Recent content by alancooper

Yeeess lighter fuel. It’s Tesco for me tomorrow. Thanks.

Thanks - but no Go Outdoors in NI. Fingers crossed that the adapter ordered will do the job.

Thanks. I have a Sistec blowtorch, so it should be OK. Now all I need to do (?..) is order a universal adapter that will connect a butane/propane fill cylinder to the torch. Hopefully the slightly ill fitting, off centre GasVap copper extension nozzle for a poly hive will not be a problem.

Glad to hear it.:)

My GasVap has arrived but in Northern Ireland butane gas cylinders are not available. However, butane/propane cylinders are available. Has anyone used b/p cylinders without problems?

Yep - the bees are seem more tolerant of the weather down south than the beekeepers :)

I may start a thread or a discussion. But I do tend to prevaricate.

just stirring a hornet’s nest. I would have responded similarly. From a different perspective, maybe a topic on what beeks are doing to cope with climate trends and extreme weather events?

There is so much posting activity from members in the (usually) hot dry south this Spring, that much of the posting I scan seems not directly relevant to mild wet north members (interesting yes, but directly relevant no). What about a separate section?:)

I started to work double brood boxes last year. I had thought about it in previous years but twice the amount of work ant inspection put me off. I have found that it does not involve more work and probably decreases swarming. Much of the time bottom box inspection seems not to be needed, with...

Seems like a lot of cabin fever going around. Relax - it’s almost Spring.

Sunny, warm and calm today. Willow, dandelion and blackthorn with bees. I decided to check on a heavy hive with bees between all brood frames and a lot of capping wax under the mesh floor, to assess brood nest size (given our mild winter). Three frames of brood, space for Q to lay and a lot of...

The honey had been extracted from the frames. Some frames had unsealed wet crystallised stores. There was a strong alcoholic smell. Before I put supers onto the hives in a couple of weeks I will shake out any drops. Some super frames (used in a brood box) had mouldy pollen.