august editors bench

Neil, as a beekeeper in the states, I would urge you or any other readers to contact a beekeeper if you see another swarm. Swarms are a valuable resource to beekeepers and too valuable to let disappear. In my area calling a beekeeper to hive a swarm will surely get you a jar of wonderful honey and a heartfelt thanks. As a side note bees in a swarm are usually very docile and not likely to sting. I am sure you are aware honeybees are under assault by mites of several types and require great care in handling and management or they will not survive. This is 1 of the reasons swarms are a precious resource. Thanks for your consideration and as always I greatly enjoy your magazine. Sincerely steve Phillips

Hi Steve,

I did suggest a beekeeper to my brother, but he was happy to live with them. I've known a few beekeepers and we used to have a few hives on one of our sites.

They've moved on leaving a comb which they tended until a couple of bees hatched.

Last weekend I went to a cafe with my brothers and when we got back o the car the air was full of bees!

Neil, Thanks from all beekeepers for thinking about someone to hive the swarm. They are fascinating creatures to watch and learn about. It is hard to explain to a non-beekeeper how you can want to take care of them even though they will try to sting you. thanks again, Steve Phillips

What August issue? Last one I had was Doug hewson doing the pansy wheels.

The mag I edit is MEW, not ME.

Neil

Haven't had that either. When should it have arrived?

Just arrived today. Look like Brian Wood, or his mate, had a very boring job to do.

Follows my premise of keeping away from work.

Howard

That cover should have been a caption competition

Yes, mine arrived today as well.

Neil

Oh ..... "august" is the month!

Edited By Bandersnatch on 11/07/2019 01:37:57

I just stood in the middle of a swarm slowly moving along a hedge, this last week. When I could see them clustering in a Yew bush/tree and realised they were not going much further, I just went and sat in my car until the air cleared of bees a bit. Collected them from their temporary parking spot the next morning and dumped them into a hive

Not so sure about US bees - they could be africanised and present rather more of a risk than our UK ‘pussycats’?

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