Professor David Evans is a virologist studying the biology of single stranded positive sense RNA viruses, including poliovirus, hepatitis C virus and deformed wing virus of honeybees. He has a fascinating, practical beekeeping blog, https://www.theapiarist.org/
- Water is essential for colony survival, particularly when temperatures are high. How much water does a colony need, which bees collect it, and where do they collect it from? As the climate changes, how can you ensure your bees have access to enough water?
- Autumn is here. Time for some final pre-winter hive management, comparisons of baker's and beekeeper's fondant, the impact of 'local' on beekeeping, unusual sightings in the apiary and heather honey extraction. Next stop … spring.
- Repeated oxalic acid vaporisation is often recommended without discussion of the related importance of dose and application frequency. The method works … if you use enough OA, at appropriate intervals for sufficient time. Of course, that doesn't mean you are allowed to use it.
- Sugar shake or dusting is promoted as a good way to dislodge mites for counting or Varroa control. However, recent evidence suggests it reduces the survival of exposed bees, which raises some interesting ethical questions.
- Used properly, Apivar is an excellent miticide. How and why do you position and reposition the strips in the hive? How long do you treat for, and how do you detect and avoid resistance? Don't expect the answers to be in the instructions on the packet.
- Most beekeeping puzzles can be solved with some careful thought, good hive records, and a basic understanding of honey bee biology. If the solution makes lots of assumptions, it's probably wrong.
- Enjoy the sights, sounds and smells from the last of your beekeeping this season. There's still much to do, but it's going to be a long time until you can work with the bees again, so make time to store away some memories for the long winter ahead.
- Do honeyguides punish honey hunters who do not reward them after previous successful hunts? Historical anecdote might suggest this, but recent studies indicate the explanation is a little more prosaic.
- Using 3D printing you can inexpensively produce items for your bees and beekeeping that are useful, and either unavailable elsewhere or costly. Here is an introduction to the technology, and a guide to some things you can make.
- Strong colonies are much more productive, easier to manage and survive better. Maintaining them means risking the loss of a swarm, which requires risk management. This and other beekeeping risks are often worthwhile, because the benefits are considerable.