Despite the poor summer and depleted honey yield, Vanessa’s bees have something to celebrate.  “I managed to harvest enough honey to enter in the Dromore Beekeepers’ annual Honey Show and we were delighted to win first prize in the novice class,” said Vanessa. 

“This year we have noticed a marked increase in enquiries from people interested in taking up beekeeping,” said Vanessa who is also the Secretary for Dromore & District Beekeepers’ Association.   “I think people are more aware of the plight of the honeybee as it features regularly in the media.  The problem has been put down mainly to a combination of poor weather, pesticide use and the Varroa mite, but researchers are working hard throughout the world to find a solution.”

“If everyone kept one hive in their garden, the risk would be spread more thinly and replacement bees would be easier found,” says Vanessa.  “Another problem is caused by people keeping their gardens too tidy !  There are a lot of plants, some technically weeds, which bees and other wildlife rely on for their nectar and pollen supply,” she explains.  “These include Dandelions, Rosebay Willowherb (or Fireweed as it is also known) and Willow trees.  So if you have a small space to spare in your garden, why not let it grow wild, and think twice before you kill off weeds.  Nettles are also invaluable for butterflies to lay their eggs, so a wildlife garden is a wonderful bonus to so many insects.  And just think – it’s one less part of the garden to worry about!”

If you would like to learn more about beekeeping, a beginners’ class is being held at Dromore later in the year.  For more information about this class, joining the Association or beekeeping in general, please contact Vanessa through this website.