Kent Bee-keepers' Association

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Hard Life

To collect a pound of honey a bee might have to fly a distance equivalent to twice round the world. This is likely to involve more than 10,000 flower visits on perhaps 500 foraging trips.
A worker honeybee in summer lives only 6 to 8 weeks from the time she hatches as an adult bee. Before that, it takes just 3 weeks for her to develop from an egg.

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Information for Beekeepers

Download Oxalic acid - what you need to know
Oxalic acid - what you need to know by Alan Byham, Regional Bee Inspector.

Download the National Bee Unit report November 2007
National Bee Unit SE Region Report November 2007 by Alan Byham.

Swarm Control by Nick Withers
Swarm control - great illustrations and pictures by Nick Withers.

Feral Honeybees and the Facts
FAQ - What the public need to know about feral honeybees by Peter Hutton.

Bees, Bumble Bees, Solitary Bees and Wasps
FAQ - Honeybees, Bumble Bees, Solitary Bees and Wasps by Peter Hutton.

British Beekeepers' Association
The British Beekeepers Association (BBKA) works to promote bees and beekeeping and to provide a range of services to its members.

NBU Warning - Starvation Risk

With the on-going poor weather, there is a real risk of bee colonies starving. Please check for stores in the colony and if in any doubt feed your bees. You should feed with either a fondant or a thin syrup. Further information on feeding bees can be found in Best Practice Guideline No. 7, on the Advisory Leaflets Page of BeeBase.

Swarm Collectors and FAQ's

If you think you have a swarm of honey bees read our FAQ's before calling a beekeeper.

Join BIBBA the Bee Improvement and Bee Breeding Association

Get involved in bee breeding. Like all other forms of life bees can be improved by selective breeding. BIBBA encourages beekeepers to work together in breeding groups. Much has been achieved but more could be done by beekeepers working together. Subs are £20 per annum and the Bee Improvement magazine is included in the subscription fee. Enquiries to the Membership Secretary Miss Enid Brown, Milton House, Main St. Scotlandwell, Kinross-shire, Scotland, KY13 9JA. Tel: 01592 840582 E-mail: membership@bibba.com . Website.

More from Information

Insect Pollinators Initiative March 2012 Newsletter
Download the Fera Bee Disease Insect Pollinators Initiative March 2012 Newsletter.

Sustaining a Healthy Bee Population and Free Training Offer
Support our ongoing work to increase the numbers of beekeepers signed up to BeeBase and also to inform you about the free training which Fera is offering to beekeeper trainers (closing date for applications is 29 February 2012).

BeeBase
BeeBase is a FREE online service provided by the National Bee Unit (NBU) to help protect you and your fellow beekeepers from colony threatening pests and diseases.

Asian Hornet Trap Factsheet
A factsheet giving information about a simple Hornet trap that can be used to catch Asian Hornet queens in spring. Read more...

NBU Apiary Inspections Programme
Summary of the 2011 National Bee Unit apiary inspections programme.