Recent content by Martin Pamplin

I also have black bees. I saw HM in spring when they were lovely and docile (and I couldn't find my marker) but I haven't seen her since, BIAS so I know she's there. In the last month they have started following after I inspect, should I be concerned or is it just the season?

I have one hive, Queen laying well. Worried that they are running short on space I gave them another box (Rose) with foundation. 9 days later and they have built brace comb between the existing and new frames but have not touched the new foundation at all. How does one persuade them to use the...

I have a colony which swarmed at the beginning of June (I caught the swarm) and has been broodless since. They are however still bringing in nectar & pollen and are a happy docile bunch - which makes me think there is a virgin queen in there even though I have never seen her. I also have an...

My understanding was that it needed to be far enough that tey would not recognize the old landmarks, so it is very dependent upon topology. Swarms seem to reset all the old memories, mine swarmed last week and are now in a new hive 10m from the old one with no difficulties.

Did you see what happened in Australia ? See: www.rte.ie/news and search for "Irishman stung 60 times while moving beehive" There is a lesson to be learnt !