HONEY BEE TIMES Wiltshire BKA - Journal of the Wiltshire Beekeepers' Association - Royal bees - A first out-apiary - Spring tasks - Wiltshire ...
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2021 No 1
Wiltshire BKA
HONEY BEE TIMES
Journal of the Wiltshire Beekeepers’ Association
Royal bees – A first out-apiary – Spring tasks 1
Honey Bee Times 2021 No 1
Contents Editors’ Report
Editors report.................................................................................................................................. 3
Branch reports................................................................................................................................. 5 Dear Wiltshire Beekeepers
Asian hornet contacts .................................................................................................................... 9
In the news....................................................................................................................................... 10 It gives me great pleasure to
Educational opportunities in 2021............................................................................................... 14 introduce your latest copy of The
Branching out – a first out-apiary................................................................................................. 17 Honey Bee Times – proof that even
First inspections of the season .................................................................................................... 22
What would Mrs Beeton do? ...................................................................................................... 25 during a pandemic things change but
The Queen’s bees ........................................................................................................................... 28 some things remain the same. That
is apart from the content, which Stephen Auty
John Chapple inspecting I’m sure you’ll agree is varied and
the Queen’s bees at us sane and has been an element of
interesting – from ‘elephant proofing’
Buckingham Palace. normality during these torrid times.
your apiary to raising awareness
Photo: Richard Rickitt. I for one probably did more
of the small hive beetle, and from
spring inspections than I can recall in
new beekeepers’ experiences to first
recent times due to time away from
inspections in the 2021 season.
work, and I think the colonies thrived
At the time of going to press
as a result – certainly swarming was
we await the results of the vote at
down for me although overall it was
the WBKA Council meeting on 26
a busy year for the branch swarm
January to fill the vacant places on the
co-ordinators.
The Bee Shop WBKA Committee but they will be
updated shortly after on the WBKA
website www.wiltshirebeekeepers.co.uk.
I would like to pay tribute as
I step back from the Chairman’s
role in WBKA to Brian Wilson and
Quality beekeeper clothing Do visit this to keep an eye on the
Frank Lenert (our outgoing General
events pages, which make it easy to
at affordable prices Secretary and Hon Treasurer) for
find details of branch talks that you
the parts they have played over the
may want to listen in on via Zoom.
Full Suits, Smocks, Bee Vests & Veils In speaking to beekeepers and bee
past few years. Being an officer is a
thankless task and can take up many
farmers alike, 2020 was not a season
Full adult suit – £55 to be remembered, not least due to
hours and I thank them both for their
devotion to their posts.
the incursion on all our lives that
(with free postage) a world-wide pandemic has made.
I also welcome Chris Rawlings as
our new President – a familiar face to
from Somerset However, I know that for those with
many – and a wise counsel to all.
bees, the simple task of checking
Good luck to the new Committee!
www.thebeeshop.co.uk they are flying, sitting watching
them, delving into the brood nest or Stephen Auty, Co-editor Honey Bee Times
harvesting honey has helped keep Outgoing Chairman, WBKA
2
Email: michaeljohnduckett@gmail.com
Honey Bee Times 2021 No 1 Honey Bee Times 2021 No 1 3
learning will continue via Zoom,
Branch reports as will our club nights, the next of
which is on Wednesday 3 February,
Kennet BKA when Richard Rickitt, co-editor of
Thank goodness for beekeeping. BeeCraft magazine will present his
While most people have been confined talk entitled Rolls-Royce to Rajasthan.
at home with little opportunity to Richard will talk about some of the
venture out, we beekeepers have had fascinating places he has visited and
legitimate reasons for going about the people he has met while working
our normal beekeeping activities, on BeeCraft.
especially those with out-apiaries. Future club nights will continue to
The damp, miserable spring last run on the first Wednesday of each
year changed to unseasonal warmth, month, for now via Zoom.
accompanied by an early build up On a different note, I thought
in a lot of hives resulting in strong I would share with you a story of
colonies, although many members a business that needed the help of
commented on the high number a beekeeper. During the summer
of swarms they had to deal with. when the first lockdown had eased
Then, while the weather made it a little, I was approached by a
a perfect time to introduce our business contact who was desperate
new beekeepers to the hobby, the for photos of bees. Sadly none of
Covid-19 distancing took its toll on the numerous photos I had access
apiary visits, training and branch to were what he was looking for.
monthly meetings in the village hall. So we booted and suited him and
However, the committee worked took him along to the apiary where
hard on getting new beekeepers we spent the morning taking lovely
crucial, hands-on practice in a Covid- photographs of the bees and their
compliant way. We also managed beautiful comb. I was pleased that
to keep our monthly club meetings my girls behaved themselves and no
going via Zoom, and have been one got stung. You can imagine my
fortunate to have had some wonderful pride when Steve confirmed that
guest speakers. Many of us have also the images taken were going to be
benefited from the presentations by used on his company’s new footwear.
other branches via Zoom. Check them out here:
It will be interesting to see how this www.backdoorshoes.co.uk
year pans out, once the vaccination No, I’m not on commission; a
programme gathers pace. For now, missed opportunity perhaps. But
4 Honey Bee Times 2021 No 1 Honey Bee Times 2021 No 1 5
lockdown. Member of the Year at the club honey but DWV, chalkbrood, sacbrood
Sadly we now enter another show. The inaugural winners were and acute paralysis virus were all
lockdown which wasn’t on the Mike Benson and Richard Bunce found. The colony was locked up
horizon in 2020, so our members will for their work at St. Francis School at inspection and was subsequently
well done to Steve and his team at have to wait until later in the year for helping to set up and mentor a killed off. The issues have not spread
Backdoor Shoes for using bees in the first actual get-together. beekeeping club, which resulted in the to any of the other colonies. This all
their latest promotion – anything that Stephen Auty, Chairman school setting up its very own apiary. goes to show the benefits of having
raises the profile of bees is welcome. This year our Member of the Year the bee inspector call.
Happy beekeeping. Melksham Diary 2021 is Ian Cowdy. Amongst other things Even though we haven’t been
Elaine Lewis, Secretary • 22 February: Bees Needs – Julia Ian has been the lead keeper of our able to have our monthly meetings
Haggard ‘training’ apiary at Park Farm, and so since March, there have been some
Melksham & District BKA • 29 March: Wot a Woppa – Bob has been training and mentoring our meetings at the Park Farm Apiary
I assumed the Melksham Chairman’s Smith less experienced members. – mostly for the less experienced
role in October while I was away • 26 April: Swarming - Opportunity or It was hoped that last winter that members. With veils, gloves and by
sailing in St Lucia of all places. In Problem? – Jim Vivian-Griffiths the trees at the back of the TWIGS working only in pairs, social distancing
fact I had hoped to have visited their • 24 May: What Makes a Queen – apiary would be removed by the was fairly easy! Many thanks to Ian
beekeeping extension department Pam Hunter council. At the last minute they Cowdy and also Andy Jones for
while I was there, but sadly • 28 June: Apiary Social decided that they couldn’t remove coordinating and running the apiary
Coronavirus restrictions put paid to • 26 July: Organic Farm Visit – Mark them, forcing a re-think by the and expanding the Whatsapp group.
that – so I guess I’ll have to return Cannings committee. We decided that the best At the moment Haydon Wick Club
when travel allows. • 23 August: Rational Varroa Control course of action would be to have is only open to its own members so
Melksham like so many branches – David Evans the side branches on our side taken we can’t hold meetings there for the
had to put it’s monthly meetings and off. This was done in the spring, so foreseeable future.
apiary visits on hold during 2020 Swindon & District BKA hopefully some of the main issues After four years Ian Cowdy has
but we aim to come back stronger This last year has certainly brought with the site (pigeon muck and falling decided to step down from the
in 2021 with a full diary of Zoom us a different set of challenges to branches) will now be past us. There branch committee, from his role as
presentations (see below) by some what any of us were expecting or had was also some fencing to be repaired, editor of the club newsletter and
familiar names. ever had to plan for or experienced. so the colonies from Park Farm have also as a trainer for the starting
The Committee is almost entirely Unfortunately, not long after the only just been returned. beekeeping courses so that he can
new in Melksham with some faces last AGM in October, Brian Hopper, In August the club colonies give more time to his own bees.
returning to the fold. In the branch our club president since 2015, were inspected by the seasonal bee Many thanks for all your help and
apiary we have managed to see an sadly died. As a highly experienced inspector. All bar one were given a experience over the years, Ian, both
increase in colonies across a variety beekeeper, his knowledge and clean bill of health. The ‘suspect’ to the club and myself as my mentor;
of hive types and have plans to experience will be missed by many. hive caused much headscratching, it has been very worthwhile. I know
‘rat proof ’ the storage sheds this Earlier in the year Brian donated resulting in one frame being sent to that there are many members who
year. Thanks to everyone involved a new cup to the club. The Brian the NBU in York for investigation. would say the same.
for keeping the bees there during Hopper Cup is awarded to the Luckily no AFB or EFB was found Tim Bullock, Chair
6 Honey Bee Times 2021 No 1 Honey Bee Times 2021 No 1 7
West Wiltshire BKA West Wiltshire usually holds apiary I had to purchase more buckets, Tell us more meetings fortnightly from the middle and storage became a little difficult. You have beekeeping stories to tell, of April to the end August. Last When Avril Earl, the Seasonal Bee inventions and time-saving kit you year I planned these and sent out Inspector, examined the colonies have designed, and delicious honey the dates to members, and then the while I stood at a distance, she gave recipes you have cooked. Government announced the lock them all a clean bill of health. You have photos from travels down in March. I cancelled the During August six branch abroad when, say, you visited a local meetings for April thinking that, by members came to help, all socially- apiary. May, we would be back to normal distanced, carrying out some hive You have amazing pictures of but, as we all know, that was not to inspections and helping clean the honey, of products from your hive, be and eventually all meetings had to equipment and tidy the shed, for or your bees. For instance, here be cancelled. which I was very grateful. The is one taken by co-editor Sophie pockets, ready to use on this lovely In normal times I look at the colonies were treated for varroa, Butcher of a honey bee with flakes new comb – snapped on her mobile bees one week and the following some with Apiguard and some of wax still tucked into its wax gland phone. week members come along and with Varromed. In October, queen Please send ideas for articles and look through the colonies while I excluders were removed, supers put photos you want to share to just supply tea and cake. The new under the brood boxes and mouse Local Asian Hornet Action co-editor Stephen Auty at regulations meant that the only help guards put in place and I have Team (AHAT) leaders sjauty@aol.com I could safely have was my husband, fondant ready to put on if needed. AHAT Coordinator: Martin Phipps and although he likes to say he is not I hope this year will be back to T: 07799 472 084 the Assistant Apiary Manager or the normal. I have missed meeting with E: martincphipps@btinternet.com Advertising in Honey Bee Apiary Manager’s Assistant, he did other members and having a good Kennet: Andy Reed Times for members suffer to come with me each week. chat and baking cakes for the apiary 07976 131309 Rates per issue placed, as follows: We started the the season with meetings. ahat@kennet-beekeepers.co.uk • Whole page £18 five colonies: two 14x12s and three We have had to adapt to virtual Melksham: Stephen Auty • Half page £11 national hives, but it was such an meetings via Zoom, which has its T: 07767 838317 • Quarter page £6 early spring that it was not long advantages and disadvantages – we E: sjauty@aol.com • Small ads 25p/word; min £3.00 before I had done artificial swarms soon realised that we needed some Swindon: Ian Cowdy Artwork must be provided by on all of them and had ten colonies: protocols e.g. using ‘mute’ and raising T: 01793-854563 advertisers in suitable digital formats, four 14x12s and six standard hands if we wanted to speak. E: ian.cowdy@btinternet.com or can be designed for small extra nationals. Very soon they were We are getting better and have West Wilts: David Newell charge. Disclaimer: all advertisements making a lot of honey, so I spent managed to book various speakers T: 01373 825560 are placed in good faith. The WBKA hours decapping and then extracting that we might otherwise have felt E: sj007g0836@blueyonder.co.uk cannot be held responsible for any with a manual extractor. 2020 unable to book because of distance Salisbury: Felton Kelly products/services offered. Opinions produced the best honey harvest and expenses. T: 01980 610113 are those of the author and not those since I have been apiary manager; Geraldine Lenert, Secretary E: felton.kelly129@btinternet.com of WBKA or the editor. 8 Honey Bee Times 2021 No 1 Honey Bee Times 2021 No 1 9
In the news description of the decision-making
mechanisms involved, and the use of
Researchers
develop a new
Bee hives as fences the swarm’s finite energy, memory test to dectect
the presence of
As human-elephant conflict (HEC) and carrier resources. the small hive
increases, research is going into It was found that each individual beetle.
understanding the human dimensions scout decision-maker only carried
of these conflicts, and finding non- enough energy reserves to provide
violent ways of mitigating the problem for 2.6 days of visits to evaluate
to foster long-term coexistence. distant sites and, effectively, only Testing for small hive beetle
In four rural villages in Thailand, enough memory space to remember The small hive beetle (SHB), Aethina
researchers conducted over 290 the location and quality of one site. tumida, is an invasive pest of honey
Part of a bee hive elephant fence in Kenya. Bee hives bees and comes from Europe and
household questionnaires to assess Scouts, who only formed 4.4% of
are suspended from wires. When elephants brush
the prevalence of HEC and attitudes against the wires, the hives bounce and the bees come the swarm bees, consumed 22.8% of Africa.
towards elephants. In addition, they out to defend them. Apparently elephants’ trucks are the swarm’s energy budget, showing The main risk of entry into the
evaluated a pilot beehive fence as a tender at the tip and they do not like to be stung so that their best-of-N computations UK is via imports of package bees
sustainable solution for HEC. they quickly learn to avoid the area. were energetically very expensive. and queens. The National Bee Unit
Most households reported seeing or A typical swarm of 12,000 bees monitors imports of live bees and
hearing elephants near their property only contained enough energy sentinel apiaries around the UK
at least once a week (84.9%) and Make some reserves to last for 13.5 days after through collection of hive debris for
experienced negative impacts from candles which foraging had to restart. visual inspection of pests.
elephants in the last five years (81.0%). Beat the lockdown https://doi.org/10.1002/sres.2733 However, an SHB invasion is
The beehive fence deterred 88.4% blues and make some likely to start with low numbers
of individual elephants (n=155) and dipped candles. and might only present with partial
64.3% of elephant groups (n=28) Here’s how. specimens broken up in the hive or
that approached the fence. https://tinyurl.com/ eggs from the beetle – difficult to
Most elephants (70.7%) exhibited hbt202101 identify by visual inspection.
behaviors suggesting heightened Researchers have now developed
attentiveness or alarm. The farm a method for detecting SHB in
owner reported economic and social How much honey do bees take hive debris using a loop-mediated
benefits of the beehive fence. with them when they swarm? isothermal amplification (LAMP)
By contributing to farmer income A recent study investigated the assay. This is able to detect the SHB
and reducing crop damage caused by resources available to a typical honey in under 30 minutes, does not cross-
wild elephants, beehive fencing may bee swarm as it gathered information react with non-target species tested
provide an important locally-managed and decided which was the best of and is sensitive enough to detect less
complement to regional human- some 13–34 potential nest sites to than 1 mg of tissue in a 30 g complex
elephant conflict mitigation methods. move into. Swarming bees may only carry enough reserves to matrix of honey bee hive debris.
https://doi.org/10.1111/csp2.260 The study included a brief last them up to 13.5 days before needing to forage. https://doi.org/10.1002/ps.6168
10 Honey Bee Times 2021 No 1 Honey Bee Times 2021 No 1 11
Maybe leave the brambles to flower this year
The bramble (Rubus fruticosus) is a In detailed local surveys at one
common summer-flowering plant rural and one urban location, there
native to the United Kingdom. But was a diverse range of insect taxa
how useful is it to the honey bee, foraging on the bramble flowers,
bumblebees (Bombus spp.) and other including species of conservation
flower-visiting insects? concern (Bombus humilis, Coenonympha
Regional surveys of insect groups pamphilus and Limenitis camilla).
at seven sites across two years showed Pollen trapping at 12 honey bee
that foraging activity on brambles was hives in four locations showed that
dominated by honey bees (60.2% in an average of 31% of pollen pellets
28 surveys) and bumblebees (17.4%), collected by honeybees from late
compared to non Apis/Bombus bees May to early August were bramble,
(2.8%), hoverflies (Syrphidae, 7.9%), with a peak of 66–86% per location.
non-syrphid flies (0.6%), butterflies The bramble is sometimes
(6.4%), wasps (0.4%) and beetles considered an undesirable plant or
(4.4%). a thug that outcompetes other wild
flowers. However, these findings
confirm that it is highly valuable for
The table below (unrelated to the research above)
flower-visiting insects. Wherever
shows the taxa in a typical honey sample taken
around 1 August 2020 from a Chippenham hive, conflicts of interest and management
illustrating the importance of Rubus spp in honey. strategies allow, bramble should be
maintained and promoted for wildlife
and insect conservation.
https://doi.org/10.1111/icad.12436
Total taxa in sample: 22.
Proportion of total sample for the
top 15 most abundant taxa: 0.99.
esculentum (tomato)
Rubus spp (bramble)
Rubus silvaticus
(bramble)
Trifolium hybridum
(Alsike clover)
Cucurbita (gourg)
Brassica rapa (turnip)
Molinia caerulea
(purple moor grass)
Lycopersion
(marrow)
Cucurbita pepo
Brassica oleracea
(cabbage)
Capsicum frutescens
(cucumber)
Populus (poplar)
Castanea sativa
(sweet chestnut)
Cucumis sativus
Allium cepa (onion)
Trifolium repens
(white clover)
12 Honey Bee Times 2021 No 1 Honey Bee Times 2021 No 1 13
Educational opportunities in 2021
Last year Covid caused the BBKA these interesting topics. Exam Format of health-related manipulations
to cancel all exams and assessments The syllabus, which can be The exams in April will be run online followed by an oral questions on
countrywide. downloaded from the BBKA using the Inspera.com assessment other aspects of the syllabus.
For 2021 there is a plan for the website, covers not just how to platform. The plan is to run a concentrated
module exams to be taken online (see prepare honey in all its guises but The exam papers will follow training course over a weekend in
below) and there is every hope that also its physical properties and why it the familiar format. They will be June with assessments taking place in
it will also be possible to conduct ferments. typewritten with 1¾ hours allowed, July. However, applications will need
assessments. In addition, the syllabus covers 15 minutes longer than usual. to be submitted in March.
Within Wiltshire BKA our plans how flowers are pollinated, the Training will be provided to
are as follows. factors affecting nectar secretion and include a check that each candidate Honey Bee Breeding
how bees convert nectar into honey. has a compatible system including We are investigating the possibility
Why study? The course comprises six sessions a live video link and an open of running a Queen Rearing course
The BBKA has developed seven via Zoom each lasting about 90 microphone. during the season.
modules that collectively cover the minutes and starting at 7pm on the The hope is to offer handwritten
theory supporting beekeeping. following Tuesdays: 12 & 26 Jan, 9 & exams in November. Microscopy
Individually and collectively they 23 Feb and 9 & 23 Mar. It seems unlikely that we will be able
provide beekeepers with a better The exam is scheduled for 24 Basic Assessment to resume our practical microscopy
understanding of the craft. April with registration by 31 All beekeepers should aspire to take sessions until April at the earliest.
When inspecting your bees January. the Basic Assessment and prove to Before then it is hoped to run a
knowledge acquired when studying Previous exam papers will be themselves that they are competent couple of Zoom sessions covering
the modules will help you become provided so no need to purchase beekeepers. certain procedures, e.g. staining.
more adept at ‘reading the bees’ and them from the BBKA. It is a straightforward, practical
help you resolve problems in the assessment lasting about an hour and Action
hive. Module 7: Selection & is based on the Beginners course plus If you require further information
Breeding of Honey Bees a couple of seasons’ experience of or are interested in participating in
Module 2: Honey Bee For members who prepared to sit keeping bees. any of these sessions, or taking any
Products and Forage Module 7 last year, there will be of the assessments, please contact
Wiltshire Beekeepers Association will three Zoom sessions starting in late Honey Bee Health Richard Oliver.
be running zoom sessions on this February. Certificate E: raoliver.64@gmail.com
module this spring. This might best be done using a This is a practical assessment ideally M: 07974 816 947
The aim of this course is to Question & Answer format, perhaps suited for beekeepers who find
help members either to prepare for based on topics from past papers. written exams stressful. Richard Oliver, Education Officer
the exam or just to expand their Candidates’ views are welcome on The assessment requires
knowledge and understanding of format, dates and timings. candidates to perform a couple
14 Honey Bee Times 2021 No 1 Honey Bee Times 2021 No 1 15
Branching out – a first out-apiary
In spring 2020, Nettie Brown
and Rob Bottoms (right) were
immensely proud to have
successfully over-wintered
two hives in their first year of
beekeeping. They tell of their
quest to set up an out-apiary.
Rob and I enjoyed watching the
girls daily from our window or sitting
by the hive – there seemed to be lots
of activity even in wet February. By
the time of our first inspection on local and somewhere we could easily
the 24 March both hives were filling work from.
up quickly. Everything was in order. Fortunately the monthly branch
newsletter mentioned someone
IF YOU HAVEN’T RESERVED YOUR The swarming season starts offering an out-apiary opportunity.
2021 NUC YET, IT’S NOT TOO LATE! Then, on 25 April, Daenerys (we like This was timely because, whilst we
to name our queens) swarmed. We’d were pondering, Ruby decided to
seen empty play cells the previous swarm – we were starting to believe
week but nothing else. Oh dear. we weren’t cut out for this game. (We
Never mind – our well-rehearsed gave away the swarm and a nuc with
swarm collection system swung into queen cells to a beekeeping friend
action and Daenerys was re-housed. who had had losses over winter, and
We now had three hives. re-queened the remaining hive.)
By the end of April the garden
was becoming busy – three hives Finding the right site
full of bees, a thriving bee hotel, We arranged to meet the landowners
assorted bumble bees, queen wasps, to discuss the opportunity. It seemed
and solitary bees in the house bricks they wanted beehives on their land
– the dog was refusing to go out for altruistic reasons – to increase
and I’d been stung on my head by a the overall bee population and to put
passing bee. something back into nature, a cause
It was time to think of an out- close to all our hearts.
apiary. It needed to be accessible, A tour of the gardens enabled us
16 Honey Bee Times 2021 No 1 Honey Bee Times 2021 No 1 17
to point out the best places to site would we know if anything was unused frames. Rob had ordered experiencing a heat wave, so we
the hives – shelter, water sources wrong with the bees if we weren’t some spare 14x12s and made a planned to move the first hive as
close by, somewhere with less traffic watching them on a daily basis? temporary eke to accommodate the soon as the weather broke. On the
passing. They were happy to prepare The first question was quickly larger frames to give us versatility in night of 22 May, we blocked the
the site – a meadow area with a bank resolved: the vintage WBC hives brood box sizes for the future. Daenerys’s hive ready for the move
of trees as a wind break and plenty were exactly that – made before Unfortunately, due to the in the morning.
of forage nearby. It was perfect. standardisation in the 1960s, so it pandemic, neither the new hives nor We left her in a shady area
They also offered us to two old would have been difficult to source the large frames arrived as quickly under the trees in the new apiary
WBC hives that they hoped we frames/internal boxes and other as promised, so later the following for the following two days. On
could re-use. We took photos and parts for them. Amazingly the week we had to take off the queen the evening of the second day, we
measurements of these, and with a landowners offered to purchase two excluder and allow Daenerys to lay moved her closer to the prepared
virtual handshake we sealed a deal: new WBC hives rather than have in the super. This would theoretically area, leaving space in front for the
we had a site, two additional hives, us move in with our multi-coloured be easier to reverse in the new WBC. new hives when they arrived. We
the promise of unlimited access, use Nationals. We were now ready for the move. placed branches and grass across the
of wheelbarrows and a storage room. As we constantly find a national entrance to confuse the bees and
brood box isn’t quite big enough for Different frame sizes promote reorientation, and opened
Changing hive size our Buckfast bees, we advised them Because we were moving the bees up to one bee space. The following
A prep list longer than both our to opt for 14x12 brood boxes with less than three miles, we would afternoon we opened the entrance
arms began to form. an extra lift, giving us two supers. have to keep the bees locked up for further as the bees were orientating
Would the old WBC hives be It turned out to be a real headache three days to break their orientation well. We had left a nuc at home
suitable? How would we prepare transferring our bees from one size memory. At the time we were in the old spot and did get a few
our hives for the move? How much frame to another and from 11 frames
would it cost if we had to buy more to just 10 frames.
equipment? Is it only a mile away –
how do we deal with that? What if Changing frame size
they swarmed before/after? How Part of the planning involved
ensuring there was
enough space for at
least some of the new
larger frames in the old
hives. We also decided
to reduce the number
of frames in Daenerys’s
brood box (the swarm)
before she expanded
anymore, which allowed
A crowded garden. us to take out three Daenerys on the move; Two hives settled in the new out-apiary.
18 Honey Bee Times 2021 No 1 Honey Bee Times 2021 No 1 19returners – but not too frames, although the bees quite liked The big swap
many. the super frame and we had some Oh my. It was hard work! We moved
The following week, beautiful but precarious brace comb the first WBC to the old position and
27 May, Daenerys was on this. Cue – look up how to ‘tie in’ hoped the bees would find their way in.
laying well but there brace comb. We couldn’t find Daenerys – but
were also empty play In the original hive, we found triple checked she wasn’t on the
cups in the supers – several queen cells in the super and brace comb before tying that to a
time for action! We took one on the brood frame. We took the new frame and either knocked the
down the play cells and cells down from the super and put a bees into the new box or allowed
‘phoned a friend’ who queen excluder on. them to fly/crawl in.
lent us a spare brood box. The WBCs arrived ready assembled and looked great. Eventually the new toys arrived in We debated on whether we should
Just to add to the game of frames, it a queen excluder above, and a super June. It was like playing a huge game transfer the second hive but worked
was a commercial brood box. full of brood. of Jenga. Even the gardener had out the new queen Millicent would
31st May: Pagden day! The larger trouble trying to fit it all together. not have emerged by then and we
frames arrived at last, and we had a An abundance of hives Luckily, he had been following our could always re-unite if she proved
commercial box to house the split. If you’re counting, this takes us up to progress with interest, and goes unsuccessful.
We moved Daenerys – she looked four hives in two locations! out to check they are happy. He At last we finished. The new
happy on her super frame with a 7 June: Daenerys was laying well promised to call if they swarm or WBCs look the part and fulfill the
frame of brood and a super of in the borrowed commercial and appear agitated – so our fears of landowners’ remit of replicating the
stores. We left the original hive with her daughter Millicent’s colony had being remote from ‘our bees’ have vintage hives. The bees were happy
the rest of the National frames with already drawn and filled four new been allayed. when we left them.
Now it was time for the big Transferring bees to bigger boxes
transfer. We hoped all our planning was more work for us but hopefully
would prove effective – there had easier than inspecting double brood
been a lot of sleepless nights. boxes. It was a long, long day but
with plenty of
reasons to be
cheerful. We
were smelly,
exhausted
and happy to
go home and
relax.
Nettie Brown
& Rob Bottoms,
L-R: Adding a frame extender; Rob uses rubber bands to hold comb in place; the new WBCs in situ. Cleaning the suits after a long day in the apiary. Kennet
20 Honey Bee Times 2021 No 1 Honey Bee Times 2021 No 1 21First inspections of the season
The primary aim of a superorganism throughout the winter months and temperature reaches at least 14°C. As long as you see eggs you can be
such as a colony of honey bees is they could block the entrance. In If the flowering currant (Rubes confident she is there. But do try and
survival. early March clean the floor of your sanguinem) is in bloom and you feel estimate the ratio of eggs : larvae :
In our temperate climate the hives. comfortable in shirt sleeves, you are brood. In steady state this will be
greatest obstacle to survival is the • Have one clean floor to hand. good to go. 1 : 2 : 4 but at this time of year if the
winter months. As winter approaches • Move the colony to one side. colony is expanding it will be
our role as beekeepers is to do our • Set up the clean floor and replace Review and plan 1½ : 2¼ : 4.
best to help by ensuring our colonies the brood box etc. Check you records from last year to If a colony is not building up as
are strong, disease free, have a • Scrape the debris off the dirty remind yourself of the state of each fast as the others it may owing to
youngish queen and adequate stores floor, which can then be used on colony when last inspected. Make a either a ‘poor queen’ or suffering
(about 20kg). the next hive. plan. The aim should be to answer from nosema. If you think it is the
• Mouse guards can be removed at Ted Hooper’s five questions: latter, take a sample of 30 bees from
Hefting the hives this stage. • Has the colony sufficient room? an outside frame and arrange for
By late January the days will getting • Is the queen present and laying your branch microscopist to check
longer, the bees will be keen to Take time sit and watch the expected quantity of eggs? for nosema.
expand the brood nest and taking On sunny days in March and early • Is the colony building up in size
every opportunity to forage for April take a moment to observe your as fast as the other colonies in the Wait for the drones
pollen on sunny days. colonies. apiary? Quick inspections will suffice until
Being more active, they will You can be fairly certain that • Is there sign of disease or you see drones in the colony: as soon
consume more stores so it is a good those taking in good load of pollen abnormality? as they appear, start your weekly
idea to heft your hives periodically. are queen right and the brood • Has the colony sufficient stores inspections as part of your swarm
Remove the roof, lift the hive front expanding. However, if a colony is to last until the next inspection? prevention plan. In the meantime,
and back or on both sides to get a idle when all the others are active, conduct a full inspection of all your
feel of the weight. then an immediate check is in order The queen needs room to lay and the colonies to check for disease.
If it feels light add fondant up to as it may be dead or, more likely, foragers need room to store nectar, Richard Oliver, Education Officer
the middle of March. After that you queenless. If it is weak colony with especially if there is an early flow
can provide one to one syrup (1kg only old bees it will not be worth from oil seed rape. Useful references
white granulated sugar: 1.25l water) saving and should be culled. If there If you left a super on over winter, • Guide to Bees & Honey by Ted
preferably in a contact feeder. are lots of bees consider uniting with now is the time to replace the queen Hoper MBE
Resist the temptation to lift the a strong colony. excluder and place the super above. • Practical Beekeeping by Clive de
crown board. If it is a strong colony and there is a Bryun
Wait for the flowering currants flow, consider adding a second super. • In the Apiary: A Month-by Month
Clean the floor Come April, resist the temptation There is no need to waste time Guide – BBKA News Special
Bees will have been dying in the hive to open the colonies until the looking for the queen at this stage. Issue Series
22 Honey Bee Times 2021 No 1 Honey Bee Times 2021 No 1 23What would Mrs Beeton do?
It was blowing a gale outside and I Management being labeled a New
had some cleaning to do but I was Edition, it is dated 1869.
procrastinating. I started thumbing
through the cookbooks looking for In search of honey recipes
something interesting to make and My search for beekeeping/honey
there it was – hidden between Delia related references was not too
and Mary Berry – the long forgotten fruitful: there is one reference to a
copy of Household Management by Mrs honey cake and another to Bites and
Isabella Beeton. stings, on which is says:
It was a book our son picked up
in a charity shop when he had moved BITES AND STINGS may be divided
away and wanted a ‘new’ cookbook. into three kinds. 1. Those of Insects.
He had heard it was good, but was 2. Those of Snakes. 3. Those of Dogs
bemused at the weights and measures and other Animals.
and, although he lives in a moderately The Bites or Stings of Insects, such
sized city, he found it quite a struggle as gnats, bees, wasps, &c., need cause
to get hold of corn-crake, plovers very little alarm, and are, generally
or teal. And just how many ortolans speaking easily cured. They are very
would be suitable for a curry? Hence serious, however, when they take place
we ‘inherited’ the book. It hasn’t had on some delicate part of the body,
a lot of use, so I thought I would such as near the eye, or in the throat.
spend a windy evening trying to The treatment is very simple in most
find anything beekeeping related or cases; and consists in taking out the
something I could cook with honey. sting, if it is left behind, with a needle,
The book includes a rather and applying to the part a liniment
splendid chapter on Domestic made of finely-scraped chalk and
Servants: I don’t have the olive-oil, mixed together to about the
experience of these myself, but thickness of cream.
it seems quite comprehensive. To remove a Bee Sting, pull the
There is also a chapter on Legal sting out at once with the fingers or
Memoranda. However I fear that a needle. Press a key tightly over the
the Internet, despite all its faults, stung part; this forces the poison out;
may be somewhat more reliable wipe the place, suck it, and the apply
since, despite our copy of Household the blue-bag. (The blue bag was used
24 Honey Bee Times 2021 No 1 Honey Bee Times 2021 No 1 25for washing clothes, if you are
wondering.) BeeCraft
Bathing the part bitten
with warm turpentine or
MAGAZINE
warm vinegar is also of great
use. If the person feels faint,
he should lie quietly on his
A new look for a new decade!
back, and take a little brandy-
and-water, or sal-volatile Written by experienced professionals
and water. When the inside Practical and topical advice
of the throat is the part On digital and in print
stung, there is great danger
of violent inflammation For beginners and old hands!
taking place. In this case,
from eight to twelve leeches
should be immediately put
to the outside of the throat,
and when they drop off,
the part to which they had
been applied should be well
fomented with warm water.
Bits of ice are to be sucked.
Rubbing the face and hands
well over with plain olive-
oil, before going to bed,
will often keep gnats and
mosquitos from biting during
the night. Strong scent, such worth a try. I just need to source a
as Eau de Cologne, will have the same breakfast-cup for measuring sugar,
effect. flour, carbonate of soda, rich sour
cream and some honey to taste.
Hm. I’d recommend recent issues of Average cost should be 8d (about
BBKA News, which give some more £2.09 today) and sufficient for three
up-to-date advice, where the supply or four persons. Mind you, I don’t
of blue bags and leeches may have think that includes the price of coal Subscribe now!
been interrupted. for the range. Online at www.bee-craft.com
Meanwhile, the honey cake seems Alan Hepper, West Wilts A variety of options are available including digital only
Contact us at secretary@bee-craft.com
26 Honey Bee Times 2021 No 1 Honey Bee Times 2021 No 1 27environment – in fact they
The Queen’s Bees are thought to have more
diversity per square foot
To mark the centenary of BeeCraft than almost anywhere
magazine, three years ago I else in the UK,’ Mark
was granted a private tour of told me. ‘For example,
Buckingham Palace gardens to see in our 40 acres there are
its beehives. I was only the second around 6,000 species of
journalist to have been accorded plant and 2,500 species of
this privilege, the first being Alan insect – some of which
Titchmarsh and a TV crew. are quite rare. The fact
On a glorious June morning that we are right in the
I met the Queen’s head gardener middle of London makes
Buckinham Palace, a wildlife haven in a welter of concrete.
Mark Lane and her beekeeper that diversity all the more
John Chapple (the Queen’s beekeeper) and Mark Lane (the Queen’s head
John Chapple. John is one of the the National Honey Show. remarkable. It means we
gardener) cross the bridge across to the island that houses the royal apiary.
UK’s best-known and respected have two very demanding
beekeepers, having served as chair City-centre seclusion led the way to his secluded office priorities; as the official
of London Beekeepers’ Association The moment you enter the gardens where we began our conversation residence of the monarch, the
and the Central Association of at Buckingham Palace the impact over a cup of tea. gardens here have to be among the
Beekeepers, as well as president of is profound. Beyond the austere ‘The gardens here have been best in the world, both in terms of
perimeter wall recognised in a number of surveys high-quality horticulture and as a
the atmosphere as an extremely species-rich stage for national events. But they
is one of such also have to be cared
seclusion and for as a valuable
tranquillity natural reserve.
that I found it Everything we do
hard to believe here is about finding
that I was at a balance.’
the centre of Mark told me
one of the about some of
world’s great the management
cities. Passing techniques that have
walls covered been adopted with
with climbing the environment in
roses and mind. The garden
sweet-smelling The royal beehives are situated in a delightful and unexpected wilderness in the is largely organic,
Buckingham Palace – a view from the royal apiary. jasmine, Mark middle of London. although some
28 Honey Bee Times 2021 No 1 Honey Bee Times 2021 No 1 29chemicals are used very sparingly. An island apiary
All weeding is done by hand or The apiary is sited on an island on
with a weed burner. Fertilisers are the edge of the four-acre lake. When
only used on the ornamental lawns I watched a TV documentary about
and shrubberies. Biodegradable the Palace gardens a few years ago,
diesel, lubricants and oils are used Alan Titchmarsh made a spectacle
in all machinery. A large recycling of having to travel to the island by
operation processes all green waste – rowing boat to see the bees. I was
including the ‘arisings’ that emanate slightly disappointed therefore to
from the stables in the Royal Mews. discover that the island is usually
This produces all the compost and accessed by a small footbridge.
leaf litter used within the gardens The island itself is a wilderness
and is thought to be particularly of trees, shrubs and wild flowers
beneficial to the 280-or-so species of and feels as though it is hidden deep
beetle found here. Annual planting within the countryside. The rural
lists are produced with the help of effect is emphasised by the largely
lepidopterists and entomologists to native planting which includes guilder
benefit various insect species, and rose, the wayfaring tree, blackthorn, A view from the Palace of the island that houses the apiary.
seed-bearing plants are grown to whitethorn, sea buckthorn,
support bird life. honeysuckles and goat willow – not to mention plenty of nettles and Snelgrove board. John wasn’t due to
brambles. inspect any of the colonies, but he
On the day of my visit, the air opened one hive and was pleased to
was heavy with the musky smell see that a flow was in progress and
of wild privet which was flowering the super was filling rapidly. ‘Look
abundantly. at that,’ he exclaimed with pleasure,
Just off the path, we found the ‘these have got to be some of the
apiary. The hives stand on a rise luckiest bees alive. It really is a
not far from the edge of the lake, paradise for them here.’
the honey-coloured west front of
the Palace just visible through the Gentle bees
lakeside trees. John keeps five hives I commented that the bees seemed
here, all Nationals on standard deep very gentle and John agreed, telling
brood boxes. me that keeping bees in a royal
When I visited in mid-June, residence comes with responsibilities,
two of the colonies had been split the main ones being that no one gets
into nuc boxes and another was stung, and that the bees don’t swarm.
John Chapple reassembling hives after an inspection. undergoing swarm control with a ‘Can you imagine what it would
30 Honey Bee Times 2021 No 1 Honey Bee Times 2021 No 1 31be like if my bees swarmed in the productivity.’ decided to let the uninvited plants James I set up his famously flawed
middle of a garden party when To avoid opening hives when remain until they had finished mulberry-growing enterprise. Today,
the Royal Family were here with people are around, John usually flowering. Oilseed rape is a crop that the gardens are home to a national
8,000 guests!’ he laughed, slightly attends the Palace bees at the many rural beekeepers are used to collection of mulberries, with more
nervously. ‘Luckily, we haven’t yet weekend when most garden staff dealing with but, for John, having than 40 varieties. In May, the trees
had a sting or a swarm.’ aren’t present. ‘Sometimes I feel like always been a city beekeeper, this produce somewhat unspectacular
John’s management regime is I must be the luckiest beekeeper was something of a novelty and he flowers which are nonetheless
designed with these risks in mind. alive,’ he said, with obvious glee. wasn’t yet sure how it would affect appreciated by the bees. Later, the
He replaces the queens each spring ‘I often have 40 acres of magical his honey crop. mulberries are picked and used in the
using queens raised on site. He also gardens more or less to myself – Royal Kitchens.
splits colonies that get too large and well, just me and the bees.’ Trees for bees The garden also has some 15
undertakes control measures if there A huge variety of trees grow in the varieties of lime tree which flower
is any hint that they are planning to An unexpected crop gardens, from the native woodland at different times, providing nectar
swarm. ‘I don’t keep any equipment Moving on, we came across one species found around the perimeter, continuously throughout the early
here at the Palace,’ he told me, ‘so of the most unexpected sights of to the ornamental specimen trees in summer. Other bee-friendly trees
I always bring a spare nuc box and the day: a large patch of yellow and the arboretum on the east side of the include the tree of heaven (Ailanthus
a Snelgrove board. That way I’m purple flowers that seemed familiar gardens. alitissima), a wide variety of maples
covered for most eventualities. Safety yet strangely out of place. Part of the area now occupied and various fir trees – no doubt
is my main aim with these bees, not Mark explained that a shrubbery by Buckingham Palace gardens was visited by bees when collecting
here had been where, four hundred years ago, propolis. John’s favourite tree in
removed and the area
was being prepared
for re-planting. New
soil had been imported
from outside the
garden and, much
to his surprise, had
sprouted a volunteer
crop of oilseed rape
and phacelia. The large
border was humming
with honey bees as well
as several species of
bumblebee and solitary
bee.
A crop of oilseed rape and phacelia is left for the bees when it sprout on some In order to benefit
newly imported top soil. the bees, it had been One of the many borders where the bees can forage.
32 Honey Bee Times 2021 No 1 Honey Bee Times 2021 No 1 33the garden is an Indian bean tree 50 varieties of plant that were in
(Catalpa bignonioides), which he enjoys flower!
watching the bees visit in large At the end of my visit I exited
numbers when it flowers in July. through a gate in the perimeter wall
and, feeling rather as if I had left
Too many bees Narnia and climbed back through
When I asked how much honey the wardrobe, found myself again
is produced, John was somewhat in frenetic, fume-fogged central
candid, saying only that ‘several London.
hundred jars’ is the norm. Richard Rickitt, Kennet
He did, however, tell me that The full-length version of this article appeared in the
the honey crop has decreased in March 2019 issue of BeeCraft magazine.
recent years. ‘The problem is that
there are just too many bees in
London now. We are surrounded by
businesses and department stores
who think that having bees on their
roofs boosts their green credentials.
But these people don’t provide any
forage for their bees, they just expect
them to go out and find flowers.
Unfortunately, The Queen’s guards
can’t stop other people’s bees from
getting over the walls, so half of
them end up here.’
Aware of the general lack of
forage in central London, bee-
friendly planting schemes have been
adopted in all the Royal Gardens in
Mark’s care.
The extraordinary diversity of
plants within the Palace Gardens
must certainly mean that there is
always something of value to be
found here. Indeed, Mark told
me that visiting the gardens one Above and right: foraging opportunities at
Christmas day he counted more than Buckingham Palace
34 Honey Bee Times 2021 No 1 Honey Bee Times 2021 No 1 35You can also read
