Recent content by Capella

In my Dad’s apiary a few days ago he rehoused a swarm from one of his hives. This new hive was placed between his two main hives which were very strong as they were the result of 4 hives that were united to 2 a few weeks ago Next day that new hive (in the middle)was bursting with bees and...

Always bear black trousers, white jacket and black gloves and never had any problems with the black. Only problem I have is when the bees try and 'burrow' up my sleeve where the glove meets the jacket.

10/11C today, cold and showery, when I went out to the hives. After recent turn to cold weather (8C yesterday) surprised to see plenty of bees still bringing in pollen and a few drones still around.

Occasionally one of the jars will drip a little onto the crown board when it is inverted but that ceases after a second or two. The dead bees are in a dry environment when I take off the roof.

No wasps at all. Might try your tip on the gaffer-tape, in case they are getting in somewhere, though the hive bodies are all new and there's no obvious entry point under the roof.

It can't be a problem with the syrup either, as the adjacent hive is getting the same syrup without any problems. Appreciate the answers, and have asked some local beekeepers, including my Dad who has bees for over 20 years, without getting a plausible answer. :confused:

Yes they are above the crownboard in a super containing jars of syrup and they have free access between the super and the brood chamber, through the hole in the crownboard. The jars are on timber laths about 18mm high and the jar lids are perforated underneath to allow them remove the syrup. The...

I am baffled - I got a reply from the Bees Diagnostic Service that there was no disease, which was good news. The bees have since being bringing down syrup with very few dead bees evident. However today when I checked the last set of jars that went on last Friday evening the jars were empty but...

Thanks Oliver, I had thought of robbing as a possibility, but I have been very careful to ensure that the roof is seated properly and is bee-proof every time I put it back on. However you could be right. Checked the hive again last evening and all seemed ok - they had brought down another 1.25...

The 'super' over the crown board doesn't have any frames in it, only feeding jars that are place on laths above the opening of the crown board, so the bees have free access from the brood chamber up into the feeding area. The jars have peforated lids which allow the bees to remove the syrup. I...

The 'super' over the crown board doesn't have any frames in it, only feeding jars that are place on laths above the opening of the crown board, so the bees have free access from the brood chamber up into the feeding area. The jars have peforated lids which allow the bees to remove the syrup. I...

Just back from adding new syrup jars to a very strong hive. Have been feeding over a litre at a time for the past few weeks using inverted jars in an empty super over the crown board. This time there were about 70 dead bees on the crown board and mostly located in the corners. Past week has...