Hello members I wish to update you with the latest information on Asian Hornets in the UK. To date, 19 nests have been found this year and destroyed, but the good news is that numbers remain lower than last year so far! Perhaps this is the only silver lining of the truly dismal weather we have had this year. One update from Jersey today was an article about 2 agricultural workers being stung when they cut through a nest by accident, it was in a bush at ground level, which is important for us all to be aware of for the future. If anyone would care to put out traps or bait stations the NBU would prefer non kill, open bait stations [Take away plastic boxes are a good size] with sweet bait. Jam etc. is good, or rotting fruit. Because the trap is open, any insect can feed and escape so the bait station needs to be where you can view it, maybe from a window in a room where you are safe and warm inside. Note any potential siting and please use the Asian hornet watch app to record and send a notification to the NNSS [Non native Species Secretariat]. The Asian Hornet Watch App is available in the Apple App store and the Google Play store for your phone. Cathy Moore

As an avid listener to the Radio 4 Archers programme for more years than I wish to own up too, I note that last week an Asian hornet was identified, it managed to sting somebody on the face who recovered without grave symptoms, a photograph of the hornet was taken and uploaded using the watch app. The NBU was sent out in force, the nest found, exterminated and sent to be examined. All very smoothly and swiftly! Oh if that was always the case.

I imagine the reason the storyline was used was to make the audience aware and educate them about the potential devastating Asian Hornet presence in the UK – which of course was a great idea, due to an audience of circa 5 million listeners.

At our regular monthly meeting on Wednesday evening Dave Bonner kindly gave a presentation. Dave who was a Bee Inspector for many years and has a great depth of knowledge, which he is always happy to share with members at his talks and certainly did so this month on various topics. However Dave’s official talk was related to the simple nucleus box. He discussed the variety of ways this small box can truly aid beekeeping, and goodness there were plenty of them! Dave supports Bees Abroad in many ways and £40.00 was collected at the end of the meeting – thank you all, but should anybody wish to donate to the charity please go to the website Bees Abroad where you can make an online donation to the charity.

Things to consider this month :-

• Pests – not just the end of the wasps invading the hives but mice and woodpeckers too. Last year a member of the group had multiple hives damaged by woodpeckers. I was shocked to see the damage. Thus surrounding the hive with ‘a chicken wire cage ‘ is an option should you be concerned.
• Mouse guards can be attached once the temperature drops, as mice love a cosy winter home. However be mindful the holes can be blocked and reduce the entrance.
• Feeding - The feeding of syrup generally stops this month due to risk of fermentation occurring. Should stores be low, fondant is a good backup above the cluster, Chinese takeaway boxes are ideal. Good books or the BBKA have articles related to feeding, should you need further advice.
• Hefting - Many experienced beekeepers lift the hive, it's called ‘ hefting ‘ to gauge the remaining stores inside, it’s not exactly a scientific method of checking but works for many. Others use luggage scales. See articles for further advice.
• Hives - Inspect and ensure all hives are waterproof and windproof. Monitor for floods, and strong storms. Strapping the hives down or putting a heavy object, such as a paving slab, on the roof will stop high winds from lifting the roof off.
• Cleaning is an important part of beekeeping, this time of the year is perfect to start addressing the chore, whether it’s via a blow torch or a chemical sterilisation method.
• Avoiding wax moth is not always easy, but freezing frames or use of acetic acid are options available.
• Rendering your wax is a sensible option. Next month Steve Brown is going to talk to the group about the method he successfully uses, then exchanges the recovered wax for sheets of new foundation via Thornes.
• Insulation of the hive for the winter - many beekeepers provide this for their bees, there are a variety of methods available, again good articles will discuss options.
• Inspecting hives over the winter is not the best idea, as bees would have to use precious energy to reseal the hive again and generate the heat to bring the temperature in the hive back up afterwards, but without opening the hive you can learn a great deal from observing the activity of the bees at the entrance.
• If you are over wintering with a hive that has a super on, either under or over the brood box [most people put it under], do not fit a queen excluder as this can prevent the winter cluster getting to the stores in the super. This can result in starvation of a colony when there is plenty of food available only a few millimetres away. Gail Plester