Hi fellow beekeepers, bees are going flat out right now so have an extra super ready in case you need it. The wasps are starting to appear now so you should consider reducing the entrance size to your hive. It is also a good time to be on the lookout for the Asian Hornet, remember, it has only one band of yellow on the abdomen, European hornets have the full yellow abdomen like the wasps. If wasps are bothering your hives, here are some possible remedies, move the affected hive to another location, the chances are there is a wasp nest nearby. You could use an underfloor entrance to your hive, or in a desperate solution, seal the entrance to your hive with foam or sponge but fit a length of hose pipe to extend beyond the landing board a few inches, the bees seem to figure it out . Anything is better than losing the hive. Be sure to stock up with syrup to feed towards winter, if the temperature is still above 15 degrees keep the feed topped up, once it goes colder you will need to rely on fondant. Our mild winters mean the bees eat more than they would otherwise so always have fondant ready if stores dwindle. You can insert pencil size pieces of fondant through the entrance rather than risk cooling the hive. (I prepare small sticks of fondant, then freeze them separated from each other, this is the easiest way to top up feed in the winter months).

Peter Kirkup

Asian Hornet Co-ordinator