What's Happening for Bees in the Romsey Area in October?
Autumn brings a dip in temperature
The recent discovery of a yellow-legged Asian hornet nest (Vespa velutina) in Southampton has made us realise how close this threat is becoming to reality. Please be on the look-out for nests which can become exposed as leaves drop from trees and hedges. Please refer to the Asian hornet link on our Home Page. At the apiary, queens will reduce laying and bees will cluster overnight to retain warmth. There should be no reason to inspect the bees until spring; the only reasons for opening the roof are to add fondant or drizzle oxalic acid to combat Varroa during a broodless period. Liquid feeds should stop because it is too cold for bees to ripen honey, so sugar syrup given now could ferment and lead to dysentery. If a colony needs more food, give it fondant. Queen excluders should have been removed so that the entire colony can move freely, taking the queen with them when they travel across frames to find stored food. Hives should be mouse-guarded once the bees stop taking in pollen, and protected against woodpeckers with a net at beaks length. Strap hives down to protect against wildlife and strong windsRomsey's Weather
Keep an eye on the weather:
Check the forecast for the coming week to be ahead of your bees
- 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
Check the forecast for the coming week to be ahead of your bees
Be on the Lookout - Asian Hornets
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