About Suffolk Beekeepers

Suffolk Beekeepers' Association is a thriving community of over 700 beekeepers, with 6 branches in Suffolk. Its purpose is to promote good beekeeping. This involves crop pollination and the collection, sale, showing and use of honey and wax. Read more

Special Notice

Ipswich & East Suffolk Training Survey A questionnaire that was distributed at the last branch meeting can be found here and will help the branch assess attitudes and barriers to the BBKA Basic Assessment. Please return a completed survey to secretary.iesbka@suffolkbeekeepers.co.uk
The Ipswich & East Suffolk BKA introductory beekeeping course starts 3rd March 2025 - The aim of the course is to allow those with no previous knowledge or experience to start keeping bees. the course will run on five consecutive Monday evenings from 3rd March between 7.30 and 9.30pm. The theoretical part will be held in the Dallinghoo Jubilee Hall IP13 0JX with the practical sessions in April. Course calendar is here
Improving Beekeeping Skills 2025 We offer a hands-on course over 3 separate days for beekeepers who wish to achieve a higher level of skill and knowledge in the main areas of practical beekeeping. Ideally, applicants would already hold the BBKA's Basic (or be intending to take it this year), and have four or more years beekeeping experience, but these criteria are not absolute. This will be our eleventh year running these courses. Places are limited to twelve. Early application would be wise. The course propspectus is available here

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Interested in becoming a beekeeper?

Contact your local branch:

Ipswich Suffolk Coastal Stowmarket Waveney West Suffolk Norwich & District Bee Keeping Association

Branch Map

Hot Tips

Seasonal advice for the beekeeper

Monitor the hive entrance for build up of dead bees and blockage.
Check regularly for any damage or wind / weather getting in.
Ensure the roof is secure; bricks, blocks and/or a strap will do the job.
In January, when the weather is cold, but not below freezing, treat your hives with oxalic acid solution to control varroa. Record the varroa drop in the following two weeks so that you know how badly your colonies are infested.
Gently heft (lift) the hive to check food weight. If light put a block of fondant over the crown board feedhole, and check regularly to see if it is being consumed.
Plan what you want to do in your apiary in the coming year.

During early March continue to monitor the hive entrance for damage by weather or attack, animal or human!
Pay close attention to the weight of the hive if weather is warming up. The colony should be growing quickly and food consumption will increase considerably.
Replace fondant when it is consumed.
Later in the month consider giving full strength syrup (made by adding 1kg sugar to one pint of hand-hot water) instead of fondant if you wish to continue feeding because food is short or you want to try to stimulate the colony into early growth.
Buy your stock of new frames, foundation and hive parts for the coming year.

Ipswich & East Suffolk Talk on Asian Hornet on 5th October

Ipswich & East Suffolk Newsletter

Ears3 Project Summary

The Association

The Association is a thriving community of over 700 beekeepers, with branches in Ipswich, Suffolk Coastal, Stowmarket, Waveney, West Suffolk and the Norwich & District Beekeepers Association. It's purpose is to promote good beekeeping. This involves crop pollination and the collection, sale, showing and use of honey and wax. We provide instructions and demonstrations in these subjects, leading to an understanding of these fascinating insects and how to keep them healthy. There are facilities for courses in beekeeping and nationally recognized examinations can be taken. There are also branch libraries with beekeeping books. Come and meet us at the Suffolk Show and other local agricultural shows.
Regular indoor meetings are held at Kesgrave, Barsham and Bury St Edmunds with practical apiary meetings, social gatherings and events at other locations in the county during the year. Attendance at these events is open to non-members and more information about these meetings can be found on the events page.
The annual subscription is about £26.00 but may vary from branch to branch. This includes affiliation to The British Beekeepers' Association (BBKA) which provides representation, help and expert advice at a national level and a public liability insurance cover for up to £10 million. There is also cover in case of the more serious bee brood diseases.

Beginners and those who are just curious are particularly welcome. There are one-day events for those who are interested to find out more about bees and beekeeping. The best way to find out what beekeeping entails is to have a closer look.

Officers