Beekeeping Forum http://www.beekeepingforum.co.uk/ beekeeping forum en Wed, 19 Jun 2013 08:20:28 GMT vBulletin 60 http://www.beekeepingforum.co.uk/images/styles/daisy/misc/rss.jpg Beekeeping Forum http://www.beekeepingforum.co.uk/ To do an A/S or not? http://www.beekeepingforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=24297&goto=newpost Wed, 19 Jun 2013 08:16:16 GMT Last week I introduced a sealed QC to a hive, this hive was showing signs of swarming (unsealed QCs). The reason I introduced the QC from another... Last week I introduced a sealed QC to a hive, this hive was showing signs of swarming (unsealed QCs). The reason I introduced the QC from another hive is that I liked the parent queen. This was part of an artificial swarm effort (on the hive I introduced the QC to) that clearly hasn't worked.

My plan was that I would cull any emergency queen cells that were started, this was to be done some time between Mon and Wed this week. Yesterday however they swarmed. Strangely they went back in?

I imagine that whatever the reason for them not swarming they will try do so again unless it was a heavily accompanied mating flight and she mated within a few metres of the hive.

If they hadn't tried to swarm I'd still be aiming to inspect with a view to killing emergency queen cells but now I think I'll just prompt them to swarm and I have this notion that if they do so in this way they are more likely to fly off rather than congregate.

So I guess my options are:

1. do nothing and hope I can catch the swarm or hope they won't try to swarm again

2. cull all but 1 or 2 emergency cells and do an (one that actually works this time) artificial swarm (but risk annoying them and prompting a 'less ordered' swarm)

Any help much appreciated.

Thanks. ]]> Beekeeping Forum ksjs http://www.beekeepingforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=24297 Silica http://www.beekeepingforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=24296&goto=newpost Wed, 19 Jun 2013 07:58:37 GMT Morning chaps/chapesses

You may recall I've about 10 lbs of high water content (22%) honey which I'm intending to put to personal use.

Has anyone tried/thoughts on taping those little silica jell packets to the side of a bucket of said honey to attempt to reduce the water content? Would it work? ]]> Beekeeping Forum Monsieur Abeille http://www.beekeepingforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=24296 Bumble Bees http://www.beekeepingforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=24295&goto=newpost Wed, 19 Jun 2013 07:26:28 GMT I have had so many calls this year from people who need help with Bumble Bees. Does anyone else on here who collect swarms, ever go out to help... I have had so many calls this year from people who need help with Bumble Bees. Does anyone else on here who collect swarms, ever go out to help people with Bumble Bees? If so, what action do you take with them and what sort of reaction do you get from them?

I went and moved a bird box with a colony in the other week because it was right outside someones back door and was causing them all sorts of problems. That one was an easy one though as I just waited until dark, taped over the entrance and moved the box to a diferent part of the garden.

Last night though, a lady called who had some bees that had taken up residence in an empty rabbit hutch. She had originally phoned a pest controller who said they were honey bees. She sent me a photo and they turned out to be tree bumbles.

Any ideas on how I could move these? ]]> Beekeeping Forum HM Honey http://www.beekeepingforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=24295 Bees at the entrance http://www.beekeepingforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=24294&goto=newpost Tue, 18 Jun 2013 22:21:08 GMT Hi all, You might have seen the other thread about my new hive so sorry for posting another couple of photos of it - but I went out after dark... Hi all, You might have seen the other thread about my new hive so sorry for posting another couple of photos of it - but I went out after dark tonight and I noticed that there was a real cluster of bees in the entrance ... the entrance is a 22mm hole which passes through 70mm of hive wall thickness.

The entrance is near the top of the hive .... I've constructed a periscope entrance but, so far, I have left the door on it open but ...

I've read that, if bees want to keep the hive warmer, they will block the entrance with their bodies so ... is the fact that I can see a block of bees in my entrance an indication that I should close up the door on the periscope entrance so that the actual entrance is down at the bottom of the hive (as I intended) and the entrance tunnel at the top is less exposed to heat loss.

What do you think ?

You'll see from the photos periscope entrance 'Open or Shut' ??
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]]> Beekeeping Forum pargyle http://www.beekeepingforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=24294 Snelgrove board http://www.beekeepingforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=24293&goto=newpost Tue, 18 Jun 2013 21:51:17 GMT I would like to do an AS using the Snelgrove board. I can never find the queen so could I have one brood chamber then queen excluder then super then... I would like to do an AS using the Snelgrove board. I can never find the queen so could I have one brood chamber then queen excluder then super then the Snelgrove board. Then another brood box with the entrance at back or side opened QX super and crown board and roof.
I guess the queen could be in either brood chamber so the one without the would have the queen cells open and I would tear down the queen cells in the one that has eggs after three days. ]]> Beekeeping Forum Susan1 http://www.beekeepingforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=24293 Bee mimic hoverfly http://www.beekeepingforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=24292&goto=newpost Tue, 18 Jun 2013 21:40:03 GMT This Hoverfly visited my hives today, bigger than a drone and a bit noisier when flying. This Hoverfly visited my hives today, bigger than a drone and a bit noisier when flying.
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]]> Beekeeping Forum Bee Bumble http://www.beekeepingforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=24292 Ideal Swarming Conditions http://www.beekeepingforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=24291&goto=newpost Tue, 18 Jun 2013 21:14:40 GMT Will bees swarm in this weather i.e. warm but no little or no sun? Does anyone know the various weather factors involved? Thanks Will bees swarm in this weather i.e. warm but no little or no sun?
Does anyone know the various weather factors involved?
Thanks ]]> Beekeeping Forum lebouche http://www.beekeepingforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=24291 Stag beetles http://www.beekeepingforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=24290&goto=newpost Tue, 18 Jun 2013 21:02:04 GMT First really warm evening of the year here in coastal Suffolk - sitting outside with a beer (as you do) have seen at least 5 individual stag beetles... First really warm evening of the year here in coastal Suffolk - sitting outside with a beer (as you do) have seen at least 5 individual stag beetles and maybe more - but they could have been the same ones flying past again!
See one or two most years, Suffolk is one of their strongholds - always amazed they actually manage to fly.

Anyone else seen any this year?

Rich. ]]> off topic chat Rich0909 http://www.beekeepingforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=24290 to feed or not http://www.beekeepingforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=24289&goto=newpost Tue, 18 Jun 2013 20:19:04 GMT Have a 3 frame nuc, new queen hatched, mated and laying very well since mid May,(seen for the first time tonight)have added two frames that are being... Have a 3 frame nuc, new queen hatched, mated and laying very well since mid May,(seen for the first time tonight)have added two frames that are being drawn out.
Question is....should I give them a feed to help them out or leave them to use up what they are bringing in and the 'limited' stores they now have?

If feeding....light or heavy syrup?
What about 'candy'?

Advice welcome :) ]]> Beekeeping Forum thebhoy http://www.beekeepingforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=24289 hiving new colony http://www.beekeepingforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=24288&goto=newpost Tue, 18 Jun 2013 19:38:52 GMT Hi all, This is my first year as a beekeeper this year and I will be receiving my nuc shortly. Do people have different ways on transferring... Hi all,

This is my first year as a beekeeper this year and I will be receiving my
nuc shortly.
Do people have different ways on transferring from nuc to main hive..?

thanks :) ]]> Beekeeping Forum Mikeb123 http://www.beekeepingforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=24288 Nuc for sale Norfolk http://www.beekeepingforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=24287&goto=newpost Tue, 18 Jun 2013 19:24:31 GMT Hi I have a Nuc for sale. On 6 x National frames all frame full of brood and stores will deliver if not to far away. if collecting bring your own... Hi I have a Nuc for sale. On 6 x National frames all frame full of brood and stores will deliver if not to far away. if collecting bring your own transit box. only £125, pm for any more info or contact me on 07770503600. ]]> steveadi http://www.beekeepingforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=24287 Help needed - rather random question!! http://www.beekeepingforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=24286&goto=newpost Tue, 18 Jun 2013 18:40:54 GMT Hi guys, Bit of a random one this... In terms of bee keeping I am a total newbie having installed my first Nuc colony on 1st May into a 14 x 12... Hi guys, Bit of a random one this...

In terms of bee keeping I am a total newbie having installed my first Nuc colony on 1st May into a 14 x 12 hive with a 2012 queen. Pleased to say they're doing amazing, expending well and so docile I could tickle them under the chin!!...

However, in terms of serious board-game playing... I'm an anorak and love playing board games of various kinds, mainly 'gamers games' like Agricola, Settlers of Catan, Dominion, Pandemic, Carcassonne, Ticket to Ride... the list is endless (not the 'norm' board games) but strategic/educational ones...

... so, to my question to you... using my 'read' and now hands-on knowledge of bee keeping together with love of gaming, I am thinking about creating a board game combining the two. There are sooooooooo many avenues to it's creation/playing that I think it has great potential.

WHAT DO YOU THINK???? Viable?? Something you'd be interested in??

Thank you in advance ]]> Beekeeping Forum Toffeesmum http://www.beekeepingforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=24286 Scout bees and bait hives http://www.beekeepingforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=24285&goto=newpost Tue, 18 Jun 2013 16:11:14 GMT Hi all, My 2 bait hives both in my apiary, have proved to be a useful tool to warn me of imminent swarm preparations. One of my hives swarmed... Hi all,
My 2 bait hives both in my apiary, have proved to be a useful tool to warn me of imminent swarm preparations. One of my hives swarmed yesterday and i caught the swarm clustering and hived it elsewhere - so it never actually made it to the bait box. I'm as sure as I can be that I only missed 1 queen cell so would be surprised to see a further cast swarm emerge.
But......there is still a lot of activity (20-30 bees each) still hanging around the bait hives today. I know they came from the swarmed hive as I did the flour dusting trick and watched 'ghost bees' returning to the now depleted hive!
My question is, following a swarm, do the scout bees immediately stop scouting for a new pad or does it take a day or two for the message to filter through!
Or......can I expect more excitement with my skep and stepladder????
Any thoughts would be appreciated. Thanks. ]]> Beekeeping Forum Jimmys Mum http://www.beekeepingforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=24285 reuniting - or joining hives http://www.beekeepingforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=24284&goto=newpost Tue, 18 Jun 2013 15:39:44 GMT How do people merge hives, nucs and hives, nucs and nucs? Do you use an extra brood box and newspaper? Which way round do you put them? Mergers... How do people merge hives, nucs and hives, nucs and nucs?

Do you use an extra brood box and newspaper?
Which way round do you put them? Mergers on top or bottom?
If you're adding in a queen where do you put her?
How long should you leave them?
What should you check before you do a merge?
What if there are supers?
Would you do it sooner rather than later?
Are there any reasons for not reuniting to consider?
Are reunited hives more likely to swarm? ]]> Beekeeping Forum alldigging http://www.beekeepingforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=24284 Help http://www.beekeepingforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=24283&goto=newpost Tue, 18 Jun 2013 14:58:24 GMT ive been told to make a 3slide powerpoint on beekeeping but I don't know anything about it! can anyone give me some points to include in it??:confused: ]]> Welcome Forum Confused Bee http://www.beekeepingforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=24283