Author Archives: Emily Scott

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About Emily Scott

I am a UK beekeeper who has recently moved from London to windswept, wet Cornwall. I first started keeping bees in the Ealing Beekeepers Association’s local apiary in 2008, when I created this blog as a record for myself of my various beekeeping related disasters and - hopefully! - future successes.

4th Honey bee products and forage revision post: the location and function of the extra-floral nectaries of broad bean, cherry laurel, cherry and plum

Posted on November 6, 2014 by Emily Scott

Before I became a beekeeper, I can’t remember ever learning about extra-floral nectaries. No-one goes to an extra-floral nectary show, or walks down the aisle clutching a bouquet of exquisite extra-floral nectaries. The world goes by without most of us ever thinking … Continue reading →

Posted in Exams, Foraging | Tagged | 23 Comments

3rd Honey bee products and forage revision post: an account of the information that clover, field geranium, forget-me-not and horse chestnut communicate to the honey bee

Posted on November 2, 2014 by Emily Scott

2.19  an account of the importance of nectary guides to the foraging bee using a named example and describe how the following flowers, having been successfully pollinated, can indicate to bees that their visits are no longer required – clover, … Continue reading →

Posted in Exams, Foraging | Tagged | 20 Comments

A musical interlude…

Posted on November 1, 2014 by Emily Scott

A guest post by musician Joe Holiday, who contacted me via Twitter to ask if I could spread the word about his bee music. He says: “Hello Bee People! I have composed eight Bee songs and have recently recorded two … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 4 Comments

London Honey Show 2014: part 2, Judy Earl

Posted on October 15, 2014 by Emily Scott

Our first speaker at the London Honey Show was Judy Earl, who is a master at turning hive products into something beautiful, useful or tasty. Judy has been beekeeping 10 years and has 12 hives in Harrow (northwest London). I was … Continue reading →

Posted in Events | Tagged | 27 Comments

London Honey Show 2014: part 1, Dave Goulson

Posted on October 12, 2014 by Emily Scott

On Monday 6th October I went to the fourth annual London Honey Show, an event celebrating London’s honey and bees in general. As well as a honey tasting competition, there are stalls selling food, beekeeping books and beauty products, plus … Continue reading →

Posted in Events, Urban beekeeping | Tagged | 24 Comments

Cats on guard

Posted on October 7, 2014 by Emily Scott

Inspired by bee guard-dog Lucky, Ealing Chairman Clare Vernon has kindly sent me photos of her cats Simba and LeoRex for our next Ealing newsletter and has also let me put them up here. She says “Fame for the Boys!! … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 12 Comments

2nd Honey bee products and forage revision post: an illustrated description of the floral structure of apple

Posted on October 5, 2014 by Emily Scott

A 2nd revision post, topic picked at random, for the BBKA’s Module 2 exam, ‘Honeybee products and forage‘ in November. I know the diagram below is no great work of art, but research evidence suggests writing things down helps commit them … Continue reading →

Posted in Exams | Tagged , | 11 Comments

Please help find Arnis Zalkalns

Posted on October 1, 2014 by Emily Scott

EDIT: on Saturday 4th October a body thought to be that of suspect Arnis Zalkalns was found in Boston Manor Park. I am going to keep this post up in memory of Alice. …………………………………………………………………………………………………………. This is not beekeeping related, but … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 10 Comments

1st Honey bee products and forage revision post: a list of floral sources of unpalatable honey;

Posted on September 20, 2014 by Emily Scott

I have decided to take the BBKA’s Module 2 exam, ‘Honeybee products and forage‘ in November. If I manage to pass, I’ll have passed Modules 1,2,3 & 6, which means I’ll be awarded the BBKA Intermediate Theory Certificate. Woo hoo! But … Continue reading →

Posted in Foraging, Honey | Tagged , , | 38 Comments

Time to smite some mites

Posted on September 8, 2014 by Emily Scott

This weekend it was time to replace our first lot of Apiguard treatment and put the second round of trays on. Can you guess which of our colonies had cleaned every last inch of their Apiguard tray empty and shining after two … Continue reading →

Posted in Disease prevention, Uncategorized | 7 Comments