Author Archives: Meridian Beekeepers’ Association

Gotcha! I’d never been stung by anything until I started beekeeping but like most beginners, I soon became familiar with the sting a worker honey bee can inflict. The first time I was stung, I was surprised how painful it was but as time goes on, and as I received more stings, the pain seemedContinueContinue reading “The sting”

When we’re first confronted with granulated honey on the comb, we’re usually unsure of what to do. Often these frames are put in a plastic box and left forgotten at the back of the shed (I know I’ve done it) or worse, discarded as worthless. Often, the granulated honey will first be seen when uncappingContinueContinue reading “Granulation of honey in the comb”

Since the arrival on our shores of the dreaded Asian hornet, most beekeepers have been more vigilant around their apiaries but some are using traps which indiscriminately kill all wasps including our beneficial native hornet, Vespa Crabro. Vespula vulgaris, the common wasp Wasps generally get a bad press. Nobody (including beekeepers) enjoys them hovering overContinueContinue reading “Learning to love wasps”

The British Beekeepers’ Association (BBKA) is asking local associations and their members to support their new honey petition calling on Government to change the Honey labelling rules so that UK consumers can easily recognise all countries of origin of the honey sold here. https://youtu.be/szsyb1TDgzw BBKA video explaining the honey labelling issue This is the secondContinueContinue reading “Honey labelling petition”

It’s widely believed that high varroa levels and the associated viruses (deformed wing virus and bee paralysis virus) are the main causes of winter colony loss. Some of the authorised chemical treatments for varroa are themselves harmful to bees and potentially to the beekeeper too. Sugar dusting has for sometime been recommended as part ofContinueContinue reading “Dusting bees with icing sugar”