Recent content by hemo

The wind chill at times has barely dropped so far this year, it is having a big effect on foraging and now it is raining again. Not much change next week either so look like Monday I will have to go aroud the colonies and give fondant as well.

They should happily coexist, one though will have no control of cross mating if the occassion arrives so a hybrid will become the trend .

BBKA crops from their survey tend to suggest 15 - 20kg as the average. Given a good location and some decent weather (very lacking this year so far) then one can expect 40kg and a sometimes lot more. Last year was an exceptional one with a fantastic spring and imv a very mediocre /poor summer...

Tbh the temps are far too low and the chilly winds are having a big affect not only on forage but I believe plant nectar production, plenty of pollen but little nectar . Yesterday I fed three strong colonies with left over set ivy winter stores from 2022, all bereft of stores.

Also partly the last of the winter bees dying off having done their job for colony survival.

Yes as said realise they weren't yours Eric. My gearden colony had a 3 yr old last year , still went great guns and harvested 116kg from them. They supersceded last August and last I saw on the final look in mid to late Sept for a stores check both were seen a couple of combs apart. Only...

C. B. If they look weak. In the past even with just mild CB , I have requeened /changed the Q line of that particular colony.

Simples , if you leave them to it and do now't they will swarm with a VQ. If removing the old Q and wanting the new progany to take over then reduce to one QC at day 14 and if need be harvest the other cell/s and make up a nuc. As one is managing a colony then manage it and not leave it to...

If i had 38 QC's the gene line would be changed. Typically I get 4 - 10 cells so quite happy with that lowish number.

One sure way to spread AFB/EFB. Best to wait and use your own, combs don't have to be old and black . Just disease free and have had brood previously laid up in it.

Felt tends to get very hot and soften , felt is easier to damage at any time of year.

Personally I wouldn't use any one elses old combs or honey, though the choice is yours.

Finman has been loitering around for quite a while now , did you not notice him last year ?

Does make one wonder why feeding is taking place , when it appears fresh nectar is available. Any nectar being stored will be contaminated and not viable as a potential honey.

Excellent pics and a nice sign of spring being sprung. Great to see other insect varieties flitting about, though as we all are too aware there is one we don't want to be seeing.