There have been no new reports of Asian hornets and no further developments regarding the possible sighting at Bretford. Our Benchmark from Jersey is that numbers are down this year but still appreciable.

Overall from our bees, it seems to be a good season with supers filling up now the better weather has arrived. A massive thank you to those members who have been out collecting swarms and passed them onto members in need. I think everyone who needed bees has at least 2 colonies each now.
Cathy

August is the time to take the honey from the supers if not already done so, and subsequently allow the bees to stock the brood chamber with reserves for winter. Once supers have gone it’s a good time to check for varroa and treat the bees whilst the temperatures are still warm [if treatment you use is temperature sensitive]. Don’t forget several of them require the removal of the supers so the honey doesn’t get tainted. If the hives are low on stores now is also a good time to feed and the BBKA have many articles on late summer and winter feeding.

Do not forget to save/collect all of your spare wax, cappings and scrapings in a box. Beginners can learn how to process and use the wax at our November meeting, where the subject is how to render wax. Wax can then be exchanged for wax sheets at the conventions or used to make candles, polish, soaps, creams, etc. Please read up on the safety regulations before trying to sell products you have made. Also, your insurance only covers you for selling pure hive products, i.e. honey or wax, so may also need to check this too.

The BBKA news Magazine this month has a few articles worth a read especially if you’re in the first few years of beekeeping - The Beekeeping year ‘August’ and Managing colonies going into and through winter. The Rugby Honey show is being held on Saturday 14th September 2024 and hopefully you have sent your entry form into Maurice already. If you haven't, there is still time – do save a jar or two of honey to put into the honey show or try your hand in one of the other categories like baking a Honey cake, decorate small cakes or present a photograph. See the schedule application form and the presentation on preparing Liquid Honey for shows, in Martins email sent on 12th July 2024.

We are also having a talk at our October meeting on nucleus boxes. It is quite amazing how many uses they have, do not miss the talk.

Cathy Moore

Things to consider this Month

• Book your slot to use the branch extractor, it can get busy this time of year
• Check for varroa after supers off and consider treating this or next month.
• Robbing - Wasps [or other bees ] will soon start to investigate our hives, they can cause havoc. Plan to reduce entrances to as little as a bee space if necessary.
• Consider entering the branch Honey Show, it’s interesting looking at the produce, or visit the County Honey Show.