Much discussion took place at the Apiary the other week on the Housel method of comb positioning. For those of you who missed it, and those of you who got rather lost (or bored) in the complex theoretical discussions that ensued (and I was one !!), here is the "Dumb Beekeepers Guide to Housel Positioning".

Whilst examining wild comb, a gent named Michael Housel made the observation that, in wild comb, bees position cells on opposite sides of the comb in a particular way, and that therefore in providing foundation for comb building, we beekeepers should copy that positioning.

This positioning all depends on the "Y" formation viewed at the bottom of each cell. To understand this fully, you will need to have a sheet of foundation in front of you (or drawn comb) – then all will be revealed.

It follows therefore that since the two sides of a single frame of foundation are basically different, then there might be a "right" and "wrong" way to stack frames together in the brood box.

For those who are interested, there is lots more information and analysis on the internet – as a starter, try the following links :

How now dear beekeepers? Ready to face another merry season with your precious bees? Another season, with no mistakes in it yet! My admiration was caught recently with a lecture given a few months ago by Maurice Field. It seemed so simple and wise - common sense in fact. It was all about how to reduce stress in the Apiary - no not necessarily your stress, but that suffered by the bees. I cannot tell you about all of it, but here is a condensed version. Seasoned beekeepers may avert their eyes here, they have their own wisdoms. The keeping of any livestock involves the keeper in the same considerations: adequate food and water, protection from the weather, from predators, and from mishandling (moi?). Any shortcomings here can show up as disease.

CHALKBROOD:

Too much shade and dampness often leads to chalkbrood, larvae being chilled as they are capped. Usually noticed in spring, when there are too few nurse bees to incubate, or else in nuclei, or colonies which have lost a swarm

NOSEMA:

Could occur in queen-rearing apiaries when colonies are queenless. A poor colony build-up can often be traced back to a preceding summer that has been cool and wet with a poor honey crop.

EFB:

Can occur when a food source becomes scarce and the larvae are starved because EFB bacteria are competing for the same diminishing supply.

PARASITES:

Varroa destructor, a major problem, acting as a vector for other bacteria and viruses, a constant irritant to individual bees.

Acarine/ tracheal mites: Again, poor summers mean workers are confined, but live longer, allowing more time for these mites to breed.

WHAT CAN WE DO?

FORAGE: A radius of one mile around the hive covers an area of 2000 acres, and the likely radius of three miles covers 8000 acres. But the forage needs to be adequate all year. Pollen supplements should be given where early spring pollen is scarce. A poor foraging area means bees are struggling to maintain their colony, let alone provide a surplus for you. Don't overstock the area. If one colony requires four square miles, seven colonies - if their range is three miles from the hive - would be a maximum, if there are no other colonies in the area.. Beekeepers in towns are likely to have varied forage sources all year round.

WATER: The average colony requirement is 1/4 pint daily, but in times of heat and drought more like a litre daily. Provide a water source.

PROTECTION FROM THE WEATHER: We know that dampness kills bees more quickly than cold, don't site hives under trees or in damp shady places. See that there is free air drainage. If bees have difficulty in maintaining broodnest temperatures of 35C, stress is likely, but a belt of trees or bushes can protect from cold winds. An ESE aspect is best.

PROTECTION FROM PREDATORS: Out apiaries cannot be monitored daily so fence off your hives against deer (difficult perhaps) or farm stock, for woodpeckers use bird netting draped over the hive and pegged close to the ground.

COLONIES: Raise these off the ground. Bees love to nest high, but we can compromise. Have the level of top bars of the hive between the beekeeper's knees and waist. Use darker colours for your hives, this makes them less conspicuous, and improves the solar heat gain in cooler months.

COLOUR HIVE ENTRANCES: Field paints a 1" strip of colour directly above the hive entrance; he currently favours blue, black, yellow and silver. These colours reduce the likelihood of drifting.

OPEN HIVES ONLY WHEN NECESSARY - when there is something to do. A weekly routine inspection of ten minutes in the active season will not disturb the colony too much. Working each hive smoothly and purposefully, without bumping will also help minimize stress.

MAINTAIN ADEQUATE FOOD IN THE HIVE: Generally, the bees' consumption of stores from October to February has been estimated to be about 5kg, during March about 6kg, and during April about 9kg. It is important not to make the bees stressed through shortage of food in the spring when stores may be dwindling, or at other times when a large population is confined because of inclement weather. A minimum of 5kg of food (about two BS brood frames full) should be in the hive at all times.

MOVE BEES AT NIGHT: Darkness causes less stress. Secure the bees inside the hive at dusk with a strip of foam rubber in the entrance, taped. Have a bee-proof mesh over or under the hive, strap securely. Keep a water spray at hand in case of over-heating. A spray at intervals will help keep the bees calm.

SUPER EARLY: Overcrowding stresses bees. They should be able to move up away from the brood combs. Leave a super over a queen excluder on a National hive going into the winter, so the workers can gain access to the space as soon as they need it in the spring.

By following these methods beekeepers can make stress-related problems less likely. Prevention is definitely better than treatment. And the Best of British Luck!

Community of Beekeepers Ltd. / 'Bitz4Bees'

Appeal for volunteers and solicitation for additional ordinary shares - oh, and a competition !

 The 'Bitz4Bees shop', after delays caused by the new government regulator, is now formally registered as a private limited company rather than a community interest company (CIC).  Following several formal meetings and registration at Companies House, the election of the initial board of directors has taken place.  These are :  Tony Wright (chairman), Dave Morris (MD), Dave James (sec. and acting treasurer ), Kevin Stach and Chris Tozer.  Chris acts as non-exec. director representing the interests of the ND Branch.

 The company is structured as if it were a CIC viz. essentially as a not-for-profit company, and it is hoped to re-register it as such in due course.   It is formally the Community of Beekeepers Ltd. trading as 'Bitz4Bees'.    The whole aim is to help beekeepers with their needs - hive parts, foundation, tools, miticides etc.  This is NOT simply a Thorne's or similar agency arrangement.  Most any supply you need is at least 10 % lower than elsewhere, and hives are in fact around half as much and of superior quality (in fact some customers awaiting bees have them displayed indoors as they are as smart as fine furniture !).  'HiveClean' for varroa treatment is also now available, the first in the UK.  But how can you help, too ? 

 a/  By volunteering to help us make up frame feeders, crown boards, nucleus boxes and the like.  In this way, your labours help keep our prices at the lowest - and it's good fun, too!  Training included free!

 b/  By subscribing for some ordinary shares.  The current preferential shareholders have already put their money where their mouth is, but we need another £2,000 or so subscribed as ordinary shares for more working capital.  Each share is £1 and the Offer closes 31 May '06.  Please see the separate coloured sheet ('CoB Share Offer'). We already have some £350 subscribed as I write this, and the Offer is open to all, not just NDB members.

 c/  By submitting a suitable design for a logo for the Company.  The winner will receive a £25 CoB voucher to spend and £25 of free shares!  Closing date:  May 31, paper or electronic form acceptable.

 For a/ to c/ please contact me as below.

 Dave James