The signs of spring are appearing and the bees are now finding a few days when the temperature is high enough for them to make cleansing and foraging flights. There is some pollen about but not much nectar. If they have survived so far, check that they have enough stores to finish the winter. A … Continue reading Spring feeding
Bee Health
Vanishing of the Bees – see the film
'The 'Vanishing of the Bees' will be shown at the National Trust Stackpole Centre on Wednesday Feb 17th 7.30pm (running time 96 minutes) Free Entry. More info: Mike May 01646 661618. In the UK around one fifth of honeybee hives were lost in the winter of 2008/09. Bees pollinate a third of the food we … Continue reading Vanishing of the Bees – see the film
Varroa Management using Icing Sugar
Since its arrival in Wales in 1994 the varroa mite has become the major threat to honeybees. It is also evolving resistance to the treatments originally used to manage it. You should monitor the level of the mite in your hives regularly and take action to deal with infestation. These articles from Scientific Beekeeping may be … Continue reading Varroa Management using Icing Sugar
IBRA – Honey bee colony losses
The recent concern over CCD has much in common with the historical "Isle of Wight Disease" episode, and many lessons can be learned. Initial concern about colony losses in one particular area, the USA, has led to global media attention. Moreover, colony losses throughout the world are being ascribed to CCD, yet that term was … Continue reading IBRA – Honey bee colony losses
IBRA – A survey of honey bee colony losses in the United States, fall 2008 to spring 2009
This study records the third consecutive year of high winter losses in managed honey bee colonies in the USA. Over the winter of 2008-9 an estimated 29 % of all US colonies died. Operations which pollinated Californian almond orchards over the survey period had lower average losses than those which did not. Beekeepers consider normal … Continue reading IBRA – A survey of honey bee colony losses in the United States, fall 2008 to spring 2009
Pembrokeshire Beekeepers' Association 