PBKA

BBC report on the concern over spread of AFB in Wales

apiarymanager Bee Health, Foul Brood Diseases, PBKA

Concern has been growing over the spread of a deadly disease among the Welsh bee population.

American Foulbrood (AFB) is a highly-infectious disease which is caused by a spore-forming bacteria transferred to the bees through infected food.

It is described as the most widespread and destructive of all the bee brood diseases with no cure.

If detected the whole hive including the bees and honey have to be destroyed.

See the BBC article here.

Also, an interview with Paul Eades, PBKA Apiary Manager on BBC Radio Wales this morning, (Friday 16th August) at 2 hrs 26 mins 50sec.

Plus, a report on BBC TV’s, Wales Today, at 6.30pm this evening (Note this programme was not broadcast due to technical problems at the BBC, we will advise rescheduling in due course)

Pembrokeshire Beekeepers’ Association, once again reminds all of its members to register on Beebase

americanFoulbrood

Apiary meeting reminder!

apiarymanager PBKA

Will PBKA members please note the following apiary meeting changes:

This Sunday’s 4th August, ‘Improvers’ meeting at Scolton, is cancelled, as there will be a honey extracting demonstration to coincide with the ‘Paws in the Park’ event. The next meeting will be on Sunday 18th August at 2pm.

Regarding the ‘Beginner’ sessions
at the Rhos Apiary. The meeting scheduled for Sunday 11th August has been cancelled but for those members who have attended at any time during this year only, we will be doing an ‘introduction to honey extraction’ demonstration at Picton Home Farm, The Rhosthis coming Sunday 4th August at 2pm, covering clearing supers of bees, uncapping, extracting, storing and bottling. We will also look at getting the best from your wax.
The venue will be signposted but it is simply into the village, turn up towards Picton Castle and its the farm drive a couple of hundred yards on your right with Picton Home Farm sign in the grass [NOT the Picton Home Farm Barns turning].
As ever, any problems, call Jeremy on 07799 698 568 for queries relating to beginners meetings and Paul on 07988 037 571 regarding the improvers meetings.

Apiary Meeting changes!

apiarymanager PBKA, PBKA Apiary, Training

Will PBKA members please note the following apiary meeting changes:

This Sunday’s 4th August, ‘Improvers’ meeting at Scolton, is cancelled, as there will be a honey extracting demonstration to coincide with the ‘Paws in the Park’ event. The next meeting will be on Sunday 18th August at 2pm.

Regarding the ‘Beginner’ sessions
at the Rhos Apiary. The meeting scheduled for Sunday 11th August has been cancelled but for those members who have attended at any time during this year only, we will be doing an ‘introduction to honey extraction’ demonstration at Picton Home Farm, The Rhos this coming Sunday 4th August at 2pm, covering clearing supers of bees, uncapping, extracting, storing and bottling. We will also look at getting the best from your wax.
The venue will be signposted but it is simply into the village, turn up towards Picton Castle and its the farm drive a couple of hundred yards on your right with Picton Home Farm sign in the grass [NOT the Picton Home Farm Barns turning].
As ever, any problems, call Jeremy on 07799 698 568 for queries relating to beginners meetings and Paul on 07988 037 571 regarding the improvers meetings.

Wasp alert!!

apiarymanager PBKA

Wasps are making their appearance felt now around the hives.

To keep the pesky invaders out:

Reduce the entrance size of the hive, probably opened fully during the recent hot weather, to give the bees a smaller area to defend.

Put out wasp traps, wasp trap (Mobile)these can be bought or easily made with a jam jar with a hole made in the lid or from a plastic drinks bottle as shown. Jam attracts wasps, but not bees.  Do not use honey in the bait of course.

Be tidy and keep rubbish away from the apiary, which could attract wasps and other pests!

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PBKA Centenary 1919-2019

apiarymanager PBKA

2019 is the centenary of Pembrokeshire Beekeepers’ Association.

In order to mark this momentous occasion, the association has various plans in place, including the publication of a special edition book. In order to make this fully inclusive, we would welcome any stories or information from past or present members (or friends) for consideration.

So if you have any anecdotes, information or ideas you would like to share, please let us know. You can if you wish email the information to our Centenary Coordinator at pbkacentenary@gmail.com or if you have information in hard copy format or wish to discuss further, please contact the Chairman, Jeremy Percy, in the first instance.

We look forward to hearing from you!

 

Starvation risk!

apiarymanager Feeding Bees and Starvation, PBKA

Just to remind all beekeepers that the June gap can still happen and inclement weather, combined with large growing colonies and little or no available forage, can quickly result in a shortage of stores.

So be sure to check that your bees have enough food, especially if you have taken off any spring honey. Note that if you add extra frames of sealed stores you should keep them in the brood boxes, so as to avoid getting them mixed up in the honey supers. Also, if you have to feed directly, use a light syrup (i.e. 1:1 sugar/water ratio) with any honey supers taken off during the feeding process.