In light of the increased number of Asian Hornet nests in mainland UK in 2023, the BBKA has arranged a special Zoom briefing for beekeepers during Asian Hornet Week, split over two nights. The speaker will be the Cambridgeshire Beekeeper, Andrew Durham, a regular contributor to the BBKA News on the Asian Hornet and who for over 9 years m, has been studying the Asian Hornet situation in France with regard to its effect on beekeeping.
Drawing on his own research and on a wide range of authoritative and regularly updated sources, Andrew is able to give a uniquely detailed insight into the Asian Hornet situation in France.
Here is some further information from Diane Drinkwater, BBKA chair;
Wednesday 6th September at 7.30pm – Part 1
If beekeepers are to deal with the Asian Hornet, it is absolutely essential that they understand the situation, what is happening and when it will happen. Without this critical understanding, the beekeeper will always be caught out and be left reacting to the situation rather than proactively anticipating events and mitigating damage.
In Part 1 of this special briefing we look at the hornet situation as it has developed across the English Channel and why that presents an increasing threat to us here in mainland UK.
We look at why there are hornet surge years and at the hornet’s lifecycle to see how the threat to our bees develops in the apiary.
We look at the hornet’s interaction with the honeybee and at the hidden effects of the hornet’s predation that beekeepers must manage. We will also look at the effect on beekeeping in France and consider the effectiveness of measures taken to control the hornet.
Thursday 7th September at 7.30pm – Part 2
If there is a problem with much of the guidance offered to beekeepers on dealing with the Asian hornet, it is that it lacks detail.
In Part 2 of this special briefing we will have a close look at the Spring Trapping of Foundress Queens in the vicinity of the apiary which alone can significantly reduce hornet numbers in the apiary.
We will look at how the beekeeper can make the apiary work for the bee and not the hornet. We take a detailed look at the three main tools that the beekeeper can use to defend the bees – the muzzle, the electric harp and the hornet guard. We finish by looking at how the beekeeper needs to manage the situation as it develops across the year.
Andrew will be answering your questions live at the end of both of talks.
How to register
1. You must register in advance to receive an email invitation to the meeting. Click on the link below to register:
https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZErdumgqTgoGd2jHLx6-Omi_LMj_RvORmRM
2. Once you have registered, please check your inbox for a zoom invitation. If it is not received, check your junk box.
3. On the night please click on the ‘Join Meeting’ button in the zoom confirmation email you received when registering.
4. You do not need to register twice to attend both meetings.
5. Use the same zoom email invitation if you want to attend both meetings.
Kind regards
Diane Drinkwater
BBKA Chair
Meridian Beekeepers’ Association 