Principles and practice
There’s a high level of ‘churn’ amongst new beekeepers. Beekeeping is relatively easy and inexpensive to start. The principles of beekeeping appear straightforward. But large numbers of beginners give...
View ArticleThe day job
It’s no secret that I have both amateur and professional interests in bees, bee health and beekeeping. During the weekend I sweat profusely in my beesuit, rushing between my apiaries in Central and...
View ArticleKick ’em when they’re down
Why bother treating colonies in midwinter to reduce Varroa infestation? After all, you probably treated them with Apiguard or Apivar (or possibly even Apistan) in late summer or early autumn. Is there...
View ArticlePeaceful easy feeling
The 6-8 week period between late June and harvesting the summer honey is a quiet period in the beekeeping calendar. At least, it is in mine. My colonies aren’t going to the heather, so there’s nothing...
View ArticleApistan resistance
In an earlier article I discussed what Apistan is – a pyrethroid miticide – and the consequences of using it. These include decimation of the mite population if it is susceptible, coupled with the...
View ArticleCSI: Forensics in Fife
This is a long post. If you can’t be bothered to read it in its entirety the conclusion is … It’s the viruses wot done it … probably. But the take home message is that you can learn from colonies lost...
View Article2016 in retrospect
The end of another year and another season’s beekeeping. Now is a good time to review what went well and what went badly. In terms of my beekeeping year in Scotland, the end of December isn’t even half...
View ArticleGet dribbling
There has been a prolonged spell of cold weather in Eastern Scotland. Temperatures have rarely risen above 5°C, with hard frosts overnight. However, a warm front moved in on Tuesday night and the last...
View ArticleHelensburgh & District BKA talk
I’m very pleased to be speaking on the 24th of November (this Thursday) to members of the Helensburgh and District BKA. The talk will be at the rather splendid looking Rhu Parish Church at 7.15pm. The...
View ArticleThose pesky mites
If you haven’t yet treated your colonies to reduce Varroa levels before the winter arrives it may well be too late†. High Varroa levels are known to result in the transmission of virulent strains of...
View ArticlePrinciples and practice
There’s a high level of ‘churn’ amongst new beekeepers. Beekeeping is relatively easy and inexpensive to start. The principles of beekeeping appear straightforward. But large numbers of beginners give...
View ArticleThe day job
It’s no secret that I have both amateur and professional interests in bees, bee health and beekeeping. During the weekend I sweat profusely in my beesuit, rushing between my apiaries in Central and...
View ArticleKick ’em when they’re down
Why bother treating colonies in midwinter to reduce Varroa infestation? After all, you probably treated them with Apiguard or Apivar (or possibly even Apistan) in late summer or early autumn. Is there...
View ArticlePeaceful easy feeling
The 6-8 week period between late June and harvesting the summer honey is a quiet period in the beekeeping calendar. At least, it is in mine. My colonies aren’t going to the heather, so there’s nothing...
View ArticleApistan resistance
In an earlier article I discussed what Apistan is – a pyrethroid miticide – and the consequences of using it. These include decimation of the mite population if it is susceptible, coupled with the...
View ArticleCSI: Forensics in Fife
This is a long post. If you can’t be bothered to read it in its entirety the conclusion is … It’s the viruses wot done it … probably. But the take home message is that you can learn from colonies lost...
View Article2016 in retrospect
The end of another year and another season’s beekeeping. Now is a good time to review what went well and what went badly. In terms of my beekeeping year in Scotland, the end of December isn’t even half...
View ArticleGet dribbling
There has been a prolonged spell of cold weather in Eastern Scotland. Temperatures have rarely risen above 5°C, with hard frosts overnight. However, a warm front moved in on Tuesday night and the last...
View ArticleHelensburgh & District BKA talk
I’m very pleased to be speaking on the 24th of November (this Thursday) to members of the Helensburgh and District BKA. The talk will be at the rather splendid looking Rhu Parish Church at 7.15pm. The...
View ArticleThose pesky mites
If you haven’t yet treated your colonies to reduce Varroa levels before the winter arrives it may well be too late†. High Varroa levels are known to result in the transmission of virulent strains of...
View Article
