Recent content by Marilyn J

Hawthorn, gorse, 2 large cherry trees, dandelions and celandine. They are pretty busy right now so I think I'll leave them alone. Probably the less interference the better.

Small amounts of brood on 2 or 3 frames in the super, maybe 2 frames in the brood box. Small colony. Virtually no stores in the brood box so I'd like to get give them some help with sugar syrup.

Thanks for the reminder :)

OK, thanks for that. Looks like that is the only solution. The forecast is for 12 - 13 degrees tomorrow so I'll do it then.

Exactly! I was just thinking of moving the super frames (it's only a couple) until they've taken some sugar syrup down into the brood box, then I'd put the super back above a queen excluder. It's around 10 - 12 degrees here. If I put some fondant in the brood box are they likely to take that up...

Did my first inspection yesterday. Very little in the way of stores so I'd like to feed with sugar syrup. However, I left a super on over winter and now there is brood on a couple of frames in the super. I don't really want to go for brood and a half. Can I move the super frames containing brood...

Thanks all for your responses. Decided to leave the hives open!

Just had a call from the farmer who has a field nextdoor. He's planning to spray the wheat with a fungicide (pyraclostrobin) at around 9:00 tomorrow. Should I close up the hives tonight? If so, how long after spraying should I let them out? Can't find much advice about this online.

I use a solar wax melter on the 2 days a year when it's hot enough in Wales! Just a polystyrene box, alumininium tray and old window I picked up at the tip. The cocoons that are left make brilliant fire lighters.

Have you tried Wynne Jones here in North Wales. They give a discount for the local association, not sure about BBKA C. Wynne Jones | Beekeeping Supplies UK | Bottles and Jars