Category Archives: Pests

Convergent theories

Posted on September 17, 2019 by

A potential problem with a natural beekeeping group is: members never talk to conventional beekeepers. So 14 of us visited a large (80 hive) commercial apiary… with a twist. It’s run by the Swindon Honeybee Conservation Group, headed by Ron … Continue reading →

Posted in Apiary visits, Experimentation, Honey bee research, ONBG, Pests, Research | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Training new beeks

Posted on March 1, 2019 by

In early February, we held a couple of afternoon training sessions for new beekeepers, to give them an outline of what’s involved in keeping bees in the UK. We started with basic biology, and how this drives their very alien … Continue reading →

Posted in Event, Local lore, ONBG, Pests, Skeps, TBH, Warré | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Learnings from the Learning from the Bees conference

Posted on November 27, 2018 by

In my earlier post on the Learning from the Bees conference, I discussed the “who was there and what it was about” aspects. This article covers what I actually learned about bees. I always particularly enjoy lectures and books covering … Continue reading →

Posted in Pests | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

ONBG meeting, 22nd Sept 2018 – hive hacks and natural selection

Posted on September 30, 2018 by

16 beekeepers clustered at Gareth’s house (warm and dry) and his experimental apiary (damp and chilly) to discuss bees and eat cake. Gareth, who’s kept bees since at least the 1970’s, recounted experiences from the recent Learning for the Bees … Continue reading →

Posted in Apiary visits, Experimentation, Hives, Honey, Honey bee research, Local lore, Meetings, Pests, Stings, Warré | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

ONBG meeting, 22 Aug 2018 – TBH special, wasps, and insulation

Posted on September 7, 2018 by

10 beeks gathered at Helen’s on a sunny Saturday afternoon for heaps of cake and biscuits (thank you Helen, Jane & Anne!), a bit of bee nattering and a peer at Helen’s hives. The attendees were mostly TBH users, so … Continue reading →

Posted in Inspections, Meetings, ONBG, Pests, TBH | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Other uses for drones (hive 3 always was a bit different…)

Posted on August 23, 2018 by

The wasps probing my hives are being put off by masses of guard bees at the entrances. Watching the way they approach then suddenly veer off, I was struck by this pile of living bees at the entrance to hive … Continue reading →

Posted in Pests | Tagged , , | 3 Comments

ONBG meeting, 10th March 2018 – overwintering, pests, crime and apps

Posted on March 29, 2018 by

Our first meeting of the year was at the Marsh Harrier pub in Oxford: 16 people dropped by to chat. Discussion ranged over how our hives had fared over winter; floor debris advice for newbees; problems with badgers; Small Hive … Continue reading →

Posted in Meetings, Pesticides, Pests, Swarms | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments