Personally, I am becoming alarmed at the degree to which there is a shift in the way beekeepers view the rather drastic step of not treating their bees for varroa infestation. I feel similarly about the rapid rise of a certain new political party, but I can’t discuss that here. Have normal folks lost their … Read more
There is a good write-up in the October 2025 BBKA¹ News, by Clare McGettigan, giving some headlines from their survey, which was carried out in partnership with COLOSS². I understand that a much more in-depth analysis, incorporating results from other countries too, will become available in due course. For now, I will be passing on … Read more
A recently published article in Scientific Reports suggests yet another way in which varroa mites are bad for honey bees. Varroa reduces bees’ surface antimicrobial defences. Apparently, many social insects do something called “venom bathing”, which basically involves coating their bodies with venom from sting glands. The main component of bee venom is melittin, which … Read more
I’m not sure if varroa mites are the thing I write about most, or if it’s queens, but they both feature heavily, and with good reason. If I have good queens in my colonies and varroa is under control, then the chances are that my bees will do well. Anyway, it was pointed out to … Read more
Latest Walrus News I don’t know why, but this tickled me. A couple of enterprising chickens managed to hop onto the tree. They were furiously pecking at the green leaves, the only green things available at the time. These were raised from chicks at the farm and are nearly ready to go out into the … Read more
Last year, or perhaps the one before, I stumbled upon the Ulster BKA ‘Winter Webinars,’ and I’m so glad I did. The speakers are often very well informed about whatever the latest things going on in the beekeeping world are. Many webinars on bees contain bits that I’ve heard before, but I don’t mind at … Read more
It’s a busy time for bees and beekeepers in my little corner of Cheshire. Here’s a quick update from the Walrus Honey apiaries.
Video clips showing how to use Randy Oliver’s varroa model and making hive floors. If a picture is worth 1000 words, what about a video?