The National Bee Unit is pleased to launch the 2023 National Hive Count today, 1st of November. The hard slog of summer beekeeping is done so make yourself a nice cup of tea, grab your laptop and sink into your favourite chair. It’s time to update your BeeBase records! We…
Asian Hornet Watch App – Downtime
Essential server maintenance will occur on the Asian hornet (Vespa velutina) watch app during 27th September until early 28th September. During this time sightings of Asian hornet need to be emailed to . When reporting via email please include a photograph or clear description including the insect’s behaviour, the location…
February 2023 – 2022 Hive Count
Over 11,000 beekeepers updated their details on BeeBase during the 2022 hive count compared to almost 9,000 in 2021. There are currently more than 48,000 beekeepers registered on BeeBase and approximately 23% of those contacted updated their records. The 2022 hive count produced a figure of 288,311 colonies in the…
2023 Asian Hornet Rolling updates
08/08/2023 – Update Kent Folkestone A further two nests (primary and secondary) have been located at a single location in Folkestone over the weekend. Destruction is due to take place today. In addition, the NBU is monitoring the site at Hawkinge and carrying out active surveillance at two other sites…
Asian Hornet Sighting – Ashford, Kent
This invasive species week on Thursday 18th May the National Bee Unit received a credible triaged report of an Asian hornet discovered in a workshop, approximately 15 miles from Ashford in Kent. The insect was caught and will be analysed by scientists. This was a single hornet incursion and follow…
Asian Hornet – Gravesend, Kent
The National Bee Unit (NBU) responded to a credible sighting of Asian hornets (Vespa velutina) in Gravesend, Kent on the 20th of July. Shortly after NBU inspectors reached the site they located a small primary nest in a nearby residential garden. The nest was destroyed on the same day. It…
Asian Hornet Sighting – Canterbury, Kent
On Sunday 28th May a bee farmer, whilst doing a routine apiary inspection near Canterbury, Kent, recognised an Asian hornet that had been attracted to the colonies and knocked it down. The NBU has collected the specimen which will be analysed by scientists and follow up activities will take place…
Update: Asian Hornet Dover District, Kent
National Bee Unit (NBU) inspectors are currently carrying out enhanced surveillance in the Dover district in response to a confirmed sighting of Asian hornet (Vespa velutina). A single hornet was captured and reported on 17th July to the NBU by a local beekeeper. An NBU Inspector collected the sample which…
Happy New Year….now what’s your plan?
Well with 2022 nearly over, I wanted to write and wish you all the very best for 2023. The new bee season started the minute that we put the bees to bed for winter with the first job being to plan for 2023. So what is your beekeeping plan for…
Honey Labelling Petition
Consider signing this petition. Obviously we recommend buying honey from your local beekeeper, but for those who don’t we want them to know exactly which country the honey that they are buying is from. Currently all honey packers have to put on the label is “A blend of EU and…