Author Archives: Peter Halford

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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

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

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

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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

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As Chairman in 2022 to 2023 I have run improver sessions for members of the Association. There has been good attendance and on average about 15 people came to those sessions that were organised. Timings were correct and there was a swarming session before swarming took place, there was a session on treatments before treatments needed to be done, and Keith ran a session on preparing hives for winter before all the wet weather arrived. There was also the opportunity for people to attend a half day on disease run by Dave Rudland of East Surrey Bees.

The Honey show was well attended (I badgered a lot of you to enter Honey) and there was a lot of discussion about the Asian hornet. This is going to be a challenge for each and everyone of us in the next two or three years. We also had the microscopes to look at and if that interests you, look out for a session that will be organised by Peter and Paul in the Spring. Next year we revert to a beginners’ course, but it will be a hybrid course and for most sessions beginners will have to join in with activities that will be organised for all of you members.

As I feel Asian hornets to be the main priority a workshop will be run in February to build a trap. Every Asian hornet Queen in February that is caught will prevent countless beehives being targeted in July, August and September.

The High Weald is one of the divisions of the Sussex Beekeeping Association. This year we are hosting their AGM and Dan Morgan, who is our seasonal bee inspector, will be talking about Asian Hornets and tracing the Asian hornet nest that was found in Eastbourne. I am hoping a fair number of members from different divisions will attend and lead to a healthy debate about trapping and tracing. You will be able to enter a hornet trap and there will be prize money (probably about £50). As we are hosting, this AGM will take place at Five Ashes village hall. It’s on March 2nd. Sign up if you have not already done so. It’s on our patch, so easy to get to.

Finally keep all those 2 L bottles to make traps in February at our workshop. You can then immediately hang them up. I look forward to seeing lots of you at that session. I can’t help feeling that everyone of you that does not put out a trap will inadvertently and unwittingly be causing a problem for everyone else. So, if you can’t come in February make sure you find out from others what to do.

I wish you all a successful Beekeeping season and may your bees give you lots of pleasure and lbs and lbs of honey.

Malcolm Wilkie – January 2024

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'No Mow May' campaign: Why gardeners are being encouraged to let their grass grow

30-Apr-24 - ITV

https://www.itv.com/watch/news/no-mow-may-campaign-why-gardeners-are-being-encouraged-to-let-their-grass-grow/lvxynqg

‘Bug splat’ survey shows 78% decline in flying insects in two decades

24-Apr-24 – Shropshire Star

https://www.shropshirestar.com/news/uk-news/2024/04/24/bug-splat-survey-shows-78-decline-in-flying-insects-in-two-decades/

Southern Water sets traps to catch Asian Hornet Queens in Kent and East Sussex

15-Apr-24 – Sussex Online News

Southern Water sets traps to catch Asian Hornet Queens in Kent and East Sussex

Heavy rainfall could lead to rise in food prices and bees potentially starving

12-Apr-24 – ITV

https://www.itv.com/news/tyne-tees/2024-04-12/heavy-rainfall-could-lead-to-rise-in-food-prices-and-starving-bees

Parliament approves rules to curb fraud in honey, promote higher fruit content in jams – (N.B. this is the European Parliament)

11-Apr-24 – EurActiv

https://www.euractiv.com/section/agriculture-food/news/parliament-approves-rules-to-curb-fraud-in-honey-promote-higher-fruit-content-in-jams/

Chris Packham on the Asian hornet: there are bigger enemies than these bovver buzzers

11-Apr-24 – The Guardian

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2024/apr/11/asian-hornet-chris-packham

Wetherspoons Warns Lemons And Limes ‘May Not Be Vegan’

10-Apr-24 – Plant Based News

Wetherspoons Warns Lemons And Limes ‘May Not Be Vegan’

First Asian hornets of 2024 caught in Guernsey

10-Apr-24 – Island FM

https://www.islandfm.com/news/guernsey/first-asian-hornets-of-2024-caught-in-guernsey/

In defence of wasps: a misunderstood insect with human-like qualities

07-Apr-24 – The Guardian

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2024/apr/07/in-defence-of-wasps-misunderstood-insect

In praise of bees: the Cupid of the flowering world

05-Apr-24 – The Guardian

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2024/apr/05/in-praise-of-bees-the-cupid-of-the-flowering-world

American Foulbrood found in Perthshire beehive

05-Apr-24 – Scottish Government

https://www.gov.scot/news/american-foulbrood-found-in-perthshire-beehive-2/

Can AI save honey bees from Asian hornets?

03-Apr-24 – ITV

https://www.itv.com/news/2024-04-03/can-ai-save-honey-bees-from-asian-hornets

ScotGov plan to 'eradicate' hornet threatening Honeybees

03-Apr-24 – The Herald Scotland

https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/24228127.scotgov-plan-eradicate-hornet-threatening-honeybees/

Asian hornet: pest-specific contingency plan

03-Apr-24 – Scottish Government

https://www.gov.scot/publications/pest-specific-contingency-plan-asian-hornet-vespa-velutina-nigrithorax/

Early warning system to track Asian hornets unveiled by UK researchers

03-Apr-24 – The Guardian
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2024/apr/03/early-warning-system-track-asian-hornets-university-of-exeter

Honey bees could help track microorganisms in cities, scientists say

30-Mar-24 – The Independent

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/honey-bees-tracking-city-microbes-b2310675.html

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Government accused of now breaking environmental law TWO YEARS in a row

28-Mar-24 – The Canary

https://www.thecanary.co/global/world-news/2024/03/28/pesticides-bees-uk-law/

How to spot an Asian hornet and what to do if you find one

27-Mar-24 – Yahoo News

https://uk.news.yahoo.com/asian-hornets-how-to-spot-what-next-131900740.html

Interview. More than 6,200 Asian hornet nests were destroyed in Calvados in 2023

26-Mar-24 – Euro Day

https://euro.dayfr.com/local/1940661.html

Asian hornet may have become established in UK, sighting suggests

25-Mar-24 – The Guardian

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2024/mar/25/asian-hornet-may-have-become-established-in-uk-sighting-suggests-danger-to-bees-winter-stay

How Bees Abroad’s approach supports the local environment

22-Mar-24 – Bees Abroad

How Bees Abroad’s approach supports the local environment

THEY’RE BACK Most terrifying Asian hornet warning YET is issued as deadly critter spotted in Britain weeks earlier than expected

20-Mar-24 – The Sun

https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/26819049/asian-hornet-found-britain-early-sting-winter/

Asian hornet warning issued after Kent sighting

19-Mar-24 – BBC

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/clm7dyxn5j1o

Karl von Frisch and Konrad Lorenz: Two biologists in Nazi Germany

15-Mar-24 – Open Access Government

Karl von Frisch and Konrad Lorenz: Two biologists in Nazi Germany

Arnolds Keys advice on avoiding vermin infestations

15-Mar-24 – Eastern Daily Press

https://www.edp24.co.uk/news/24184832.arnolds-keys-advice-avoiding-vermin-infestations/

Carlos Alcaraz survives invasion of bees after being stung during Indian Wells victory

15-Mar-24 – The Independent

https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/tennis/carlos-alcaraz-bees-indian-wells-zverev-b2513142.html

Cultivating Wider Adoption of Biopesticides: Incentivising Change

13-Mar-24 – Fera

https://www.fera.co.uk/news/cultivating-wider-adoption-of-biopesticides-incentivising-change/

Resources for Asian Hornet Teams

11-Mar-2024 – BBKA

https://www.bbka.org.uk/resources-for-asian-hornet-teams

With the arrival of spring, beekeepers try as best they can to protect their hives

11-Mar-24 – Actual News Magazine

https://actualnewsmagazine.com/english/with-the-arrival-of-spring-beekeepers-try-as-best-they-can-to-protect-their-hives/

Oat Milk Vs Almond Milk: Which Is Best?

09-Mar-24 – Plant based News

Oat Milk Vs Almond Milk: Which Is Best?

Beekeeping association warns of damage to wine growing caused by Asian hornets

07-Mar-24 – Berlin News Story

https://www.berlinstory-news.de/en/imkerbund-warnt-vor-schaeden-fuer-weinanbau-durch-asiatische-hornisse/

Asian Hornet Trap for Ikea Samla 5L box

07-Mar-24 – Printables

https://www.printables.com/model/796283-asian-hornet-trap-for-ikea-samla-5l-box

Plan to ‘stop emergency use of bee-killing pesticides’ submitted to Labour manifesto

06-Mar-24 – ENDS Report

https://www.endsreport.com/article/1864029/plan-stop-emergency-use-bee-killing-pesticides-submitted-labour-manifesto

A Springtime Buzz: Good News and a Call to Action for Our Bees

05-Mar-2024 – Lewes Golf Club

https://www.lewesgolfclub.co.uk/post/a-springtime-buzz-good-news-and-a-call-to-action-for-our-bees

Honey bees are suprisingly abundant, research shows – but most are wild, not managed in hives

04-Mar-24 – The Conversation

https://theconversation.com/honey-bees-are-suprisingly-abundant-research-shows-but-most-are-wild-not-managed-in-hives-224807

The simple test to check whether a beehive is healthy, according to scientists

03-Mar-24 – Shropshire Star

https://www.shropshirestar.com/news/uk-news/2024/03/03/the-simple-test-to-check-whether-a-beehive-is-healthy-according-to-scientists/

Imported honey lands French beekeepers in sticky situation

02-Mar-24 – Yahoo News

https://uk.news.yahoo.com/imported-honey-lands-french-beekeepers-173604447.html

Over a quarter of bees from Flemish beekeepers did not survive winter

01-Mar-24 – The Brussels Times

https://www.brusselstimes.com/946298/over-a-quarter-of-bees-from-flemish-beekeepers-did-not-survive-winter

Brighton beekeepers urge vigilance over Asian hornets

01-Mar-24 – The Argus
https://www.theargus.co.uk/news/24153263.brighton-beekeepers-urge-vigilance-asian-hornets/