The Little Giant beehive log will help you keep track of your hives in all weather conditions! Featuring Rite In The Rain patented water-shedding paper, these notebooks are useable even in the heaviest of rains or the hottest of days. Record and measure all of your hives' most important details. 100 pages.
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| https://www.miller-mfg.com/beekeeping-supplies.html |
05 March 2019
Bee record cards: Little Giant Beehive Log
Normally I use standard BBKA record-keeping cards... and then spotted this on Amazon:
04 March 2019
Beekeeping laws in Germany
Now, you'd like to believe this:
Believe it or not, the German Civil Code has a specific statute that is to be applied in the event that two or more swarms flee their hives at approximately the same time and, while properly being pursued by their respective owners in order to preserve their ownership rights, merge to form one larger swarm. Should that happen—and I’d very much like to know if it ever has—the owners split the bees:
If bee swarms of more than one owner that have moved out merge, the owners who have pursued their swarms become co-owners of the total swarm captured; the shares are determined according to the number of swarms pursued.
So, let’s say five swarms are on the move, followed by four beekeepers flailing around with bee nets (obviously I know nothing about beekeeping). Beekeepers A and B are each pursuing one swarm. C is pursuing two different swarms that tried to flee his place at the same time, while D was just driving by and has never owned a bee in his life.
He just finished beekeeping school, or something. Meanwhile, Beekeeper E is sitting at home not pursuing his swarm, which is one of the five. If all five swarms merge and the resulting überSchwärm is captured, what happens?
What happens is that some German lawyers are about to make a bunch of money, that’s what happens.
German Civil Code § 963 (“Merging of bee swarms”).
Copied from https://boingboing.net/2014/02/28/german-beekeeping-laws-are-wei.html, which itself is an excerpt from "The Emergency Sasquatch Ordinance," https://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1627222693/downandoutint-20
03 March 2019
Hive Years & Millennials
In an idle moment, I calculated my age in Hive Years: about 35. Some friends with 20+ hives must be well into their hundreds, and maybe into their first millennium. Odd to think of an 80-year-old as a Millennial.
In case you're wondering, keeping one colony for one year = 1 Hive Year.
In case you're wondering, keeping one colony for one year = 1 Hive Year.
01 March 2019
Hive radio
Sadly (a) not about bees and (b) not on air.
https://hiveradiouk.wordpress.com/about-us/
There, that was worth reading, wasn't it?
https://hiveradiouk.wordpress.com/about-us/
There, that was worth reading, wasn't it?
28 February 2019
27 February 2019
26 February 2019
That's gonna sting a bit...
More on the World's Biggest Bee, aka Megachile pluto (Wallace's giant bee). Does it sting?
Fool's Spring
This came in via WhatsApp. Local temp yesterday was around 18C, about 10C higher than the average.
22 February 2019
21 February 2019
Robbing on an industrial scale
Passing through Moûtiers in France, I spotted this collection of around 50 hives, basking in February sunshine. Thousands of bees were flying, but I'm fairly sure there was no forage available - prompting robbing on an industrial scale. You can *just* see the bees in this photo.
16 February 2019
11 February 2019
07 February 2019
06 February 2019
05 February 2019
Starvation
The mild weather followed by cold snap has got me worried. Last week the bees were out flying. With precious little forage available, I presume they were eating through the stores. This week it is too cold to inspect. All the colonies have fondant on the top bars of the brood frames, but in my experience they are reluctant to take it down...
Here's a picture of Mr Creosote.
Here's a picture of Mr Creosote.
03 February 2019
St Haralampi, patron saint of beekeeping
Religion, despite being a dangerous infection of the human mind, does occasionally come up with some crackingly good nonsense: St Haralampi, patron saint of beekeeping.
02 February 2019
30 January 2019
25 January 2019
David & Jane Richards Family Foundation
These guys are sponsoring bee research: https://djrff.org/bees/
16 January 2019
The White Stuff
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| Dave the Beekeeper sent this pic to our WhatsApp group, and wrote: A friend's hives in Poland; I think we will definitely be getting some of the white stuff soon. Not telling you how to suck eggs, but make sure your bees have enough stores (honey/fondant) to get them though the coming months. |
Beekeeping: priorities for winter
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The unusually warm spell in the south of the UK means the bees are flying, with very little to forage. On the other hand, it makes treating the bees with winter medication (Api Bioxal) easier. I like this photo (not mine), as it demonstrates a beekeeper's priorities:
1 Thermos flask of tea
2 Everything else
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05 January 2019
If you go down to the woods today
UK bees may suffer from woodpeckers, badgers and other annoyances.... while back in the US it's a different story!
https://www.wideopenspaces.com/michigan-bears-causing-big-problems-beekeepers/
03 January 2019
Somethng to braggot about
From a WBKA member:
Plus a very nice explanation to be found here: https://drinks.seriouseats.com/2011/07/serious-beer-braggot.html
Plus a very nice explanation to be found here: https://drinks.seriouseats.com/2011/07/serious-beer-braggot.html
02 January 2019
31 December 2018
21 December 2018
TK Maxx gets in on the act
£7.99 for a 1kg jar (or if you really like to mix units, €4 per lb) at TK Maxx
14 December 2018
Bees at Highgrove House, thanks to Anthony Paine
How amazing are these beehives? A wonderfully eccentric triumph of beauty over practicality. The hive in the centre looks slightly horrified.
See more here: https://anthonypaine.com/project/beehives-at-highgrove/
See more here: https://anthonypaine.com/project/beehives-at-highgrove/
13 December 2018
11 December 2018
29 November 2018
From our Portuguese correspondent
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| Some honey Brandy in Portugal...tasted so nice had to buy a bottle😎 |
Mead in the news
Mead, created by fermenting honey with water, dates back thousands of years and was once viewed as the drink of the gods, falling from the heavens as dew then gathered by bees. It was also believed to improve health and prolong life.
Scepticism liberates, belief constricts, faith imprisons.
23 November 2018
Almost all bee blogs are better than the Diary of an Incompetent Beekeeper (though few are as accurately named)
The Norfolk Honey Co has some very nice video blogs
22 November 2018
The water in Madeira don't taste that much queerer
From our Portuguese correspondent; plenty in bloom!
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| Barnadia Japonica in the Botanical Gardens, Funchal (spotted by someone wiser than me - though not by much) |
21 November 2018
13 November 2018
Wintering bees
Is this a good idea? I'm not sure about the ventilation, or lack of it.
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| Woodpecker repellent jacket made from sheet of damp proof membrane and gaffer tape. Drops over the top and lifts off on seconds |
11 November 2018
Candlestick maker
I am ever so slightly perturbed by these candles..... or is it just me? OK, it's me.
07 November 2018
17 October 2018
Frankenbees?
Beekeepers are sounding the alarm about the latest developments in genetically modified pollinators. By Bernhard Warner
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/oct/16/frankenbees-genetically-modified-pollinators-danger-of-building-a-better-bee
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/oct/16/frankenbees-genetically-modified-pollinators-danger-of-building-a-better-bee
21 September 2018
20 September 2018
Why do we hate wasps and love bees?
From the BBC story, here:
The best Comment on the story, by far:
The best Comment on the story, by far:
749. Posted bySimon Dillon
on2 hours ago
"A new study reveals that wasps are largely disliked by the public, whereas bees are highly appreciated."
In other news, the Pope is Catholic.
In other news, the Pope is Catholic.
Holistic Facialists
Natural Bee Pollen Supplements Snatch Holland & Barrett Healthy Award AND Psychologies Award in One Month!
Here's an excerpt from the press release:
These ethically driven awards are headed up by award winning beauty and wellbeing editor Eminé Ali Rushton, alongside her expert high profile panel of 21 judges made up of a botanist and natural cosmetologist, nutritional therapists, natural make-up artists, holistic facialists and the UK’s most experienced health and beauty journalists, alongside wellbeing authors, respected bloggers and naturopathic industry insiders.
https://pressreleases.responsesource.com/news/96232/natural-bee-pollen-supplements-snatch-holland-barrett-healthy-award-and/
16 September 2018
Wasps v hornets
A friend found and posted this photo. He wrote:
I've posted a photo below which clearly shows the differences between a wasp (little one) European hornet (big brown thorax and lots of yellow bands) and Asian hornet (one yellow band dark thorax (note face colours too!).
If I could credit the photographer, I would
I've posted a photo below which clearly shows the differences between a wasp (little one) European hornet (big brown thorax and lots of yellow bands) and Asian hornet (one yellow band dark thorax (note face colours too!).
If I could credit the photographer, I would
13 September 2018
Himalayan Balsam
Interesting chatter on our beekeepers' whatsapp group about Himalyan Balsam:
[22:04, 9/9/2018] For information, some people are saying bees are coming back to the Hive covered in "white stuff" this is Himalayan Balsom. Mostly collected on River banks. (Know as Ghost Bees.
[22:10, 9/9/2018] : ........why is it on the back of their thorax???
[22:12, 9/9/2018] Because when the go into the plant they get covered and are unable to "clean it" off themselves, it's believed that nursery bees remove it when returning to the Hive.
[22:16, 9/9/2018] Moreover, the flower’s stamen hangs above the lower petals so when the bee lands on these petals the stamen moves downwards and ‘stamps’ the back of the bee.
Himalayam Balsam is also an invasive species.
[22:21, 9/9/2018] Yes, I agree, Himalayan balsam is listed under Schedule 9 to the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 with respect to England and Wales. As such, it is an offence to plant or otherwise allow this species to grow in the wild. I leave the National Trust to attempt to remove it as I feel I am not qualified and would not want to make it a bigger issue.
[22:24, 9/9/2018] Makes good honey too!👍🏻
[22:26, 9/9/2018] I agree, I get a good supply for Winter food, and i always leave them a super mixed with Ivy & Balsom. Bees love it.
[22:04, 9/9/2018] For information, some people are saying bees are coming back to the Hive covered in "white stuff" this is Himalayan Balsom. Mostly collected on River banks. (Know as Ghost Bees.
[22:10, 9/9/2018] : ........why is it on the back of their thorax???
[22:12, 9/9/2018] Because when the go into the plant they get covered and are unable to "clean it" off themselves, it's believed that nursery bees remove it when returning to the Hive.
[22:16, 9/9/2018] Moreover, the flower’s stamen hangs above the lower petals so when the bee lands on these petals the stamen moves downwards and ‘stamps’ the back of the bee.
Himalayam Balsam is also an invasive species.
[22:21, 9/9/2018] Yes, I agree, Himalayan balsam is listed under Schedule 9 to the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 with respect to England and Wales. As such, it is an offence to plant or otherwise allow this species to grow in the wild. I leave the National Trust to attempt to remove it as I feel I am not qualified and would not want to make it a bigger issue.
[22:24, 9/9/2018] Makes good honey too!👍🏻
[22:26, 9/9/2018] I agree, I get a good supply for Winter food, and i always leave them a super mixed with Ivy & Balsom. Bees love it.
10 September 2018
Asian hornet
Asian hornet: Fowey nest destroyed as two new sightings confirmed in Liskeard and Hull
Two more sightings of Asian hornets have been confirmed and surveillance activity is underway
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/asian-hornet-fowey-nest-destroyed-as-two-new-sightings-confirmed-in-liskeard-and-hull
05 September 2018
03 September 2018
Beekeeping: waxing or waning?
Mildly interesting article in The Times : https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/how-to-get-the-sweet-taste-of-success-when-you-become-a-beekeeper-lfqb7j5x2
Missed a trick with "While enthusiasme for the hobby has waned over the years..." Shome mishtake, surely - waxed would be better - and funnier.
Missed a trick with "While enthusiasme for the hobby has waned over the years..." Shome mishtake, surely - waxed would be better - and funnier.
28 August 2018
22 August 2018
20 August 2018
Chris Slade
Came across this blog, https://chrissladesbeeblog.wordpress.com/ If you can get past the self-centred life trivia, there's some half-decent beekeeping info.
16 August 2018
Not Neonicotinoids
Hmmmm….
From the BBC web site:
From the BBC web site:
Attempts to find a new generation of pesticides to replace neonicotinoids have been dealt a potential blow.
Neonicotinoids are the most commonly used insecticide in the world, but had been linked to bee declines.
Studies suggest a new type of pesticide seen as an alternative to the chemicals, which have been banned in many countries, may have similar risks.
The new insecticides may reduce bumblebee reproduction in the wild, according to a study by UK scientists.
The alternatives had been sought because of the evidence linking neonicotinoids to declines in bee populations - leading to the bans and restrictions on their use.
Small Bees
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| Bought a 1lb jar of creamed honey from Small Bees at the Saturday Farmers' market in Palo Alto, CA, $15. Very tasty. |
11 August 2018
02 August 2018
So here’s how to have honey for breakfast!
A member of the Wimbledon Beekeepers' Association (WBKA) spotted this, and wrote:
"So here’s how to have honey for breakfast! Only at the best spa hotels though!"
(What kind of hotel admits a WBKA member to breakfast, that's what I want to know...)
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05 July 2018
14 June 2018
Fire pit or burial mound?
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| Holne Chase Apiary, now full. I'm not sure about the earthworks in the middle. Fire pit? Burial Mound? |
13 June 2018
30 May 2018
But when she got there, the cupboard was bare
Here's the swarm notification chain from WhatsApp group:
[10:25, 5/29/2018] Swarm in SW19 7EP any one available (message is 15 mins old from public)
[10:28, 5/29/2018] Spoken to the man, swarm on a post about 3ft off the ground about the size of 2 Rugby balls long and 1ft wide
[10:45, 5/29/2018] Max is en route to collect it.
[11:08, 5/29/2018] Now THAT is a swarm
[11:48, 5/29/2018] Update, the rapid response unit (aka Max) attended the location only to find about a cup full of bees left at the location, lots of bees flying around, if they settle Max will re-attend.
[11:49, 5/29/2018] Bad luck Max. Not rapid enough it seems!
[10:25, 5/29/2018] Swarm in SW19 7EP any one available (message is 15 mins old from public)
[10:28, 5/29/2018] Spoken to the man, swarm on a post about 3ft off the ground about the size of 2 Rugby balls long and 1ft wide
[10:45, 5/29/2018] Max is en route to collect it.
[11:08, 5/29/2018] Now THAT is a swarm
[11:48, 5/29/2018] Update, the rapid response unit (aka Max) attended the location only to find about a cup full of bees left at the location, lots of bees flying around, if they settle Max will re-attend.
[11:49, 5/29/2018] Bad luck Max. Not rapid enough it seems!
15 May 2018
Swarm - three times in the same place...
Picked up a small swarm yesterday evening. That's the third swarm that has arrived in the same garden, three years running. The house owners mentioned that a friend keeps bees near-by... Jus' sayin.'
Oddly, the swarm settled on the ground. The trickiest part was encouraging the bees into the box before the light failed.
Oddly, the swarm settled on the ground. The trickiest part was encouraging the bees into the box before the light failed.
08 May 2018
04 May 2018
Avaaz
With some justification, Avaaz [https://www.avaaz.org/page/en/] is claiming the ban on neonicotinoids resulted from its people-led campaigns
See https://secure.avaaz.org/campaign/en/save_the_bees_neonics_loc_ns/?slideshow
02 May 2018
Bee disease outbreak confirmed near Perth and Dumfries
01 May 2018
Bee chocolate!
From Kew Gardens. What ingredient is NOT included, I wonder?
Yep, no honey in this, only honey flavour
27 April 2018
24 April 2018
What I learned from bees
James Reed of Reed Recruitment. I knew his dad, Alec.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/business-39816288/ceo-secrets-what-i-learnt-from-bees
How to revive drowsy [bumble] bees...
Let's face it, a teaspoon of sugar is the answer...
https://youtu.be/HrnoR9cBP3o
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-northern-ireland-43881963/how-to-revive-drowsy-bees
https://youtu.be/HrnoR9cBP3o
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-northern-ireland-43881963/how-to-revive-drowsy-bees