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Welcome
to the July 2003 issue of Bromley News.
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Bromley
Beekeepers Honey Sales at Blackheath Village Fair |
I was asked if I would look at a swarm/colony which
arrived about two months earlier and entered the floor space underneath
an attic bedroom. The house owner was concerned that honey would
start dripping through the kitchen ceiling and wondered if removal
was the best option.
Just like the TV series “Mission Impossible” Your bee challenge
this month - should you decide to except it! If anybody from your
bee force be killed or injured, we will deny any knowledge etc .
Before committing myself to suicide missions I always look at the
job and give a quote. There was a limited window of opportunity of
only two weeks while the occupier of the room was on holiday.
On visiting the property you could tell from the alleyway that the
occupying forces where indeed honeybees mainly by the loaded pollen
baskets looking like bomblets. The owner had cleared the room of
furniture and carpets which made it easy to remove some of the flooring.
I could see the combs where attached to the top of the floorboards.
I decided to come back another day with my equipment and undertake
the work to remove and save the bees.
It was a hot Sunday afternoon, the floor boarding was removed. With
gentle smoking all the combs where cut out and inspected for the
queen but she wasn’t seen which is not unusual in operations like
this. I put all combs in a large cardboard box trying not to damage
them.
The plan was to put the cardboard box with an open entrance where
the combs where originally positioned and cover the box and hole
in the floor with a black blanket and hope all the flying bees would
go in the box with the brood combs. Going back that evening I found
the bees hadn’t gone in the box and the majority were still under
the floorboards making more combs. The extreme hot weather might
have prevented this plan from working.
I went back another evening and managed to get the remaining bees
fanning and running upwards into another cardboard box using some
Fabi-Spray, this bee repellent spray is very effective in confined
spaces. The bees needed to be moved more than three miles away, which
I had pre-arranged with Janie and David in Penge who were expecting
me that evening. What they didn’t expect was me turning up at 11pm
to hive them. Picture David and Janie in their night clothes with
torches at the bottom of their garden! I used a empty brood box to
put the cardboard box with the combs in and shook in the rest of
the bees. I can tell you the bees were not pleased with this treatment
and went on a stinging season at the only part of my body not fully
protected which were my ankles (no socks), with all this going on
I placed a second brood box with foundation on top and retreated
as fast as possible.
The only reason why I didn't wait until the next day to hive the
bees was due to work commitments. That evening my ankles were a little
sensitive but I slept OK. The following day I could not walk as my
ankles were both badly swollen. I had to phone in sick, it was two
days before I could walk again. Bees can be dangerous so wear your
jellies!
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The
Observation Hive at the
Horniman Museum Forest Hill
Designed
and built by Peter Springall |
Internet
Improved
web version of this newsletter with pictures
URL: http://www.kentbee.com/bromley/newsletters/julybbk03.htm
Apis-UK-The
free Beekeeping web magazine and newsletter
Contents: Editorial; Beekeeping news;
Bee press; Articles: Natural Ways of Improving Varroa Containment
(part 1) The Importance of the Shape and the Position of the Brood-Nest
Ian Rumsey; The Independent Science Panel on GM Final Report; Steven
Turner's sneak preview of the observation hive at the Horniman Museum
Forest Hill; Matt Allen reflects on foraging and pollination. FACT
OR FICTION: Confusion over Nosema and Dysentery. BOOK REVIEW: Form
and Function in the Honey Bee - A beekeeper's view. Historical note:
Drones. Readers letters: John Sewell. Diary of events. Total D/L
242KB.
URL: http://www.beedata.com/apis-uk/newsletters/apis-uk0603.htm
Steven
Turner
Apiary
News Those of you without the advantage of e-mail missed out on your
newsletter last month. Partly my fault I must admit. I was late sending
the copy and Clive who deals with the printing and distribution was
tied up and couldn't deal with it at short notice.
The swarm that I mentioned last month that had turned into a drone
layer was dealt with by giving it a queen from one of my mini nuc's.
There was some doubt as to whether this was the best course of action,
but we decided to carry on and see what happens. All will be revealed
at the meeting on the 20th of July. I must say that the job was ably
carried out by our two young ladies Claire and Cathy and a very good
job they made of it despite it being their first time demonstrating
at the Club.
Our next Branch activity is on Keston
Common on the 6th July and
the following Sunday the 13th July we are at Foal Farm, Jail Lane,
Biggin Hill so get some honey ready for sale and turn up and have
a bit of fun as these events are always most enjoyable.
It's still not too late to get your name down to assist at the Kent
County Show. This can also be great fun and talking to the public
can really give confidence to newcomers, as you don't realise how
much you know until people start asking questions.
Clive
is once again staging his BBQ
and it will be at on the 16th August at his Dorset Road
site. This is a great event and gets bigger each year. I am off
on BeeTour in a couple of days and will be taking
all the invitations with me to distribute on the coach.
Another date to watch out for will be the invitation by Robin and
Jenny Spon Smith to their Apiary. I was unable to get hold of them
to fix a firm date, but watch this space. Don't forget the Branch Honey Show in conjunction with the Orpington
Branch on Saturday 13th September. Don't forget to contact Peter
Bashford on 020-8656-7990 if you need an entry form alternatively
you can download it off the web site.
See you all soon
Peter
Springall
Diary
Dates Fri,
Sat & Sun 11, 12 & 13 July - Kent Honey
Show and Beekeeping Exhibition at the Kent Agricultural Show, County Showground,
Detling. Schedule and entry forms from www.kentbee.com
Sunday 20th July 2003 3:00pm
The branch afternoon apiary meeting. Beekeeping demonstrations and
hive management. Tea and biscuits provided
Sunday 17th August 2003 3:00pm
The branch afternoon apiary meeting. Beekeeping demonstrations and
hive management. Tea and biscuits provided
Saturday 13th September 2003 - The Bromley
and Orpington Honey Show and Beekeeping exhibition. Opens to the public at 2.30pm FREE
ENTRY. Emmanuel Church, The Grove, West Wickham, Kent. See quality
products of the hive; buy pure English honey; things for kids to
do; watch the bees at work safely behind glass in the
demonstration hive; beekeeping exhibits and more. Refreshments
available. Honey Show Schedule and entry forms from the URL: http://www.kentbee.com/bromley/news/honeyshow2003.htm
For more information
Peter Springall 020-8690-3906 Mobile: 07779970104 E-Mail
Tom Winks Chairman 020-8777-3144
Clive Watson 020-8658-3786
Steven Turner (editor) 020-8698-0313 E-Mail
Visit our site www.kentbee.com/bromley
Advertisements
(free to members or £10.00 for non-members)
David
Harris
Is now an approved Thorne agent able to supply all beekeeping needs
at a discount.
49
Shawbrooke Road, Eltham SE9 6AL. A telephone call
before calling is much appreciated 020-8850-7826 Web: www.busybusybee.demon.co.uk
FREE
Six large (very heavy) concrete slabs idea for standing hives
on
Collect from Steven Turner 153 Thornsbeach Road, Catford, SE6 1HB Tel:
020-8698-0313
Pollen
Trap for Sale
Unused - I'm not able to say if its suitable for WBC or National
hives, buyer take risk therefore only asking £5.00. Contact Steven
Turner as above.
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