R&DBKA

Romsey and District Beekeepers' Association

What's Happening for Bees in the Romsey Area in January?
Check your bees and pay subs
Romsey Beekeepers AGM is on 17 January and subs are due - money very well spent as the association provides unlimited advice, use of equipment, indoor and apiary meetings and newsletters. In the apiary, check hive entrances are not blocked with dead bees so that the younger ones can fly on good days, and that ventilation is clear. Heft the hives regularly. Although December was cold, winters are milder than they used to be and the days are slowly getting longer so bees may be using their precious supplies to generate heat. Give your bees fondant if there is ANY doubt. All equipment not currently in use should be clean and ready by now; if spring comes early we need to be ready. Plan the coming year and what you intend to do with your bees. Put traps up for Asian Hornets at the end of January. Asian Hornets were found in UK last year and the year before. There will be more. They can destroy your colonies very swiftly so trapping emerging queens promptly is VITAL
Romsey's Weather
Keep an eye on the weather:
  • In spring the bees will use every warm, dry day to forage and build up colony strength. Cold or damp days can slow them down
  • In summer the days are long but if it is too dry there will be a shortage of nectar; too wet, and they will be unable to forage
  • In autumn the bees are consolidating. If it is warm, they will carry on rearing nrood and foraging. Cold weather will send them into a cluster
  • In winter they will cluster to keep warm, but heavy rain may lead to damp conditions in the hive, strong wind can topple a hive that is not secure, snow can block the entrance
Click for the weather forecast for Romsey.
Check the forecast for the coming week to be ahead of your bees
Be on the Lookout - Asian Hornets
We make no apology for repeating this message.
If you have not yet heard about the Asian hornet, you should pause to learn a little about it now. It is not native to UK. It was introduced accidentally to the south of France and in the space of a few short years it has bred and migrated throughout western Europe.
It is a predator with an insatiable appetite for insects. All of our native insect species are at risk but a colony of honeybees offers a feast. A colony of Asian hornets will eat their way through a hive of bees in a few days by 'hawking' in front of the entrance and picking the bees off as they come and go.
Please look out for this predator. It may be pretty but it is not welcome.
In fact, it is NOTIFIABLE so if you see one, please refer to the the latest advice IMMEDIATELY
(Image missing - Asian hornet (Vespa velutina)