Newbattle Beekeepers Association

Winter Studies

Are you keen to develop your honeybee and beekeeping knowledge this year? Why not study for one of the Scottish Beekeepers Association  beekeeping modules? The next diet of the module exams is on Saturday 15th of November, but registration for these exams closes on the 30th of September. To register please click here.

Please don't let the word 'Exam' put you off! There is tremendous satisfaction in unearthing new facts when preparing for these exams. And you're adding to your honeybee and beekeeping knowledge, which can only be a good thing. There's a variety of topics to choose from including the management of honey bees, their biology, behaviour, diseases and pests, to honey bee products and forage. The new Plants and Pollinators module is included in this round.

So why not think about studying for one or more of the modules and enjoy expanding your knowledge? To find out more please click here

The latest Blog Post by Steve Donohoe looks at a recently published article in Scientific Reports 

Read the Walrus Blog Post Here

The Beekeeping Show takes place on Saturday 21 February 2026 at Telford International Centre.

It is the premier UK beekeeping trade show, attracting visitors and exhibitors from worldwide. 1,850+ visitors and 69 exhibitors are expected to attend.

The International Centre is within minutes of a national motorway and rail networks. There will be FREE on-site show day parking for show goers. Hotels are situated in close proximity to the venue.

Tickets are available via the show website:

http://www.thebeekeepingshow.co.uk 

Our friends at the Welsh Beekeepers' Association - Cymdeithas Gwenynwyr Cymru have another fascinating webinar coming up on the 11th Sep at 7.30pm with Jacques van Alphen, the title of which is ‘Honey Bees - A Natural & Less Natural History’

To register please visit

https://lnkd.in/euKb_ds8

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Scientists at Oxford University have developed a honeybee "superfood" that could protect the bees against the threats of climate change and habitat loss.

Click here to read the full story on the BBC Website

Updated Varroa Map As part of the Honey Bee Health Strategy’s Implementation Plan, the Varroa map, first introduced in 2023, was developed to help identify areas in Scotland where particular care is needed to prevent the spread of Varroa to regions that are still free of the pest. One noticeable highlight from the promotion and communications of this, was the partnership with NorthLink Ferries, who kindly agreed to display the poster at their ports and on board their vessels, helping us reach beekeepers travelling between mainland Scotland and the Orkney Islands. In keeping with our commitment to provide up-to-date information, the Scottish Government’s Honey Bee Health Team has completed a biannual update of the Varroa map. This update incorporates new data from BeeBase and reports from Scottish beekeepers to reflect: Areas where Varroa has been reported present Areas with mixed reports (i.e. some localised presence or absence) Areas with no reported cases of Varroa Key changes include: No part of Skye and Raasay currently has a sufficient number of Varroa-free beekeepers to define the area as ‘free’; the entire island has therefore been reclassified as ‘mixed’ A slight expansion has been recorded in the area of Mull On a positive note, all samples submitted from Orkney continue to show no reported cases of Varroa The updated Varroa map and flyer can be downloaded and printed by clicking on the links below  Updated Varroa map Updated Varroa flyer If you would like to contact the Scottish Government Bee Health Team please email Bees_Mailbox@gov.scot

Get your order in now via the online shop for your Autumn varroa treatments. You can order single strips which will allow you to purchase only the amount you require to treat your bees

. Dosage and Placement:

• Dosage: Two strips are used per brood chamber. 
• Placement: The strips are suspended mid-way between brood frames, ensuring bees can walk on both sides. One strip is typically placed between frames 3 & 4, and the other between frames 7 & 8 within the brood chamber. 
• Small Colonies: Nuclei or small colonies may only require one strip, placed near the centre of the brood chamber. 
• Honey Supers: Do not place strips in honey supers. 

2. Timing:

• End of Season: Treatment is often done at the end of the season, after the last honey harvest. 
• Spring/Summer: Apistan can be used in the spring when temperatures are above 15°C. 
• Avoid Low Temperatures: Do not use Apistan when the maximum daily temperature is expected to be below 15°C. 

3. How it Works:

• The active ingredient, tau-fluvalinate, is picked up by bees as they walk on the strips.
• The active ingredient is then transferred to other bees and mites within the colony as they interact.
• The strips continue to release the active ingredient over the treatment period. 

4. Removal:

• Strips should be removed after six weeks. 
• Remove strips carefully, ensuring bees don't chill during the process. 
• Dispose of used strips properly, wrapping them in paper and placing them in domestic refuse. 

• Monitoring: It's recommended to monitor mite-fall during and after treatment. 

Rotation: Rotate between different chemical treatments every two to three years to prevent resistance.

• Safety: Wear gloves when handling the strips. 

See the full article on the BBC website:

In the News -The Insect Population is Booming

Read more on the BBC website.

Wasps are in the news

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THORNES OF SCOTLAND Friday 8h August: 1:00pm - 5:00pm Saturday 9th August: 9:00am - 12:00noon Our annual Sale Days are fast approaching, and first up is our Newburgh branch in Scotland!  SHOP SALE As well as our usual bargains, we will be offering our wax exchange service at our Sale Days. Here's a glimpse at some of the sale prices: National Super: £17.50 National Brood: £22 National 14"x12": £38 National 4" Roof: £25 National Open Mesh Floor: £18 National Crownboard: £7.50 50 x SN1/DN1 Frames: £28 50 x SN4/DN4 Frames: £32 50 x 12"x14" Frames: £42 SHOP SALE As well as our usual bargains, we will be offering our wax exchange service at our Sale Days.