Would PBKA members who are beginners to beekeeping, please note that we hope to start apiary sessions soon, subject to Covid restrictions permitting it.
Please keep an eye on this website for future postings!
PBKA
Colony of bees in need of some TLC!
A lady in Tenby has a colony of bees in her garden which need some urgent management, as she is not a beekeeper herself, but would still like to keep them there. Honey etc produced would belong to the beekeeper. Also, an opportunity for an additional hive to be added if wanted. Would anyone who is interested, please contact us on this webpage in the first instance for further details!
Starvation and Foulbrood warning!
The BBKA has issued a warning to beekeepers to check their bees for starvation and European Foulbrood during this cold snap.
Emergency feeding may be needed. It would be advisable to check the food levels by opening the hive and making a very quick observation of their store levels.
It is also important to check that hives have small entrances as Foulbrood is about in some areas and small colonies or those suffering disease may not be able to defend themselves from infected intruders if they have a large opening to defend.
Bee sales in 2021
For the second year in succession, the Association is unable to hold the annual sale of bees and equipment. In the meantime, there are plenty of new beekeepers out there looking to start and hopefully some responsible beekeepers with colonies to sell. Wherever possible, choosing locally adapted bees is the best choice, the clue is in the title. In order to assist both buyers and sellers, the Association is more than happy to host any advertisements for bees and equipment on our website and as ever, PBKA Committee members are always happy to provide advice and guidance.
When we were able to run the auction, all bees were bought to the sale site a few days before the auction to allow them to settle and to give our seasonal bee inspector and her colleagues time to inspect and report on colonies for sale. Their written reports were available to potential buyers on the day of the sale. For the most part, colonies presented for sale were in good condition, but like in any other area of sales, ‘buyer beware’ is a good rule to live by. This is especially important for those beginners with little idea of what a good colony looks like. Very kindly, our local Seasonal Bee Inspector, Maggie Gill, has offered to inspect bees offered for sale wherever possible and as stated above, the Committee are also on hand to provide a view if requested to do so. Any beekeeper offering colonies for sale should be more than happy to have their bees inspected prior to sale.
Don’t be in too much of a hurry, it is still early here in Pembrokeshire to be able to inspect colonies, many of whom will only now be building up after the winter. We have already received a number of calls from new beekeepers keen to start, but patience is not only a virtue but also particularly important in every aspect of beekeeping!
And finally, just to remind potential new beekeepers; don’t forget to get trained before buying bees and equipment!
Be aware that there is a lot of unsuitable equipment which may be up for sale and keeping bees is not as simple as it first appears, hence its fascination! So please check out our post on training for further information.
Good luck!
Beginners Beekeeping Training
Keeping bees is something that should only be undertaken after appropriate training, both theoretical and practical. With Covid restrictions likely to be relaxed over the next few months, it is to be hoped that some of our bee keeping training activities will be able to resume, subject to the situation prevailing at the time. We intend focusing initially on providing training for beginners, both classroom and practical.
It would be helpful for planning purposes therefore, if those of you who may be interested in taking up the craft, could contact us if you would like to attend a ‘one day’ classroom session. This is open to both members and non-PBKA members who reside in Pembrokeshire. If you are, please complete the form below. Details and cost to follow in due course.
Please note that the practical apiary sessions, when available, are free, but open to PBKA members only. If you wish to join the association in order to attend these, please click https://pbka.info/join/
Pembrokeshire Beekeepers' Association 