In light of the warning from the NBU with regard to starvation, the Association has taken the precaution of ordering in 500 x 1kg bags of fondant for members [ £1.50 per kilo bag ]. We expect delivery early next week. For supply, call Jeremy on 07799 698568 or jeremypercy@gmail.com

Bee Inspectors across the UK are reporting that many colonies are in need of food where honey has been harvested and nectar availability is reduced. Where starvation is a risk, replacement food needs to be provided.

Please monitor your colonies throughout the coming months and feed as required to ensure your bees do not starve. A standard full size British National colony needs between 20-25 kg of stores to successfully overwinter. Sugar syrup should be made with 1kg of sugar to 650ml of warm water or a commercially ready-made bee syrup can be given.

For further information, please see the Best Practice Guidance No. 7 – Feeding Bees Sugar

Just to remind all beekeepers that the June gap can still happen and large growing colonies with little or no available forage, can quickly result in a shortage of stores.

So be sure to check that your bees have enough food, especially if you have taken off any spring honey. Note that if you add extra frames of sealed stores you should keep them in the brood boxes, so as to avoid getting them mixed up in the honey supers. Also, if you have to feed directly, use a light syrup (i.e. 1:1 sugar/water ratio) with any honey supers taken off during the feeding process.

Just to remind beekeepers everywhere to check their bees for stores, as we are coming into a high risk time for starvation, as the queen gets into gear and the remaining winter stores are used up. So give your hives a heft and if needed, give them some fondant or candy (not liquid feed!).

If you require fondant, it is available for PBKA members only at £1.50/kg pack, or £18 a box of 12), from the PBKA Chairman, Jeremy Percy. You can contact him on 07799 698568.