In December 2025 Defra confirmed that the NBU will not be asked to carry out spring trapping for YLH in England in 2026. This decision was taken in response to the high number and geographic spread of later season nest finds during 2025. At the BHAF meeting held on 5th…
Hive Count 2025 – Results
Over 10,000 beekeepers updated their details on BeeBase during the 2025 hive count compared to over 9,500 in 2024. The 2025 hive count produced a figure of 257,976 colonies in the UK. This is higher than the 2024 figure of 252,647. Responses indicated there was a decrease of 0.2 hive…
Spring trapping in Caergwrle near Wrexham in Wales
Spring trapping to take place in the Caergwrle area, near Wrexham in Wales Following the finding of a dead yellow-legged hornet nest in the Caergwrle area, near Wrexham, the Welsh Government (WG) has asked the National Bee Unit (NBU) to undertake local targeted Spring trapping. They will place selective traps within a…
Vacancy – Bee Health Operational Lead (Outbreak)
The National Bee Unit has a vacancy for a SEO Bee Health Operational Delivery Lead (Outbreak). If you are interested in applying, please follow the link below to the advertisement in the Civil Service Jobs and apply before 11:55 pm on Monday 13th April 2026. Bee Health Operational Delivery Lead…
EU SPS Agreement – Call for information
Defra have recently published a press release which contains information on the legislation likely to form part of UK-EU SPS agreement. The press release is available here. https://www.gov.uk/government/news/uk-eu-sps-agreement-information-for-businesses Beekeepers will be affected as primary producers and in some cases, traders in bees and bee products. A Call for Information has been…
Yellow-legged hornet 2026 rolling update
Please report sightings of Yellow-legged hornets (YLH), also known as Asian hornets, on this online form or download the free Asian hornet Watch app for Apple devices or android devices. As of 28/2/2026: To view the location of destroyed nests, please visit the map page and choose the Asian Hornet map…
Risk areas for Yellow Legged Hornets Spring trapping 2026
Further to DEFRA statement in December about Yellow Legged Hornet spring trapping, the analysis carried out by Fera Science Ltd to help inform local trapping initiatives in England has now been completed. The work has identified areas where there may be a higher risk of overwintering Yellow Legged Hornets (YLHs),…
Advisory leaflet updated: Common pests, diseases, and disorders of adult honey bees
Keep your bees healthy this season. Read our updated ‘common pests, diseases, and disorders of adult honey bees’ booklet. This is an essential guide for every beekeeper, packed with practical advice on identifying and managing common pests, diseases, and disorders that affect adult honey bees. From viruses like deformed wing…
Tropilaelaps advisory leaflet updated
The Tropilaelaps advisory leaflet has been updated. This leaflet explains the biology, distribution, and risks of Tropilaelaps mites; invasive brood parasites of honey bees that are now spreading toward Europe. The leaflet outlines their life cycle, harmful effects on colonies, potential pathways for introduction into the UK, and the legal…
Yellow-legged Hornet – Spring Trapping
In the December 2025 Bee Health Advisory Forum, Defra confirmed that they will not ask APHA’s National Bee Unit to carry out Spring trapping activity for yellow-legged hornet (YLH) in 2026. This decision has been taken in response to the high number and geographic spread of later season nest finds…