Recent content by Chris-rougham

Sorry my choice of words are confusing. The colony I have concerns with is generally larger than the more healthy-looking colony. The hive appears not to have too much space for new brood and most of the frames are taken up with old stored honey. I was just thinking whether to replace some...

I wasn't going to introduce new brood, just some clean frames to replace the dodgy looking ones, hoping for the queen to lay!

I've not been on the Forum for ages, and as I havd a question, I have now re-charged the user name and password. I started bee-keeping about 3 years ago, went on a course with West Suffolk Beekeeping assoc which was brilliant and have been tending my 2 or 3 colonies ever since! With a modicum of...

Sorted them out by putting a pot of syrup in to lure them in like sheep! Worked a treat!!

Will wait for evening, and if still they are reluctant to enter, I will pick up the sheet and shake them into the box!

new swarm Have now inspected the hive and spotted the queen, all the frames which all had new foundation have drawn comb on them, so at least they've been busy. waiting or some action in the egg side now! Last night I took delivery of a new swarm, fairly small, and introduced them to a nuc...

thanks! new foundation on the frames.

new swarm I also have received a swarm at the beginning of the week. These are my first bees, since doing the winter course, so looking for advice. I have given 3 pints of syrup so far which has all been quickly consumed. Should I keep providing syrup until they ignore it? Bees have been...

Thx for the advice I'll bear all your comments in mind. Thanks alot to those who responded. C

Just starting out with inherited hives which need cleaning up; no bees in them yet so thorough clean needed before the great day of my 2 nuclei!! Is Clear Cuprinol Wood Preserver best for the outsides, followed by a water-based shed/fence paint? I know none of previous should touch the inside...

My mentor is smaller than me, so I'll need to buy my own suit, and he'll prob want his suit to mentor me and check on the hives in my absence. A list would be really useful if you don't mind. Many thanks.

Exactly so! He'll need his suit to mentor me!

Can the bees sting through marigolds?

yes, the first crop of honey was mainly from rape, plentiful but not much flavour!

So when choosing styles of clothing, do you have to take pot luck from online shopping or will the introduction course I've enrolled on provide examples to try? I think my wife intends to make my Feb birthday a Bee-keeping birthday!