Around the country

Expanded-Polystyrene Hives.

Polystyrene and plastic hives and hive-parts are becoming increasingly popular and are now bringing their own problems. Due to the current emphasis on environmentally friendly waste management, it is no longer lawful for either the inspector or the beekeeper to burn these items or any related plastic equipment—a requirement in the case of AFB, and sometimes in cases of EFB. Neither is it practicable to sterilise any of this type of equipment by scorching—it melts with noxious fumes! Now, the only way is to employ the services of a properly accredited and licensed contractor who has access to an appropriate waste disposal site—which can prove costly for the beekeeper—and the compensation from the BDI scheme is only for a set amount for each hive-part.

Breeding bees to fight Varroa.

Cornwall Bee-Breeders’ group are trying to develop a bee which will cope with Varroa. They are selecting for behaviour where bees remove damaged pupae with or without mites. Bits of pupae are found beneath mesh floors sometimes with mites on them. One beekeeper has developed the test of “biting the beekeeper” - he selects bees which do that. They appear to have had a modicum of success, in that they have found mites which have obviously been damaged by the mandibles of bees. (Cornwall BKA via BEES)

Bee-rustlers strike again

Some beehives were stolen earlier this year from an out-apiary around the Darley Dale area north of Matlock. According to an eyewitness, one man in a white shirt was seen trying to load one of the hives into an orange Transit van. “Unfortunately for him, the hive came apart, and he was last seen running down the road after the van waving his arms about trying to fend off the bees. It is hoped he got severely stung.’ Obviously not a beekeeper! (Shropshire BKA via BEES)

Another case of hives

The Daily Telegraph Magazine on April 7th had an article on yet another fanciful design, which we can be sure will NOT catch on with any serious beekeepers. Built in oak (the weight!), it is basically a WBC type, but with steps (!) up to the entrance and a colonnaded front porch (just for effect). The porch comes in various architectural designs—classical, gothic, Chinese and Indian, the roof is copper-clad and topped off with a gilded finial— “to catch the light”. The hives are apparently destined for the roof of Fortnum and Mason’s in London, where I am sure the honey gathered will be interesting. It will have to be, at £10 per half-pound jar! Production will apparently be limited to 700 jars a year; how, the article did not say.

The hives could be seen at this year’s Chelsea Flower Show, where Fortnum and Mason’s sponsored a show-garden—without bees, however, as the authorities banned them from the garden.

How, you are asking yourself, can I be so sure you won’t be interested in this hive for your apiary? The cost is reported as £1500 per hive!

Oxalic acid solution too strong

Although the BBKA favours the use of already mixed solutions of oxalic acid syrup, the Welsh Beekeeper reports a case of a solution of 6% (ready made in Italy) being bought. Although this did not kill the bees, the recommendation from the Bee Farmers Association was to dilute it further with 60% sugar solution. 3.2% to 4.2% is the recommended solution, and solutions stronger than 3.2% are said to bring no increase in efficacy. (BEES)

AFB from imported honey

Shropshire BKA magazine also reports on a case where, in extremis, a jar of supermarket honey was fed to an observation hive at a show. The colony to which the combs were later returned was later found to have AFB. (BEES)

CHESHIRE BEEKEEPERS' ASSOCIATION

Apes curamus et nos curant (We look after bees and they look after us)

Founded 1899

Registered Charity No. 227494