Recent content by Markthebuilder

Your bumblebee would be happier making her nest in an old blue tits nest. I found one when I tried to clean out an extractor vent after the blue tits had moved on. Explains why I was always accompanied by Humbel bees when I went to use the downstairs wc

The most generous offer I would make would be to look after bees and keep all produce, then donate back xx% of any profits any losses carried forward to next year

I would be inclined to grab the deal whilst you can . Government plans to shake up / speed up planning are likely to remove the restrictions on developments by allowing credits to be bought from improved infrastructure / treatment plants that are proposed sometime in the future,. As with...

Inspected 3 hives today. 13 deg in the shade 27 in the sun. All Queen right ,lots of stores in all and one with plenty of bias. 2 not as advanced. the nuc housing my late captured swarm, is only just surviving . Gave it some stores including a frame with pollen and some capped brood (2...

Be careful with whiskey . This is the result of an impromptu trip to the “lake in the woods” last night. Brought on by the mild weather, & the lure of a campfire. 3 like minds all brought a bottle including a raspberry infused one and a blackberry infused one.

How do you know these are brood capings and not capping s from honey which I’m guessing could have become discoloured by this time of year….. is it exp or is there a clue/ guide I can learn?

Just got this response drone beebase Dear Mark Thank you for your feedback. I will look into adding a FAQ on this subject. In the short term please be assured that the website is constantly updated to meet all of the latest security requirements and that data security is taken seriously...

Insulated a wooden hive and a poly nuc with the left over bits…. Can’t help wondering if we assume that plenty of keepers have been successfully with plain wooden boxes for years then the enthusiasm for insulating hives is an undercover sales pitch by poly hive manufacturers?

.lechameau. Do do seconds which are a massive save if and bring them down to the cost of other similar RUBBER boots make sure you go for rubber and neopreen lined 5mm is best …. the neoprene makes a massive difference

Well I deserve to be hacked and have made a mental note to update my passwords at least . But back to ops question….. Informed if there is deseaze in my area and “Signing up to BeeBase as a Beekeeper will enable you to take advantage of the free services we offer. No charge is made for an...

I think the fact that beebase is hosted by ferra and linked with defra along with the fact that this is a government contract should reassure sensible people that their data is secure as for thieves nicking your hives. If they know enough to remove a hive of bees and transport them to a new...

Noted ice on the outside top of polly hives this morning, the metal roofs on others however were wet they are insulated but possibly not enough

So who wants to stick there finger in the air and tell me how many frames need to have space for laying v a hive chock full of stores. I run 14x12 and apart from 1 hive was possibly too early feeding. The last time I looked 7 days ago hives were choc full of stores with very little space if...

I would second the above but dont forget the extra frames. I would also recommend some sort of hive record book so you can record what you see and the action if any you take. (do as I say not as I do... Im afraid) I have no records of what when or why so I hope santa will come up with...

Chatjack .. the magpie has taken to sleeping on the kitchen door.. possibly slightly more hygienic than in the popcorn maker on top of the cupboard?? He/she is free fling and apparently spends quite a bit of time down the local pub begging crisps and sasauges . Comes in at dusk through the...