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.

Middlesex Beekeepers’ Day Part 2: David Aston, Plants and honeybees

Posted on February 26, 2014 by Emily Scott

A follow-up post to ‘Middlesex Beekeepers’ Day – Terry Clare, Queen rearing for the average beekeeper‘. Below are my notes from Dr David Aston’s talk. David is President of the British Beekeepers Association (BBKA), a Master Beekeeper and holder of … Continue reading →

Posted in Bee biology, Disease prevention | Tagged , , | 26 Comments

Middlesex Beekeepers’ Day – Terry Clare, Queen rearing for the average beekeeper

Posted on February 23, 2014 by Emily Scott

As I like to do each year, yesterday I went to the Federation of Middlesex Beekeepers’ Associations annual Bee Keepers’ Day. Each year the Middlesex associations (Ealing, Enfield, Harrow, North London, Pinner & Ruislip) take it in turn to host … Continue reading →

Posted in Colony management, Disease prevention, Queens | Tagged , , , | 19 Comments

Crocuses and snowdrops

Posted on February 9, 2014 by Emily Scott

It’s felt colder recently; the temperature is forecast to be around 7ºC/45°F with some wind and rain for the next few days. This is cold enough to get me shivering at the bus stop, but I know it’s nothing compared to … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 37 Comments

The snowdrops are coming along

Posted on January 25, 2014 by Emily Scott

The tips look like they’re getting ready, don’t they? There was frantic coming-and-going outside the hives today. The sun was out and the bees were even coming back with yellow pollen. But the little one on the mouse guard below … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 33 Comments

Signs of hope

Posted on January 13, 2014 by Emily Scott

So far this winter has been mild but wet and windy. There has been flooding in several parts of the country, with huge waves breaking over the coast. No snow yet. Today brought sunshine, blue sky and fluffy white clouds. … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged | 32 Comments

Not every open door can be closed; or early morning wrestling

Posted on December 21, 2013 by Emily Scott

Friday morning began to plan. I had boiled the kettle and poured some water into my thermos. A bag was packed, containing a hive tool, bee suit, latex gloves and pre-mixed oxalic acid. Soon I was on the bus and … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged | 24 Comments

The great Facebook oxalic acid controversy

Posted on December 7, 2013 by Emily Scott

Bee researcher Dr Karin Alton really stirred up a hornet’s nest when she posted about oxalic acid on the London Beekeepers Association Facebook group this week. For those of you unfamiliar with Karin’s work, she is a researcher at the Laboratory … Continue reading →

Posted in Disease prevention | Tagged , | 54 Comments

Autumn ponderings

Posted on November 16, 2013 by Emily Scott

My work involves a lot of sitting in front of a computer, updating web pages and answering enquiries. I like my job but I miss the sun, as our office only has tiny windows which let little light in. On … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged | 18 Comments

Into the dark of winter

Posted on November 3, 2013 by Emily Scott

The winter preparations for our hives continue. Mouseguards are on and sugar syrup feeding has finished. Tom Bickerdike has been helping Emma and me out by adding insulation to our hive roofs, sealing it in with an extra wooden layer. … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , | 29 Comments

London Honey Show 2013: part 2

Posted on October 9, 2013 by Emily Scott

A second blog post on Monday night’s third ever London Honey Show, run by the London Lancaster hotel. The headline speaker was Dale Gibson, on ‘A year in the life of the Bermondsey Street Bees. Mostly.’ He positively bounced onto … Continue reading →

Posted in Honey | 19 Comments