Just to advise beekeepers everywhere to check their bees for stores (especially nucs), particularly if you didn’t give yours a full winter feed at the end of last season.
So give your hives a heft and if needed, give them some fondant or candy (not liquid feed!) and recheck regularly!
This is also a good time to treat for Varroa while brood numbers are low.
Pesticides that harm bees were found in the “majority” of English waterways tested in the last year, according to data analysis by two environmental charities.
The Rivers Trust and Wildlife and Countryside Link found neonicotinoid pesticides were present in 85% of English rivers tested by the Environment Agency between 2023 and 2024.
See link for further details!
Hi fellow beekeepers , I have recently given my bees a final pre-winter check. Even after being fed 12L of syrup a few weeks ago, there are very little stores, there is Ivy pollen and nectar, but the honey may be unusable for the bees, I have fed fondant and rapid feeder again, the bees were looking for the syrup but the temperature was only 13 degrees. My message is …don’t assume there is enough food in the hives, if the bees can’t use the ivy honey they will starve. Stock up with fondant and feed as required. Good luck everyone.
Peter Kirkup
Wow! Check out the news channels……an Asian Hornet’s nest has been discovered in Southampton, estimated to hold about 3000 insects! This is a worry, it demonstrates the Asian Hornet populations are spreading west. Please continue to be vigilant and report suspected sightings to me Peter Kirkup, Asian Hornet Co-ordinator; the PBKA’s Apiary Manager, Paul Eades, or the National Bee Unit.
Now is the time of year when we are preparing for Winter, and this would seem an opportune time to remind PBKA members about the importance of monitoring and managing Varroa. It is important not to get complacent about this highly destructive pest and the damage it can cause to colonies.
In order to avoid any confusion or mixed messages therefore, we have included a link to the latest advice from the National Bee Unit. We recommend that you study the information and act on its recommendations.
If you have any queries, please get back to us.
Pembrokeshire Beekeepers' Association 