Bee Health

AFB and EFB warning

apiarymanager Bee Health, Foul Brood Diseases, PBKA

Just to remind all beekeepers concerning American Foul Brood (AFB) and European Foul Brood(EFB)

We have been advised to direct you to the National Bee Unit (NBU) factsheet ‘Apiary Hygiene and Quarantine’, plus ‘Foulbrood Disease of Honey Bees and other common brood disorders’. These are available on Beebase at: http://www.nationalbeeunit.com/index.cfm?pageid=167

All beekeepers have a duty to keep healthy, disease free bees and the PBKA strongly recommends that beekeepers sign up to Beebase in order to ensure that they receive any warnings and can obtain advice etc. in the event of a disease outbreak.

Beekeepers within 3km of an outbreak, with a current email address on Beebase, will receive an emailed alert from the NBU. All beekeepers within 5km of an outbreak should exercise vigilance as per the above factsheet, which also covers swarm collection and we strongly recommend that all swarms caught are quarantined for a period of 6 weeks with any concerns advised to your local Bee Inspector.

Please note if PBKA members see any hives in their area which appear to be abandoned, or are of unknown origin, contact the PBKA with details.

AFB warning

apiarymanager Bee Health, Foul Brood Diseases, PBKA

Just a seasonal reminder for beekeepers concerning American Foul Brood (AFB).

We have been advised to direct you to the National Bee Unit (NBU) factsheet ‘Apiary Hygiene and Quarantine’, plus ‘Foulbrood Disease of Honey Bees and other common brood disorders’. These are available on Beebase at: http://www.nationalbeeunit.com/index.cfm?pageid=167

All beekeepers have a duty to keep healthy, disease free bees and the PBKA strongly recommends that beekeepers sign up to Beebase in order to ensure that they receive any warnings and can obtain advice etc. in the event of a disease outbreak.

Beekeepers within 3km of an AFB outbreak, with a current email address on Beebase, will receive an emailed alert from the NBU. All beekeepers within 5km of an outbreak should exercise vigilance as per the above factsheet, which also covers swarm collection and we strongly recommend that all swarms caught are quarantined for a period of 6 weeks with any concerns advised to your local Bee Inspector.

Please note if PBKA members see any hives in their area which appear to be abandoned, or are of unknown origin, contact the PBKA with details.

Bee Friendly

apiarymanager Bee Health, Books and Magazines, Education & Training, Environment, Feeding Bees and Starvation, Stories of Interest

A brand new booklet to planting for pollinators has been released and it is brimful of great ideas and top tips.

Botanic Garden’s science team has provided expert advice for a booklet detailing some of the top plants for pollinators to guide growers on what to plant throughout the year.

There are also tips on grass cutting, containers, growing from seed, from cuttings, and advice on making new plants using techniques such as layering and division.

You can find out more about the Bee Friendly scheme and download a booklet here:  https://www.biodiversitywales.org.uk/Bee-Friendly

For hard copies please e-mail: NatureConservation@gov.wales