get out!
Give spring a swarm welcome
People might well be staying home,
but spring has led to swarms of honeybees
doing the rounds in search of a new place
to live.
Rebecca Fain, president of the Central
Coast Beekeepers Association, said this is
the time of year when a lot of people panic
about swarms.
“Swarming is a natural biological
phenomenon for honeybees and other
pollinators,” she said. “It is an important
part of maintaining this beneficial species
in our environment. Every honeybee colony
matters in this age of population decline,
so finding a new home for these swarms is
what we as beekeepers want to do.”
Fain says swarm season lasts until about
July; and offers a few tips and suggestions if
you do see a swarm in your yard this spring.
“When the bees swarm, they are
temporarily in limbo looking for another
place to live,” she said. “Please contact us at
the association, at 541-997-3792, so we can
arrange to have a beekeeper come out and
take care of the bees.”
While waiting for help to arrive, the bees
might get a little cranky, so spraying them
with a light, simple sugar spray (one part
water to one part sugar) can help calm them
down. Of course, the spray bottle needs
to be clean and free from any pesticide or
herbicide residues.
If you get stung, which is unlikely
because the bees are concerned about
finding their new home, treat with ice or
a cold compress to reduce the swelling.
Excessive swelling, difficulty breathing or
loss of consciousness could indicate a bee
sting allergy — call 911 immediately.
Beekeepers collecting swarms is
considered an essential activity of managing
livestock during COVID-19 restrictions
and is approved with social distancing
measures in place.
For more information, contact the
Central Coast Beekeepers Association
at centralcoastbeekeepers@gmail.com or
541-997-3792.
Farmers market makes a fresh start
The Neskowin Farmers Market will
begin its 2020 season this Saturday, May
16, operating from a temporary location at
Neskowin Valley School.
Oregon’s COVID-19 response has
categorized farmers markets as essential
services, allowing the market to operate
according to guidance issued by the
Oregon Department of Agriculture.
“The Neskowin Farmers Market is
a necessary source of food for many
residents of Tillamook and Lincoln
Counties, and we are committed to the
health and well-being of our community,”
said market manager Rachel Pettit. “We
are following CDC and state guidelines
to prioritize customer, vendor and
community health, so things will look and
feel a lot different than they have in past
years. Please help us keep the market open
and continue supporting local farmers
by observing the changes to market
operations while you shop.”
The market will operate from 9 am to 1
pm in the covered play area at Neskowin
Valley School, located at 10005 Slab
Creek Road, about four miles inland from
18 • oregoncoastTODAY.com • facebook.com/oregoncoasttoday • May 15, 2020
its regular location at Neskowin Wayside.
The first hour of market, from 9 to
10 am, will be reserved for community
members who are at a higher risk —
elderly, immune-compromised, etc.
Booths will be spaced 10 feet apart and
limited to grocery vendors only, with no
craft vendors until further notice. Guests
are also asked to leave dogs at home for
the time being. There will be no samples,
no seating and no hot coffee for purchase.
Consumption of food in the market is not
allowed.
“The market is functioning like a
grocery store,” Pettit said. “Please wave
‘hello’ to your neighbors and move along.”
There will be no public bathroom
facilities, but a hand-washing station will
be available for customer use.
The market will return to its usual
location at the Neskowin Beach Wayside
as soon as possible after Oregon State
Parks reopen.
For more information, go to www.
neskowinfarmersmarket.com or find the
Neskowin Farmers Market Facebook
page.