March Newsletter 2024
Hello Beekeepers! Mara daoibh a bheachairí! Long time, no see! It's been a while since our last newsletter in October, but we're buzzing with excitement to catch you up on what's been happening at Donegal Bees. March brings a fresh wave of updates, exciting promotions, and helpful tips for our fellow bee enthusiasts.
1. New Catalogue Coming Soon!
Our team has been busy putting the finishing touches on our new catalogue, and we can’t wait to share it with you. To secure your free copy, simply visit our homepage and fill out the form!
2. Reduced Delivery Costs
Thanks to your valuable feedback, we've successfully negotiated reduced delivery rates with our courier partners. Nationwide delivery now starts from just €7 (down from €10), with additional boxes costing only €6 each (down from €7.50). We always aim to pack efficiently, and if your order fits into fewer boxes than charged, we’ll happily refund the difference.
3. Price Adjustments
In our ongoing commitment to affordability, we've managed to reduce prices on several items this year. We understand the importance of every euro, especially in today's economic climate. However, due to rising costs from our sources, some prices have had to increase. Rest assured, we've worked hard to keep these adjustments to a minimum. Check out the list of affected prices on our website.
4. Exciting Events on the Horizon
Mark your calendars for April & May as we launch our much-anticipated beekeeping courses, workshops, and tours. Whether you’re a beginner or seasoned beekeeper, we have something for you. Our Fundamentals of Beekeeping course is perfect for beginners or those looking to brush up on their skills. And for our seasoned beekeepers, our topic-specific workshops offer focused learning opportunities. Stay tuned for more details on in-person and online classes. Plus, don't miss out on our upcoming beekeeping tour of Glencolumcille, blending culture, history, and nature for an enriching experience.
5. Lyson Promotion
Lyson has a current promotion across their machinery range which lasts until the end of May! Explore the range of products eligible for the promotion here, and contact our office to secure your discounted purchase.
6. New Products Galore!
We're thrilled to introduce new additions to our gift range, including adorable items perfect for any bee lover. Check out our new Bain Marie with Lid and Bear Honey Jars, available in four different sizes. Plus, Apivar is back in stock, ensuring your beekeeping needs are always met.
And that's all for now, beekeepers! Stay tuned for more updates, promotions, and beekeeping tips from Donegal Bees. Happy beekeeping! Beachaireacht shona!
- Make sure that your colonies are flying well when the weather is good.
- Check to see if pollen loads are being taken into the hive.
- On a warm day use a little smoke and lift the inner cover. [See our Tool & Smoker Kit €50]
- The bees should look as strong now as they did last September.
- Look for visible excreta on the top bars, which is a sign of dysentery.
- Remove the props under the inner cover and close the feed hole.
- Heft the hive and, if necessary. feed dilute syrup (1:1 sugar:water) in a contact feeder over the winter cluster.
- Don't feed until the weather is good enough for the bees to take flights to defecate on a nominal weekly basis.
- Don't look at the brood nest too early or the bees may kill the queen.
- Wait for a warm day and you should be able to inspect your bees safely.
- Courtesy of the Haynes Bees Manual
Start prepping for the season ahead, making sure all equipment is in good working order and replacing anything which is needed for the season ahead. Do you need fresh Frames or Foundation Sheets? Check out our Frames & Foundations.
If you’re looking to get started in beekeeping we have Hive Starter Kits and Hive Packs available to make it a little easier for you! We recommend starting out with our National Hive Kit, which comes in both Timber and Polystyrene.
National Hive Starter Kit
National Polystyrene Hive Starter Kit
The best time to order bees is in Jan/Feb, and we encourage getting our native Irish Black Bee. If you need a Nucleus Hive for your new colony, we recommend the National Polystyrene Nucleus Hive which can be used to transfer your bees into your hive.
TIP: Joining a local beekeeping association or club is the best way to learn about the particulars of beekeeping for your region. It’s one of the first things we suggest to anyone looking to become a beekeeper.
- Federation of Irish Beekeepers Association - https://irishbeekeeping.ie/
- Irish Beekeepers Association CLG - https://www.irishbeekeepersassociation.com/
- Native Irish Honey Bee Society - https://nihbs.org/
Essential Equipment:
- Protective Clothing, Smoker, Hive Tools
- Record Book
- Blocks or bricks
- Straps
- Mouse guards
- Fondant
- Books, tutorial videos
Our Basic Kit includes a beesuit, gloves, smoker, hive tool and a bee brush. €115
Bear Honey Jar
Cute bear-shaped honey jars! Comes in 4 sizes, with varying coloured screw top hats. Sold seperately, but you can contact our office for bulk order enquiries.
All In One Hive Tool
This handy tool combines the functionalities of several different styles of hive tools, such as J-Style, Frame Saver, and Frame Scraper.
Lastly, thank you for keeping bees!
Let us know if you have any questions regarding your hive, we’re always happy to help. 😊