Hon. Newsletter Editor:
Mike Osborne
E-mail: M.Osborne@care4free.net

Reports from our members suggest that varroa infestation has been lower this year and this has been confirmed from other parts of the country. However, we must not be complacent. Along with feeding our bees and fitting mouse-guards, the application of Bayvarol or Apistan strips is now standard procedure for many of us at this time of the year. Don't forget that in about 6 weeks they have to be removed. Do not be tempted to leave them in until the Spring. This is to prevent the mites becoming acclimatised to the pyrethroid, which is the active chemical in the strips, by being continually exposed to relatively small doses. In this way they can gradually build up resistance, something that we have been regularly warned about. For some time it has been known that mites with such resistance have been present on the Continent, in countries such as Italy and France, but now we have them in the U.K. in Devon. Whether they developed locally or came in from abroad is unknown, but we can be sure that they will gradually spread to other parts of the country. Their presence was confirmed in August by the Bee Unit of the Central Scientific Laboratory, having been initially found by the local bee inspector as part of a routine screening programme for such mites, which CSL has been carrying out throughout the country. This is to follow up reported cases of suspected resistance or to check the colonies of beekeepers suspected of misusing pyrethroid. Apparently the misuse of varroacide products has been the cause of every original focus of resistance in Europe. It is vital that we follow the instructions that come with the strips and only leave them in for the designated 6 weeks. The CSL have a web site www.csl.gov.uk which includes more detailed information under 'Products and Services'. They suggest that some beekeepers may wish to undertake resistance testing on their own colonies. If you are interested look at the web site or contact our Regional Bee Inspector, Robin Hall, on 01594 560089, or via e-mail on cr.hall@csl.gov.uk . Even if the results are negative the information is valuable.

The presence of varroa mites resistant to Bayvarol and Apistan means that those of us who rely on these products will sooner or later have to learn other ways of treating for varroa. Such methods are already in use by some of our members, who are not happy with the use of chemicals, particularly since residues are left in the wax. Those of you who get Bee Craft will find a brief article in the September issue on the use of formic acid. It is not nearly as bad as it sounds, as the fumes can be produced by putting the acid in a purpose made evaporator, such as the Nassenheider evaporator. This has a reservoir in which 100ml of 60% formic acid is poured and in which a wick is placed. It can be placed above the brood box or inside an empty frame in the brood box, and has proved preferable to the use of pads etc. where the evaporation is less under control and can have an adverse effect on the bees. There is a web site for more information: www.nassenheider.com . Peter Edwards prefers the use of a combination of thymol and oxalic acid. Thymol can be used in Spring. It is now commercially available as 'Apiguard' from suppliers such as Thorne's, in the form of a packeted gel. Peter puts a teaspoonful of thymol crystals on a jar lid placed on the queen excluder above the brood and this is repeated on a weekly basis for 4 weeks. Oxalic acid is best applied in say November when there is no brood. A solution is made up of sugar syrup with 35g. of oxalic acid dihydrate in a litre. Care must be taken as the crystals are poisonous, and must be kept off the skin and not inhaled. Application is by spray or dripping, but dosage is critical to avoid damage to the bees. Obviously, great care has to be taken by anybody handling these acids and this tends to put people off using them. Thorne sell an 'acid safety kit' consisting of disposable gloves and aprons, goggles and a respirator. However, as a first step anyone interested in using it can look on our web site or contact Peter, who can give advice on the practical use of such products and has a great deal of information. Meanwhile, there is a lot of research being done on the biocontrol of varroa, including work at the HRI at Wellesbourne (see April newsletter), some of which is showing great promise that could provide a practical solution within the next few years. It is also apparent that some bees are better at dealing with the mites than others. Ideally we should be keeping a look out for such bees and breeding from them.

The Association web site includes topical tips written by Peter Edwards for each month. These are reminders of what we should be doing. This month includes varroa treatment, winter feeding and generally making everything secure, including fitting mouse-guards and the use of wire netting (mesh size 20-25mm.) to deter woodpeckers if they are a likely problem. I have woodpeckers in the garden, but so far they have shown no interest in the hives. Perhaps I benefit by employing Smith hives which have smoother outsides with less tempting would-be holes. Also ensure that hives are on secure stands well above the damp ground, with no overhanging branches etc. so that the hives receive maximum light.

One of our members is still trying to find somewhere to move his three colonies to because of neighbour problems. So if you know of a suitable site within say six miles of Stratford please contact any committee member.

Seven of us attended the last meeting of the year to insert Bayvarol strips in the brood chambers of the three hives and then feed the bees. This was duly done without any mishap, fondant being used for one hive and ready mixed sugar syrup for the other two. It will be interesting to see how they compare, since we have members who insist that one or the other is best for winter feeding. Certainly, the fondant is more expensive, but so very much easier to apply (see our web site for more details). As described in last month's newsletter, in order to get nice new brood combs built up as replacements for the some of the rather nasty old ones, a brood box of foundation had been placed over one colony and the colony fed some sugar syrup. This was done between the two apiary meetings with the intention that the bees would have built out the foundation as storage space. Unfortunately, the bees had not obliged and we are still left with the foundation to be built out later when the bees decide, although some more syrup was fed to encourage them! So what was not done at this meeting which requires putting into action as soon as possible? The fitting of mouse guards across each entrance. Like a lot of our members' bees, after a rather dodgy start they have done quite well later in the year, mainly due to Peter and Brian's efforts in sorting them out. The bees are still very busy and being in a wood, there is likely to be a good source of nectar and pollen from ivy at this time of the year, weather permitting. The pollen varies in colour between medium and orangey brown. Next year hopefully we shall be back to our normal 4 hives again.

At the September 21st General Meeting the Treasurer suggested a one pound increase in the yearly subscription, from £14 to £15, mainly to cover an expected increase in the cost of the BDI insurance premiums. After a brief discussion concerning the very healthy state of the Association's building society account, the increase was approved, although a plea was made by the apiary manager, that he would welcome some of that money being spent on equipment for the apiary.

Peter Edwards organised a beekeeping quiz to replace the cancelled cooking demonstration. We were quite happy to go along with this until somewhere about the 25th question we enquired how many more there were to come, to be told that we were only half way! Despite a certain amount of muttering we ploughed on, aided by a lot of guesswork. Out of a total of 61 points the winner, Denis, obtained 48. Questions such as "what is a container for bees made out of straw called" I could answer, but I did not know that when honey sets it is the glucose in it that initiates crystallisation or that 57ºF is the optimum temperature for this to occur. Also honeydew has a more complex make-up than honey, and when you use smoke do you get more or less guard bees? I was surprised that the answer is less, since I never smoke the entrance when I start to look at a hive, as it seems to me that it is just warning the occupants that trouble is coming. Anyway, we must thank Peter for stepping in at the last moment and the fact that even the best of us got quite a few wrong is food for thought. 

Once again, the ivy is proving to be a reliable and attractive source of nectar and pollen at the end of the season. Those of us who are fortunate enough to have our bees at home can marvel at the activity at the hive entrance, even when the weather is not ideal. At Wootton Wawen it was 18th September, on a dull and windy day, when the ivy flow started, and with luck will continue well into this month. A look at some stocks on 30th September confirmed that they had added quite a lot to the 20lb. or so of syrup that I had given them. There were still some good patches of sealed brood - and some unsealed - so after the Bayvarol strips come out in a week's time, there shouldn't be much to do in the apiary for six months!

DNK

The Warwickshire BKA has organised a talk on genetically modified crops for 9th November (see Coming Events), which they have kindly invited our members to attend. It will be given by Dr. Ian Puddephat, who is a scientist working in this field in the Plant Genetics and Biotechnology Department at the Horticultural Research Institute at Wellesbourne. This is a Government funded establishment, so hopefully we shall be able to hear some unbiased facts and background details about this controversial subject Certainly worthwhile attending so that at least some of us will be able to base our opinions on facts.

12th-14th October. Leamington Weekend at the Manor Hotel, Leamington Spa.

Organised by the Central Association of Beekeepers, this important event is held so near to us that it is well worthwhile considering attending. Speakers are Dr. Michael Archer (BWARS), Prof. Malcolm Edwards (University of Central Lancashire), Tim Kidman (Cheshire), Dr. Stephen Martin (University of Sheffield), Bob Ogden (Devon) and Dr. Ruth Spinks. Contact Mrs. English for details on 020 8977 5867.

19th October, Friday Annual Honey Show, at Stratford College. 6.30pm. for 7.00pm.

Schedules were sent out with last month's newsletter. Special class for those who have not previously won a first prize Note the new class for a honey cake made "to any recipe", included by popular demand. So let's have a good entry, or if you have not been before, feel free to come along and see what it is all about.

9th November, Friday. GM crops talk at National Beekeeping Centre, Stoneleigh at 7.30pm.

Refreshments available. Contact me for instructions to get there if needed.

16th November, Friday. Annual General Meeting at Stratford College at 7.30pm.

Please come along and voice your opinions on how the Association is run.

15th-17th November. National Honey Show, London, at Kensington Town Hall.

Worth visiting to see the amazing range and quality of the entries. Easy nearby parking and refreshments available.

7th December, Friday. Skittles match at the Lygon Arms, Chipping Camden at 7.30pm.

Held in conjunction with the Shipston branch of the Warwickshire BKA. Refreshments available. Come along and see if we can make this the year that we win!