Recent content by melon

There are no pictures in the Popescu book, but lots of varied recipes, some of which have become firm family favourites. I'll attach some photos, so you can get an idea of content.

I use 'The Honey Cookbook' by Charlotte Popescu, which is full of recipes. Also, 'Great British Food Revival' has a honey section by Ainsley Harriott, with a nice ice cream recipe.

I am thinking of investing in a new stainless steel settling tank. Looking at a sloping floor one or a conical floor one to improve ease of bottling. Just wondered if anyone has any experience of these and is able to make any comments. The conical floored one has a pipe to the honey tap, and I...

I am certainly not worrying, just interested. Thank you for your thoughts.

If the bees are in a cluster, spreading over a number of frames, when they contract, as it gets colder, how to they get closer if the comb is in the way. I can't imagine that they would walk around when it's cold. Do they nibble holes to get through? Or does the cluster just contract the other...

I think it is the optical brightening agent (from the washing powder/liquid) that is left in the material after washing clothes that attracts honey bees (absorbs U.V light and re-emits / fluoresces visible light at the blue end of the spectrum. Bees are attracted to blue light) Are you serious...

Oh dear. Funny how they like to aim at the washing specifically, or is there that much poo all over everywhere that we can't see. Been too cold and dull here for any external activity.

Very interesting. Thank you. As regards the young bees, I suppose there is plenty of storage space in their rectum, as they usually go out after 3 weeks, and bees overwintering can store excretion collections for a much longer period. Also, the young bees have orientation flights before they...

MBC-do they actually consume the queen's excreta then, or just carry it out In their mouths?

Just reading up on all the bee Body workings for mod 5, and was left wondering about where the queen must defecate. I assume she must defecate, and she doesn't leave the hive, so does anyone know where and whether the workers have to clean up. She can't just keep storing it forever, surely.

Bee on Hogweed

Thank you all. Very helpful.

Any ideas as to why Apis ceranae are able to coexist with varroa, whereas Apis mellifera succumb. I am guessing that perhaps they have a shorter brood cycle?

Has there been an update to the Bee Disease and Pest Control Order of 2006 to include the Asian Hornet, Vespa velutina? I looked at a copy of the 2006 Order in the appendix of Yates, and was unable to decipher the useful information! Why can't law things be written in a clear concise way?

Thank you for your help. It's always a bit harder when there are no obvious signs of the disease to describe.