Asian Hornet Alert – from the NBU:
On Friday 4th October a nest was destroyed following the confirmed sighting of an Asian hornet near Christchurch, Dorset after it was reported by a member of the public. It is imperative that any Asian hornet colonies in the UK are detected and destroyed before queens are released. This is the time of year when colonies have been previously detected and we depend on alert beekeepers and members of the public to report sightings. As we have an abundant insect population, Asian hornets may not just be found in apiaries, they could also be at places where insects congregate – stands of ivy, for example, and on decaying fruit. At any sunny, warm period, take a little extra time – 20 minutes or more – to look around your apiary, any ivy and garden generally to help early detection of this alien insect.
What Else Can I Do?
- Monitor your apiaries and observe local forage sites using monitoring traps:
We have produced a useful guidance note and video on how to make a monitoring trap.
- Ensure your BeeBase records are up to date with apiary locations and contact information:
We encourage you to use the online functionality to update your apiary records and also record if Asian hornet traps are situated in an apiary. Guidance on how to update your records can be found here.
- Cooperate with your local Bee Inspectors:
Beekeepers within the area of the outbreak may be contacted by NBU Inspectors in order to carry out apiary surveillance, we kindly ask for full your co-operation with these visits.
- Report any suspect sightings:
- with your smart phone or tablet, by using the ‘Asian hornet Watch’ app: for Android and iOS devices.
- online at: http://www.brc.ac.uk/risc/alert.php?species=asian_hornet
- by email to: alertnonnative@ceh.ac.uk . Please include as much information as possible in your email; where you saw the sighting, your name and contact details and if possible an image.
Please note that during outbreaks the NBU receive high numbers of calls and emails, we therefore ask that you use the signposting information above to report sightings, where possible preferencing the app or electronic form.
We thank you in advance for your co-operation and continued vigilance.
Kind regards,
National Bee Unit.
Posted in News, beeBlog
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Dear Member,
VDBKA FUN HONEY SHOW
Please find below a link to download our Honey Show Poster and the Honey Show Schedule for Saturday 12th October, 2019:
Fun Honey Show Poster
Honey Show Schedule
This will give you an idea of proceedings that have been arranged for the afternoon; please try to exhibit as many exhibits as possible.
This year, to help cut down on landfill, we are asking you to bring along your own cups & plates. Don’t worry if you can’t, we will have a selection of catering disposables made from plants using renewable, lower carbon, recycled or reclaimed materials, which can all be commercially composted after the event.
Please remember to let Heather Burford know what food you will be bringing along on the day, and please let Simon Rogers know if you can donate a raffle prize.
We very much look forward to seeing you on the 12th October.
Best wishes from your Committee
Posted in News, Shows, beeBlog
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Dear members,
Important – due to potential structural issues with the roof at East Challow Village Hall we have had to move our upcoming winter association meeting on Friday 22nd March 2019.
Our meeting will now start at 7.45pm in The Millennium Room at Steventon Village Hall, The Green, Steventon, Abingdon OX13 6RR.
Matt Richards will be leading our session with a talk on How to use a ‘Public Access Defibrillator’ and will also cover CPR.
When someone suffers cardiac arrest, for every minute that passes without defibrillation a person’s chances of survival can decrease by up to 10%. By performing CPR and using a defibrillator, you’ll give someone the best possible chance of survival. Particularly in rural areas, early defibrillation is absolutely vital while the patient waits for the ambulance to arrive.
Matt will explain how defibrillators work and debunk some of the misunderstandings about when to use a defibrillator. This will be an opportunity for you to learn how to use an External Automatic Defibrillator, and Matt will also bring a couple of Resuscitation Manikins (or “Resusci Annie”) for you to practice CPR on, so the evening is a combination of talk/demo and practical for those who wish it.
This is a chance to refresh and learn valuable skills that will not only be of use in the apiary, but also in your day-to-day life, and we look forward to seeing you there.
Many thanks
Samantha
V&DBKA Programme Secretary
Starvation Alert
Beekeepers should continue to monitor their colonies throughout the winter as temperatures in some regions of the UK have been unusually high for the winter months, allowing honey bee flight and forage of pollen. In some cases, small patches of brood are still being reared and the demand on the colony’s food resources ongoing.
Where temperatures do not allow for a sugar syrup feed, fondant icing can be placed directly on the top bars of the colony, above the cluster and fed as required.
For further information, please see the ‘Best Practice Guidance No. 7 – Feeding Bees Sugar’ on the following BeeBase Page: http://www.nationalbeeunit.com/index.cfm?pageid=167
Posted in NBU, News, beeBlog
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Vale and Downland winter meeting – Friday 25th January 2019
In advance of sending out our full programme of events for 2019, and to give as much notice as possible for you to get the date in our diaries, here are the details of the first winter meeting on Friday 25th January 2019 at our now established venue at East Challow Village Hall.
Ahead of the start of the season for the possible emergence of queen Asian Hornets who managed to sneak in to England at the end of 2018, we have dedicated the theme of the evening to “The Asian Hornet”.
The first part of the evening will be a talk by our NBU Regional Bee Inspector – Peter Davies – on the Asian Hornet. Then, following the tea break, there will be a hands-on practical session where the association will fund and provide the materials and the tools for you to make an Asian Hornet monitoring trap. No special skills needed, there will be a demonstration and instructions.
By the end of the evening you will have a completed trap to take away ready for you to bait and use a few weeks later.
Looking forward to seeing you there!
Posted in News, beeBlog
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Importing Animals and Animal Products If There’s No Brexit Deal
28 November 2018, 21:41
Defra have published guidance on importing animals, which includes bees, if the UK leaves the EU with no deal. The information can be viewed by clicking on the following link: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/importing-animals-and-animal-products-if-theres-no-brexit-deal
Specific honey bee information will be provided on BeeBase as soon as it is available.
The National Hive Count 2018
The 2018 Hive Count launches today (1st November)!
More information can be found here.
This year the emails will be sent out using the Government Notify system and you will receive an email from national.hive.count@notifications.service.gov.uk. Please make a note of this mailbox and mark it as a friendly to prevent it from being blocked by your email provider. Any replies to this mailbox should still reach us directly.
Asian Hornet Identified in Dungeness, Kent
15 October 2018, 22:41
The National Bee Unit is investigating a confirmed sighting of the Asian hornet in Dungeness. The hornets have been seen foraging on Ivy. Please keep up your vigilance by continuing to monitor for any hornet activity, especially on flowering forage. Further information will become available as and when the situation develops.
As usual, further information regarding the Asian hornet can be found on the Asian hornet page of BeeBase and on Defra’s Asian hornet rolling news page.
Please report sightings:
• with your smart phone or tablet, by using the ‘Asian hornet Watch’ app: for Iphone and Android;
• online: http://www.brc.ac.uk/risc/alert.php?species=asian_hornet;
• by email to: alertnonnative@ceh.ac.uk. Please include as much information as possible in your email; where you saw the sighting, your name and contact details and if possible an image.
Please direct all media enquiries to the Defra Press Office: 0330 0416560
Asian Hornet Identified in Guildford
04 October 2018, 22:41
The National Bee Unit is investigating the finding of a dead Asian hornet found between a car grill at a car dealership in Guildford. Further information will become available as and when the situation develops.
A new ‘Asian Hornet: UK sightings in 2018’ page has been published on Gov.Uk. This, along with BeeBase, will be updated with new developments as they occur.
As usual, further information regarding the Asian hornet can be found on the Asian hornet page of BeeBase and on Defra’s Asian hornet rolling news page.
Please report sightings:
• with your smart phone or tablet, by using the ‘Asian hornet Watch’ app: for Iphone and Android;
• online: http://www.brc.ac.uk/risc/alert.php?species=asian_hornet;
• by email to: alertnonnative@ceh.ac.uk. Please include as much information as possible in your email; where you saw the sighting, your name and contact details and if possible an image.
Please direct all media enquiries to the Defra Press Office: 0330 0416560
Asian Hornet Rolling News Page
01 October 2018, 22:41
A new ‘Asian Hornet: UK sightings in 2018’ page has been published on Gov.Uk. This, along with BeeBase, will be updated with new developments as they occur.
As usual, further information regarding the Asian hornet can be found on the Asian hornet page of BeeBase and on Defra’s Asian hornet rolling news page.
Please report sightings:
• with your smart phone or tablet, by using the ‘Asian hornet Watch’ app: for Iphone and Android;
• online: http://www.brc.ac.uk/risc/alert.php?species=asian_hornet;
• by email to: alertnonnative@ceh.ac.uk. Please include as much information as possible in your email; where you saw the sighting, your name and contact details and if possible an image.
Please direct all media enquiries to the Defra Press Office: 0330 0416560
