Recent content by Geb

I suppose extracting in a typical shed is a no no from the EHO

Thanks for posting the link. Useful information. Where it says that 2 sinks are required, in my kitchen we have a double sink (2 bowls next to each other) but with a shared tap. Would this pass as ok to an EHO ?

Thanks for the info. I shall look up the online level 2 hygiene course. I'm a bit wary of getting the local council involved as I don't want them to label me as a commercial enterprise. I won't be selling much, but would like to be certified for safe five star hygiene standards.

Is it necessary to have food hygiene certification if you sell honey via a local shop? Just wondering what would happen if there were to be any comeback from customers, or if the shop itself had a visit from the standards people? Is it possible they might trace back to the suppliers and swoop on...

Found swarm cells last week in one of my colonies, didn't have spare equipment for an AS, so I destroyed all QCs. Returned today, 6 days later, with necessary equipment and found no new QCs. Queen laying nicely, although low on stores. So no AS necessary. Have I got away with it, or will they...

I have a couple of colonies headed by new Carnica queens, laying well, plenty of space, but producing Queen cells in mid July. I know Carnicas are more prone to this, but wondering how others with Carnicas manage this continuous QC production (with associated swarm management methods) without...

I have 2 small sized swarms that were captured only 5 yards apart. I have placed them in separate nucs, but wondering if they are likely to be two parts of the same swarm? They appeared on the same day (Yesterday) in the Poor weather.

I have placed a swarm in a spare hive a few metres from its probable source. Is this a bad idea?

Thanks for the info. Did the drones get stuck in the excluder and block it? Also I'm wondering If the QCs get ripped down by the bees?

Does anybody have any experience of using a queen excluder at the hive entrance in order to prevent swarming? I presume it is not a good method as nobody seems to use it. Does it lead to a build up of young Virgin queens causing a menace to the old queen?

What would be the probable outcome of temporarily placing a queen excluder over the hive entrance for the duration of the main swarm season, or just for a week or two whilst on hols ????? I expect not good otherwise this simple method would be standard

Thanks everybody. I have managed to get another (old unwanted) queen from another local beek. This should see me through until I can buy a new mated queen (on order but not available until end of the month).

I do have a couple of strong colonies. How about taking the queen from one of these strong colonies and introducing it to my under strength queenless Nuc. Then let the strong colony produce its own new queen?

How much time do you think I have to put a new queen in before the colony is in trouble?

Thanks for the advice and pics. I Don't think this little colony is up to the job. I will try to buy a new queen (bit early for a mated queen) maybe a virgin or maybe just a cell?