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If you have a problem with a swarm of bees, or suspect there is a swarm of bees on your property or nearby please help protect the UK's declining honey population by reading our swarms page.
 

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KBKA Swarm and NUC Priority List

(Updated, March 3rd, 2011)

Update: The KBKA Swarm and NUC Priority List is effectively in hibernation till spring 2011. We hope to run a similar process in 2011 and this page will be updated as required in the spring. If you have any suggestions or comments please contact the committee or leave a comment at the bottom of the page. 

Background

For 2011 the KBKA will maintain a list of club members wanting bees.  The list will be used when:

  • Club members collect swarms they do not want themselves (and wish to pass on to other club members)
  • The club hives are used to produce NUCs(1) beyond those needed for the club’s apiary
  • Members have NUCs they wish to pass on to other members “at cost”

To be added to the “wants bees” list club members must:

  • Have:
    • a bee suit/ veil and smoker
    • a hive with at least five frames (with foundation)
    • a location for a hive (and apiary or out apiary)
  • Be a current member of the KBKA (associate members will be expected to upgrade to full members when their bees arrive)
  • Have attended a beginners bee keeping course (or similar) recognised by the committee
  • Agree to make a donation to the club (as defned, in costs, below)
     

The club’s webmaster will maintain the “wants bees list”. It will be kept password protected on the club’s web site and will be emailed when updated to members listed on the clubs swarm page and any other member requesting it the list.

Priority will be given in order of:

  1. Length of continuous club membership(2)
  2. Not having any bees at present (members with bees willing to take swarms will be placed lower on the list)

Use of the "wants bees" list

Club NUCs

Any NUC or NUCs produced by the club's apiary for this purpose will be offered to member(s) at the top of the list (one NUC per member).

Member’s ‘at cost’ NUCs

It is suggested that the “wants bees” list be used by club members willing to pass on bees to other members at cost, to identify club members who want bees.

(Members selling NUCs for a profit do so as a private arrangement outside of this process. Both parties to any arrangement are recommend to review the BBKA guidelines for NUCs. BBKA Standard and Guidance Notes for Nuclei, http://www.britishbee.org.uk/files/nucleus_leaflet_2009.pdf)

Swarms

Homing a swarm is generally an immediate need. Club members taking swarms they do not want are asked to use the “wants bees” list. If the club member at the top of the list cannot be reached or cannot accept the bees in the time frame required then the offer will be passed the next person on the list and so on. Club members being offered swarms should be prepared to respond and be prepared to travel to fetch the bees immediately if required.

Costs

Members receiving bees via the "wants bees" list are expected to make a donation to the club and cover expenses as follows:
  • NUCs from the club's hives: £50 (To be paid to apiary manager when NUC is collected.)
  • Swarms £40 (Paid to swarm collector when swarm is handed over. Swarm collector to deduct petrol costs and other expenses, such as their time, and pass balance of monies to club treasurer.)
Where a member passes on a NUC to another club members under this arrangement they will be expected to deduct the cost the NUC (frames, foundation, purchased queen and so on) from the clubs donation to defer their own expenses.

Notes

1 – A NUC, short for nucleus is a small colony of bees that can be expected to develop into a full hive.
2 - Members will typically only be offered one swarm/NUC a year. If a member receives a swarm they are concerned is not viable they should contact the <person> asap to register their concern.

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