Catch up with the latest happenings from The Strikebox Apiary……
July 2026 – A Swarm Trap Success Story: From Roof to Apiary
Swarm Traps are an interesting aspect of Bee Keeping. They provide a cost-effective way to expand an apiary, acquire free bees and improve genetic diversity. In this case the homeowner asked us to put a trap beside their house because they were faced with the annual problem of bees in their roof. Our trap was baited with old comb and lemon grass. It didn’t take long before it was full with a new swarm. We promptly collected them, after sunset (all the foragers were back at base), and transferred them to our Apiary.
Sometimes all a swarm needs is an inviting home. This colony has now begun its new chapter in our apiary, while the homeowner can finally enjoy a bee-free roof—a perfect outcome for both bees and people.
June 2026 – The Delicate Dance of Requeening
When a hive becomes hopelessly Queen-less, it’s time to introduce a new virgin Queen before the colony dies. If you just drop her in they won’t recognise her and will kill her straight away, so Ned is here with a caged Queen. It will take the colony 2 or 3 days to eat out the fondant that is keeping her there, by that time they will have become familiar with her smell. All going well, she will then fly off and mate. The joys of Bee Keeping!
April 2026 – We’re in bees-ness now, Strikebox Apiary expansion is officially under way!
Unseasonably cold weather in Ireland has put the bees back a month. This weekend was warm enough to do a quick look into the hive (without exploring the brood box). All hives had “over-wintered well, so we placed a queen excluder on top and a super, just to give them more room .
We plan on expanding the apiary this year. With that in mind we have set up a new area with new stands, purchased a few new hives and are getting ready the bait hives. Looking forward to the new season. 20.04.26.
March 2026 – Spring into action at The Strikebox Apiary
Recent good weather has allowed our apiary to spring into action, We gave each hive a fondant boost to get the swarm going but we will leave them for a few weeks before replacing back the queen excluder and supers.
Oct 2025 – Preparing for Winter
A little helper helping out at the company Apiary this weekend , time to prepare the bees for winter , queen excluders removed and feeders in place…
July 2025 – Buzzing with Purpose: Strikebox New Apiary Initiative
As part of our ongoing commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship, we’re proud to share that we’ve recently established our very own apiary! This marks an exciting step forward in our efforts to support biodiversity and give back to the ecosystems we all depend on.
Bees play a vital role in pollination, which is crucial for healthy crops and vibrant natural habitats. By creating a safe and thriving space for these incredible pollinators, we’re not only helping to protect an essential species, but also enriching the local environment around us.
Our apiary is just the beginning. We’re planning to grow this initiative further in the months ahead—expanding the number of hives, planting more pollinator-friendly flora, and exploring educational opportunities for our team and community.
We believe that real change starts with action, and our apiary is one of many steps we’re taking to build a greener, more sustainable future. Stay tuned as we continue to grow—together with the bees.
