4th April 2005
Hello Beekeepers,
The March meeting was a pleasant evening of chat with new videos: Small Miracles on basic beekeeping and honey extraction, Vanishing Varroa by Devon Beekeepers and a short video taken by David Thornton on the Slovenia Holiday.
After a less than perfect winter, bothered by wasps and rats for the first time ever, Spring has
definitely sprung in this area with trees, bushes and flowers sprouting out all over.
We have been trying to balance Varroa management by us, the beekeepers, with letting the bees learn to control the mite themselves. It does involve taking some risks!
In Autumn 2003 we used thymol (Apiguard).
Summer 2004 mesh floors and drone culling. Bees seemed healthy & strong. At the final inspection I looked for Varroa on bees until I went cross-eyed – not one, and we took the chance of not using chemicals.
March 2005 One colony was covering only 2 frames and the rest were on 4 or 5 (a bit smaller than expected but not bad). We put diagnostic strips of Bayvarol in each hive with a sticky insert below. The 24 hour drop down staggered us – between 500 and 800 mites per hive.
We’ve put the full complement of strips in for the 6 weeks and are checking weekly. The first check was more reassuring with between 9 and just over 100 mites. Second week even better.
Enough of the bad news! The good news:
I’ve written the above as a prelude to our next meeting on Saturday, 23rd April, as Ian Molyneux, the Regional Bee Inspector, will continue the Varroa/disease control by demonstrating a shook swarm at the above address (see the map sent last month) close to the last venue. If you have difficulties with transport (or need a map) ring me and I will try to match you up with someone going past you. It should be a valuable help for all of us and reduce the need for chemicals (especially if the Government goes ahead with licensing them).
The bees are flying most days with cherry, poplar and damson trees in flower, hebe, mahonia (bees on this on Christmas Day a few years ago) and forget-me-not, primulas, heather and dandelion fully out in the local area, plus numerous bushes that I can’t name! It’s looking good!
Now I’ve retired we are at last up to date with the equipment and are ready for the season.
Don’t forget Arthur Gillett’s beginners course, Wed. evenings from 13th April (0151 531 6685 or roanbees@aol.com).
There will be an AGM of Bee Disease Insurance at Stoneleigh on Sunday 17th April. If you are interested in attending they need to know before 11th April.
Martin Smith, Secretary for Lancashire, is trying to make a list of experienced beekeepers who are willing to collect swarms. Let me know if you are willing to be included in the list as it sometimes seems that the police and local authority only have our number, tho’ several members give this service every year and the police ring each number until they get someone who can collect.
Ian Molyneux’s Bee Diseases Report for 2004 was omitted from the new year book. Rather than send a copy to everyone, I will put it out for people to read at the next meeting.
Good Beekeeping,
Sheila Myron Hon. Secretary