May’s edition of BBKA News contained a short article about Varroa becoming a reportable disease in England with effect from 21 April. There was some discussion about this at Monday’s fireside chat which prompted Meridian member David Smith to emailed Ian Campbell, news editor of BBKA News. David asked why the ‘Varroa Reportable in England’ContinueContinue reading “Varroa reporting in England”
Category Archives: Uncategorized
Whole apiary shook swarm
Whole Apiary Shook Swarm Trial Bee Disease Insurance Limited (BDI) is currently undertaking a two year whole apiary shook swarm trail in partnership with the National Bee Unit (NBU). Bee inspectors will now offer to beekeepers who find European Foul Brood (EFB) in a colony the opportunity to have their entire apiary shook swarmed andContinueContinue reading “Whole apiary shook swarm”
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”
Meridian Beekeepers’ Association 