Recent content by charentejohn

The pallets sound a neat solution, some top quality pallets (reusable brick ones and such) can be made from Japanese Pine which I had never heard of before. If it is really hard wood then may be that. Otherwise sealing them won't matter much as the bees aren't on them anyway.

Hi, just looked here again, I used this stuff which is what you see at the side of the road when they plant trees etc. https://www.amazon.co.uk/GroundMaster-Control-Fabric-Ground-Membrane/dp/B01M22DE24 At roadsides it is generally left exposed as UV proof etc. It is tough and lies on the...

I put mine on cement slabs with chicken wire mesh to stabilise it, all it takes to stop it cracking. May need more for larger hives but these are 1m square x 8+cm thick. Ignore the mesh in front of the hives now removed, but the stands are old aluminium garden chairs the webbing rotted on...

This is not a definitive introduction to beekeeping but later on when you ask yourself, why did I get into this ? the answer may be here :)

There are many sources of info but I like Scot's no nonsese approach. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGHSmtxUWLsQFPFDHP7xPaw He covers loads and worth a look just so you know what questions to ask. I did a beginner's course of 3 days where we got to play with the hives for a morning so...

Hemo said -They so far haven't established over here as yet, though incursions have been dealt with. Please be more specific then spouting generic untruth's. Though primary & secondary nests have been found located in the last 3 / 4 years, as far as it is known no over wintered queens. I am not...

No more to tell other than all the info in the group posts, I assume the question was jocular, just be aware of measures for the future. As they say, fore warned is fore armed, ignoring them won't make them go away. Being aware of solutions before the event is just sensible, as See the map...

Just noticed this as I and others in France have had these for a while. Basically they pin the bees in the hive which is the worst part, predation accounts for the rest. If the bees are pinned down the queen stops laying (like a dearth) and if they take a lot of bees then the hive has to work...

Surprised me too, loads of Ivy pollen here in mid France one hive not madly busy the other pushing past each other through 7cm wide reduced entrances. Weather is 5c overnight and 10c going to 14c at the high point in the day. As soon as the sun hits the hives (9c in the shade) they are out and...

True enough but registration is not a great imposition and is a big help, not intrusive as they just want to know what hives are where. It literally asks your name and address, e-mail and how many hives you have, that's it. Helps the government know how many apiaries are in the area and the...

On the original question of what to do with possibly abandoned hives. Easiest way is to put a note with your phone number in a plastic bag and leave it on the hives, under a stone on the roof or anywhere visible. Worked for me when looking for bees, saw some old looking hives near a woodland...

Don't like the idea of no veil, always seem to go for the face generally, and why is it often my ear. Glasses won't help as they land and walk, just to make that point, may make it worse if they go behind the glass. Never heard of people becoming ill from washing a bee suit ? Mine regularly...

I invested in a bee jacket as quick on-off, just in case. Have stared to skip the gloves most times now as they usually go for the jugular anyway :) Always wierd to see one hovering in front of the veil and going cross eyed trying to see if it is inside ot outside. One day I may be like this...

I have warre hives (just as not intending to harvest) and they have the advantage of the smaller boxes and so less weight. They come with or without frames and normally have the long strip handles so good and solid to grip. With larger hives it often helps to have two people to manipulate them...

Just seen this, excellent article as I wondered if this was possible. Even better as I live in France :) I wondered if someone could make something like a car air freshener that sat on the hive to say this is a hornet nest, and not your hornet nest so move away. Whatever they have I will buy...