Varroa

Enjoyable apiary meeting!

apiarymanager Bee Health, Events, PBKA, PBKA Apiary, PBKA Membership, Scolton Beekeeping Centre, Training, Varroa

An enjoyable PBKA Scolton Apiary training session was held this afternoon, with at least 20 members present, including two new to beekeeping. Weather held up, though a bit chilly and breezy. In addition to general hive inspections, we moved a nucleus colony into a hive, completed a trickle treatment of Oxalic acid on a recently caught swarm, introduced a mated queen to a small nucleus colony and used two frames of brood in a nuc to make a split using a capped queen cell. Fingers crossed for all those to suceed. The next training session is on May 31st and will provide an opportunity to follow up on each hive /nucs progress. Thanks to Linda, Lesley, Aisha and John as trainers at the session and to Pete for providing invaluable help making sure all the kit we needed was there as required!

Pic by Linda Jones 2026

Possible reasons for winter losses!🐝

apiarymanager Bee Health, Feeding Bees and Starvation, Foul Brood Diseases, Hornets, Neonicotinoids, Nosema, PBKA, Pests, Varroa

We have had reports of significant Honey Bee losses this winter. This can be for a variety of reasons including starvation, queen failure, undiagnosed/untreated disease, mite infestation, pesticides and of course, inclement weather.

Beekeepers may find the attached from the NBU of interest and perhaps act as a timely reminder to keep their eye on the ball with such risks as Varroa and Nosema for example, which have faded into the background somewhat, with the looming threat of the Yellow Legged Hornet!

Bee treatments and the recording of veterinary medicines 

apiarymanager Bee Health, Education & Training, Foul Brood Diseases, National Bee Unit, Nosema, PBKA, Pests, Starting Beekeeping, Stories of Interest, Training, Varroa
Beekeepers should regularly check their bees for signs of disease and infestations.
Now is a good time to check and treat for Varroa, before Winter feeding commences. There are numerous permitted treatments available and you are required to keep records of treatment given.
See below the advice given by the National Bee Unit (NBU).

Record of Veterinary Medicines 

You must keep records of all veterinary medicines administered to colonies for at least five years, irrespective if the colony concerned is no longer in your possession or has died during that period.

The ‘veterinary medicine administration record’, is a useful template for you to use to meet these requirements.
Your medicines records can be requested at any time by the relevant authority and/or bee inspector. Failing to keep records of veterinary medicines applied to honey bee colonies, as set out in the Veterinary Medicines Regulations (VMR) 2013, is an offence.

Varroa warning!

apiarymanager PBKA, Varroa

I found this report in the Guardian, it tells of the catastrophic effect VAROA mites are having on bee colonies. The report is very worrying. It says Varoa are becoming resistant to miticides. Hopefully this link I share works and you can read the article for yourself. https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/jul/08/record-us-bee-colony-dieoffs-climate-stress-pesticides-silent-spring-aoe

Peter Kirkup

PBKA Asian Hornet Coordinator

NBU Fact Sheets

apiarymanager Education & Training, Feeding Bees and Starvation, Foul Brood Diseases, Hornets, National Bee Unit, Neonicotinoids, Nosema, PBKA, Pests, Stories of Interest, Training, Varroa

Please find attached links to the recently updated NBU factsheets that you may be interested in distributing in your newsletters etc to your members.

Small Hive beetle advisory leaflet: This leaflet details the biology and impact of the invasive small hive beetle and provides guidance on how to identify and monitor for the presence of the beetle in colonies, what to do if you suspect its presence, and it also describes the NBU’s surveillance programme and how we work to prevent this invasive pest from entering the UK. It has a section dedicated to explaining the legislation regarding imports and includes links to the relevant documentation for individuals wishing to import bees.  The leaflet has a practical step-by-step method for performing a hive check for SHB.

English: https://www.nationalbeeunit.com/assets/PDFs/3_Resources_for_beekeepers/Advisory_leaflets/Starting_Right_with_Bees_Final_2016.pdf

Welsh: https://www.nationalbeeunit.com/assets/PDFs/3_Resources_for_beekeepers/Advisory_leaflets/Starting_Right_-Bees_Final-Web-version-Welsh.pdf

Starting Right with Bees advisory leaflet: This leaflet describes the basics of beekeeping for new beekeepers or for those who are considering beekeeping as a hobby. It explains the basic biology and management of honey bee colonies and provides plenty of links to our content that is especially relevant to those new to beekeeping. The messaging in this booklet urges beekeepers: to join their local associations, to source bees locally, to consider hygiene both when purchasing bees and when performing inspections, to learn more about pests and diseases, particularly foulbrood, and Varroa.  Also included is a section outlining the legal responsibilities of beekeepers and a step-by-step guide to performing a simple hive inspection. I hope this updated leaflet will be particularly useful for you to share with new and less experienced beekeepers.

English: https://www.nationalbeeunit.com/assets/PDFs/3_Resources_for_beekeepers/Advisory_leaflets/Starting_Right_with_Bees_Final_2016.pdf

Welsh: https://www.nationalbeeunit.com/assets/PDFs/3_Resources_for_beekeepers/Advisory_leaflets/Small_hive_beetle_Web_Welsh.pdf

There are 3 fact sheets newly updated on BeeBase

Wax moth: This fact sheet has been significantly reworked to provide more information on the damage that wax moth can potentially cause and more detail on the prevention of wax moth and treatment of infested frames.

English: https://www.nationalbeeunit.com/assets/PDFs/3_Resources_for_beekeepers/Fact_Sheets/Fact_30_Wax_Moth.pdf

Welsh: https://www.nationalbeeunit.com/assets/PDFs/3_Resources_for_beekeepers/Fact_Sheets/Fact_30_Wax_Moth_cymraeg.pdf

Fumigating comb: Our fact sheet providing a step-by-step guide to acetic acid fumigation of frames has been updated to include more information into the hazards of using this method to treat frames and mitigations that need to be observed to prevent damage to yourself or equipment.

English: https://www.nationalbeeunit.com/assets/PDFs/3_Resources_for_beekeepers/Fact_Sheets/Fact_14_Fumigating_Comb.pdf

Welsh: https://www.nationalbeeunit.com/assets/PDFs/3_Resources_for_beekeepers/Fact_Sheets/Fact_14_Fumigating_comb_Welsh.pdf

Small hive beetle: This fact sheet now focusses on how to identify SHB, what to do if you think you suspect SHB, surveillance and the importance of observing import regulations. The key messages are know what it looks like & how to report it and observe import regulations.

English: https://www.nationalbeeunit.com/assets/PDFs/3_Resources_for_beekeepers/Fact_Sheets/Fact_12_Small_Hive_Beetle.pdf

Welsh: https://www.nationalbeeunit.com/assets/PDFs/3_Resources_for_beekeepers/Fact_Sheets/FACT_12_Control_of_Small_Hive_Beetle_cymraeg.pdf

I do hope you find these useful and are able to forward them on in monthly emails/newsletters.

Kind Regards

Dan

Daniel Baxter

Regional Bee Inspector – Wales | Arolygydd Gwenyn Rhanbarthol – Cymru

National Bee Unit | Uned Gwenyn Cenedlaethol – Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) | Asiantaeth Iechyd Anifeiliaid a Phlanhigion

Mobile: 07771038646    Email: daniel.baxter@apha.gov.uk

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