The following was sent today, Mon 29th April, to beekeepers who have signed up for notifications from the NBU. It is reproduced here for those members who have not signed up as it is an important announcement.
In most areas of the UK our Bee Inspectors carrying out inspections over the last few days are seeing bee colonies which are extremely short of food stores within hives. Sadly, we have also attended apiaries where colonies have already died as a result of starvation.
After such a prolonged wet and cold Spring beekeepers should monitor their colony food levels closely, particularly if apiaries have not been visited for some time. Despite the forecast suggesting that temperatures will increase during this week colonies will still need to be checked for food levels.
Feed can be prepared from refined white sugar and water mixed at a 2:1 ratio or one of the proprietary ready mixed syrups available from beekeeping equipment suppliers.
More information about mixing up sugar can be found in the Best Practice Guidelines found on BeeBase.
If you have any questions then please contact your local Inspector: