PBKA members please note that the next apiary meeting is on Sunday 20th July, commencing at 2pm. 🐝
Author: apiarymanager
Highly Recommended Webinar! Tropilaelaps with Maggie Gill on July 3rd, 2025 at 7:30 PM
Tropilaelaps with Maggie Gill. Join us for a webinar on Jul 03, 2025 at 7:30 PM BST.
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Like Varroa, Tropilaelaps are brood parasites that feed and reproduce on honey bees. Originating in Asia, they have jumped species from their native hosts the giant Asian honey bees to our western honey bees. In much the same way as Varroa did in the 1980s are spreading westwards and were confirmed for the first time in Europe in 2024. Unfortunately, Tropilaelaps poses a much greater threat than Varroa, causing colony losses of between 50 to 80% in areas where they have recently been detected for the first time. Their faster rate of reproduction, shorter phoretic phase and apparent ability to survive on alternative hosts make them more difficult to control and treat.
Find out more about the biology, behaviour, and distribution of this exotic pest and the threat it poses to UK beekeeping.
Maggie Gill has been a beekeeper for 20 years, producing queens and nucs on a small scale and also working in honey bee research. Her research has seen her work with universities and beekeepers in Thailand, Lao, Canada, Chile, Sweden, Iran, USA and most recently Georgia to study honey bee pests and diseases. Currently a senior entomologist at Defra, Maggie worked as a seasonal and regional bee inspector for Wales for 10 years.
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.
NBU Fact Sheets
Please find attached links to the recently updated NBU factsheets that you may be interested in distributing in your newsletters etc to your members.
Small Hive beetle advisory leaflet: This leaflet details the biology and impact of the invasive small hive beetle and provides guidance on how to identify and monitor for the presence of the beetle in colonies, what to do if you suspect its presence, and it also describes the NBU’s surveillance programme and how we work to prevent this invasive pest from entering the UK. It has a section dedicated to explaining the legislation regarding imports and includes links to the relevant documentation for individuals wishing to import bees. The leaflet has a practical step-by-step method for performing a hive check for SHB.
Starting Right with Bees advisory leaflet: This leaflet describes the basics of beekeeping for new beekeepers or for those who are considering beekeeping as a hobby. It explains the basic biology and management of honey bee colonies and provides plenty of links to our content that is especially relevant to those new to beekeeping. The messaging in this booklet urges beekeepers: to join their local associations, to source bees locally, to consider hygiene both when purchasing bees and when performing inspections, to learn more about pests and diseases, particularly foulbrood, and Varroa. Also included is a section outlining the legal responsibilities of beekeepers and a step-by-step guide to performing a simple hive inspection. I hope this updated leaflet will be particularly useful for you to share with new and less experienced beekeepers.
There are 3 fact sheets newly updated on BeeBase
Wax moth: This fact sheet has been significantly reworked to provide more information on the damage that wax moth can potentially cause and more detail on the prevention of wax moth and treatment of infested frames.
Fumigating comb: Our fact sheet providing a step-by-step guide to acetic acid fumigation of frames has been updated to include more information into the hazards of using this method to treat frames and mitigations that need to be observed to prevent damage to yourself or equipment.
Small hive beetle: This fact sheet now focusses on how to identify SHB, what to do if you think you suspect SHB, surveillance and the importance of observing import regulations. The key messages are know what it looks like & how to report it and observe import regulations.
I do hope you find these useful and are able to forward them on in monthly emails/newsletters.
Kind Regards
Dan
Daniel Baxter
Regional Bee Inspector – Wales | Arolygydd Gwenyn Rhanbarthol – Cymru
National Bee Unit | Uned Gwenyn Cenedlaethol – Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) | Asiantaeth Iechyd Anifeiliaid a Phlanhigion
Mobile: 07771038646 Email: daniel.baxter@apha.gov.uk
National Bee Unit Website (BeeBase)/ Gwefan: www.nationalbeeunit.com
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Twitter/ Trydar: @NBU_APHA | Facebook/Gweplyfr: @APHANationalBeeUnit
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Address/ Cyferiad: National Bee Unit, APHA, Room, 11G03, York Bioteh Campus, Sand Hutton, York, YO41 1LZ
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Notes from Asian Hornet Coordinator🐝
Beeing grumpy! Why is it, every time I go on holiday (after making sure my bees have all they need) my dogs are pleased to see me when I get home but the bees…..did they know? Were they jealous? Why do they hate me? It is not so much they are nasty more a sort of we don’t know you go away. I take it as a personal affront, but for the 12 days I was away the flow stopped and the weather was unpleasant so hopefully the bees will shake off their attitude as the brambles burst in to flower and the rosebay starts to bloom in the heatwave starting from Sunday. It was heartening to learn from other apiarists that their colonies demonstrated similar behaviour. Get plenty of supers ready I am predicting a bumper summer honey harvest.
A brief addendum, an Asian hornet was found in Oswestry in January this year, Kent and Sussex remain the main area of infection but reports from Hampshire are on the rise.
Peter Kirkup
Asian Hornet Coordinator
Pembrokeshire Beekeepers' Association 