Dear beekeeper,
Things are moving fast here on the Asian Hornet front; Shepherdswell seems to be a focal point for sightings at the moment, so all of you in the Shepherdswell/Eythorne area need to be very vigilant, checking your traps to let beneficial insects go, & making sure they are baited with an attractant to tempt Asian hornets, fish or meat based.
As
previously stated, they will keep returning to a snack which they like. Also
look out for the round grey nests they make up in trees.
Oddly enough, I have
been contacted by a lady called Claire Fry who is opening a farm shop in
Shepherdswell next week, wanting a source of local honey to supply her
potential customers.
Contact her at claire.fry1961@gmail.com to find out the location & the terms
& conditions
ANOTHER WBC HIVE FOR SALE
Bought to look attractive & to accommodate bees, but not loved by neighbours – shame
WBC Hive. Comprising; Stand with integrated mesh floor, and Roof (both new this season). Brood box, Queen Excluder, Crown Board, 3 x Supers, 4 x Lifts.
Painted
white. All ready to go. £125. Alastair 07702 253490
Beekeeping in high/extreme
temperatures. Common
sense advice, but easy to make daft decisions to carry on regardless.
- Avoid working on your bees
between 11am and 3pm
- Keep hydrated – use a screw
top bottle to drink regularly through your veil (move away a safe distance
from your bees)
- Take regular breaks every 5
– 10 minutes in the shade
- Wear a ventilated suit
- Seek help immediately if you
are feeling dizzy or sick
- Tell people which apiary you
are working in
- DO NOT work in temperatures
approaching 40 degrees (unless you fancy being a boil in the bag roast
dinner!) KEEP COOL – KEEP
HYDRATED – KEEP SAFE.
Thanks to Tony for hosting last month at The
Captain’s Garden in Deal, it was extremely hot, not many put on their beesuits
to see Tony’s colonies, but those that did were rewarded by seeing 3 sound
colonies, & saw the traditional way to encourage a queenless hive by adding
a frame with eggs from elsewhere. Hope it worked for him.
HONEY JARS For MEMBERS
Now at Unit 13, AB Crush panel beaters, opposite the Shepherdswell turning on the A2 to Five Oaks, Geddinge CT4 6RY. The procedure remains the same: order to me, payment to Philip, collection on a Friday from 11 to 12, it is a really busy site with vehicles, deliveries etc.
PRICES:
- 1lb jars, including lids, in boxes of 72 £30
- 8oz round jars & lids are £45 for 128
- We now have lids again, £2 for a dozen.
Chris Farrell has repeated her success at the Kent Show with this first
prize-winning photo of a surprised looking worker emerging from her cell.
Well done Chris!
Would make a good cover for BBKA News.
This month’s meeting: Saturday 29th July 2:30
pm
At the DDBKA Eythorne apiary at Eythorne Court, CT15 4AD.
It
is along Shepherdswell Road, near Eythorne travelling towards Shepherdswell, on
the left, near a black wooden building. We park in the next field; you will see
cars and a gate to enter. If you are a new member or visitor, please make
yourself known, we get busy!
Please remember your beesuit.
We shall have a register for you to sign.
Signing will confirm that you have read the Health & Safety policy previously
sent out. Please pay regard to safety considerations.
Karl will be bringing some FREE wax cappings from his
honey extractions which he does not want, these make the best candles &
blocks etc, lighter in colour, easier to clean & mould.
- If you haven’t picked up your emergency
contact card it will be a chance to do so.
- Tea [£2] & raffle as usual Bring your own mugs!!!
- Take the opportunity to change your
library books
- A beginner group can open & check
through a couple of hives.
- We will be thinking & updating re the
Asian Hornet & Jackie will demonstrate how to make AH traps using equipment
easily available at home if you have not yet bought one.
Best wishes, hoping to see you,
