American Foulbrood outbreak!

apiarymanager Foul Brood Diseases

Would all PBKA members please note that there have recently been outbreaks of American Foul Brood (AFB) in Pembrokeshire. Note that these outbreaks are not related to any PBKA members, but are from another individual source and present a threat to us all!

We have been advised to direct you to the National Bee Unit (NBU) factsheet Apiary_Hygiene_and_Quarantine for your information and action. Also ‘Foulbrood Disease of Honey Bees and other common brood disorders’ has a lot of information on biosecurity and barrier management, including ‘10 rules for foulbrood control’. These are on Beebase at: http://www.nationalbeeunit.com/index.cfm?pageid=167

All beekeepers have a duty to keep healthy, disease free bees and the PBKA strongly recommends that all beekeepers sign up to Beebase in order to ensure that they receive any warnings and can obtain advice etc. in the event of a disease outbreak.

Beekeepers within 3km of the outbreak with a current email address on Beebase, will have been emailed an alert from the NBU. All beekeepers within 5km of an outbreak should exercise vigilance as per the above factsheet, which also covers swarm collection and we strongly recommend that all swarms caught are quarantined for a period of 6 weeks with any concerns advised to your local Bee Inspector.

The PBKA Committee will, on behalf of members, be making representations to the relevant authorities to insist on some resolution to this problem and for action to be taken against the individual/s responsible.

In the meantime however, if any PBKA members (or indeed, members of the public) see any hives in their area which appear to be abandoned, or are of unknown origin, please contact Paul Eades, the Apiary Manager at pbkaapiarymanager@live.co.uk or a PBKA Committee member, with details asap.

Beekeeper reducing colony numbers!

apiarymanager For Sale, PBKA
Complete National hives of bees as well as six frame Nucs. All disease free and in good order.
Full hives are ventilated floor, brood box, 11 frames of bees, crownboard and roof. £200 delivered. Additional Supers by negotiation.
Also 6 frame Nucs sold as bees on frames £110 [polynuc box + £25]
Telephone Jeremy Percy on 01437 751357 or 07799 698568.

Inclement weather forecast!

apiarymanager Environment

Despite the dry day thus far across many parts of Wales, there is some rain in the forecast at times tonight and over the next few days into the weekend ,which will be good news for many. However, some of the rain is expected to be heavy with perhaps thunder at times.

Latest information indicates the potential for a heavier period of rain during tomorrow afternoon and evening, particularly in western areas of Wales. There may also be some showery thundery downpours during the weekend. There are no weather warnings in place at the moment.

At present any impacts are most likely going to be restricted to poor conditions on the roads with excess standing water and perhaps some flooding in a few places.

 

WBKA webinar on swarming

apiarymanager Events, PBKA
Dear Beekeepers
The WBKA will be holding a webinar about Swarming on Tuesday 9th June 2020 at 7pm.  Wally Shaw will give a presentation about dealing with a colony that has set up to swarm lasting about 45 mins.  After that talk there will be an opportunity for those attending the webinar to ask questions to both Wally and others.
To join the webinar you need to register beforehand using the link  https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/3389482494474714637
You will need to give your name and email address and you will then be sent an automatic email from the organiser, Caroline Mullinex which contains a link for you to use to join the meeting at the appropriate time.  You can send in your questions either before or during the session.
This webinar session is open for anyone to attend and so we would appreciate it if you would circulate this email to as many beekeepers as you can.  We have also put the details on the Welsh Beekeepers’ Association Facebook page

June gap – potential starvation risk!

apiarymanager Feeding Bees and Starvation

Just to remind all beekeepers that the June gap can still happen and large growing colonies with 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.