Recent content by Arfermo

Didn't do anything 'cos my bees have gone for good. Sold the lot very smartly on the NextDoor website.

A masochist at large? :)

Or get/make a Taranov board (Dave Cushman website probably shows how), shake the bees out onto a cloth and watch for the Q as they march back up into the hive. Very interesting spectacle too so get an audience to watch as well. ;)

That is new to me even though I am in several conversation about my kit so thanks for that. One offer but not confirmed yet. Quite a lot more than I suggested but still below its true worth. best note that I am in Shropshire SY5, a long journey for some responders.

Ta for that. Every day a blessing now. Hugh

Be very careful indeed. I was approached by a local lady to be her mentor and when I saw the readymade frames with foundation already in them that she had bought in bulk from I know not where, I tried five of them in a couple of my hives only to find the bees didn't go near the frames for about...

Thanks for the adjustment. Just hope I get some offers as I don't really need any more cash - just space for my other 'junk', like dozens of the original type Kilner jars and lids that one can still get spares for if you know where to look - Germany where else???? Any offer for some of them...

Anno domini and a wife with alzheimers makes it necessary to sell up. FOR SALE IN ONE LOT ONLY NO SPLITTING. Collect only – Shrewsbury SY5. ALL NATIONAL EQUIPMENT worth well over £1,000. Ideal starter kit for a new beekeeper. 2 x complete national hives comprising stand, OMF, brood box, Q/E, 11...

Sounds similar to the Sainsbury version at £3.50 a pair when I last looked. I have never used anything else - thicker and very resistant to be stings and last a long time. Can always be removed for finer activity during inspection for marking and clipping.

Join your preferred local BKA asap and if they have their own apiary, as the best ones usually do, jump in when they do inspections (usually weekly) and watch what goes on and get to chat with those around you there and find out what they recommend. Somebody there may also be willing to set you...

I have always used the 'crown of thorns' for marking and clipping. Just need to be careful not to cut the cotton though but by moving the frame away from the hive(s) so that flying bees can get away and leave the queen alone for my attention makes clipping very easy actually and no cross...

I ALWAYS place fondant on top of the brood frames within a shallow eke and under the crown-board, never above it.

Stick to seconds in cedar National too. Ply will be a nightmare - heavy and will delaminate if you don't lard it with multiple protective coats that seal the edges and everywhere else. Best to plan on two hives to start with as then you have a backup to split in case of a failure.

As Dani says, national boxes are designed for 11 frames and by using castellations you don't any need dummy boards clogging the space up either. In fact in some supers it could be useful to use 10 slot castellations in order to increase the crop?

Probably missed a chance of Chinese style barbecued pigeons then? Must have been a couple worth the trouble. :)