My Buzzers Honey

20/07/2026

Morning bee buddies,

So, more good and, potentially, bad news.

Apparently someone has had an outbreak of European foul brood within 3k of my bees.

This has resulted in me getting a phone call from the National Bee Unit (this is a thing) from the Bee Inspector (yes, this is a real job) for him to come and inspect my bees.

Worse case scenario, we have to have the bees destroyed and burn all the frames.

Best case scenario, they are given the all clear and I am happy with the new bees that moved in yesterday.

It is just one of things you can get but it is a bit like your teacher coming to check your work.

Keep your fingers crossed on Thursday please.

19/07/2026

Afternoon bee buddies,

Bad news….

Looks like the bees that moved in have all died 😥

Good news…..

It looks very much like we have had another lot move in! Get a load of us! (Will leave them to settle in till next weekend and report back after that!)

Got to love some ‘FREEBEES’

Bee safe and warm 🐝

26/06/2026

Hello bee buddies,

Sorry for the lack of info on what the Buzzers are doing. I have been working on ‘good bee days’ so The Apprentice has been ‘flying solo’ (and a very good job he has done as well!)

So, the ‘free bees’ are not doing that much to be honest. The odd cell with a grub in, but that’s it. Maybe Queen Georgia will get on with it for next week.

Queen Hutch is banging out them eggs like a goodun. I have not been in for a couple of weeks and the numbers have increased significantly (this is good. More bees = more honey). The super (layer that they store the honey in is really heavy… lift with the legs not the back and all that!). I spotted and we marked the queen (this makes it easier to see her next time… may have got it on a worker bee as well, so looks like she is now a lady in waiting).

Another super added to give the girls more room for storing even more lovely honey.

I am now going for a shower as it was so hot doing the bees today the sweat ran into my eyes!

Bee safe and warm 🐝

05/06/2026

BREAKING NEWS!!!!

We went into winter last year with two colonies. Treated them both the same and one did not survive.

We had not got round to cleaning out the hive…….

And……

The Apprentice has informed me that we have had a swarm move in!

FREEBEES!!!!

03/03/2026

Hi bee buddies

Get a load of this bee security!

Bee safe and warm 🐝

In Kenya, farmers face challenges from elephants raiding crops like maize and other crops, which can devastate harvests.

To address this, they build beehive fences by hanging beehives along field edges, connected by wires. Elephants, fearing bee stings on sensitive areas, avoid these buzzing barriers, reducing raids by up to 86.3% in peak seasons. This humane method not only protects farms but also allows farmers to harvest and sell “elephant-friendly honey” for extra income.

Over nine years, studies near Tsavo East National Park confirmed the fences’ success, though droughts can lower bee activity and effectiveness. It’s a smart way to foster peaceful coexistence between people and wildlife.

25/02/2026

Morning bee buddies,

This is funny, but actually, not far from the truth!

Seeing them girls (because at this time of year they are ALL girls) is a real marker that the warmer weather is coming. 😀😀😀

Bee safe and warm 🐝

21/02/2026

They live!!!!!!!!!

Well, one of them does.

Hutch is having a gentle ‘buzz’. Bees can go for two months without having a poo! When the weather gets a bit warmer, the first order of business is getting out for a ‘cleansing flight’ (they are very clean girls and won’t poo in the hive).

The other hive may just be a bit slow getting started… I won’t be opening them up (I don’t think anyone would want the roof taking off our houses at the moment) but fingers crossed.

24/12/2025

Hi bee buddies,

The buzzers are all snuggled up and ready for Christmas.

Wishing you a happy Christmas from the Apprentice and myself.

See you on the other side !

01/12/2025

Morning Bee Buddies

This was sent to me from a friend and is tooooo good not to share with you.

Wishing you a happy first day of the advent season and see you all on the other side.

Merry Christmas from Myself and The Apprentice.

Bee safe and warm.

🧺🐝 ’Twas the Night Before Christmas… Beekeeper Edition By Sweet Stingers Honey 🍯🎄

’Twas the night before Christmas,
And out in the yard,
Not a creature was stirring—
Not even the guards.
The colonies sat there in silent, wrapped snug in their hives,
Bees clustered tight for a long winter’s nap.

The smokers were hung by the shed door with care,
In hopes that warm springtime soon would be there.
Our veils and our jackets were cleaned and hung right,
For I’d checked the bees earlier—
all tucked in for the night.

But just as I settled with cocoa in hand,
I heard a faint buzzing roll over the land.
I stepped to the window and peered through the frost—
What could it be, a forager that was lost?

Then out in the moonlight, so gentle and bright,
A sleigh dipped and drifted like a drone in mid-flight.
With a beekeeper driver so lively and quick,
I knew in a heartbeat—it must be St. Ambrosia!

His suit wasn’t red but a fine canvas tan,
Smoke curls in the air from the torch in his hand.
He landed so softly near Hive Number Three,
Whispered, “Easy now girls… it’s only just me.”

He checked all the entrances, cleared out the dead bees,
Tapped gently on boxes and brushed off the leaves.
He lifted each lid with a seasoned-hand sway,
Not like any beekeeper but one of careful ways.

He chuckled, “Strong clusters you keep
Good weight on these hives.
You’ve done well this season keeper
these girls will survive.”

He sprinkled a dusting of magic bee treats,
They shimmered like snowflakes and smelled so sweet.
He left pollen patties all shaped like little bows,
And a tiny mite board with a ribbon of rose.

Then back to his sleigh, with a twirl and a glide,
He rose like a swarm on a warm springtime tide.
I heard him call out as he flew out of sight—

“Merry Christmas, dear keepers,
and to all a good night!
May your queens stay healthy
and your honey flow bright!”