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 overContinue 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 secondContinue 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 ofContinue reading "Dusting bees with icing sugar"

A well populated nucleus, ready for transfer to a full-sized hive. There used to be a British Standard for nuclei. This is no longer in use but the requirements set out in that standard are still relevant today. A nucleus colony should: • have a young, good quality, laying queen. She may be marked and/orContinue reading "The value of nuclei"

Whether you’re conducting a hive inspection or just sitting in front of your bees with a cup of tea, studying them carefully will tell you a lot about the health and well-being of your colony. This page aims to suggest what you might look out for. Inside the hive It’s best not to disturb yourContinue reading "Reading your bees"