Hello Beekeepers,

 Early swarming?  Yes, we had a prime swarm last week and other beekeepers were also caught on the hop!  We are usually one of the first to remove honey at the end of May but we have already taken off six supers.  The good season could continue to be a bonanza (that good one in ten) so make sure the bees have space to process the nectar with an empty (unfilled) super directly above the queen excluder, but be aware that if all spring trees and flowers are flowering at once, there is the possibility of a long gap before the summer forage appears – just keep an eye on food stores in the hive and be prepared to feed if necessary.

The last meeting was on making mesh floors, their use and an update on various treatments.  (Just as I was buying a sugar dredger, I find that icing sugar will kill open brood but should be ok away from the brood! ) The meeting turned into a good discussion between Doug Jones and the members on what had, and was happening in the members apiaries and how best to deal with the mites and future pests without disadvantage or damage to the bees. Talk ranged from individual problems like putting mesh into existing floors to the differing problems in other countries and how they were coping.

Our next meeting on Saturday, 12^th May, at 2.30pm in the walled garden of Croxteth Hall Park will be devoted to going through the six hives, two on WBC and four on National.  We hope there will be many experienced beekeepers willing to come along to comment, discuss and talk to the less experienced members, who are all keen to look into the broods and to ask the many questions that puzzle them. We have three well established colonies at varying stages and three recent arrivals, some just pulling out foundation. There should be plenty to discuss.

If you are interested in expanding your knowledge, the Furness Beekeepers Convention on the 5^th May will be held at the Heaves Hotel, a few hundred yards from the roundabout of the A590 from junction 35 of the M6. It has a beginners’ and an advanced programme and is always very interesting. Ring Mr Dave Walmsley, 01539 721501. £10 full day, £5 half day.

On the 19^th May, Wirral hold their Convention at Ness Gardens with lectures from Richard Ball, National Bee Inspector and Nicola Bradbear plus a tour of the gardens (Liverpool University’s Nursery/research Centre).  Ring Mr C Brabin, 0151 353 1193. £5.

It looks set to be a very interesting season!

 Good Beekeeping,

Sheila Myron, Hon. Sec.