Recent content by Biddly

Having looked at my hive records last night, i started the Apiguard treatment on 19th August 2011. There was a large mite drop in the first few days and reduced mite drop over the next two weeks and a steep decline to virtually nothing by the end of the treatment in September. I did not treat...

After the Apiguard treatment in September, i did my last inspection of 2011 and the colony was huge, with brood in both boxes. In fact i was always a little daunted inspecting this colony as it was large and could be a bit feisty. It's the complete absence of any dead bees that has me stumped...

I carried out my first inspection this year on what was my biggest colony going into winter last year. They overwintered on a brood and a half. When i opened them up yesterday afternoon there were a small amount of bees in the middle of the brood super and none anywhere else. I would say 95%...

As it was 15C fairly sunny and no wind i had i peek under the crownboard at my biggest colony that has overwintered. They are in a Langstroth hive and overwintered on a brood and a half ( no Q/E ). The brood super was completely full of capped stores, each and every frame, nothing has been...

I've just had a quick look at my hives to check all is well and no woodpecker damage ( there is a family of four lesser spotted in the garden but they are well fed on peanuts to distant them , hopefully ) and i saw a small white blob on the concrete slabs below one hive. It was about the size of...

I was looking at a bee wing under a microscope in a class yesterday and saw for the first time hairs on the wings..... the question was asked " what purpose do all these hairs serve ? " and no one knew the answer...... what is the answer please.

Thank you so much for the information. It's such a help. I haven't taken a written exam in over 30 years so i'm finding the prospect quite daunting and i'm very apprehensive. Plus the old grey matter isn't what is was....... !

Thank you so much for the information. It's such a help. I haven't taken a written exam in over 30 years so i'm finding the prospect quite daunting and i'm very apprehensive. Plus the old grey matter isn't what is was....... !

I am about to start studying to take modules 1 and 3 in November. My local association is only doing beginner courses and no study groups for the modules. I therefore wondered if any members here know of any helpful revision links or study group notes which would be of help to me please. Also...

I am about to start studying to take modules 1 and 3 in November. My local association is only doing beginner courses and no study groups for the modules. I therefore wondered if any members here know of any helpful revision links or study group notes which would be of help to me please. Also...

Early afternoon 1st January ( drizzly rain and overcast ) just taken the roof off a hive to look through the glass crownboard at fondant supplies ( taken half a bag ) and several girls from the hive next door flew out on target practise......... 3 hits to the head.... yes i was stupid as i...

What a fab site. Thank you, your reply is very much appreciated. I shall start reading them later.

I have been searching online for hours but with no luck. The cheapest i can find the actual book for is £60. I thought for 96 pages it was quite expensive but maybe it is worth it. It is recommended reading by the BBKA so i thought i would.

Does anyone know please if this book is available as an eBook or a scanned book download or as a pdf download. Thank you so much for your help.

I welcome and would like users and non- users comments, thoughts and observations please plus alternative insulating suggestions. Thank you.