Resources
Beekeeping: websites and booklist
Beekeeping websites: general information
| Scottish Beekeepers.* Information, videos for beginners, hive plans, beekeepers year, pro-formas for record-keeping, etc |
https://www.scottishbeekeepers.org.uk/
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| Peeblesshire Beekeepers own YouTube channel! Demonstrations of some swarm prevention techniques, apiary visits | http://www.youtube.com/@peeblesbeekeepers3644 |
| David Cushman – enquire within about everything! |
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| Ann Chilcott’s blog; topical bee information, research, book reviews | https://www.beelistener.co.uk/ |
| British Beekeeping Association (England) |
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| British Bee Improvement & Breeding – promoting dark bees |
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Scottish Native Honeybee Society
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| Native Irish Honeybee Society |
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| The Apiarist: Prof David Evans’ website and blog |
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| Ann Chilcott’s blog; topical bee information, research, book reviews | https://www.beelistener.co.uk |
| Welsh Beekeepers Association: excellent resource, loads of information |
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Beekeeping with “sun” hives, spiritual basis
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https://www.naturalbeekeepingtrust.org/ |
| Loads of information and articles from the Scottish perspective/environment |
https://www.beelistener.co.uk/
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| Beekeeping through the eyes of a biologist | https://scientificbeekeeping.com/ |
| UK Honey Authentication Network | https://www.facebook.com/groups/588674292271458 |
Learning beekeeping & Resources –mostly other Associations, these have excellent information.
https://www.blackburnbeekeepers.com/index.htm
https://www.edinburghbeekeepers.org.uk/
https://www.somersetbeekeepers.org.uk/tourahive.html
https://www.moraybeedinosaurs.co.uk/
David Campbell no longer supplies bees but his website has lots of information about native dark honeybees.
https://www.bees.me.uk/Bees/Welcome.html
Youtube: North Herts beekeepers – Loads of good graphics on eg swarm control
Youtube: norfolk honey farm
Youtube: National Honey Show: Videos on various subjects
Support
| Peeblesshire Beekeepers** |
https://www.peeblesbeekeepers.org.uk/
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| Border Beekeepers (Galashiels – Kelso) |
https://www.borderbeekeepers.com/
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| Edinburgh Midlothian Beekeepers Assn |
https://www.edinburghbeekeepers.org.uk/
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| Scottish Beekeepers Association |
https://www.scottishbeekeepers.org.uk/
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| Government Agency: DEFRA: loads of information on bee diseases |
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| Govt Agency: analyses samples for disease – SASA |
https://www.sasa.gov.uk/wildlife-environment/bee-health
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| Bee Inspectors: will visit and inspect hive if you suspect a notifiable disease. All expert beekeepers and very helpful. | https://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/farmingrural/Agriculture/grants/Inspections/BeeInspections |
*Scottish Beekeepers membership includes access to members-only sections.
**Peebles Beekeepers can purchase in bulk for members; we also have extractors and other equipment that can be borrowed by members for a very small fee.
BeeBase and Bee Disease
https://secure.fera.defra.gov.uk/beebase/index.cfm?sectionid=24
Register your hives here: it’s totally secure, your details are not available for anyone else to see, but if there is a disease outbreak/alert in your area, they will contact you.
Suppliers: equipment
Some supply bees as well, usually have to be collected. I’ve included suppliers that either I or other beekeepers have recommended. Don’t forget that your local Association can order items in bulk – especially foundation, frames, medication and fondant – these can be bought at cost, but it will also mean that you don’t pay delivery costs, which can be steep. For most suppliers, delivery is free for orders over £100 or £200. PBKA aims to do a combined order for members so that delivery is free: ask Secretary.
https://www.caddon-hives.co.uk/ (in Clovenford)
https://www.omlet.co.uk/shop/beekeeping/beehaus/
https://www.fragile-planet.co.uk/
https://www.paynesbeefarm.co.uk/
https://www.highlandbeesupplies.co.uk/index.html
https://www.bees-online.co.uk/
https://cwynnejones.com/store/
https://www.northernbees.co.uk/
https://www.oldcastlefarmhives.com/
https://www.denrosa.com/ (Business-to-Business, mostly to bee farmers & associations. Fife.
NB: most suppliers have one or 2 sales events a year – Thornes (Fife) in August and just after Christmas for example. I try to email round when there’s one on…
Bees
5-frame nucs usually have to be collected, but queens can be posted. Contact local Associations in the first instance, it may be possible to obtain bees locally, which have evolved for the cool, short season in Scotland. NB some suppliers import their bees from the continent or from Australia & New Zealand: this can increase the risk of introducing pests and diseases. If they advertise “package” bees, this usually means imported.
PBKA encourages members to stock either Apis mellifera mellifera (native dark bee) or local strains of near-native honeybees to minimise the risk of importing pests and diseases.
https://www.thebritishbeeman.co.uk/
https://www.colonsay.org.uk/LocalProduce/Oysters-and-Honey
Bee suits & protective clothing only
Most of the above suppliers also stock beesuits.
https://www.bbwear.co.uk/sales/guest/form/ (discount for any Association members)
https://www.thebeeshop.co.uk/PBSCCatalog.asp?CatID=1708426
https://www.bjsherriff.co.uk/product-category/bee-suits/
Books
https://www.northernbeebooks.co.uk/,
Also Thornes, BIBBA, BBKA, and SBA.(Booklist from AC & PS)
Online books
https://www.kootenaybees.ca/At%20the%20Hive%20Entrance.pdf
(This one is Storch’s “At the Hive Entrance”)
Video – life cycle of honeybee
YouTube
YouTube has videos on just about every aspect of beekeeping, some better than others! Remember that the Borders climate (and available bee forage) is very different to those featured in some videos, and it’s not always clear what part of the world they cover.
All About Bees with Tony Harris NDB : https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCo1zjei2uyzsoBuVVJ1zDxw
Forage, gardening and plants for pollinators
https://www.lbka.org.uk/pollinator_friendly_plants.html
https://gardenchampions.leeds.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/19885_UoL_Pollinator-Story.pdf
https://www.bumblebeeconservation.org/land-management-advice/
How bee-friendly is your garden? Try this! https://beekind.bumblebeeconservation.org/
On pesticides and insecticides:
https://www.bbka.org.uk/files/library/bees_and_pesticides-l019_1342859149.pdf
Beginner’s Booklist
You can purchase books from:
British Beekeeping Association (https://www.bbka.org.uk/ ),
Northern Bee Books and
BIBBA (https://www.bibba.com/ ) as well as the usual outlets
Thornes.
You can sign up on the Northern Bee Books website to receive updates on the latest books and articles about bees: some available in ebook format.
For Beginning Beekeepers
Most beekeeping books are written from the point of view of beekeeping in England, where the climate is generally warmer and drier; the flowering season is longer in the south and most areas don’t have the option of working towards a heather honey harvest in August. Many of the books were written over 20 years ago, eg old editions of Couston and Hooper, which will not mention how to cope with Varroa (more recent editions have been printed). Those with an asterisk are in LiveBorders’ library: they are now stock c. 25 beekeeping books stock!
NB If you are a member of the SBA, you can borrow most of their books – they have almost every recent publication on bees.
https://www.scottishbeekeepers.org.uk/learn/the-moir-library
The BBKA Guide to Beekeeping
Haven’t read this one, but it’s up to date and produced by one of the major beekeeping organisations in the UK.
*Brown, Ron Beekeeping – A Seasonal Guide
An excellent introduction, illustrated, easy to read and takes you through the year, describing what’s happening in the hive and what actions you need to take/prepare for. Buy new edition.
*Cramp, David A Practical Manual of beekeeping
Cramp, David The Beekeeper’s Field Guide
Very handy book, designed to take to the apiary to check up on details, good photos, very clear. Loads of information – ideal to consult out in the field, and easy to read before you go.
Couston, Robert Principles of Practical Beekeeping
Another good, down to earth introduction, easy to read and practical: I don’t think it has an index, which makes it a little difficult to look things up. Scottish beekeeper, originally written pre-varroa, though may have been updated.
Gregory, Pam Healthy Bees are Happy Bees
Excellent up to date book, easy to read and absorb the information
Hooper, Ted Guide to Bees and Honey
Good book for beginners, has more information on honey and on managing the bees for honey: make sure you get the recent edition (2010)
McMullan, John Having Healthy Honeybees: The Beekeeping & Science
Northern Bee Books 2021, 2nd Edition Paperback– 178 Pages – £19.95
Seeley, Thomas Honeybee democracy
Decision-making in a bee colony – the mechanisms of arriving at agreements on swarming, choosing a new home, foraging..
Seeley, Thomas The Lives of Bees
Summarises years of research on how bees live in the wild, and how the beekeeper’s actions affect them.
Stainton, Kirsty Varroa Management: A practical guide on how to manage Varroa mites in honey bee colonies.
ISBN: 978-1-914934-41-4 Published 2022 by Northern Bee Books
Tautz, J The Buzz about Bees
A fantastic book, translated from German; stunning pictures and detailed explanation of the science and behaviour of honeybees. It’s actually an easy and enthralling read.
Tautz, J Communication between Honeybees
*Waring, A & C Beekeeping
Two extremely experienced beekeepers wrote this one, it’s recent and well-reviewed, though I haven’t read it yet.
*Waring, A & C Get Started in Beekeeping
*Waring, A & C Haynes Bee Manual
A good guide, lots of detail, easy to read format.
Pollen colour guide
£1 – SBA or buy the book (Colour Guide to honey loads) from them.
Magazines:
Beecraft
Bee Keepers Quarterly
others listed here https://www.beedata.com/bee_mags.htm
DVD: Gill Sentinella’s “The Honeybee” is excellent, but seems to be out of stock: AC has a copy.
Magazines/Journals
British magazines listed below: some of these publish/distribute books as well; there are also many articles in specialist academic journals.
Beekeepers Quarterly
Beecraft
Bee Improvement (BIBBA)
Bee World (IBRA international)
Journal of Apicultural Research (IBRA)
Journal of ApiProduct and ApiMedical Science (IBRA)
Scottish Beekeeper (SBA)
Acronyms
Amm Apis mellifera mellifera – honeybee, native (dark or black) strain (literally “honeymaker”)
APHA Animal & Plant Health Agency (UK Govt.)
BBKA British Beekeeping Association (England and Wales)
BIBBA Bee Improvement and Bee Breeders Association
COLOSS Prevention of honeybee COLony LOSSes (International organisation with strong Citizen Science base))
DEFRA (UK Government) Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (& bee health)
FERA
IBRA International Bee Research Association
SASA Science and Advice for Scottish Agriculture
SBA Scottish Beekeepers Association
SICAMM Societas Internationales pro Conservatione Apis mellifera mellifera (International Society for the Protection of the European Dark Bee)
SNHBS Scottish Native Honey Bee Society