R&DBKA

Romsey and District Beekeepers' Association

What's Happening for Bees in the Romsey Area in February?
Snowdrops and hazel catkins are appearing. Monitor for Asian hornet queens
It has been a stormy winter but spring is on its way so queens will start laying. It is a critical time for bees. Heft your hives to check that there is enough food, and supplement with fondant if there is any doubt. Equipment in store should have been cleaned and mended by now, to reduce the risk of infections. Check your plan for the coming season, and start to make up frames for replacing old comb, but don't add foundation just yet. Put monitoring traps up for Asian Hornets NOW where you will see them every day, and remember to check for and release any other insects. If there are foundress queens, they will be coming out of hibernation now. Keep checking the NBU (National Bee Unit) website for latest news
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
Image missing - Asian hornet (Vespa velutina)
We make no apology for repeating this message.
If you have not yet heard about the Asian hornet, please pause to read this.
It is not native to UK. It was introduced accidentally to the south of France and in a few short years it has bred, evolved 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 honey bees 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