Southampton and District Beekeepers Association

02/06/2026

A selection of photos from our recent group inspections!

Please get in touch if you’d like to come along and learn more about bees, or join our friendly association.

We provide great opportunities to give beekeeping a try, or to officially start your own beekeeping journey.

At events and get togethers you’ll be surrounded by experienced beekeepers to support and guide you.

14/04/2026

Swarm preparations have begun!

The warm weather may make swarming more likely, so it’s a good idea to start regular inspections on your colonies.

We recently had a talk from Christine Coulsting ahead of the active season, to share some tips to our members.

If you’re a local beekeeper, or someone that wants to get into beekeeping, feel free to get in touch and join our supportive community.

11/04/2026

What’s your favourite hive?

In the UK National and Langstroth hives are most commonly used, due to their size and practicality.

But WBCs, like our association’s new hives (pictured), are often said to be the most aesthetic.

07/04/2026

Equipment making day success 🐝

Recently our association members enjoyed a social get together whilst building their bee equipment.

When you join our association you become part of our community, great for beginners that might want help with building their hives and frames.

13/02/2026

Come to our beekeeping day!

We will be hosting a beekeeping taster day and lunch in the New Forest- please see the poster below!

10/02/2026

Check for flood alerts near your hives and move them if needed.

98 flood warnings & 171 flood alerts in place in England.
Be cautious of hives in prone areas

https://check-for-flooding.service.gov.uk/alerts-and-warnings

05/02/2026

Gas Vap demonstration

Iain Elliott has been busy demonstrating the use of a Gas Vap to our members, to treat colonies for varroa with oxalic acid.

This is an excellent treatment method, which is primarily used during winter when there is little brood.

Our association runs regular social events like this, to share information with members and improve their beekeeping. Feel free to come along!

03/02/2026

🌸Spring Forage Matters: Giving Bees a Strong Start🌸

As beekeepers, we know how critical early-season forage is for our colonies.

February to April is a critical time for bees, to increase the colony population for the season ahead, but climatic conditions can be challenging and nectar and pollen scarce.

What can we do?

🐝Plant early-flowering plants and bulbs like crocus, snowdrops, winter aconite and hellebores

🐝Plant early-flowering trees and hedging- blackthorn, goat willow and hazel

🐝Choose native species where possible and don’t allow non-native plants to escape your garden.

🐝Encourage neighbours and local councils to plant native species for pollinators in parks, verges, and public gardens.

📷 Got early blooms in your garden? Share a photo below!

🎤 What are your favourite early forage plants?

06/01/2026

Do your bit to stop bee disease!

The National Bee Unit advises beekeepers to register or update their apiary locations on Bee Base, along with the number of hives present.

Bee base is used by bee inspectors to report and alert beekeepers to different threats in their area, such as an EFB or AFB outbreak, or an Asian Hornet nest discovery.

You can also use Bee Base to request a free visit from your local bee inspector, if you have any concerns about your bees being potentially diseased. They are extremely friendly, and can conduct a quick free test to determine the presence of any diseases. If disease is present, they will assist you with dealing with it.

Uploading your details also enables the bee inspectors to optimally allocate their limited resources, to locate and extinguish disease sources.

Bee diseases affect everyone in your area, so please be responsible and register your bees on bee base.

If you wish to register two beekeepers at the same address separately, please discuss your registration with us before completing the form - our NBU Office contact details are available on the Contact Us page.

07/11/2025

Congratulations to our members Lesley Murphy (pictured) and Tracey Hood.

They both won trophies for their entries at Romsey Beekeeping Association’s honey show!