Asian Hornet: The Beekeepers’ Guide by Andrew Durham

Andrew Durham is Cambridgeshire Beekeeper who is a regular contributor to the BBKA News on the Asian Hornet and has been a speaker at the BBKA Asian Hornet Conferences. For over 9 years he has been studying the Asian hornet situation in France with regard to its effect on beekeeping. Drawing on his own research and on a wide range of authoritative and regularly updated sources, from local beekeeping groups to national beekeeping organizations, and from local advice to national guidance on dealing with the hornet; Andrew is able to give a uniquely detailed insight into the Asian hornet situation in France.

Asian Hornet – The Beekeepers Guide – Part 1

If beekeepers are to deal with the Asian Hornet, it is absolutely essential that they understand the situation, at what is happening and when it will happen. Without this critical understanding, the beekeeper will always be caught out and be left reacting to the situation rather than proactively anticipating events and proactively mitigating damage.

In Part 1 we look at the hornet situation as it has developed across the English Channel and why that presents an increasing threat to us here in mainland UK. We look at why there are hornet surge years and at the hornet’s lifecycle to see how the threat to our bees develops in the apiary. We look at the hornet’s interaction with the honeybee and at the hidden effects of the hornet’s predation that beekeepers must manage. We will look at the effect on beekeeping in France.

Asian Hornet – The Beekeepers Guide – Part 2

If there is a problem with much of the guidance offered to beekeepers on dealing with the Asian hornet it is that it lacks detail.

In Part 2 we will have a close look at the Spring Trapping of Foundress Queens in the vicinity of the apiary, which alone can significantly reduce hornet numbers in the apiary. We will look at how the beekeeper can make the apiary work for the bee and not the hornet. We take a look at the three main tools that the beekeeper can e to defend the bees – the muzzle, the electric harp and the hornet guard. We finish by looking at how the beekeeper needs manage the situation as it develops across the year.

Here is the registration link for the Zoom meeting:

https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_TvJ79F4CRsyCGpww4L9yig

Please register as soon as possible.