Preparing For The Basic Assessment
Starting out as a beekeeper is quite daunting, what do I do, can I do it, should I do it, wish I had not done it…
Swarm Control Plan B (i.e. without finding the queen)
On Wednesday 15th March 2017, Rugby Beekeepers Association held their monthly meeting and Speaker for the evening was Peter Spencer (Coventry Branch).
Peter's talk was "Swarm Control Plan B. (without finding the queen)" and was informative, enlightening and peppered with amusing beekeeping anecdotes that the members thoroughly enjoyed.
Asian Hornet Workshop
On the morning of Saturday 11th February the branch held an Asian Hornet Workshop.
As a result of last year's arrival of the asian hornet to our shores, and the possibility that it may be back, the workshop was held to allow our members to get together and make up the trap recommended by the NBU.
NBU Western England Region Annual Report 2016
This is a fascinating look at last year from Jo Schup, our Regional Bee Inspector.
Is your garden buzzing?
Tim Riggs explains why gardeners need to protect pollinating insects, and suggests how.
One of the dreamy delights of a garden is the sound of buzzing insects as they move from flower to flower, gorging on nectar and transferring or collecting pollen. If we like to save our own seed, or wish to encourage self-seeding, these pollinators are welcome agents of fertilisation, and of course they pollinate our apples, pears, plums and raspberries, but whether we benefit directly or not, we can enjoy their presence. A garden devoid of bees, hoverflies and butterflies is unthinkable.
How to make a Bee Vacuum for swarm collection.
I started this little project because we came into possession of an expanded polystyrene box and lid of a suitable size, about 60cm x 35cm x 25cm.
You will require such a box, with a close fitting lid and walls thick enough to allow fittings to be added, in this case about 3cm thick. A wooden box of a similar size would be fine and may be easier to work if you have some basic woodworking skills and tools.
How To : Hive Examination
On average this is a weekly task during the bee season and starts when the weather warms sufficiently to open the hives. Rule of thumb: if it is comfortable outside in shirt sleeves, it is ok to open a hive.
There are those who will bother their bees a great deal less. Personally I would like to check them loads more, but that would be for my personal satisfaction and would be very disruptive to the colony.
BeeBase
Beebase News Web feed-
Annual National Hive Count Commences / Y Cyfrif Cychod Gwenyn Cenedlaethol Blynyddol yn Dechrau
01 November 2022The National Bee Unit is pleased to launch the 2022 National Hive Count today, 1st of November.
The hard slog of summer beekeeping is done so make yourself a nice cup of tea, grab your laptop and sink into your favourite chair. It’s time to update your BeeBase records!
We would like to ask all beekeepers to please login to BeeBase and make a note of the total number of colonies you will be taking into the winter as of 1st November 2022. This task is quick and simple, just click here, login and fill in the short form. Even if you have no overwintering colonies this season it is still important to update your BeeBase record to reflect that. This survey will run until 31st December 2022.
For more information about the Hive Count click here.
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Mae'n bleser gan yr Uned Wenyn Genedlaethol lansio Cyfrif Cychod Gwenyn 2022 heddiw, 1 Tachwedd.
Mae'r haf hir o gadw gwenyn wedi mynd heibio felly gwnewch baned o de, estynwch eich gliniadur ac ymlaciwch yn eich hoff gadair. Mae'n amser i chi ddiweddaru'ch cofnodion BeeBase!
Hoffem ofyn i wenynwyr fewngofnodi i BeeBase a gwneud nodyn o gyfanswm nifer y nythfeydd a fydd gennych dros y gaeaf o 1 Tachwedd 2022. Mae'r dasg hon yn un syml a byr, cliciwch yma, mewngofnodwch a chwblhewch y ffurflen. Hyd yn oed os nad oes gennych nythfeydd sy'n gaeafu y tymor hwn, mae'n dal yn bwysig eich bod yn diweddaru eich cofnod BeeBase i gadarnhau hynny. Bydd yr arolwg hwn yn para tan 31 Rhagfyr 2022.
I gael rhagor o wybodaeth am y Cyfrif Cychod Gwenyn cliciwch yma. -
Credible sighting of a single Asian hornet in Dover, Kent
06 October 2022National Bee Unit inspectors carried out enhanced surveillance in Dover after a member of the public took a clear photo of an Asian hornet (Vespa velutina) before it flew away. No further insects were seen.
Local Asian Hornet Teams have been alerted and are continuing to observe forage and monitor insects in the area.
The National Bee Unit is encouraging beekeepers and the public to remain vigilant, especially near ivy in full flower which is particularly attractive to Vespa velutina.
Please report sightings of Vespa velutina using the ‘Asian hornet Watch’ app for iPhone and Android, or the online reporting form. Please direct all media enquires to Defra Press Office: 0330 0416560 -
Asian hornet confirmed in the Rayleigh area of Essex
28 September 2022A local Asian Hornet Team member in the Rayleigh area of Essex captured three hornets and reported this using the Asian Hornet Watch app. National Bee Unit inspectors were dispatched to the location to carry out enhanced surveillance and the hornets were confirmed as Asian hornet (Vespa velutina).
An Asian hornet nest in a sycamore tree was killed in the Rayleigh area of Essex on Friday the 30th September and removed the following day. Monitoring will continue in the area supported by local beekeepers.
The ‘Asian Hornet Watch’ app is free to download from the Apple and Android app stores.
Further information regarding the Asian hornet can be found on our Asian hornet page of BeeBase and on Defra's news page. Please direct all media enquiries to the Defra Press Office: 0330 0416560.