can join the Garden Crew, Resource Apiary Crew, PCBA Crew, and Learning Apiary Crew.
Come and join the fun!!
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Important dates in 2026 - Mark your Calendars!
HERE IS A LINK TO OUR 2026 CALENDAR OF EVENTS
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January 5 - 6-7pm Beekeeping Class and 7-8pm PCBA Monthly Meeting
January 6-10, 2026 - American Beekeeping Federation (ABF) Conference, Mobile, AL
February 2 - 6-7pm Beekeeping Class and 7-8pm PCBA Monthly Meeting
March 2 - PCBA Annual Auction
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Hive Host & Beekeeper List
We have many hosts, but we need more BEEKEEPERS! We have been building a list of those who have properties in which they are aiming to host hives on, as well as beekeepers who would like to service hives on host properties. With Spring coming, it is time to sign up! To join this list and be matched with a potential host or beekeeper, please sign up here: https://www.pcbeekeepers.org/hive-host-and-beekeeper-list
Donation & Fundraising Committee
Help us to be involved in our community in a big way!
https://www.pcbeekeepers.org/donation-and-fundraising-committee
Apiary Day & Workshop Information
Apiary Days are weather dependent and are scheduled April through October.
Club hives are closed for the season!
Please keep an eye on our Facebook Group to keep up with any updates on what is planned in the Spring. Rescheduled dates or times and topics will also be announced on our Facebook Group page.
Contact Katie Marler education@pcbeekeepers.org with any questions.
Beekeeping Class Information
Classes are available to PCBA Members only - Become a Member
Sign up for Classes on our Website
WSU Puyallup Research & Extension Center
D.F. Allmendinger Center
2606 W Pioneer Ave, Puyallup, WA 98371
Classes are January - November
Next Classes: January 5, 2026, 6:00-6:45 p.m.
(followed by General Meeting, 7-8:30 p.m.)
Please keep an eye on our Facebook Group & your email to keep up with any updates on what is planned for the next upcoming, including estimated times and lesson plan.
Contact Katie Marler education@pcbeekeepers.org with any questions.
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Other Educational Resources
Here are free webinars offered by the WSU Honey Bees + Pollinators Program. For the unfamiliar, this program is part of the College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resource Sciences (CAHNRS). The program's mission "intertwines innovative research, community engagement, and education to safeguard pollinators, pivotal to our food security and environmental health.
There are no upcoming classes scheduled as clubs and programs take some time off
for the holiday season. We will publish upcoming events here in future newsletters.
You can also follow their events page here.
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The WSU Honey Bees + Pollinators Program is listed on Michigan State University's MSU Extension Pollinators & Pollination site which lists beekeeping and pollinator webinars from university extension programs across the United States. You can access these programs from wherever you are in the country at their website here.
In the News - Norroa Treatment
Fellow beekeepers, there's exciting news in the ongoing battle against Varroa mites. The EPA approved a revolutionary new treatment in September 2025 called Norroa, which uses RNA interference (RNAi) technology to control mite populations in a completely novel way.
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What Makes This Different?
Unlike traditional treatments that kill adult mites through chemical toxicity, Norroa works by disrupting mite reproduction at the genetic level. The active ingredient, vadescana, is a specially designed RNA molecule that targets a single gene in Varroa mites—the calmodulin gene, which is essential for their reproduction.
Here's how it works: Bees consume a sucrose solution containing the treatment and distribute it throughout the hive. When mites feed on bee larvae, they ingest the RNA molecules, which trigger the mite's own cellular machinery to "silence" the calmodulin gene. Without this critical protein, female mites can't produce viable offspring, even though the adult mites themselves may survive.
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Key Advantages
Highly Specific: The treatment targets only Varroa mites with no harm to bees, queens, brood, or humans. Studies showed 95% bee pupal survival across all treatment groups.
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Long-Lasting: Field trials demonstrated mite control for up to 18 weeks with a single application—a significant improvement over treatments requiring multiple applications.
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Easy Application: Simply place a pouch in the hive. No temperature restrictions, protective gear requirements, or honey super removal needed.
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Resistance Management: As the first treatment in a completely new mode of action category (IRAC Group 35), it can be rotated with traditional treatments to help prevent resistance development.
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Environmentally Friendly: The RNA breaks down rapidly in the environment and leaves no concerning residues. The EPA granted an exemption from residue limits in honey and honeycomb.
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What Beekeepers Are Saying
Jason Miller, president of Miller Honey Farms (a fifth-generation operation), participated in field trials and reports: "Varroa is the number one enemy for all beekeepers. Norroa offers a genuinely effective and environmentally responsible option to protect our bees."
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The 2021 field trials involved 1,440 colonies across multiple U.S. regions, demonstrating both efficacy and safety at scale.
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Important Considerations
This isn't a silver bullet. Norroa works best as part of an integrated pest management (IPM) approach and is most effective when applied at low to moderate mite levels. It focuses on preventing population growth rather than rapid knockdown of existing mites, so it may need to be combined with other methods for heavy infestations.
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The product is newly available through distributors like Mann Lake, and real-world experiences from beekeepers are still emerging. As with any treatment, follow label instructions carefully and continue monitoring mite levels regularly.
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Looking Ahead
This RNAi technology represents a significant advancement in sustainable Varroa control, addressing both the resistance issues plaguing traditional treatments and the need for bee-safe options. As we head into 2026, it will be interesting to hear how fellow beekeepers in our region experience this new tool.
Have you tried Norroa yet? Share your experiences at our next meeting!
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For more information:
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EPA Registration Documents: https://www.regulations.gov/docket/EPA-HQ-OPP-2023-0558
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EPA Varroa Mite Control Information: https://www.epa.gov/pollinator-protection/epa-registered-pesticide-products-approved-use-against-varroa-mites-bee-hives
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Honey Bee Health Coalition's Tools for Varroa Management: https://honeybeehealthcoalition.org/resources/varroa-management/
The US Winter Capped Brood Monitoring Project's Citizen Science Initiative
This information was shared with PCBA by Bri Price, Bee Program Extension Coordinator for the Department of Entomology at WSU.
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The US Winter Capped Brood Monitoring Project is underway for its fourth season. Every two weeks from October to February, Auburn University, along with other universities and USDA labs from across the country, inspects colonies for capped brood. This effort helps us understand the best times for winter oxalic acid mite treatments and which areas will be most at risk for another parasitic mite, Tropilaelaps, if it is introduced to the US.
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This winter, we're asking beekeepers across the US to help us with monitoring by inspection up to three colonies during three windows: December 19-21, January 2-4, and/or January 16-18. Inspections will be quick and report a simple Yes or No if capped brood is present.
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Our website has more information, monitoring instructions, and a link to submit observations. We thank you in advance for your consideration and participation!
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Partners: Alabama Extension Beekeeping Team, Auburn University GeoIDEA Lab, Central State University, University of Florida, University of Georgia, Mississippi State University, North Carolina State University, Oregon State University, Penn State University, University of Tennessee, Texas A&M University, Ohio State University, University of North Carolina Greensboro, North Dakota State University, Purdue University, Virginia Tech University, Washington State University, and USDA ARS Baton Rouge, Beltsville, Poplarville, Stoneville, and Tucson.
Club Input Requested
We are looking for input from club members on what you would like to see in upcoming club meetings, projects, educational opportunities, speakers, or other beekeeping programs. Kathleen will share club strategy for the upcoming year and is requesting your feedback on what would be most valuable to all of you. Please contact any Board member, post on our Facebook page, or email us directly at piercecountybeekeepers@gmail.com.
Beekeeping Articles & Topics of Interest
Beekeeping, for Veterans - https://wafarmvetco.org/healing-through-hives
The Roles of Flies as Pollinators of Horticultural Crops - https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7349676/​​
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WSU Bees + Pollinator Program Upcoming Events - https://bees.wsu.edu/upcoming-events/
Resource List for Diagnostic Testing of Honey Bees 2024
(information provided by, Bri Price, WSU Honey Bee Program Extension Coordinator)
If you want an answer on the cause of the death of your bees, the following is a list of organizations in the United States that may be able to assist you. For a compete list of diagnostic labs and what they will test go to this website: https://apiaryinspectors.org/page-18060.
If you believe the apiary was damaged through the use of pesticides and if you have registered your hive(s) with the State Department of Agriculture, you can also contact Katie Buckley (Pollinator Health Coordinator) with the WA Dept of Agriculture, and report the situation as a potential bee kill: kbuckley@agr.wa.gov. They usually only formally investigate if it is a large number of hives that were killed. WSU Bee Program used to have a diagnostic lab but does not currently have one. For now, they recommend that people send their bees to the Beltsville Bee Lab; it’s a free source in Maryland. This facility tests for bacterial, fungal and microsporidian diseases, two species of parasitic mites, and other honey bee pests. They also test for American Foul brood when requested. But this lab does not test for viruses or pesticides.
The following all charge for their testing services:
VIRUS TESTING (not pesticides)
• North Carolina State (https://www.ncsuapiculture.net/queen-and-disease-clinic) o Fees range from $24-320
• National Agricultural Genotyping Center (https://www.genotypingcenter.com/honey-bee-pathogen-panel/) o Fees range from $60-300
PESTICIDE TESTING (not viruses)
• Cornell Chemical Ecology Core Facility (https://blogs.cornell.edu/ccecf/the-facility/) o $90
• USDA-AMS National Science Laboratory (https://www.ams.usda.gov/services/lab-testing/nsl) o $450
• Synergistic Pesticide Laboratory (https://synpestlab.com/services/) o This is a lab that WSU’s bee program has used, direct contact: Camille Holladay cholladay@synpestlab.com o Fees range from $160-365​
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Ask a Washington Beekeeper - WASBA
WASBA’s ongoing project “Ask a Washington Beekeeper” is publishing new episodes in 2025. “Ask a Washington Beekeeper” is a collaboration between WASBA and GRuB and is designed to reach beekeepers who may be in outlying areas without access to a mentor or a beekeeping club. Their goal is to provide information, education and mentoring to as many people as possible, including veterans who are interested in beekeeping. An educated beekeeper is a better beekeeper and is better for the beekeeping community.
Programs are each month on the third Thursday starting at 6:30pm. Check it out and tell your friends – here’s the link: https://www.facebook.com/AskAWABeekeeper.