Latest Newsletter - May 2010 [click here]

Ethical Beekeeping

Fellow Beekeepers,

I have heard recently of a situation regarding some beekeepers clubbing together to move a large quantity of hives North to be amongst the heather. Unfortunately, once the beekeepers returned home (South), the Bee Inspector informed them that the hives were placed adjacent to a foul brood area and immediate action was required to retrieve the hives to safer ground, even back South where they came from. They had a very busy couple of weeks sorting it all.

If you intend to move hives or nucs to another area that you haven't occupied for some time, check it out first.

1) Contact your Bee Inspector and advise him/her of your intentions.

2) Inform the Spray Liaison Officer.

3) If you know of beekeepers in the area, speak to them.

Even if you move only a few miles, check there aren't any beekeepers using the area; if there are other beekeepers with an interest, communicate, discuss the situation, help and advise each other.
Consideration to fellow beekeepers must be given, so as not to impinge on another beekeeper's foraging area, and also to help prevent the spread of disease.

If we can't trust the large majority (the theft of my and Chris Wilks’ hives being the very small minority) of beekeepers to work together with courtesy and friendship then that's quite sad.

Once again, if you intend to use another area, check it first.

1) If you know of other beekeepers in the area, speak to them.

2) Ask the Spray Liaison Officer (Ron Hoskins) for other sites within your proposed spot. If there are any, ask Ron to make the first contact for you.

Dennis

Chairman, Swindon & District Beekeepers Association