Blogs

As the days get longer your bees can run out of stored honey, January and the next couple of months are vital times to keep checking, traditionally by lifting one side of the hive a few mm to gauge the weight or "hefting". As brooding increases, the bee colony gets through stores to feed the larvae and keep them warm. Outside, early bulbs like snowdrop and crocus and shrubs like viburnum or mahonia can provide a little pollen but not much nectar. Poor weather means the bees cannot even get to what is available, so consider if you might need to feed sugar.

Brian has stocks at the HBKA apiary of the only UK approved oxalic treatment. Oxalic can be used for varroa treatment at other times of year, but is the only realistic choice over winter. Price is competitive with other suppliers and there is no post to pay. Pack size is 35g, which should treat at least 10 hives. If you have fewer hives, making up a pack to share with a neighour would cut the cost. Below are links including manufacturer's leaflets.

A summary table by Rod Parker has been added of suggested items to check through the year month by month. A description appears in Rod's latest Forager.

A reminder that next weekend the Federation day is hosted by Barnet at Arkley Village Hall, EN5 3LD on Sat 20th Feb. Speakers are Professor Linda M Field from Rothamsted on Insecticides, Pam Hunter on Bee Nutrition and Dr Sara Robb on Making Toiletries, all for £10. Wax exchange and Bee Basic equipment will also be available. A printable agenda with map is available.

Linda M Field

The forum is a recent addition to the National Bee Unit communications run by out Regional Bee Inspector Julian Parker. Moira went from HBKA and made notes on the day. Topics covered included the new NBU organisation, monitoring of imports and this year's foul brood totals. One aim is to recruit a network of Association volunteers to be known as Bee Health Advisors, as a local point of contact for less experienced members. Disease updates covered SHB, Asian hornet and DWV.

Entries close soon. A first or second in the Harrow Show should consider emtering at least the Middx county sections. See Jo at the apiary on Sunday 4th October, Harrow members can help by delivering and collecting your entries. Three day event includes one of the best lecture programmes in the country with international speakers, a trade show with many suppliers offering discounts and an education program with bookable sessions on many bee topics. See diary entry and links for details.

An opportunity to listen to a guest speaker before the National Honey Show. MONDAY October 26th  2015 - 8pm Harrow Art Centre HA5 4EA in the Greenhill room. Juliana became Assistant Professor of Apiculture in the Department of Entomology at Texas A&M University in 2013 after previous posts at Cornell with Thomas Seeley and N. Carolina with David Tarpy. There are limited places so please book your seat with Jo Telfer, donations to expenses welcome.