Huntingdonshire Beekeepers' Association

02/04/2026

Worried about yellow-legged Asian hornets?
Want to do something but not quite sure what to do?
This National Bee Unit monitoring guidance may be helpful.

10/01/2026

Registration link at end

The British Irish Council Secretariat has been working to organise a webinar for the Invasive Species Work Sector. This has been scheduled for Wednesday, 11th February 2026, on the topic of Combatting the Threat of Asian Hornets Across These Islands.

Niall is chairing; Chris Isaacs providing an update on the situation in the Channel Isles and nest analysis, Pete Kennedy providing an update on YLH in Europe, John Kelly providing an overview of the Irish response, and myself providing an update on the response in England.

If you wish to find out more or the book your space, please click on the following link Combatting the Threat of Asian Hornets Across These Islands.

Please help promote the event by sharing the above link with your colleagues and stakeholders and by reposting/sharing social media posts.

LinkedIn post - https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:liu:activity:7414671801936420865

X (twitter) post - https://x.com/BICSecretariat/status/2008918302836342901?s=20

f2096846-dd45-4294-97de-a5398e9e94f2@0ef77447-1083-4dec-b89f-27c765076840" rel="ugc" target="_blank">https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/f2096846-dd45-4294-97de-a5398e9e94f2@0ef77447-1083-4dec-b89f-27c765076840

17/11/2025

🐝🐝🐝

Honey bees are seriously amazing at picking up on chemical and behavioral cues — so yep, they can sense if you’re nervous or scared… just maybe not exactly like humans do.

Here’s the lowdown:

How can bees “feel” your mood?

🐝Pheromones:
Bees live in a world of chemical signals. If you’re anxious or stressed, you might sweat a little more or release subtle scents that bees can pick up. Some of these smells can actually mimic alarm pheromones, which tells the hive there might be danger.

🐝Body language & movement:
Fast, jerky movements or loud noises can make bees uneasy. Slow, smooth, deliberate actions? Much less likely to set off their defenses.

🐝Vibrations:
Bees feel vibrations through the comb. Shaky hands, stomping feet, or even tense movements can “alert” them to potential threats.

Tips for staying calm around your bees
🐝Take deep breaths and move gently — smooth movements go a long way.
🐝Wear your protective gear, even if you’re feeling confident — it actually helps you stay relaxed.
🐝Approach the hive quietly and avoid sudden gestures.
Bee Haven 2025
In short: bees aren’t reading your mind, but they are masters at picking up danger signals from your scent and behavior.

A calm beekeeper = calm bees. 💛🐝

06/11/2025

Listen to Helen Swain, Chair of Huntingdonshire Beekeepers Association tonight at 7pm on Ouse Valley Radio as she talks about Insect Pollinators. Also available on catch up.

The Sound of Huntingdonshire

27/09/2025

Come to our honey show at the Raptor Foundation near St Ives tomorrow - it's free!
Open to the public between 12 and 4pm and to HBKA members from 9am. We have displays of honey and wax, honey tasting, games for the kids and learn about bees. Bee1st will also be there selling beekeeping equipment.

19/09/2025

Huntingdonshire BKA
HONEY SHOW
28th September
At the
RAPTOR CENTRE, WOODHURST 🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝

12/09/2025

Last of the ApiKel, 14kg inverted syrup at £20. Buy it now before it’s gone.
Collection only.

06/09/2025

FYI

All reports of yellow-legged Asian hornets must contain a photo. Without that they cannot be investigated because misidentification is common.

Left - European hornet is shown - native - NO threat
Right - yellow-legged Asian hornet - non native invasive species - destructive - Aim eradication - report using the Asian Hornet Watch app

Photo: Julia Hoggard - Crown copyright