Bee Healthy

A great success!

Our Bee Health Team welcomed members and visitors to a full day of practical learning and bee‑health awareness at Bridge of Allan Church Halls – supported by some wonderful home baking and refreshments to keep energy levels up.

Morning Workshops

Participants rotated through three small‑group sessions, each offering detailed guidance on core bee‑health topics:

• Viruses – Ilona Shilliday A clear, structured overview of major honey bee viruses, how to recognise symptoms, and what actions beekeepers can take. Particularly valuable for anyone preparing for SBA Module 3.

• European Foulbrood – Gordon McLeay A powerful, experience‑based account of encountering EFB early in his beekeeping journey. Gordon shared lessons learned, practical management advice, and demonstrated a Bailey comb change (no bees). His story highlighted the importance of early detection and good practice.

• Comb Renewal – Morag Fraser A practical session exploring brood comb at different stages of use, free comb, bamboo‑supported comb, and beekeeper‑made foundation. The key message: regular comb renewal is essential for healthy, productive colonies.

Afternoon Lectures

The full group came together for two thought‑provoking sessions:

• Varroa‑Resistant Honey Bees – Rhona Toft A balanced, honest look at treatment‑free beekeeping. Rhona shared her own journey, outlining both the challenges and long‑term potential benefits. No single “right way” was promoted — instead, beekeepers were encouraged to understand the risks and make informed choices.

• Tropilaelaps – Kevin Pope A sobering insight into a mite not yet present in the UK but capable of devastating colonies rapidly. Kevin shared international experiences, showed sealed samples, and emphasised the importance of awareness and preparedness. A detailed handout is available by emailing [email protected].

A Valuable Day for All

The event closed with an open Q&A session and thanks from D&SBKA. Attendees agreed it was one of the most informative and enjoyable bee‑health events they had experienced — a day of learning, sharing, and strengthening connections within the beekeeping community.