Bee Health

Asian Hornets – Message from Animal & Plant Health Agency (APHA)

apiarymanager Bee Health, Hornets

This is to update you on Asian Hornet sightings in GB this year. So far in 2023 there have been 43 Asian hornet nests found in 36 locations – the majority of which are in Kent. More information, rolling updates and information on previous sightings can be found on the website of the National Bee Unit.

We would be grateful for your support in helping to raise awareness and encourage reporting of any further sightings. Alert posters and ID sheets are available to help, please see the Asian hornet alert page for details.

Any suspected sightings should ideally be reported with a photograph via the Asian hornet watch app or the online reporting form.  For more details on identification and reporting please visit the Asian hornet alert page.

GB Non-Native Species Secretariat

Animal & Plant Health Agency (APHA)

Sand Hutton

York

YO41 1LZ

Starvation warning!

apiarymanager Feeding Bees and Starvation

With the poor weather over recent weeks, and with a return to unsettled weather forecast after these few days of improvement, please check that your colonies have sufficient food. We have seen reports of colony starvation and have heard of several colonies where the queen has been taken off lay due to inadequate supplies. Winter survival is compromised by a prolonged brood gap at this time of year, an aging population of bees and no pollen to stimulate lay. If you have not inspected recently due to the poor weather, please do so as soon as possible. Here are a few tips and suggestions to help.

  • Check stores – heft if you can’t lift the lid due to poor weather or get a golf umbrella and a friend to help. having a helper can be good especially if you are inexperienced as the bees can be a bit “hangry” in these situations.
  • Avoid creating a robbing frenzy by feeding during the day – apply feed during the evening when there is less flying activity.
  • If a syrup feed is not possible get some spare honey super frames (scored) into the brood box temporarily ASAP.
  • Order some pollen patties to help stimulate lay – there is very little pollen coming in in some areas at exactly the time that the winter bees should be developing.
  • Consider using this un-natural brood break to carry out an Oxalic treatment.

For more information about feeding bees please consult the WBKA booklet ‘Feeding Bees’ which can be downloaded from the WBKA website https://wbka.com/wbka-publications/.