Good weather a boost to bees

Editorial Department • Published 10 Jun 2010 16:00 0 Comments

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The fine weather has been a boost to bees, allowing them to collect the plentiful nectar and pollen from trees and plants currently in bloom, according to Ethel Irvine of Fermanagh Beekeepers' Association.

In her monthly report, she said, "Without nectar and pollen they cannot rear brood to provide the large numbers of foragers necessary for a thriving colony. The nectar being brought in is ripened and stored in the supers. It is vital to keep a close eye on the amount of space being utilised by the bees and to add supers in good time.

"The colonies have expanded so quickly that many beekeepers have been caught unawares by swarming. The value of keeping young, marked and clipped queens in all colonies has been proved this season. Colonies headed by young queens do not swarm as readily. If a colony with a clipped queen swarms, the queen will be lost but the bees, who provide the foraging force, will return to the hive and the beekeeper will have time to deal with the problem. Every beekeeper should have a plan which does not involve merely cutting out queen cells, to cope with swarming. Such a plan will have to remove the swarming instinct by making the bees believe they have achieved their objective, which is to propagate their species.

"As beekeepers examine their colonies, we would urge them to keep a close look out for signs of American Foul Brood. This disease affects the brood and is characterised by sunken, darkened and perforated cappings on the brood. A match stick should be stuck into any suspect cells and if it pulls out with a ropey substance attached, DARD should be contacted immediately. The disease spreads very rapidly and spores can last for up to 35 years. At least two cases have been diagnosed in the county already this year.

"Classes at Preliminary level and Intermediate level have been held during the past winter in the Enniskillen Campus of CAFRE, under the auspices of Fermanagh Beekeepers' Association and CAFRE. Candidates sat their examinations on May 22 and we wish them all the best as they await their results.

"Colonies in the Association apiary are being used for demonstrations of handling of bees and other manipulations which are necessary to obtain a good harvest of honey. It is also hoped to rear more queens in the apiary this year. The intention is to run the queen rearing programme so that virgin queens or queen cells will be ready to be placed in apideas and nucleus hives on June 26. The charging of the apideas (mini nuclei of bees for mating of queens) with nurse bees and the addition of queen cells to them, will be demonstrated on June 26, beginning at 10am. This will be followed by the annual barbecue at 12.30pm. All members of Fermanagh Beekeepers' Association and their families are welcome but it is necessary to contact Ethel Irvine, telephone 028 66 324022, by June 23 with names of those hoping to attend. Cost will be £5.

This article appeared in Impartial Reporter 10 Jun 10

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