Watch this short film to see the fascinating behaviour of guard bees. They move forward to ‘greet’ incoming bees (or possibly other insects like wasps) and very quickly, make a decision about whether the newcomer is friend or foe. Friends are allowed to pass and others are quickly repelled. What is going on bottom right?Continue reading “… you’re not coming in!”
Author Archives: Meridian Beekeepers’ Association
Hampshire Beekeepers’ Honey Show
The Hampshire Beekeepers’ Association Honey Show 2022 will be held at The Great Hall, Winchester on Saturday 1 and Sunday 2 October. The 13th-century aisled hall was once part of Winchester Castle built by William the Conqueror. The 750 year old Round Table dominating the Hall has been linked to the ancient legends of KingContinue reading “Hampshire Beekeepers’ Honey Show”
Our bees’ favourite forage
This page describes the forage bees in the Meridian area are likely to be working each month of the beekeeping season. It’s by no means an exhaustive list but is designed to help if you’re swatting for the basic assessment. You’ll be asked to name what forage is available in the months around the timeContinue reading “Our bees’ favourite forage”
Meridian newsletter archive
Links to our most recent newsletters can be found at the bottom of the page. To subscribe to the newsletter, click here.
Hampshire Beekeepers’ Library Service
History The Library was founded in 1884 with just 25 items listed in the catalogue. It was keenly used and quickly prospered thanks to new acquisitions, bequests and donations. In 1961, in recognition of great service to the Hampshire Association, the library became The H.P. Young Memorial Library. Later, with the permanent loan of FrankContinue reading “Hampshire Beekeepers’ Library Service”
Swarm collection and hiving
For the past couple of years, I’ve been waiting patiently to film the perfect swarm collection. By ‘perfect’ I mean a massive swarm dangling, seemingly precariously, from a stout branch, at head-height unencumbered by foliage or prickles where the beekeeper simply comes along, places a box under the cluster, runs a hand between branch andContinue reading “Swarm collection and hiving”
My first swarm
So, my adventure began about three weeks ago. After being placed on the swarm list, I received my first call to a small swarm of around 300 bees. They were located in a bush about 4ft off the ground in the caller’s back garden. I was feeling pretty excited about this being my first soloContinue reading “My first swarm”
Hampshire Bee Health Day
Hampshire Beekeepers’ Association hosted its Bee Health Day in partnership with our Regional Bee Inspectors on Saturday 18 June 2022. The free event was held at Sparsholt College, Winchester and combined talks from a variety of experts with practical hands-on learning. After teas and coffee and a catch-up with friends, the day started in theContinue reading “Hampshire Bee Health Day”
Foulbrood
Despite their names, both European Foulbrood and American Foulbrood are present in the UK and are potentially so serious, that their presence in an apiary is notifiable by law. The National Bee Unit (NBU) is the authority charged with controlling foulbrood. Beekeepers are legally obligated to report any suspected diseased colonies under the Bee DiseasesContinue reading “Foulbrood”
West End update
Denise and Richard inspected the West End apiary on 20 June. In hive 1, they found the lovely new queen (split from hive 2 and marked yellow) was laying well in a great pattern. The bees in hive 2 are in the middle of a supersedure with three cells visible, one ready to go. RichardContinue reading “West End update”
Meridian Beekeepers’ Association 