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Bees are one of the most important pollinators of plants we have in this country, and indeed the world, today. They are under threat constantly from crop sprays, GM plants, and some say even mobile phone signals. This is in addition to their natural enemies such as the varroa mite.

We at Vectis Apiculture sincerely hope that we can tempt you to become a beekeeper and have put together a fantastic offer of a top quality cedar hive, tools and protective clothing to get you started.

Can I become a beekeeper?

What’s in it for me?

Well, you will help ensure the continued survival of the bees and in doing so you will find yourself immersed in their fascinating life as they build up their colony.

In return they can reward you with up to 50 lbs. (typically 20-30lbs) of honey per hive.

In addition you will make new friends with other beekeepers in your your area through your beekeepers associations.

Last flight of the honeybee?

Albert Einstein is reputed to have said:

"If the bee disappears off the surface of the globe, then man would only have four years of life left."

Close on two million colonies of honeybees across the US have been wiped out. The strange phenomenon is also thought to have claimed the lives of billions of honeybees around the world. In Taiwan, 10 million honeybees were reported to have disappeared in just two weeks, and throughout Europe, including Britain, honeybees are in peril.

 We now refer to the mysterious disappearance of bees as Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD) it occurs when a hive's inhabitants suddenly disappear, leaving only queens, eggs and a few immature workers. The vanished bees are never found, but thought to die singly far from home. The parasites, wildlife and other bees that normally raid the honey and pollen left behind when a colony dies, refuse to go anywhere near the abandoned hives.

One theory is that radiation from mobile phones interferes with bees' navigation systems, preventing the bees from finding their way back to their hives. Improbable as it may seem, there is now some evidence to back this up. Another theory is that it is an unknown virus. No one knows for sure the true cause and research continues to find the reason.

.There are some 270,000 honeybee hives in Britain run by 44,000 keepers, more than 90% of them amateurs. According to estimates by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), bees contribute £165m a year to the economy through their pollination of fruit trees, field beans and other crops. In addition, the 5,000 tonnes of British honey sold in UK stores generates a further £12m.

Vectis Apiculture, although a commercial venture, has been established to help the honey bees survival by highlighting their plight and encourage more people to become beekeepers, a rewarding pastime for men, women and children (under supervision).

Developing eggs in honeycomb

Picture shows newly emerging bee from comb