Podcast from Phil Chandler

The subject of Phil's latest podcast is Dr Henk Tennekes, who was born in The Netherlands, and after graduating from the Agricultural University of Wageningen in 1974, he performed his Ph.D. work at Shell Research Ltd in the UK. He later worked for 5 years at the Cancer Research Centre in Heidelberg, Germany.

The culmination of Dr Tennekes' research was his recent discovery that the way the neonicotinoid insecticides work has much in common with that of chemical carcinogens - cancer-causing agents.

When he realized the dire consequences of environmental pollution with these insecticides, he decided to write a book to warn the general public about an impending catastrophe.

The title of Dr Tennekes book is: The Systemic Insecticides - a Disaster in the Making. You can read more about him and his book at www.disasterinthemaking.com

This is an issue that should concern all beekeepers, everywhere. Neonicotinoids are being sprayed on a wide range of crops worldwide, and right now they could be putting at risk a number of species of insects, as well as the birds, fish and other creatures that depend on insects for food.

We could just sit back and let this happen. But then, what are you going to tell your grandchildren when they ask, "Where have all the bees gone?"

You can listen to Phil's interview with Henk Tennekes at http://biobees.libsyn.com or search for 'Barefoot Beekeeper' on iTunes.

Beekeeping for Beginners

Beekeeping for Beginners


A six-week introduction to beekeeping to be held at the National Trust Manger Barn, Lacock High St, Lacock.

Cost £40

31st March, 7th, 14th, 16th, 21st, 23rd, April, 7th May 2011 Thursday 7.30pm – 9.30pm & Saturday 10.30am – 1.00pm

The course will include:

• Getting to know the Honey Bee,
  
• Honey Bee Husbandry,
  
• The Beekeeping Year,
  
• Diseases that can affect the Honey Bee,
  
• Equipment for the Beekeeper
  
• Practical Honey Bee Handling

Limited to 25 Places


For more information call 07 800 608 652 or email Patrick Anderson

Dismal end to the season

I have gone into winter with just three colonies.

Three weak ones were destroyed by wasps.

So I have two WBC hives for sale. Any offers before they go to ebay?

I will cut down the number of types of hive that I operate from three to two: Commercial and Polyhive.

Keeping more than one type of frame format is barmy - it just happened that way. So now I need to rationalise.

Next job: dose the hives with Oxalic acid. I did this last year and the bees survived. Would they survive anyway? Dunno. Do they have a big varroa infestation? I don't think so. But I'll follow the prescribed treatment.

News from the home hive: the weather has just warmed up to about 8C. A few bees are on cleansing flights and there are quite a few bodies on the landing board, so they have had a clean-out.