Recent content by BillyGoat

Hi Loubee, This is a standard honey valve. Is this what you have? I use one of these by just cracking open a small amount and it's pretty easy to regulate the flow to get correct weight in each jar. billy

I treated two of my hives with MAQS in May because they had DWV. Instructions emphasise importance of ventilation so as one of hives had solid floor I moved it onto an OMF before treating. The reports i read online seemed to point to the bees being vulnerable when the temp get above 20c, so I...

Straps at 90 degrees and wrap the hive in a netcurtain whilst it's in the car. It stops any escapebees from bothering during the journey. Still keep my suit on with veil down whilst driiving and make sure i'm suited up before moving at the other end.

Last year 140lb from 2 hives This year 7lb! Weather has made a massive difference.

Interesting. What flavour/brand air freshener do you use as I suspect some of them could be harmful.

Surgical Lint can be purchased from most chemists although they may need to order it in. Check the price first. I ordered some last year from eb*y : http://www.eb*y.co.uk/itm/Fast-Aid-Absorbent-Lint-100g-/230633127305?pt=UK_Health_Beauty_First_Aid_ET&hash=item35b2ce3d89 Liked the nappy liners...

When I kept my bees in the back garden they were always most interested in the grow bags I used for my veg. when collecting water. never went near the clean water. You could try a well soaked growbag near the hives, open only partially. Billy

What is the cost benefit of of ordering in bulk or consolidating an order? I can get it from my local baker for £15 per 12.5kg box I don't usually get through more than a box each winter so for me it's unlikley to be worth it.

I am a member of my local association and get all the guff in the post and the insurance and the website and forum access etc... To me the £25 is well spent for membership of local association, the local contacts, knowledge, friendship and someone to help when you cannot find the Queen! The...

Thanks to all who replied with advice. Will try the clean and scrape and give them back to the bees to sort. Billy

The brood box taken off my hive for winter had frames with partial amounts of pollen which have now gone mouldy and are ruined. I guess I will now have to strip the frames a rewax for next year unless there is a magic cure? Can anyone offer advice on how to handle and store these for the...

Very unscientific but have just measured with water at 325ml

QC's look like emergency cells to me. Will cull to one cell and see how they manage until health status established. Thanks RAB

Had the benefit of a large caste/medium prime landing on tree next to my hives last weekend. Went through my hives and all present and correct so looks like a gift. Hived last Sunday with a frame of brood from another hive to stop them absconding. Checked today and found several QC's on the...

I went to check on my hives on Saturday and found a largish swarm hanging off a branch next to them. Checked all my hives and they're all still full so it looks like a freebee from somewhere else.:) Strange (and convenient) how they picked the tree right next to my hives. Guessing it may have...