Newsletter June 2019

Posted on1st June 20193rd June 2019Authoradmin2 Comments

Summary of contents: Queen rearing demonstration at a member’s apiary, honey bees for children, natural comb building by a swarm, Read More …

Newsletter May 2019

Posted on1st May 20193rd May 2019AuthorJohn Farrow3 Comments

Summary of contents: Swarming – minimising the risk, A Chilly Start at Barrwood, Beekeeping Survey and Diary Dates. Download the Read More …

Newsletter April 2019

Posted on1st April 20191st April 2019AuthorJohn FarrowLeave a comment

Download the April 2019 newsletter in PDF format. Summary of contents: Asian Hornet Threat, Sussex University Workshops, Advantages of Top Read More …

Notice Board.

Hilbert Rd meeting tomorrow, Saturday 15th June has been POSTPONED.

Please watch out for the next newsletter and updates on the website for the next meeting date.

Swarms: If you have a swarm of honeybees land in your garden, and they look like this:

go to our SWARM PAGE to check if in fact they are honeybees and to find a list of beekeepers who are prepared to collect them.

Next Apiary Meetings:

Hilbert Road: All meetings start at 2 – 4.00 pm and will be held on the 1st and 3rd Saturdays of March through to June. 😎👍Check with Barry Chaseley or here for late cancellations due to weather.😂

Barrwood: All meetings start at 2 – 4.00 pm and will be held on the 2nd and 4th Saturdays of March through to June. 😎👍Check with Cliff Hayward or here for late cancellations due to weather.😂

Our MEETINGS page gives more complete detail.

Website Editors:

John Farrow assisted by Sarah Rapley.

Site Visits since 1st Jan. 2019:

Tips for June.

Continue to examine at 7 or 14 day intervals for any signs of disease or swarming.
The brood should be able to fill most of the brood chamber this month.
Swarming will continue through June so continue to be vigilant.
You may be able to take off some frames of capped honey or even complete supers. Ensure you have empty frames or supers to replace those taken.

Tips for July & August.

Swarming should be over by early July, allowing the colony to concentrate on collecting nectar.
Set up wasp traps a few metres from your hives (jam jars containing water and a spoonful of jam work well).
Honey can be harvested in early August allowing the bees to keep what more they make for themselves.
After the honey has been harvested, remove the queen excluder, and put a crown board below any supers that you are leaving on to be cleaned out.
Treat the brood box for varroa. MAQS strips, Apiguard gel or ApiLife Var strips are curently recommended. (Make sure your hives are well ventilated when using MAQ strips. Record the varroa drop in the following two weeks so that you know how badly your colonies are infested.
In early August reduce the size of the entrance so the diminishing colony can defend itself against wasps.

Sevenoaks and Tunbridge Wells Beekeepers

A branch of the Kent Bee-Keepers Association

Category: Newsletters

Newsletter June 2019

Newsletter May 2019

Newsletter April 2019