changes over 30 years

[Bob Bee]

Hi just an intrudction really, I used to keep bees 30years ago in National and Wbc’s and as I’m approaching retirement would like to start again.

Im hoping to pick up my first nuc loccally in August and hive them in a thornes budget National and then get some more kit in the sale to expand a bit next year.I have built a nucleus box in the hope of picking up a swarm on my allotment but no luck so far, a friend has offered to let me put a box or two near his 3 hives next year in the hope of of an early swarm as he doesn’t control his swarming.

I have space for a hive in my small town garden in Falmouth and at my allotment nearby. I was familiar with good husbandry, foulbrood etc but varoer is a new phenomenon which I will need to bone up on.
I’ve sent a cheque to join the local beekeepers assoc, but rumour has it there not all that welcoming.

Apart from varoer has there been any other major changes in Beeking in the last 30 years ?.

Bob

 

[Skyhook]

Hello, and welcome!

I haven't been keeping bees that long myself; but I used to help my father with his.

Varroa is definitely the biggy, and used to scare the hell out of my father. I think the trick is to accept it as part of beekeeping. For example, monitoring mite numbers is recommended- Finman, a very good Finnish beekeeper on this forum, doesn't monitor. He says 'I know they have mites, I know they need treating, so I treat'.

People talk about bees having become more vigorous, but I suspect that is over a longer timescale. A lot of people now consider national and WBC brood boxes too small, hence the rise in 14 x 12's- brood and a half or double brood are other ways round it.

A big change as far as I can see is the internet, eg this forum! I know that I am spoiled in terms of the wealth of information available. I have my fathers old beekeeping book; and by comparison he was working blindfold.

I hope your local BKA is better than you fear; they do vary, mine is excellent, it's just down to the individuals.

 

[beeatshellards]

welcome to the forum BB, I suggest first of all you move down this way, our local group has loads going on and all very sociable, we welcome new beeks.
I agree totally with Skyhook we are so much better informed, if you have the basic knowledge then you can build on that, small hive beetle is one to look out for, a new threat to us beeks

 

[Chris Luck]

Maize and OSR cultivation plus moving hives about on trucks and trailers are by far the most important changes here.

Varroa is relatively insignificant here.

Chris

 

[drstitson]

"I’ve sent a cheque to join the local beekeepers assoc, but rumour has it there not all that welcoming."

cancel the cheque and donate £15 to admin.

 

[drstitson]

"small hive beetle is one to look out for, a new threat to us beeks"

that's why i stick to dadants/jumbo langstroths!!!!!

i'll get my coat. yet again.

 

[oliver90owner]

Varroa, open mesh floors and the ever more popular jumbo format are the main changes for a National operator.

There are now more choices of hive types TBH, Warre, beehaus (Dartington was only just starting up thirty years ago) and the polyhives have at last arrived with some impetus.

Not much changed with crops - just ever larger areas of monocrop and fewer hederows.

Pesticides have changed considerably and we now have neonicotinoids to contend with.

Oh, and different weather patterns.

Regards, RAB

 

[Winker]

One of the biggest changes over the last 30 years is OSR (Oil Seed Rape) and the honey crop it can bring in. Its in full bloom around the start to mid April. So there is a need to build your colony earlier if you live in an area that has OSR in it. This brings other problems, over crowded hives in May and not a lot to forage on. So swarming season can start earlier, which in turn leads to other problems.

But im sure someone with a longer and more established history in beekeeping will come along and add more.

 

[viridens]

Another other major difference to 30 years ago is the bizarre and unpredictable weather which now affects many aspects of beekeeping, undermines our plans, and makes each year difficult to compare with the last.

 

[Bob Bee]

Yep internet i guess is a biggie, but I bet theres as much bad info as good. I like a forum, I learned a lot from a fishing forum and hope this will do the same for my forage back into bees.

 

[justme]

Hi just an intrudction really, I used to keep bees 30years ago in National and Wbc’s and as I’m approaching retirement would like to start again.

Im hoping to pick up my first nuc loccally in August and hive them in a Th**nes budget National and then get some more kit in the sale to expand a bit next year.I have built a nucleus box in the hope of picking up a swarm on my allotment but no luck so far, a friend has offered to let me put a box or two near his 3 hives next year in the hope of of an early swarm as he doesn’t control his swarming.

I have space for a hive in my small town garden in Falmouth and at my allotment nearby. I was familiar with good husbandry, foulbrood etc but varoer is a new phenomenon which I will need to bone up on.
I’ve sent a cheque to join the local beekeepers assoc, but rumour has it there not all that welcoming.

Apart from varoer has there been any other major changes in Beeking in the last 30 years ?. Also small hive beetle (as mentioned above) and tropaeolaps, or however its spelt, not here yet but 2 to keep an eye out for, especially in Falmouth! That would be an ideal way for them to get in me thinks.

Bob

Probably varroa and less forage? Falmouth, is that Carrick/Kerrier group CBKA or West Cornwall BKA? Also small hive beetle and tropealaps or however its spelt, 2 to look out for especially in Falmouth, a good way in for them me thinks.

 

[Bob Bee]

In wales in the 70's we all moved our hives up- the mountain for the heather every year, some bigger outfits had custom made trucks even then.

 

[Bob Bee]

Probably varroa and less forage? Falmouth, is that Carrick/Kerrier group CBKA or West Cornwall BKA?

West Cornwall i got in touch with, didnt know there was a choice. I musnt pre judge them though, just going on local gossip.

 

[justme]

Carrick/Kerrier is part of Cornwall BKA, a different group. However as you said, dont prejudge, i've met a few of West Cornwall Group and they seem fine:.)

 

[Bee-Key-Pur]

Yes, the cost of gear, I would think....


Brian.

 

[Bob Bee]

Probably varroa and less forage? Falmouth, is that Carrick/Kerrier group CBKA or West Cornwall BKA? Also small hive beetle and tropealaps or however its spelt, 2 to look out for especially in Falmouth, a good way in for them me thinks.

Yep weve had some interesting spiders through the docks, no doubt anything that can get in , will .

 

[harveyzone]

I was not beekeeping 30 years ago, but it seems that there are more people wanting to help themselves to your Bees/kit now then there were then. Apiary security has moved up the agenda recently.

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

In wales in the 70's we all moved our hives up- the mountain for the heather every year, some bigger outfits had custom made trucks even then.

Aha! knowing the area fairly well you're obviously still a furriner! they may be a bit more friendly once your great grandchildren get retired and settled in

 

[Davelin]

Having started again after a 50 year gap the biggest surprise was, that compared to most other forms of agriculture, how little it had changed.
Luckily so far my varroa count has been very low and keeping an eye on, and treating that, seems the biggest change. The concept of an open mesh floor took some time to get my head round, but the bees seem quite happy.

Oh and I extracted my first honey today and it looks and tastes just as good as it did 50 years ago. Hurrah!

 

[richardbees]

Dave, that's more the benefit of still having good taste buds!