Meridian Beekeepers’ Association

Asian hornet

Coming to a garden near you? The Asian hornet is a dangerous, non-native species which has the potential to wreak havoc in the UK. It hails from Southeast Asia and could never have arrived here naturally. Natural History Museum The Asian hornet is already well-established in France (and across continental Europe) and has caused immenseContinueContinue reading “Asian hornet”

Louise

My best and worse colonies in 2020 I run between thirteen and twenty colonies, including Nucs, in five locations including my garden. Six locations if you count the New Forest where I take my largest and smallest colonies for heather honey (my favourite) or to fill the brood box with quality winter stores. In mostContinueContinue reading “Louise”

Processing wax

Bees fly between 90,000 and 100,000 miles to make a pound of honey and they consume between 8lbs and 10lbs of honey to make a single pound of wax. Wax is therefore very precious and must not be wasted. It is important that rendering does not waste it or damage the quality. Wax must alwaysContinueContinue reading “Processing wax”

Swarm Collection / Collectors

Peter ClarkWest End, SO3007867 55796402038 1942220Simon ClarkWest End, SO3007977 090256Louise EvansBotley, SO3007434 952900Gemma HareHedge End07715 284186Richard ReadFair Oak, SO5007485 407963Lisa RookeShedfield07514 330624Peter TomlinHedge End, SO3007777 664641Simon FitzjohnSouthampton SO1407496 156157All collectors cover the whole of our South Hampshire area including Bishops Waltham, Botley, Hedge End, Swanmore, Titchfield and West End If you are reading this pageContinueContinue reading “Swarm Collection / Collectors”

Swarming

Swarming is the honey bees’ natural method of reproduction. It’s their way of making two* families out of one. The swarm season generally takes place over a few weeks in late Spring but we do see early swarms and some take place later in Summer. * Not every colony will produce a swarm each yearContinueContinue reading “Swarming”