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  1. J

    Why won't my honey crystallize?

    Low temperatures slow down crystallisation. It happens fastest at 14 degrees C. I would say that you are lucky to have honey that isn't showing signs of crystallising! Just a pity that you fancy some soft set. Try the seeding method that has been described.
  2. J

    Failed queen ?

    I would try introducing the queen to a newly made up nuc. She may be OK but hasn't been laying with so few workers- and they are very old by now. If it doesn't work you can reunite the nuc with a colony again. Worth a try. 🐝
  3. J

    If it sounds too good to be true, it usually is - anybody heard of Mike Mcinnes MRPS

    It is mostly rubbish. What does antidiabetic mean? Only the medication diabetics take is antidiabetic. There is something about honey stimulating the production of insulin. I am sure that is true but diabetics either do not have the capacity to produce enough insulin(type 1) or the tissues...
  4. J

    Empty Nest Syndrome...?

    I agree with Little_bees. Btw- I notice that Pargyle said that the genetics of winter bees are different from summer bees. I don't believe that this is true. I think it is just the physiology that is different. The queen and the workers have the same genotype. The phenotypes are very different.
  5. J

    Filtering wax

    Cleaning combs is a smelly business (my husband hates the smell) so best done outdoors. I agree with "Understanding bees" that cleaning beeswax by heating in boiling water does not discolour the wax. The books say it discolours at around 87 degrees C (from memory) but my wax that is boiled...
  6. J

    Top Dollar

    I'd be a bit hesitant at putting that photo of a frame with black comb and only a few bees on it as an advertisement. I'd tell beginners that that comb was ready for a change-black comb, empty and at the edge of the colony. The jar of honey looks lovely. Makes my labels look a bit amateurish.
  7. J

    Filtering wax

    Use wax soaked filters/cotton vests/etc to light your smoker or fire.
  8. J

    Filtering wax

    A slow cooker is good for cleaning wax before filtering. If you put a piece of old net curtain, butter muslin or similar in the cooker with the edges hanging over the cooker. When the wax and water has done its work the cloth is lifted out and brings lots of debris with it. Very fine stuff is...
  9. J

    NBU warning doesn't this happen every year.

    Beautiful pictures- lovely idea to add the flower pics with the pollen grains.
  10. J

    2 HIVE FOLDING STAND

    I have this information on a triple hive stand. Hope it has loaded OK.
  11. J

    I'm taking my first bbka module exam.

    "It is recommended that you have at least 2 years’ experience of beekeeping before sitting a module exam."- taken from the BBKA website and no mention of the Basic on the application form either- it used to ask for the date of the Basic Certificate. Apple and I are correct you don't now have...
  12. J

    Bit of a wax disaster!

    Cooling the wax is good. Heating it does spread it. Probably too late now but putting ice on it might have helped initially. The wax shrinks. At least it is food safe so no worries there. Clean your spinner with cold water initially then you can do hot soapy if you want. The wax in the...
  13. J

    I'm taking my first bbka module exam.

    Just to let you know that the module exams are to be online in the Spring, 24th/25th April- probably 24th. Closing date for applications is January 31st. For those who aren't happy with online there may be some written exams in November. 🤞
  14. J

    I'm taking my first bbka module exam.

    Well done Curly Green Fingers. You will learn a lot on your way through the modules- stuff that you don't come across in your everyday beekeeping. Self-help groups are great as they help you to get through the studying in an enjoyable way. Check if your BKA has one. They will be online in...
  15. J

    Underfloor-entrance hives failing to keep out wasps

    I have nadired supers in previous years with good success. Last year I put a super full of honey beneath a brood box and it got robbed out by wasps. The colony was OK but the stores were lost. I think the problem is that changing the boxes round with no brood near the entrance the bees take a...
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