Thursday 19 July 2018

Newsletter July 2018

Dear Beekeeper

At last the bees are bringing in noticeable quantities of honey, I’m unsure of the source, round our way it’s probably blackberries & privet, but the hot weather & sunshine seems to agree with the colonies. 
Roy Pearson has been lucky with white clover this summer, which needs 21C to produce nectar, just right for current conditions.

Clearer boards are the best solution to persuading bees to leave a super box, Brushing only annoys! Put on the evening before extraction is planned.
But the Porter bee escapes must fit properly; we had an instance recently of new escapes which couldn’t fit into a new crownboard, the holes being too tight. Consequently the escapes were distorted & bees could come & go freely in both directions, missing the point!
Members can contact Eric Cattell to borrow a DDBKA honey extractor.
We have 2 tabletop 4 frame tangential extractors & one 9 frame radial one.

There should be fewer swarms now, but keep your inspection rotas going as nothing this year seems to be “normal”.


Wednesday evenings at Eythorne apiary CT15 4AD
Wednesday sessions at Eythorne at 6:30 pm, for beginners & experienced helpers to provide hands on experience in a small group are going well, though weather dependent. There are always tasks to do & you will be welcome. Check Dick’s blog at https://eythornebees.wordpress.com

Reminder from Pam Hunter, our Link Trustee, about Asian Hornets:
Please note that the contact for reporting suspected Asian hornets is alertnonnative@ceh.ac.uk

Good news - an app has been launched recently -The ‘Asian Hornet Watch’ app is available to download from the Apple and Android app stores.

This month’s meeting
  • Saturday 28th July at Mick Delieu’s apiary near Hythe. He has kindly offered to host us for the afternoon, the rifle ranges will not be firing for the day! It is an excellent opportunity for beginners to see a fairly recently established apiary, Mick has made great progress running his independent set-up. A map with directions has been sent to members.
  • Bring your own chair if you need one.
  • The gate will open at 1:45, lots of parking.
  • Bring clean suits, wellies & rubber gloves. We have suits to borrow for beginners & observers. DDBKA has purchased some new smaller sizes for younger visitors. Safe dress is required around bees.
  • Varroa treatments will be available to purchase at the meeting, pre order from Philip by email.
  • Return your Library books & choose another! Tea [£1] and raffle as usual. To make refreshment easier far from our apiary, will you please bring a food contribution to share, we will provide tea & coffee. Bring your own mugs!!!!
See you there! I’m really looking forward to it, the public are not usually allowed on this land, a treat for us all.
Maggie.



Newsletter June 2018

Dear Beekeeper

I feel I should apologise to those who contacted me wanting or needing swarms.
They simply have not appeared! Maybe I am out of the area where they are numerous, but chatting to others reveals that a swarm is a rare beast this year. Members have made purchases of nucs or are waiting in hope.
Remember if you have signed up to collect swarms then please do go when contacted, or ring me to organize someone else.
If you don’t need more bees there are folk who do!
DDBKA members have priority, so let me know asap if you have a box of bees to spare!


Do regular weekly inspections. The bees seem to be bringing in some honey now, so keep an eye on them to ensure they have room to process nectar into honey [below 20% water content].

EFB has broken out again in SE London, as well as in the Woodnesborough area. Make yourself familiar with its appearance.
Kay has been very active in our area, a fantastic free diagnostic visit if she comes to you!
Wednesday evenings at Eythorne apiary
Wednesday sessions at Eythorne at 6:30 pm, for beginners & experienced helpers to provide hands on experience in a small group are going well, though weather dependent. There are always tasks to do & you will be welcome. Check Dick’s blog at https://eythornebees.wordpress.com

Best wishes.
Maggie.