Shropshire Beekeepers' Association

Newsletter : September 2003

 

 

1. Editorial

As Beekeepers we have enjoyed sustained good weather this summer that has allowed our bees to keep flying and build up good crops of honey. By now I expect that most members have collected their harvest and are well into the feeding and varroa treatment of their colonies. Just as I am writing these words comes news of the confirmed appearance of pyrethroid-resistant mites in Shropshire. Further information of the extent of this outbreak will become available soon but in the meantime it is a crucial reminder not to leave medicated strips in the hive beyond the time recommended by the manufacturers. The longer we can limit the outbreak through good husbandry the better.

The last Newsletter carried a report of the painful experience of Stanley Chapman and his wife when they were badly stung following an accident with a beehive in their garden. I am pleased to be able to report that Stanley and Rose are now back at home and well on the way to complete recovery. Just to underline their undimmed interest in their beekeeping I have again received an interesting newspaper article from them describing events in the beekeeping fraternity of Montreal. A recipe taken from this article is included later in the Newsletter.

We had two visits to members' apiaries this summer season. The first was to see how Tony Little manages his bees and underlined how much more you can learn from watching and talking to an experienced beekeeper than you would get from studying any number of books. For example, we saw how Tony manages aggressive queens by making them work hard for their living and he also showed us how he supports small colonies or nucs by building 'tower-blocks' of brood chambers that maintain consistent temperatures with less effort for the bees. There was also good practical advice about finding queens in busy colonies and about managing colony growth to support honey production and winter survival. An excellent afternoon.

Natalie Hodgson also generously welcomed us again to her apiary at Astley Abbotts. Brian Goodwin was able to use the opportunity as a good practical demonstration of colony inspection and manipulation. This was particularly useful for the new beekeepers that were there though there were, as always, valuable points for everyone. As a bonus, a small swarm appeared in a tree not far from the apiary and, after one false attempt, it was successfully caught and taken away by one of our members. A very satisfying afternoon was capped by a splendid afternoon tea, for which many thanks again to our hostess.

 

2. Round & About

Our next meeting is on the 8th October when we will hold the Annual General Meeting of our Association. All members are urged to attend this important meeting and take the opportunity to help shape our activities. At the end of this Newsletter is a sheet listing the current committee members and office holders. You will see that our Chairman, Graham Roberson, is standing down this time. We will therefore need nominations for his replacement. Nominations can also be offered for all the other elected posts of course. If you wish to offer any nominations please send them to the secretary by Saturday 19th September. Nominations received after this date cannot be accepted.

You might also wish to table items for discussion under 'Any Other Business' on the agenda. Again, members are requested to give the secretary advance notice of issues they would like to raise under this heading. This will enable them to be included in the final agenda and also allow time for any relevant information to be prepared in advance. (Deadline also 19th September).

The Committee has not met since the report in the last Newsletter. However, we would like to remind members that one of the items on the AGM Agenda will be to do with next year's programme of meetings. So if you have suggestions about topics or speakers the Committee would be delighted to receive them. Another item to be included will be a proposal that we publish our membership list so that we can all identify fellow beekeepers in our own areas. New beekeepers in particular might find it helpful to know of more experienced colleagues in their area. What do you think?

New Members We are pleased to welcome the following new members into the Association:
Mr. A. Tetshill, Shrewsbury.
Mr. J. E. Bradley, Wellington.
Mr. S. Morris, Pontesbury.
Mr. C. Taylor, Montgomery.
Mr. A. De G. Benson, Longden-On-Tern

Oswestry Association:Friday October 10th: Dinner & A.G.M. at The Sweeney Hotel 7-7.30 p.m. Further details from G. Jones, Secretary.

 

3. PYRETHROID RESISTANT VARROA IN SHROPSHIRE

John Perkins has just sent news that the County Bee Inspector has confirmed the presence of pyrethroid resistant varroa mites in the Market Drayton area. The bee inspector wishes this information to be publicised, for obvious reasons, within the county. Colonies in the following areas have tested positively for the resistant mite:

Market Drayton; Ollerton; Hodnet; Longford; Ternhill; Childs Ercall; Winstanswick; Stoke-on-Tern & Hinstock

This discovery has only been made in the last two weeks, and the full extent of the area affected has not yet been determined. Unfortunately Dave Sutton's contract as our seasonal bee inspector terminates in the next two weeks so his support will not then be available until next season. However, members can still contact the RBI (Robin Hall: Tel:01594 560089) for advice. It is recommended that members carry out the simple test for resistant varroa described by the National Bee Unit (details below). If you get positive results, advise Dave Sutton (tel 01885 482673, email davesutty@lineone.net) or Robin Hall. Treat the infected colony with APIGUARD since treatment using Bayvarol or Apistan will be ineffective.

 

4. How to Test for Pyrethroid Resistance

These notes, issued by the National Bee Unit, describe a simple test to check if varroa mites are resistant to Apistan. NB - Apistan Resistant Mites will almost inevitably be cross-resistant to Bayvarol.

  • Cut a 9mm x 25mm piece from an Apistan strip and staple it to the centre of a piece of thin card about 75mm x 125mm in size.
  • Place the card in a 500g (1lb) honey jar with the strip facing inwards.
  • Prepare a 2-3mm mesh cover to close the jar. Plastic green house shading mesh is ideal. Cut a piece larger than the opening so that it can be folded back and secured using a strong elastic band.
  • Shake adult bees from 1 or 2 brood combs into a container such as an upturned roof or washing up bowl. Gently scoop up bees with the jar until half full (c.150-200 bees).
  • Place a sugar cube in the jar and seal off using the mesh. Store in the dark at room temperature with the mesh uppermost.
  • After 24 hours hit the upturned jar with the palm of your hand over white paper. Repeat two more times to dislodge any mites. Count the mites knocked out.
  • Immerse the bees in the jar in a solution of water and washing up liquid (about washing-up strength).
  • Wash the dead bees to remove any remaining mites. Place the bees in a coarse kitchen sieve (but not a flour sieve) that will hold bees but let varroa mites through. Secure a honey straining cloth or jelly bag under the sieve to retain mites. Place under a fast running cold tap or tap with shower fitting to wash any remaining mites off the bees. Count the number of mites washed off.
  • If the total number of mites is less than 5 discard the results.
  • Calculate the efficacy as a percentage. Multiply the number of mites knocked down by 100 and divide by the total number of mites i.e. the number knocked down plus those washed off. If the answer is less than 50% it indicates that a resistance problem is likely. Repeat the test at least once more to double check since the method is not precise.
If you get positive results, advise your SBI: Dave Sutton (tel 01885 482673, email davesutty@lineone.net) or RBI: Robin Hall on 01594 560089. Please telephone the NBU (01904 462510) if you have any other queries.

 

5. The Shook Swarm

(In view of the news of the appearance of the resistant varroa mite in Shropshire, this letter, sent in by Robert Swallow earlier this season, is now particularly relevant. Physical controls for varroa will be even more important in future: Ed)

"A subject we see little about, apart from it being experimented with as part of the control of EFB in combination with antibiotics, is the 'shook swarm'. I understand that shook swarms are regularly used on the continent as a disease avoidance strategy, whereas we in the British Isles tend only to renew three or four frames each season.

Obviously the shook swarm would divert the bees' activity away from gathering stores in the short term but I am sure that if foraging conditions were good and the colony of a sufficient size, this would not create much of a difficulty for them. In fact the foraging component of an artificial swarm always appears extremely vigorous, drawing foundation rapidly.

In addition to contributing to colony health I am sure that the shook swarm would provide a strong check in varroa mite increase and support the use of mesh floors, especially in view of the imminent loss of control of varroa by Bayverol & Apistan due to the increasing resistance of the mite to these chemicals.

Perhaps one of our members could advise on the methods to be used in shook swarms?"

 

6. Producing and Presenting Your Honey by Peter Woodcock

There has been recent discussion in the Newsletter concerning the removal of labels from previously used honey jars. Assuming that the questioner intended to re-use the jars for honey, may I widen the subject somewhat? Jars used for the storage of anything for human consumption need to be scrupulously clean. First, I reject any jar that has any smell other than a faint honey aroma. Then I wash mine in a solution of washing-up liquid, rinse the jars in clean water and allow them to drain, first on their sides and then upright inverted. Then comes the eye-test, when I take a good look inside the jar for anything that might have resisted the washing, paying particular attention to the bottom and to the screw-threads. When they have dried I rinse them again, inside and out, with a solution of an anti-bacterial cleaner (Dettox) and allow them to dry overnight. (I do not have access to a dishwasher but would expect that cleaning jars that way would make them sparklingly clean.)

Next comes the bottling. I filter my honey before it goes into the settling tank and leave it to settle for several days before I begin to bottle. I skim the top of the honey to remove anything that may have floated up to the top. The amount of honey in the jar must be what the label says, not over - and certainly not under. There is a guideline all round the neck of the jar but I disregard that. I use a set of scales purchased from Argos for £14.90. It shows either grams or ounces and can be zeroed. (I think the scales were a good investment. 100 jars filled two grams overweight equals a loss of £1.20) I fill two jars and while the second one is waiting for that last drip from the tank I put the lid on the first one, and so on until the tank is empty. I don't leave jars of honey without a lid any longer than is necessary. I don't use second hand lids unless they are perfect. All that remains is to put on the label, give the outside of the jar a polish with a clean towel - and collect the cash.

So, back to removing labels from jars. If you can't get the Mykal product mentioned by Steve Watkins recently, have a look in the family cleaning kit for a bottle of 'Jiff'. Soak the jars in a very hot solution of washing up liquid and most labels will peel off. You may have to scrape off the bottom layer with a knife and anything that remains will be easily removed with Jiff and a plastic scouring pad.

 

7. Miscellaneous

(1) Recipe: Honey Glazed Pork (Serves 8)by Julian Armstrong, Food Editor Montreal Gazette

This is adapted from a recipe in Hows and Whys of French Cooking (University of Chicago Press. 1974; out of print) by Chicago francophile Alma Lach. I add more flavour by using a blend of half honey, half Dijon mustard and Serve with boiled potatoes to mop up the pan juices.

4 pounds (2 kg) centre-cut pork loin ¼ cup (50 ml) Madeira
2 cloves garlic, sliced thin 1 cup (250 ml) beef bouillon
3 tablespoons (45 ml) honey Salt and freshly ground pepper
3 tablespoons (45 ml) Dijon mustard


For easier carving, have butcher cut backbone almost through the chop bones but not remove it; skin will hold it in place. Tuck some garlic slices between backbone and meat. Using a sharp knife cut little gashes in fat covering and insert garlic slices in each. Roast at 450 degrees F (230C) for 30 minutes Lower temperature to 350 degrees F (180 C). In a small bowl, mix together honey and Dijon mustard. Spread with half the honey mixture, roast another 20 minutes and reduce temperature again to 350 degrees F (160C) Coat again with remaining honey mixture and roast to desired degree of doneness, about 45 minutes more. Thirty minutes before roast is done, add Madeira and stock to pan. (At this point you can add boiled potatoes to pan, turning to colour them on all sides).

When done, transfer meat to hot platter and remove backbone. Skim fat from pan drippings, season with salt and pepper to taste, and serve sauce with slices of the meat.

Did you know.....?
(i) Napoleon used the bee as a symbol of his empire after his coronation in 1804. It stood for industry, efficiency and productivity. Also emblematic of immortality and resurrection, the bee was chosen to link the new dynasty to the very origins of France. Golden bees (cicadas really) were discovered in 1653 in Tournai in the tomb of Childeric I (father of Clovis) who founded the Merovingian dynasty in 457. They were considered to be the oldest emblem of the sovereigns of France.

(ii) In Greek mythology, it is said that Cupid dipped his arrows in honey to fill the lovers heart with sweetness.

 

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