An update on what is happening with the bees by our Beekeeper Tony.

As a beekeeping group, and as the year ends, we contemplate what happened with the bees over the current season, and about making a plan for next year.

Last year at the end of the season we had only one hive, and guessed that the hive would not survive the winter. But just to prove us wrong, it did. In May we split the hive, with Queen bees, that were produced in the hive, so it grew into another hive and another, and then another again. So, we were awash with hives this summer.

Nearing the end of the summer, the last two hives were not great, but we took a chance on them, unfortunately they did not survive, but as they say, nothing tried.. nothing gained.

We were then down to two hives. They seemed to be doing well, but for some reason, one got weaker, and we found no Queen in it, so made the decision to merge them into one hive. That hive is now doing well, so hopefully they will get through the winter.

We do regular inspections, every Thursday during the summer, and on a Saturday in September and October. We do a weekly Varroa Mite count (this is a serious mite that can destroy a whole colony) as well. These counts are so far way down on last year, so cross your fingers.

We do not treat the bees with any insecticides for Varroa mite, or anything else, so they are fully natural bees. We are now in our 2nd year of doing this. So far, so good.

Finally, I wanted to thank everyone who ask us about the bees, how they are doing, etc., and express an interest in what we do.

We have 5 people who are interested in helping with the bees, so we are having info sessions over the winter, and all going well, practical sessions next Spring.

Yours in Beekeeping
Tony