Recent content by LauraB

Thanks for those comments, sometimes however much I read through the question I'm unsure of how much detail they want, must get 20 detailed points down to get the 20 points! With the word establish in the question I wasn’t sure whether just how you put in a queen cell into a mini-hive would be...

I’m doing some past exam papers for module 7 and I’m stuck on what to put to answer this section C question (part of): Describe in detail how to establish and manage ten mini-hives in a mating apiary with a target of producing 20 mated queens during the season. 20 points How much detail would...

Passed both thanks Caroline which means i get to put my feet up until Nov as i've done Mod 1 & 2!

Couldn't cope with not knowing any longer so I've rung Val Francis and she said the results should be out mid next week, so here's hoping I've passed!!

I thought so to, turned out he just wanted that hive inspecting and i was there to do it, asked me all the right questions about what i could see but it wasn't at all what i was expecting so he spent more time asking me disease/brood questions afterwards. Also had to take a sample of bees using...

If you're in Kirkham, Preston then you could get in touch with Preston Beekeepers who are trying to provide people with nucs, but I think you'll have to be a member of Preston or Lancs BKA to get on their list.

and read the record card before you start the inspection! I started in such a flap when i did mine that i forgot to read the record card which was on top of the hive (i think because i don't keep mine there) and got part way through and realised it was waiting queen to start to lay, so no...

Thought I'd let people know that a combination of killing the DLQ and giving few frames of eggs, or just giving the frame of eggs, has worked and I now have QCs. So here's hoping for good mating weather in the next few weeks!

thanks Gower - do you just drip the oil onto frames with foundation/drawn comb? that seems too easy!

Just wondered what you use to bait your bait hive with as i'm in need of some more bees (DLQ & Q- hives) but I think you're a bit too far for me to travel so wondered about setting up a bait hive! Any tips you'd care to share? Laura

My Hive 2 swarmed about 6 weeks ago (25th May), came home to see it happening but I think the Q must have got lost on the way out as they seemed to be coming back in as well as going out, no loss of bees when I went through it but def no Q (was marked) but QCs (non sealed thou). Went through it...

I had this last year - for some reason they just wouldn't go through the QEx, removed if for a week then refitted it and they were in it no probs after that.

thanks for the info - I'll see what we have at home if not a trip down to maplins seems to be the order of the day!

I had this the other day - I'd put the mesh floor back in upside down so there was a big enough gap for them to get through, put it back in the right way and after a few confused visits they seemed to get the idea to use the front door!

I'm thinking of trying to set a beecam up - what equipment am I going to need and any tips? Thanks Laura