Author Archives: Peter Halford

Ouch! Why wasps like stinging us on August 5th

31-Jul-24 – ResponseSource

https://pressreleases.responsesource.com/news/105637/ouch-why-wasps-like-stinging-us-on-august-5th/

International Recognition For Wilton Centre’s Teenage Beekeeper

29-Jul-24 - Pioneer

https://thepioneergroup.com/international-recognition-for-wilton-centres-teenage-beekeeper/

'Ingenious' insects build rockface nest

25-Jul-243 – Jersey Evening Post

Jeremy Clarkson hits back at fans stung by bees near Clarkson’s farm

24-Jul-24 – The Independent

https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/jeremy-clarkson-beehive-farm-b2585088.html

Insect decline of 37% over 50 years shows support for farmers is crucial to biodiversity recovery

22-Jul-24 – GWCT

https://www.gwct.org.uk/news/news/2024/july/new-scientific-paper-records-a-37-decline-in-insect-abundance-on-cereal-crops-over-50-years/

Woman develops 'full-blown addiction' to bee stings for pain relief and 'great sex'

19-Jul-24 – Unilad

https://www.unilad.com/news/health/woman-addicted-bee-stings-pain-relief-margaret-505747-20240719

Air pollution harms pollinators more than pests, study finds

11-Jul-24 – University of Reading

https://www.reading.ac.uk/news/2024/Research-News/Air-pollution-harms-pollinators-more-than-pests-study-finds

Brit drivers warned hitch-hiking wasps could see them slapped with a whopping £2500 fine this summer

10-Jul-24 – The Sun

https://www.thesun.co.uk/motors/29071729/brit-drivers-warned-hitch-hiking-wasps-whopping-fine/

Watchdog investigates emergency authorisation for banned bee-killing pesticide

08-Jul-24 – Shropshire Star

https://www.shropshirestar.com/news/uk-news/2024/07/08/watchdog-investigates-emergency-authorisation-for-banned-bee-killing-pesticide/

Asian hornets' nests on the increase in Belgium

02-Jul-24 – The Brussels Times

https://www.brusselstimes.com/1122261/asian-hornets-nests-on-the-increase-in-belgium

Will AI help stop spread of killer Asian Hornets? BBC Springwatch presenter Gillian Burke backs technology which helps identify invasive insects

02-Jul-24 – The Mail Online

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-13591633

Devon school trains 'mini beekeepers'

01-Jul-24 – BBC

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c511dr7glz9o

Shoppers run for cover as swarm of bees takes over high street

29-Jun-24 – Metro
https://metro.co.uk/2024/06/29/shoppers-run-cover-swarm-bees-takes-high-street-21130001/

AI in action – Stopping the Asian Hornet Invasion

26-Jun-24 – CapGemini

Raspberry Pi used to count bees — Brazilian researchers use a Pi Zero 2 W and some AI to help keep hives healthy

21-Jun-24 – Toms Hardware

https://www.tomshardware.com/raspberry-pi/raspberry-pi-used-to-count-bees-brazilian-researchers-use-a-pi-zero-2-w-and-some-ai-to-help-keep-hives-healthy

Artificial Intelligence raises alarm on invasive hornet species

18-Jun-24 – Labmate

https://www.labmate-online.com/news/Laboratory-research-news/126/university-of-exeter/ai-monitors-invasive-hornet-species/62841

Honeybees Can Sniff Out Lung Cancer, Scientists Suggest

15-Jun-24 – Earth.com

https://www.earth.com/news/honeybees-can-sniff-out-lung-cancer/

How to help British bees with the rise of Asian Hornets

06-Jun-24 - ITV

https://www.itv.com/thismorning/articles/how-to-help-british-bees-with-the-rise-of-asian-hornets

Help the bees: expert tips to create a brighter, more colourful and diverse garden

04-Jun-24 – House Beautiful

https://www.housebeautiful.com/uk/garden/a60912717/attract-bees-garden-cuprinol/

Asian hornets overwintered in UK for first time, DNA testing shows

03-Jun-24 – The Guardian

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/article/2024/jun/03/asian-hornets-overwintered-uk-first-time-dna-testing

‘Considerable’ drop in number of Asian hornet queens spotted in Jersey

03-Jun-24 – Jersey Evening Post

Warning over invasive plant taking over Gloucestershire rivers as mission launched today

03-Jun-24 – Gloucestershire Live
https://www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk/news/cheltenham-news/warning-over-invasive-plant-taking-9319318

Invasive Asian hornet threatens Luxembourg’s bees

02-Jun-24 – Lux Times

https://www.luxtimes.lu/luxembourg/invasive-asian-hornet-threatens-luxembourg-s-bees/13451872.html

Asian hornets have overwintered in the UK for the first time

31-May-24 – New Scientist

https://www.newscientist.com/article/2433815-asian-hornets-have-overwintered-in-the-uk-for-the-first-time/

How to catch an Asian Hornet? – (includes recipe for bait)

24-May-24 – The Portugal News

https://www.theportugalnews.com/news/2024-05-24/how-to-catch-an-asian-hornet/89196

Why are there so many Asian hornets?

22-May-24 – BBC

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cnllevy5wxro

Chief Plant Health Officer urges increased Asian hornet vigilance

20-May-24 – British Assoc Landscape Ind

https://www.bali.org.uk/news/chief-plant-health-officer-urges-increased-asian-hornet/

I’m an Asian hornet specialist – this is how to protect your children

20-May-24 – iNews

https://inews.co.uk/news/environment/asian-hornet-specialist-how-to-protect-children-3064794

Public told to report invasive Asian Hornet sightings amid surge warning

20-May-24 – ITVx

https://www.itv.com/news/2024-05-20/public-told-to-report-invasive-asian-hornet-sightings-amid-surge-warning

Warning over Asian hornets after record sightings

20-May-24 – BBC News

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/ckddw0wg5deo#

Traps to catch Asian hornets at wastewater sites in East Sussex

17-May-24 – PlanetRadio

https://planetradio.co.uk/greatest-hits/sussex/news/traps-to-catch-asian-hornets-at-wastewater-sites-in-east-sussex/

Welsh honey producers take next generation of bee farmers under their wings

16-May-24 – Business Wales

https://businesswales.gov.wales/foodanddrink/news-and-events/news/welsh-honey-producers-take-next-generation-bee-farmers-under-their-wings

Turkey's 'mad honey' aphrodisiac that can knock you flat

16-May-24 – MedicalPress

https://medicalxpress.com/news/2024-05-turkey-mad-honey-aphrodisiac-flat.html

Hundreds of hornets attack IDF soldiers in southern Gaza, 10 hospitalized

10-May-24 – The Jerusalem Post

https://www.jpost.com/breaking-news/article-800712

Most of 15 million bees contained after bee-laden truck crashes

10-May-24 – ABC News

https://abcnews.go.com/Weird/wireStory/15-million-bees-contained-after-bee-laden-truck-110108697

Sowing seeds of sustainability: Our approach to supporting pollinators and agriculture

09-May-24 – LightSource BP

Pharmacist explains how to tell which insect has bitten or stung you - and if it is serious

08-May-24 – Daily Record

https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/health/pharmacist-explains-how-tell-insect-32759649

Incredible close-up photos of bees inspire exhibition in Liverpool

07-May-24 – Sky News

https://news.sky.com/story/incredible-close-up-photos-of-bees-go-on-display-in-liverpool-13128191

Gardeners 'banned' from using weedkiller in garden in May or June after stark warning

04-May-24 – The Express

https://www.express.co.uk/life-style/garden/1894398/gardeners-weedkiller-ban-may-june

Gardeners ‘banned’ from getting rid of dandelions until July date after expert warning

30-Apr-24 – The Express

https://www.express.co.uk/life-style/garden/1893972/get-rid-dandelions-garden

Gardeners 'banned' from mowing lawns until July date after expert's stark warning

29-Apr-24 – The Express
https://www.express.co.uk/life-style/garden/1893688/Gardeners-banned-mowing-lawns-July-date

2024 will undoubtedly be a challenging year for all of us.

At the present time the season looks as if it is going to be an extremely early one. On the association’s WhatsApp group Rob Gore has said that he already has sealed drone brood in hives. Jo Groom says she has never had such large colonies at this time of year. In my own garden Darwin tulips that are meant to flower from mid April are now currently blooming, and it is the 21st of March! So if you have a large colony, expect swarming to start mid April.

At the moment you have an opportunity to swap out old frames, adding foundation in its place and as there are so many young bees eager to make wax that will be drawn out no problem. Doing this may also hold back swarming for a while. And of course if you do that the likelihood of getting tasty June honey increases.

Our program of events is on the website and everyone should take a look month by month what is being offered. Go to the website, click on the menu, scroll down to events and you can see month by month what is going on. This is a fantastic resource and everyone should take a look. All the timings and locations are there. We encourage you to book but are well aware people are busy and no one will be turned away if they just turn up. As long as they are a member of course!

 People are putting out hornet traps and they should be regularly monitored. Let’s hope this year not too many of us find ourselves dealing with this invasive top predator. Wishing you every success in getting a good Spring honey crop.

Malcolm Wilkie – April 2024