Thanet Beekeepers Open Page

19/11/2024

Inside the lab fighting an Asian hornet invasion

Scientists analyse the DNA of hornets found in nests to help them target hotspots in spring.

31/10/2024

Many congratulations to Gary and Shayne on their well deserved success at the National Honey Show held at Sandown Park last week.

Broadstairs beekeepers Gary and Shayne Luckhurst have scooped a top prize for their local honey – as well as trophies in a whopping nine more categories. The husband and wife team entered their pro…

18/10/2024

09/10/2024

Monday 21st October is National Honey Day. The BBKA would like to celebrate the delicious diversity of local UK honey bought directly from local beekeepers.

05/10/2024

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/clyl9vevgx9o

The bees allow scientists to track changes in a low-cost way, one entomologist said.

02/10/2024

29/09/2024

Please come along and say hello!

🦔🌱🌻There will be lots for young people to do at the Sunken Garden Eco Fair🌻🌱🦔
Come along to enjoy activities for all the family including facepainting by Face Painting Canterbury, apple-themed games with Turner Contemporary , animal interactions with Creepy Claws Animal Centre, dressing up as a beekeeper with Thanet Beekeepers Open Page , seed planting with Tasty Planters , nature walks with , sealife with Thanet Coast: NE Kent Marine Protected Area and much more from over 30 community groups and national organisations.
Sunken Garden Eco Fair 2024
Sunday 6 October, 12noon to 4.30pm
at the Sunken Garden
Royal Esplanade, Westbrook, Margate CT9 5EJ
Sunken Garden Eco Fair 2024 is a day filled with fun workshops, inspiring talks and eco ideas for all. Entry is free
A big thank you to all the Sunken Garden supporters including Thanet District Council as part of UK Shared Prosperity Fund, Kent Community Foundation , , , United Lift Services Ltd , Bumblebee Conservation Trust and RHS - Royal Horticultural Society Kent Wildlife Trust

The Isle of Thanet News The Margate Mercury CommunityAd Cene magazine 107.8 Academy FM Thanet The Times and The Sunday Times The Telegraph The Guardian

23/09/2024

We, along with Canterbury BKA and Dover & District BKA will have a stall at the East Kent Ploughing Match on Wednesday. Please come and say hello if you wish to find out more about beekeeping or wish to purchase honey or other hive products 🐝🐝🐝

The East Kent Ploughing Match takes place in September each year, attracting thousands of visitors & is a great day out for all the family.

05/09/2024

BBKA Resources

The BBKA has ever growing webpages dedicated to yellow-legged Asian hornets
Please check out this link to see details of webinars, posters, publicity materials, photos, videos and much more

https://www.bbka.org.uk/pages/category/asian-hornet-resources

03/09/2024

Facts about YELLOW-LEGGED ASIAN HORNET (Vespa velutina)

• A single Yellow-Legged Asian hornet queen arrived in France around 2004, an accidental import from China

• The insect has since invaded many parts of Western Europe

• They were first discovered in the UK in 2016

• Between 2016 and 2022 there were 23 confirmed sightings in the UK, including 13 nests

• In 2023 there were 72 nests found in 56 locations – more than the previous six years combined

• A voracious predator which poses a significant threat to honey bees and all native insects – it has no natural predators in the UK

• An average nest can consume over 11kg of insects in one year

• They have already altered the biodiversity in France, where they are present

• Their habit of hovering outside the hive stops the bees from collecting nectar and pollen to feed themselves

• Can now be found in 12 European countries

• Some make their way to the UK by flying across the channel – other routes include via ferries, containers and vehicles

• We need eyes on the ground everywhere – in towns and cities, parks and woodland areas…. ports, marinas, garden centres, orchards, vineyards, parks, timber yards, fruit and veg wholesalers, transport hubs and gardens need to be extra vigilant.

• Yellow-Legged Asian hornets have been found on ferries, sailing boats, and in imported goods such wood, soil and other horticulture products.

• Sightings should be reported, complete with an image if possible, via the Asian Hornet Watch app - available on app store for Android and iPhone

• The National Bee Unit (NBU) will then follow up reports and destroy their nests

• A single hornet is unlikely to cause injury if left alone

• They can become very aggressive if their nest is disturbed – keep a distance of at least 10 metres away

• The Yellow-Legged Asian hornet is a ‘reportable’ pest – if spotted, it should be reported to the National Bee Unit as soon as possible via the app

• The first confirmed sighting in 2024 was on 11th March, found in a potting shed at Ash, near Canterbury in Kent – a month earlier than the previous year

• Asian hornets have a stinger up to 3.5mm long, and they can use it multiple times

• Primary nests are roughly 5 -10 cm in diameter. These can often be found in
sheds, garages, porches, bird boxes, hedgerows and brambles, even vehicle engines – generally at a height of less than 10m

• Secondary nests will be built close to primary nests, usually within a distance of 100m. These are usually found in the tops of trees, but those built lower down are a danger to those who might accidentally disturb them; for example those in hedges, bramble patches, utility boxes etc. They can be very difficult to spot when concealed by vegetation

• One nest can produce 350+ queens, some of which will begin new colonies the following year

• Asian hornets present one of the biggest threats to UK honey bees and other pollinators in a generation

• Not to be confused with “Vespa mandarinia”, the Asian giant hornet, aka ‘murder hornet’. This, to date, has never been found in Europe

• All our efforts are currently working towards eradication

30/08/2024

This year’s Asian Hornet Week takes place 2nd – 8th September .
The BBKA will be continuing our work to raise awareness, improve identification and encourage people to download the ‘Asian Hornet Watch’ app.
Please follow the BBKA on social media for the latest updates throughout the week.

Zoom Talk: Asian Hornet - Beekeepers Update, Wednesday 4th September at 7pm
Andrew Durham will be giving a ‘Beekeepers Update’ for Asian Hornet Week 2024 via Zoom.

Link to join Zoom talk: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/88324939286?pwd=k6Qd9FZVD2lXctx1XTCF2cGvRBl6kU.1

This talk will also be streamed to YouTube for those unavailable to watch live.

25/08/2024

All ready to go at Quex Kent Country Show

24/08/2024

We will be having a stall selling honey and other hive products at this event Sunday and Monday. Please feel free to come and have a chat about bees 🐝 🐝🐝🐝

23/08/2024

An Asian hornet nest was found in Ramsgate and has now been destroyed and removed.

17/08/2024

As you can see in the update we have confirmed sightings and highly likely a nest in Ramsgate. Please keep an eye out and report if seen

DEFRA update 16.8 24

Following active operations in Lydden, Kent the Animal and Plant Health Agency’s National Bee Unit (NBU) located a small Asian hornet nest in brambles on Thursday 15th of August. Destruction is planned to take place next week.

The NBU is also conducting track and trace activities in Ramsgate, Alkham and Temple Ewell in Kent and further surveillance in Hastings, East Sussex.

05/08/2024

https://chng.it/sbkFKJt68g

Halt the Use of W**d Killer on Kent Streets

05/08/2024

As experts reveal that the majority of honey on UK shelves has been bulked up with cheap sugars, MailOnline reveals whether these viral 'honey tests' hold up to scientific scrutiny.