Author Archives: Meridian Beekeepers’ Association

Ragwort (Senecio) is a tall field plant which grows to 90cm high and bears large, flat-topped clusters of yellow daisy-like flowers from June to October. There are nineteen species of Ragwort found wild in the British Isles but most of these are garden escapes or other introductions. Common names for ragwort include common ragwort, stinkingContinueContinue reading “Ragwort“

As soon as the queen has laid and sealed 1 frame of brood. The theory is that if one can remove the first frame of sealed brood much of the wintering phoretic varroa will have migrated into this first frame. In an ideal world this would be done about 2.5 weeks after pollen has beenContinueContinue reading “Reduce Varroa load in Spring Bees.”

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 whoContinueContinue reading “BBKA Asian hornet briefings”

The new date for the Meridian barbecue to be held at Toplands, Riverside Hamble Park is Sunday 17 September between 10.30 and 14.30. As the arrangements had to change they are a little bit complicated: 1. If you were booked on the old date and can make this new date you do not need toContinueContinue reading “Meridian barbecue”

The reason for asking this question is usually related to the treatment of a bee or wasp sting. You may have heard the old adage: ‘bee stings are acidic so treat them with baking soda (alkaline) but wasp stings are alkaline so treat them with vinegar which is an acid.’ But can baking soda reallyContinueContinue reading “Are bee stings acidic or alkaline? And what about wasp stings?”