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
Bee Health
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
Bee Decline link to Plant Diversity
The BBC website reports on a report claiming a link. Read it here.
BBKA Survey Identifies 20% Bee Losses Last Winter
On 24th August the British Beekeepers Association published the results of their annual survey of bee losses. See the story here on the BBKA website.
Pembrokeshire Beekeepers' Association 