We are a friendly, helpful and inclusive association supporting all with an interest in honey bees and beekeeping in The Scottish Borders.
🐝 Bee Alert May 🐝
We are entering peak spring swarm season. Older queens will be the most likely to swarm, and even younger queens may do so if their brood boxes become congested. Providing adequate space is essential to reduce this risk.
Summer Apiary Visits
Participating in a live hive inspection is the most effective way to learn. Our summer apiary visits are now available, with tours scheduled throughout the Borders until July. Each visit features a different beekeeper, offering a variety of setups and methods. Spaces are limited to ensure a manageable experience for hosts and that everyone can observe the bees properly. Choose your date below and register now. You will receive a confirmation email, and full visit details will be sent the day before.
More details to follow for attendees.
Sign up here for an apiary visit:
Sunday 12 June, Lethem, 14.00 to 16.00
Sunday 5 July, Melrose, 14.00 to 16.00
Sunday 19 July, Hawick, 14.00 to 16.00
Honey Jar Orders: Volunteer Needed
We are looking for a volunteer to coordinate the physical side of our bulk honey jar orders this year. All orders and payments will be handled automatically through the BBA website, so the admin is light. We just need someone to receive the pallet and manage the collection days for members. Once we have a volunteer, we will open up the storefront for purchases.
Update Beebase …
We’d like to remind all beekeepers to take a few minutes to log in to BeeBase and check that their records are up to date. With foulbrood spreading this resource is ever more important.
BeeBase is our best tool to monitor and control the spread of honey bee pests and diseases. However, BeeBase is only as good as the information it is given. Up-to-date information also helps to build a clearer national picture of colony numbers and distribution across Scotland.
What to update this spring
As you prepare for the season ahead, please check:
Your contact details – name, address, email and phone number
Apiary locations – including any apiaries that have moved to rapeseed for example, closed, or been newly established
Colony numbers – to reflect winter losses, splits, or new colonies
Activity status – if you are no longer keeping bees or are taking a break this season
You cannot be alerted of a disease outbreak in your area if BeeBase does not know that you have bees there. If you are no longer actively beekeeping, please mark your account as “non-current” on BeeBase.
If you need help updating your BeeBase record, or if you have forgotten your username or password, please get in touch with us by email at Bees_Mailbox@gov.scot
All the information you enter into BeeBase is confidential and secure.
Scottish Government’s Honey Bee Health Team
Latest News
Seven BBA members enjoyed a sunny and dry visit to Alec's apiary at Bleachfield.