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Next week is forecast to be warm - in fact it could be very warm. It could be warm enough to entice Asian Hornet Queens to visit your traps or even just fly around looking for food.

Remember at this time of year they are looking for carbohydrate rather than protein. Keep your eyes open when out doors. This does not just mean when you are at your apiary but at all times when passing any flowering plants. In Spain many of the Asian Hornet nests have been in towns.

This weekend we have been able to make another hive inspection. It looks like the hive that had Chronic Bee Paralysis Virus has recovered. Full details can be seen on the blog page.

The image below shows what you do not want to see in your apiary. It is the result of CBPV and the bees have died where they fell. More information is on the BeeInfo page

This Wednesday we have a social at the Colliton Club in Dorchester. This is an informal chat session where you could raise any concerns or queries about bees - or anything else. Just remember one question to five beekeepers result in at least six answers, Hope to see you there.

Stephen

Just got back from the BBKA convention in Shropshire and had a wonderful time. If you get a chance to go then take it.

One reason for going is to top up your stocks of frames and foundation and be tempted by other items to buy - and I was.

The good news : Simon the Beekeeper was there and doing a lot of business. I had heard they were no more but chatting to the staff they told me they closed and reopened in the same day and are now going well. Judging by the number of people at their counter then they are certainly are doing well.

So if you are looking for "stuff" then Simon the Beekeeper is one to consider.

Those of you who are now the owners of a Gard d'Apis Asian Hornet Trap may be just a little confused as to what to do next. Hopefully this helps.

Setting up the trap:
There is an excellent YouTube video here. There is another one here.

Where to put the bait:
One approach is to use a piece of kitchen sponge. Use one of those with a green scouring part - and cut that part of. Place the yellow sponge part in a little cup and gently pour in the bait. Note that these sponges are not the most absorbent and the bait should be poured in slowly.

The pictures above show the bait on a bit of sponge ready to go into the trap.

What bait to use:
One problem you may have is what to use as a bait. Trappit, formerly known as Suterra, is not readily available. I suspect that it is because it is stocked as a wasp bait and at this time of year there is not much call for wasp bait. So what do we use?

In the spring the Asian Hornet Queen is waking from a period of dormancy and her main requirement is carbohydrates. Only once she starts egg laying and rearing young will she require protein.

The National Bee Unit suggests a mixture of dark beer, strawberry desert sauce and orange liqueur. In practice it has been found that any sweet, smelly mixture will suffice. Alcoholic drinks seem to attract the Asian Hornet. I would go for a few mls of dark beer mixed with a few mls of wine and then add a sweet desert sauce. Do not under any circumstances use honey. If it is your own honey then there are better places to use it. If it is shop bought honey there is a very high possibility it was sourced from somewhere that has EFB or AFB. It is not worth the risk.