The National Bee Unit is pleased to launch the 2025 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…
Safeguarding measures on honey bees and apiculture products from Ukraine
Tropilaelaps mite presents a significant biosecurity risk to Great Britain’s bee population. In recent years the population of Tropilaelaps mercedesae has spread westward from its native range in Asia. There are now confirmed populations in western Russia and Georgia. Surveillance for Tropilaelaps mite in Ukraine is currently limited. Given the…
Healthy Bees Plan 2030: Provision of Hive Side Training – Tender
We are seeking up to three contractors to provide hive side training to intermediate hobbyist beekeepers to teach beekeepers how to recognise pests and diseases and ensure good husbandry practices. The requirement is separated into three lots covering three regions: Lot 1: North of England and Midlands Lot 2: South…
Resources and Priorities
Statement from DEFRA Bee Health Policy Defra is very grateful to all the staff in the Animal and Plant Health Agency and in particular the National Bee Unit (NBU) who are working on the response to YLH. Beekeepers and Yellow-legged Asian Hornet Teams have also provided very valuable support. Defra…
New apiculture programme published
The England Apiculture Programme for 2025-2028 has been published on BeeBase. The programme provides measures to support beekeepers and bee farmers by training events on bee health and husbandry practices as well as improving identification of pests and diseases through hive-side advisory inspections. The programme is delivered by APHA’s National…
‘Starting Right with Bees’ advisory leaflet updated
Our advisory leaflet ‘Starting Right with Bees’ has been updated. This leaflet describes the basics of beekeeping for new beekeepers or for those who are considering taking up the craft. It provides a clear, jargon-free introduction into the basic biology and management of honey bee colonies and provides plenty of…
Chronic Bee Paralysis Virus: Understanding, Identifying, and Managing the Threat to Our Bees
Insights from Professor Giles Budge, Newcastle University As the beekeeping community grows more aware of Chronic Bee Paralysis Virus (CBPV), this disease has become an increasing concern for both amateur and professional beekeepers across the UK. Thanks to the valuable research led by Professor Giles Budge and his team at…
Varroa Destructor: What Every UK Beekeeper Needs to Know
Understanding the Threat and Taking Action to Protect Our Bees Varroa destructor — a name that sends a chill through every beekeeper’s spine. This tiny, reddish-brown mite has become one of the most serious threats to honey bee colonies in England, Scotland, and Wales. Since its arrival in the UK…
European Foulbrood (EFB)
Understanding the disease, its spread, and how to protect your bees Based on the YouTube video By Colin Pavey When it comes to brood diseases, European Foulbrood (EFB) is one that no beekeeper can afford to ignore. A serious and notifiable disease, EFB can quietly take hold in your hives…
Hive Count 2024 – Results
Over 9,500 beekeepers updated their details on BeeBase during the 2024 hive count compared to over 8,500 in 2023. The 2024 hive count produced a figure of 252,647 colonies in the UK. This is slightly higher than the 2023 figure of 252,577. Responses indicated there was a decrease of 0.2…