Bees fly from flower to flower, pollinating our crops, trees and plants as they go. Most people know bees are under increasing threat from human activity but what can I do about it? It’s such a big problem. Saturday 20 May is World Bee Day, designed to increase our awareness of these amazing pollinators andContinue reading "World bee day, 20 May"
Meridian queen rearing programme 2022
Queen rearing survey Several members have expressed an interest in working together to improve our stock and to have an accessible supply of good-quality local queens available for our members. The aim of the proposed queen-rearing programme is to develop more healthy bees suited to our local conditions and which exhibit the characteristics most cherishedContinue reading "Meridian queen rearing programme 2022"
Varroa reporting in England
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’Continue reading "Varroa reporting in England"
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 andContinue 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 immenseContinue reading "Asian hornet"
Meridian Beekeepers’ Association 