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  1. ditchgould

    Asian Hornet in Devon

    If you want to know what damage they do, simply hop over to France and any beekeeper will tell you that it is devastating. That's not doom mongering - it's fact.
  2. ditchgould

    Asian Hornet in Devon

    Removing the entire Asian hgornet population from Europe simply isn't possible - way too many.
  3. ditchgould

    Filling honey jars

    Trading Standards - eeugh!!! I have been fortunate enough to have been visited by Trading Standards and they were very helpfu - honestly. With regard to filling jars, they say that they will come down on people underfilling jars, but could hardly penalise those giving away extra honey. Having...
  4. ditchgould

    Fumidil B

    Fumidil B isn't illegal. The licence for distribution s a medecine for bees was withdrawn because it was considered that beekeepers were not to be trusted with an antibiotic. The last batch available in the UK has a sell by date of March 2013 it will be alright for 6 months after that, but...
  5. ditchgould

    Ashford or Miller feeders

    Central entrance to feeder can run from back to front as well as side to side. That way you have part of the entrance directl;y above the brood - regardless of slope. In really cold weather, with the entrance to the rear because of ground slope, you may starve the bees as they may not choose to...
  6. ditchgould

    honey estimate

    Honey estimate It sounds like you are using a WBC hive (10 frames per. super). Given the weather this year, I doubt they are all full frames, so I would guess 15 - 20 lb per. super. Therv may be some unsealed honey too, but tis year the bees have been uncapping and eating, so moisture content...
  7. ditchgould

    Smoker fuel

    Smoker Fuel Runnig a woodworking business, I can tell you that the chips, which come off the machines, are an embarrassment, because of gthe sheer quantity. Those that I don't use in my smoker, or can manage to give to fellow beekeepers, we take to a riding stables. They burn with a cool smoke...
  8. ditchgould

    Using Sterling Board / OSB

    Not directly in the open it's not. That company who shall not be named (Hush my mouth) do use OSB (Sterling board) for their roofs. Speaks volumes in my book. OSB will hold moisture and therefore fungal spores. Furthermore it all depends how long you want the hive to last.
  9. ditchgould

    5 dead bees

    Because of the life span of a worker in the summer, approximately 500 die each day. Winter bees live longer, but not all are intended to go through the winter. Keep your entrances clear, so that the undertakers can throw them out. You may even have to lend a hand from time to time, as mouse...
  10. ditchgould

    Any hive building tips?

    The tip about the inside dimensions is the soundest one I've seen so far, as all hives differ slightly on the outside. Nothing wrong with a ply brood box, but ply supers get very heavy. Marine ply is very expensive and WBP (water bonded polymer) is equally good for the purpose. Don't, don't...
  11. ditchgould

    Cedar

    A man after mny own heart (wood). I just looked in my btimber encyclopaedia (sad git) and Western Red Cedar is Thuja plicata and so slightly removed from the true cedars, but that's the kiddy.
  12. ditchgould

    Cedar

    You don't want wide grain timber. It has grown too quickly. Closer grain means it has been grown in a colder climate. That's why oaks (Quercus Robur) from northern Europe are better than French oaks of the same species. Be careful with Cedar, as with oak, as there are many species. Western Red...
  13. ditchgould

    Ashforth Feeder Paint

    Not all PVAs are waterproof and will peel off sooner or later if wet. It was the soaking that solved your problem, but only temporarily, as when the water dries out, you will be back where you started.
  14. ditchgould

    Ashforth Feeder Paint

    You can use most oil based paints avalable on the retail market. I would suggest a gloss intended for external use. Be absolutely sure that it is completely dry before placing on the hive though.
  15. ditchgould

    To Glue or not to Glue

    No point piloting into end grain, or gluing to end grain.
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