Category Archives: Uncategorized

National Bee Unit Varroa Workshop – Part 2 – practical apiary session with Caroline Washington

Posted on May 16, 2012 by Emily Scott

A follow-up post from my one yesterday, ‘Varroa – Know your Enemy‘, about the series of workshops on varroa given by National Bee Unit inspectors this Sunday. After Alan’s talk to all of us on the life-cycle of the varroa … Continue reading →

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National Bee Unit Varroa Workshop – Part 1 – “Know your enemy”

Posted on May 15, 2012 by Emily Scott

On Sunday Emma and I went to a ‘Varroa Workshop’ themed day held by the London Beekeepers Association, in conjunction with inspectors from the National Bee Unit. The Unit’s inspectors spend their working lives giving beekeeping training, checking for disease … Continue reading →

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Book review – ‘Beekeeping: A Novice’s Guide’, by David Wootton (2011)

Posted on May 7, 2012 by Emily Scott

I bought this after reading a very positive review in the BBKA News and starting to follow David’s blog: (www.beekeeping-book.com/blog). I am pleased with it! Do not buy this if you are an experienced beekeeper wanting to learn extra tips … Continue reading →

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National Bee Unit warning

Posted on April 28, 2012 by Emily Scott

This email was sent out by the National Bee Unit yesterday: With the on-going poor weather, there is a real risk of bee colonies starving. Please check for stores in the colony and if in any doubt feed your bees. … Continue reading →

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A day out with John

Posted on April 22, 2012 by Emily Scott

“What are you doing tomorrow?” John Chapple had asked Emma and me, “Would you like to help me at Osterley?”. Well, when a beekeeping legend invites you down to some hives it would be madness to say no! Osterley is … Continue reading →

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Trouble in bee-land

Posted on April 10, 2012 by Emily Scott

I had the day off today so went down to the apiary to take a look in the hives, as several days of rain plus work have meant there haven’t been many chances for Emma and me to inspect. Today … Continue reading →

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Lavender on the loose

Posted on March 27, 2012 by Emily Scott

Our first inspection of Lavender’s hive since last autumn… Doing well! So much better than Rosemary’s hive, with plenty of eggs and full frames of evenly laid, biscuit colour, worker brood. Below is an empty drawn out frame with some … Continue reading →

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Exams over – and the Bailey comb exchange begins…

Posted on March 26, 2012 by Emily Scott

After months of revising, I finally took the British Beekeeping Association’s Module 1 Honeybee Management exam on Saturday. It’s a relief to get it out of the way – I can finally start on the pile of non-beekeeping related books I haven’t … Continue reading →

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When it doesn’t rain, plant thistles…

Posted on March 17, 2012 by Emily Scott

Everyone has been talking recently about how dry it is down here in SE England. A hosepipe ban is due to start soon, London’s first for six years. Dry is and isn’t good for bees. Rain stops them flying (honey … Continue reading →

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8th Honeybee Management revision post: honeybee feeding

Posted on March 14, 2012 by Emily Scott

8th revision post for the British Beekeeping Association’s Module 1 exam, Honeybee Management, which I’m taking very soon, on 24th March. I’m at 1.14 on the syllabus: “The Candidate shall be able to give a detailed account of:- the principles involved in feeding … Continue reading →

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