Protecting bee health in Europe requires a fresh, coordinated effort. With the 𝑇𝑟𝑜𝑝𝑖𝑙𝑎𝑒𝑙𝑎𝑝𝑠 mite now detected in regions bordering the EU. www.bee-life.eu/post/tropila...

This BBKA Healthy Hive Guide is intended to help you identify the problems in your hive. This book is an excellent resource and should be in the tool kit of every beekeeper. www.bbka.org.uk/shop/healthy...

Understanding the lifecycle of yellow-legged Asian hornets gives an opportunity to optimise monitoring, nest sizes, pollinator predation risks & apiary defences. Please stay vigilant and report any sightings using the Asian Hornet Watch app

The British Beekeepers' Association looks after members who keep honey bees. We have volunteers who will be pleased to collect swarms of honey bees so they can be re-homed. Please visit website for material on ID, swarm collection & bees in buildings. www.bbka.org.uk/pages/catego...

This Special Issue aims to lead beekeepers through different aspects of swarming. Starting with a brief history of swarming, it then takes a look at the signs of swarming & considers preventing or delaying swarming & various methods of swarm control. www.bbka.org.uk/shop/bbka-ne...

This BBKA YouTube webinar with Lynfa Davies covers the important topic of comb changes as part of spring management. youtu.be/D9s1P3Dxe-M?...

The National Bee Unit has a useful fact sheet on swarm control when the queen is hard to find. www.nationalbeeunit.com/assets/PDFs/...

New research led by Monash University has now addressed recent international debate over whether bees are truly assessing numbers or simply reacting to visual patterns. phys.org/news/2026-04...

Swarm control becomes necessary at the point a colony has made an irreversible decision to swarm. This is often seen when a 'charged' queen cell is seen containing royal jelly and a larva

Swarming build-up & prevention often happens in progressive stages in spring and early summer Swarm prevention & control can often be a managed process if the triggers are observed and action taken

A bait hive can make a useful swarm trap at this time of year. A brood box, possibly with an attractant of old frame, placed in an elevated position a distance of 50 metres or so from an apiary. Then watch for scouting activity or occupation.

The life cycle of honey bees from egg to adult becomes especially important at this time of year. Queen cells are sealed between 8 - 9 days from an egg being laid. A sealed queen normally triggers a swarm with the old queen leaving with a significant percentage of adult bees.

The National Bee Unit has a guide for getting started with beekeeping. It provides a broad overview of many of the topics needed by a new beekeeper. www.nationalbeeunit.com/assets/PDFs/...

If you're interested in becoming a beekeeper then this link on the BBKA's website is a great place to start. www.bbka.org.uk/becoming-a-b...

Happy St. George's Day

A massive eradication effort in New Zealand to get rid of what could have been a disastrous insect invasion is showing encouraging signs www.rnz.co.nz/news/top/592...

The Guardian's Country Diary looks at reports of high winter honey bee losses. www.theguardian.com/environment/...

Today is Earth Day. It began in 1970 & has grown into the world's largest environmental movement, driving both grassroots action and international policy changes www.earthday.org/earth-day-20...

The Snelgrove method of swarm control can be useful especially in apiaries with limited space & equipment. This short animation by North Herts BKA is helpful. youtu.be/Ky0nTQfyPSs?...

The winner of the BBKA Spring Convention Research Poster Awards was Siuna Reid Pictured here with Prof Stephen Martin of the Convention Committee and Prof Juliet Osborne representing the sponsors of the awards, the C B Dennis British Beekeepers Research Trust.

In Spring & summer the BBKA gets many calls and questions from members of the public with bees in their houses, outbuildings and gardens. This link provides a lot of information about bee identification, swarms & possible swarm collection. www.bbka.org.uk/pages/catego...

Buying a nuc is an important decision for beekeepers. This National Bee Unit best practice guide gives guidance for buyers & sellers. www.nationalbeeunit.com/assets/PDFs/...

The BBKA Spring Convention Committee would welcome participant feedback from those who attended the 2026 event. The QR link for feeding back is at the back of both the Convention Programme and the Convention Trade Show flyer. Thank you.

Current yellow-legged Asian hornet situation in the UK 8 sightings Please remain vigilant & report sightings using the Asian Hornet Watch app www.nationalbeeunit.com/about-us/bee...

This great, short animation by North Herts BKA shows the Pagden method of swarm control in an easy visual way. One option that may be worth adjusting is to only leave one queen cell in the queenless colony to avoid cast swarms youtu.be/BCReKLV6CB4?...

The closing date for the following BBKA assessments is 30 April: Basic assessment Junior assessment Honey bee health assessment Details: memberhub.bbka.org.uk Please apply by asking your local association's exam secretary for a link

The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research-Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine (CSIR-IIIM), Pulwama, has been working on climate resilient honeybees to allow beekeepers to avoid having to transfer them to the plains to survive the winter www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/ene...

This new BBKA Special Issue is written for beekeepers who have moved beyond the basics and are seeking practical guidance to support their ongoing journey. www.bbka.org.uk/shop/bbka-ne...

As the BBKA's 2026 Spring Convention comes to an end, a huge thanks to all those at Harper Adams and the BBKA for the hard work in organising another successful event. Of course massive thanks also to everyone who has attended as speakers, suppliers and attendees over the three days.

Where does most of the world's honey come from? www.mashed.com/2148064/what...

The May 2026 edition of BBKA News is out soon. Winter Losses – Ken Basterfield Swarm Collection – Dave Bonner The Last Bee – Lars Chittka May Insights – Jane Medwell + regulars, features, news, apiary tips, letters, puzzle & recipes

Please note Harper Adams University now uses an ANPR system in all its car parks. Please register your vehicle in advance or within 15 minutes of arrival using the link below or QR code in the programme. www.harper-adams.ac.uk/general/visi...

Lunch is available at several outlets across the Harper Adams University campus at the BBKA Spring Convention.

Busy day at the BBKA Spring Convention trade show

Please visit the not-for-profit exhibition in the regional Food Academy hall at the BBKA Spring Convention

Bee smoker fire spreads to garden and house in Hundon www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

As of 17.4.26 there have been 8 yellow-legged Asian hornet sightings in the UK in 2026 Five have been in Kent. Please remain vigilant & report any sightings using the Asian Hornet Watch App

BBKA Spring Convention Trade Show @ Harper Adams University is now open until 16.30 on Saturday 18 April

Download the BBKA Spring Convention programme to your device to have all the information you need at hand. www.bbka.org.uk/pages/catego...

BBKA Spring Convention schedule for Saturday 18 April www.bbka.org.uk/springconven...

BBKA Spring Convention Trade Show open from 8.30 - 16.30 today www.bbka.org.uk/springconven...

BBKA Spring Convention Trade Show floor plan. Day tickets available at the venue www.bbka.org.uk/springconven...

BBKA Spring Convention @ Harper Adams University site map www.bbka.org.uk/pages/catego...

Please note Harper Adams University now uses an ANPR system in all its car parks. Please register your vehicle in advance or within 15 minutes of arrival using the link below or QR code in the programme. www.harper-adams.ac.uk/general/visi...

Travel information for the BBKA Spring Convention @ Harper Adams University www.harper-adams.ac.uk/about/1137/f...

3 further credible reports of Yellow-Legged Hornet (YLH). On 10 April Sandwich, Kent 11 April Nonington near Dover, Kent. 11 April Kingston, Kent Specimens will be sent to Fera Science.

BBKA Spring Convention exhibitors are setting up ready to welcome you to the Trade Show on Saturday 18 April 8.30 - 16.30 Day tickets available at the event. www.bbka.org.uk/springconven...

BBKA Spring Convention Trade Show floor plan for Saturday 18th April www.bbka.org.uk/springconven...

Please visit the Not-for-profit exhibition in the regional Food Academy hall at the BBKA Spring Convention

BBKA Spring Convention Trade Show open tomorrow, Saturday 18April - 8.30 - 16.30 www.bbka.org.uk/springconven...