Recent content by polymath

check your association they often have an offer for 10/20% off on Sherrif suits we get these for beginners.

Get it, dirt cheap on ebay, you can check calibration with olive oil Extra-Virgin Olive Oil, one drop of it on the slide will always read between 71 and 72 on the Brix scale. If you set the lock-nut to show any such oil at 71.5, you will have correctly calibrated the water content scale at the...

Note, Demaree does not work where the colony has started to swarm, only pre swarm.

Here is my system in pictures. Last went through hives about two to three weeks ago, will not bother for at least another week or so and will then see how many top boxes are mated. I have another 15 queens out in mating nucs, so where they have not mated will merge in a new queen, aim to end...

Is there a link to this map i would like to see more East than it is showing, thanks

SBI will not be working you will need main Regional Bee Inspector this time of year.

One issue not flagged that often is it does need cleaning out, i.e. put a cap of water through it after every dozen hives or so, plus i find i have to in high winds keep the flame slightly higher or it looses too much heat. The ignition push button switch has melted a little, left it heating up...

Just done all mine a couple of times, circa 25 hives using GazVAp, but fitted extension tube for Nucs on at all times so it pushes the gasses deep into the hive, no need to seal up nice and quick

I may be biased i i tested and then bought one of Martin's. My view is that it is great to see people producing units at differing qualities and price points. Just like with Bee Suits they range from ten to hundreds of pounds, variety is the spice of life. Well done for producing and look...

First question is how many queens do you want to raise. Big difference between two or three to ten or twenty to 50. If we assume between 5- 10, don't forget if you want mated the assume you will need double that in queens at the start. My system is a lazy one, i split vertically any colony...

use the same sort of thing

This seems to be the same machine direct from China supplier, now HMRC might stick you for VAT at 20% on arrival though...

Judges Steward, try and learn more tricks for future years on how to win then lectures on next two days.

Here is some analysis done on the price of honey being sold around are area, Surrey, happy to get more input. Size Location/Website 227gm 340gm 454gm Bespoke WBK Research 2023 Average retail price: Retail mark up circa 20 – 50% £6.48 £8.00 £7.75 Horsell £7.50...

Insurance is never worth it until you need it. I understand there is going to be a clearer definition of who is covered put forward at this years ADM i.e. anyone with 39 hives or under. It covers public and product so if a bit of glass was found in your honey for instance or something like...