Just to remind all beekeepers that the June gap can still happen and inclement weather, combined with large growing colonies and 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.

We continue to receive reports of shortages of food stores in hives. The queen will be laying in earnest now, so it is advised that you check your colonies have adequate stores by hefting and add supplements if required. With the forecast promising more cold weather next week, fondant is the best option rather than liquid feed. PBKA members can get fondant from Jeremy Percy. His contact details are on the 2018 programme.

Fondant is ideal for feeding to colonies in the winter if stores are low. Would PBKA members please note that the association now has fondant available for sale at a discounted price. Please contact the Chairman, Jeremy Percy, for details.