Newsletter: July 2026
Archived issue: this newsletter was sent on 5 July 2026 and was correct at the time. Back to the archive
The Hive-Five Monthly News Round-Up
July 2026: Heat, Swarms and Exciting News
Hello beekeepers,
Firstly, apologies that there wasn't a newsletter in June. The last few weeks have been incredibly busy here at Hive-Five, and we've also had some very exciting news that we're not quite ready to share. I promise it'll be worth the wait, and hopefully we'll be able to reveal everything very soon!
In the meantime, July has arrived and, for many of us, the focus has shifted from preventing swarms to making the most of the summer honey flow. Colonies are still incredibly strong, supers are filling rapidly and, after the recent heatwaves, many bees have been working just as hard collecting water as they have nectar.
If your bees have spent the last month keeping you permanently one inspection behind, you certainly aren't alone. Now is the time to keep an eye on queen performance, colony health and ventilation while also planning for honey extraction and late summer varroa management.
On to the bee news...
Asian Hornet Updates
UK sightings continue to increase
As of 26 June 2026, 29 credible Yellow-legged Asian Hornet sightings have been reported in the UK this year, and six nests have now been found, including one embryo nest.
Whilst these numbers remain well below the record figures seen during 2025, they demonstrate that the hornet is becoming established across a wider geographical area. Early reporting remains absolutely critical.
Useful identification reminders:
- Dark brown or black body
- Distinct orange band on the abdomen
- Bright yellow legs
- Often seen hovering outside hive entrances
National Bee Unit: rolling update
Heatwave could favour hornet expansion
Several reports continue to suggest that prolonged periods of warm weather may favour Yellow-legged Asian Hornets by extending their breeding season and improving survival rates.
First Asian hornet nest discovered in Austria
Austria has confirmed its first ever Yellow-legged Asian Hornet nest. The continued spread across mainland Europe highlights why vigilance remains so important here in the UK.
AGES (Austrian Agency for Health and Food Safety)
Ireland continues preparations
Ireland has now introduced a national strategy to prepare for future Asian hornet incursions.
Invasives.ie: New roadmap for managing Asian hornet published
Artificial intelligence joins the fight
Cambridgeshire Beekeepers Association are hosting an online talk looking at how artificial intelligence is being used to detect invasive hornets — "VespAI: Applying Deep Learning to the Detection of Invasive Hornets", Wednesday 8 July.
Bee Health & Science
Scientists discover how queen bees are really made
A fascinating new study has shed more light on how queen bees develop, helping researchers better understand the complex biological processes that determine whether a larva becomes a worker or a queen.
UC Riverside: How honeybees really crown their queens
Honey bees make specialised baby food
Researchers have discovered that nurse bees carefully blend pollen to produce nutritionally balanced food for developing larvae, actively adjusting larval diets depending on nutritional needs rather than simply feeding whatever pollen is available.
University of Oxford: Bees avoid ‘too much of a good thing’ by balancing nutrients in pollen
Heat stress affecting honey bees
Research published this year found prolonged heat stress can significantly affect honey bee behaviour. Temperatures around 35°C were shown to reduce:
- foraging motivation
- learning behaviour
- sugar sensitivity
- colony development
During hot weather colonies divert enormous amounts of energy into cooling the hive by collecting water and fanning. Providing fresh water close to your apiary can make a real difference during prolonged heatwaves.
CBPV appearing again
Several experienced beekeepers have reported seeing signs of Chronic Bee Paralysis Virus again this season, particularly in large colonies under stress. Watch for:
- trembling bees
- shiny black hairless workers
- crawling bees
- piles of dead bees outside the hive
Good ventilation and reducing colony stress remain important.
American Foulbrood confirmed in Scotland
The Scottish Government recently confirmed an outbreak of American Foulbrood in Kincardineshire. Although geographically distant from many of us, it's a timely reminder to remain vigilant during inspections and report any suspicious brood immediately.
Scottish Government: American Foulbrood (AFB) found in Kincardineshire
Varroa resistance remains a concern
Researchers continue raising concerns over resistance developing to commonly used varroa treatments, particularly amitraz. Rotating treatments and using an integrated pest management approach remains best practice.
Environment & Pollinators
Pollinators matter to all of us
A recent Guardian feature explored the wider human health implications of declining pollinator populations. Around a third of our food relies directly or indirectly on insect pollination, making healthy pollinator populations vital for food security.
Wildlife-friendly habitats continue to prove their value
Research continues to demonstrate that creating wildflower-rich habitats can rapidly increase both wild bee numbers and pollinator diversity. Newly established grasslands supported significantly greater pollinator activity than surrounding land, reinforcing the importance of habitat restoration.
Bee drinkers proving popular
Forget bird baths — "bee drinkers" are becoming one of this summer's most popular wildlife gardening trends. A shallow dish filled with stones or marbles allows bees to drink safely without the risk of drowning. With temperatures remaining high, providing fresh water near your hives can be invaluable.
Emergency pesticide approval sparks debate
An emergency approval for a pesticide linked to butterfly declines has prompted considerable discussion amongst conservation groups. The decision has once again highlighted the balancing act between crop protection and biodiversity.
Seasonal Notes: July
Honey extraction season
For many beekeepers, July is the month where the hard work starts to pay off. Before extracting:
- Ensure frames are fully ripened.
- Carry out the shake test if you're unsure.
- Remove supers promptly if working oilseed rape to reduce the risk of granulation.
- Leave sufficient stores for your colonies.
Looking after colonies during hot weather
Colonies have worked incredibly hard keeping brood cool over the past few weeks. Help them by:
- providing a reliable water source
- ensuring entrances remain clear
- avoiding unnecessary inspections during the hottest part of the day
- making sure hives remain well ventilated
Looking ahead
As July progresses it's worth beginning to think about:
- post-harvest varroa treatments
- queen performance
- replacing failing queens
- winter colony strength
- ensuring colonies have enough space if the nectar flow continues
The beekeeping season may feel as though it's rushing by, but there's still plenty to do.
Learning Opportunities
BBKA July Zoom Talk — Honey Bee Nutrition
Dr Thierry Bogaert · Tuesday 21 July – 7pm. The recording will also be available later through the BBKA Member Hub.
Around the World
New Zealand preparing for Asian hornets
New Zealand has sought expertise from the UK to help prepare for any future incursions by Yellow-legged Asian Hornets. As more countries develop national response plans, it's clear this invasive species is becoming a global concern.
A final note
July always feels like the reward for the hard work of spring. Some colonies will already be producing beautiful honey. Others may still be recovering from swarms or replacing queens.
Whatever your season has looked like so far, remember that no two apiaries are ever the same. Good beekeeping isn't about having perfect colonies — it's about understanding what your bees need and responding accordingly.
Thank you, as always, for following Hive-Five and supporting our small family business.
And keep an eye on your inbox... we've got something rather exciting to share very soon.
Until next month,
Natalie, Colin and Michael
Hive-Five Beekeeping