- Joined
- Oct 21, 2014
- Messages
- 154
- Reaction score
- 108
- Location
- Berkshire
- Hive Type
- National
- Number of Hives
- 9
Maybe I'm daft, but I think it's reasonable to expect all beekeepers to be able to identify an AH, know how to monitor, trap and report, and to understand the importance of bycatch release. Sadly far too many beekeepers don't have this basic knowledge.Of course you have the right to an opinion. But if you voice your opinion on the forum you must accept the right of others to challenge it and challenge its credentials.
Not an unhealthy approach given that velutina is not established in the UK. So long as beekeepers look after their hives in their normal diligent manner then the arrival of velutina will make itself clearly known in good time to take appropriate action. In those areas where there have been out breaks then additional monitoring is a prudent step.
Precisely the argument for using wick based bait stations as so eloquently posted by Erichalfbee. Dispense with traps altogether.
I'm surprised you even raised the subject with them. FC is not appropriate for the UK and has never been suggested as such because we have no established infestation.
FC may have a place in action against AHs at some point. Some people will use it whether it's appropriate or not. It's illegal. Got it. There is limited research, the best I could find was baited protein pellets: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10339917/. My point is that if something like FC is to be used it needs to researched and that will take time. There was a cluster of AH nests in Kent last year that were exceedingly difficult to access (I hope the NBU found them all), FC might be appropriate there.