Recent content by rileyman

Thanks for the replies ... Difficult to describe taste - but it doesn't taste like 'normal ' honey. It is though it has got a little tang to it added after extraction - my son said it is like out of date orange/lime zest! The honey is hard - quite crystalline - but not spoon bendingly so! I...

Hi, Just been given a jar of honey by a local beekeeper and when trying it, it tasted slightly 'chemically' - certainly not like other local honey I've tried. Could it be that this is honey that was extracted after Varroa treatment - or does honey occasionally come out tasting funny? Dont want...

I've found that mixing 2:1 isn't too difficult - as long as you keep the temp of the water high ... but not boiling. On the stove in the wifes largest boiling pan is best! Roger

Put apiguard on my hive 2 weeks ago. Came back from holiday yesterday - to find that the bees had taken most of it - but there was some left in the tray. Should I just renew the tray - as per instructions? or leave the tray until completely empty? or assume thay've had enough and remove the tray...

Wingy - I should have given more info ... A 6 frame nuc with 4 frames of brood in all stages. Hived them up last Tuesday - the super is hiding the feeder - at the moment the bees are just in the brood box, with all the other frames just foundation. I got the bees from Astrid at Hogs Back Bees...

Hi, A week into my bee ownership and I have noticed a change in the bees. A lot more activity outside - lots of little battles going on - and a number of dead bees in front of the hive. Am I being robbed? Or is it just my lack of experience not knowing what normal behaviour looks like :blush5...

Thanks for your replies. It would appear the problem is sorting itself out. I popped a board between the ground and the landing board and they immediately started flying straight into the hive, rather than underneath. A quick check this evening has shown that there only about 50 bees left...

Hi, I received my first nuc yesterday, and this morning transfered them to the hive. All seems ok and they are feeding well. However .... When I had a quick look this evening I noticed quite a few bees under the hive clinging to the mesh floor. I would say about a cup full in size. Is this...

Hi all, As a total beginner, I need your advice ... I am collecting my first nuc on Monday - and I have read conflicting advice as to how long I should wait until I transfer the bees from the nuc to their new hive. Should I do it as soon as I get them back home, or would a 24 hour settling in...

Totally new to this - only time I've handled bees was when I was seven with my Grandfather - so cant remember anything. I have a local chap who said he might be able to help - but always happy to meet other keepers in my area that might help. I'll take your advice and join the local group...

Hi all, Just a quick hello from a total beginner! I have just taken the plunge and bought my first hive and equipment - spent a very enjoyable day yesterday with the kids constructing it. Ordered a nuc from a reputable keeper and they should be here in 2-3 weeks - I guess that's when the real...