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After the recent successful swarm talk, the BBKA will be putting on a series of Zoom talks for beekeepers. These talks will be streamed to YouTube for those unavailable to watch live.
Next Talk
The next of these talks will be "Comb Change - the Essentials" with Jane Medwell, Master Beekeeper, on Tuesday 21st May 2024 at 7.00pm
Here is the Zoom link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/89112458024?pwd=A6mjvQkdlaJyHxasvB8ZaKRMvJBUIS.1
Meeting ID: 891 1245 8024 Passcode: 933716
Previous Talks
Swarm Talk held on 23rd April 2024:
Jane Medwell, BBKA Trustee: Essentials of Swarm Control
Ian Campbell, BBKA Social Media Manger: The Social Media Side of Swarming
Tim Wylie, the apiarist atelier: Feral bee colonies in buildings – the issues, the challenges and the consequences
YouTube recording available here.
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Ian Campbell, Newcastle & District BKA and BBKA Social Media Manager
May is always a busy month! A spell of warmer weather may well result in colonies looking to swarm.
Inspection frequency Ideally, inspect at least every seven days and every four to five days for colonies at higher risk of swarming. Look carefully for any early signs of swarming. This is when it is really handy to know the queen’s life cycle (see p 10).
Remember, bees always start building queen cells the moment you close the lid! Then it’s up to eight-and-a-half days until a queen cell is sealed. Importantly, this can be considerably shorter if they start with a larva instead of an egg. You know what happens next! The photo above was taken 96 hours after introducing a test frame into a colony; they produced multiple sealed queen cells. On that basis, checking earlier is better than later.
Entrance blocks These can removed if entrances are congested, but it’s not essential. Smal...
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Savoury, hot, and sweet, this honey glazed tofu is speedy and delicious. The tofu is lightly fried before being doused in the punchy dressing. It’s great served with steamed rice or noodles and wok-fried greens dressed with a little extra soy sauce and a dash of sesame oil. The dressing can easily be doubled and made ahead. It also works well with pan-fried prawns, or diced chicken, making this a versatile and simple dish for supper.
Serves 2 Preparation: 15 minutes Cooking: 12 - 15 minutes
Ingredients
300g Tofu, firm or extra firm 2 tbsp Cornflour 2 tbsp Vegetable oil 1 tbsp Sesame seeds 4...
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BBKA News is our member magazine, with a circulation of around 30,000 every month, devoted to beekeepers and the honey bee which is mailed directly to all registered BBKA members each month.
Current members can also access previous copies of BBKA News via the magazine archive which is fully searchable. You will need your membership number and postcode to login.
Become a BBKA member to to receive your copy of BBKA News every month and to access the full BBKA News archive. You will also enjoy the following benefits:
Monthly membership magazine - BBKA News
Information and advice on beekeeping
£10m third party public liability insurance
£10m product liability insurance
Beekeeping examinations from beginner to the highest level
Annual Spring Convention
If you wish to advertise in BBKA News please see our Media Pack for further information.
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For Learning Materials, Video Materials and Training Events.
These standards have been adopted for BBKA education and training resources including publications, website materials and BBKA learning online resources. Existing materials will be updated as the review date of each piece of material arises.
● Clean, gloves (Nitrile disposables for preference) - absolutely no leather gloves, or bare hands. Caution about use of latex gloves because of allergies.
● Good combs in hives - clean, not dark coloured (unless using for reference to comb changes).
● Clean bee suit - done up correctly - no shorts, bare sleeves or sandals whilst wearing a bee suit or in apiary.
● Clean, tidy apiary.
● Wax scraps disposed of properly into a receptacle with a lid (good to show “wax bucket”).
● Mesh floor debris disposed of into a bin...
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Media Support and Tips for AHAT Teams, Tuesday 30th April 2024, 6.00pm
Advice and guidance from Kirsteen Thorne, BBKA Outreach Officer, for AHAT Teams on how to engage with the media and make the most of interview opportunities with regard to Asian hornet awareness.
Watch the recording: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tFFbKGiR7bY
Asian Hornet Conference: Saturday 17th February 2024
This year’s online conference provided updates from the NBU, Kent and Jersey together with further information as to how beekeepers fit into the fight against the Asian Hornet.
Nigel Semmence: 'An Update from the NBU' Martin Smith; eR2 Project Manager: ‘Communication is the key’ Kirsteen Thorne; BBKA Outreach Officer Alastair Christie: 'An update on Jersey and what BBKA could learn from the Jersey Experience' Jackie Aucott: An update from Kent
Questions and answers from the 2024 Conference:
eR2 Questions NBU Questions BBKA Questions for Defra a...
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Asian Hornet presentations by Andrew Durham:
Asian Hornet The Beekeepers' Guide - Integrated Control in the Apiary Asian Hornet Beekeepers Guide - The Hornet & The Honey Bee Asian Hornet Beekeepers Guide - Integrated Control in the Area Around the Apiary Asian Hornet Beekeepers Guide - The Electric Harp plus Additional Information
Asian Hornet Special Briefing for Beekeepers September 2023 Part 1
Asian Hornet Special Briefing for Beekeepers September 2023 Part 2
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In 2024 all member Associations and Branches have been given the opportunity to plant sesquicentennial trees in their apiaries, funded by the BBKA as part of the 150 year celebrations. Honey bees, bumblebees and many other species depend on trees for food, and the BBKA trees will last well into the future - even another 150 years!
Maldon & Dengie 100 Beekeepers planted a crab apple tree in the orchard at Langford where their apiary is located.
Members from all three Associations of the Isle of Man Beekeepers Federation turned out to take part in the planting of a tree in acknowledgement of 150 years of the British Beekeepers' Association (BBKA). The planting exercise was a real joint effort from all involved! The tree was a John Downie crab apple (Malus Sylvestris).
Wokingham and District Beekeepers invited the Deputy Mayor to the planting of their Alder (Alnus glutinosa 'Aurea' ) in the King George V park on a ve...
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Halfway between a tea loaf and soda bread, this anytime treat suits a chilly April morning or a warm spring afternoon. Aside from soaking the fruit overnight, you can throw this together in a matter of minutes and the loaf will keep well for several days. It’s also excellent toasted and spread liberally with butter. Earl Grey tea lends a citrussy note, but you can use your usual favourite tea, just be sure to make a strong tea liquor. If you’re not using Earl Grey tea, adding the zest of half a lemon or orange tastes great too, though too much will overpower the delicate tea and honey flavours. April 21 is National Tea Day; what better reason to get baking and enjoy a slice with a cup of tea!
Makes about 10 - 12 servings. Hands on time: 20 minutes Total time: 1 hour 40 minutes + overnight soaking
Ingredients
550ml Strong Earl Grey tea 400g ...
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Ian Campbell, Newcastle & District BKA and BBKA Social Media Manager
Evenings are getting longer and another season is underway, but the weather can be very variable this month. The dilemma of disturbing colonies too early in a cold spring versus finding them overcrowded and making swarm preparations in a warm year will continue to vex us all. Your local conditions will affect your decisions so be cautious of advice from those in other areas of the country.
Inspections
Always inspect for a reason. Choose warm, sunny, still days (~12°C as a minimum) to do inspections. You’re looking for evidence of a queen laying well; eggs, larvae and sealed worker brood in a ratio of around 1:2:4 is reassuring.
Equipment
Be prepared! This is your last real chance to get ready for the busy times. Make up new frames and try to remember where the bits of kit you haven’t seen for a year are hidden.
Check for signs of pests or disease....
