Recent content by Sean.

Hi Finman, HM = Queen = Her Majesty I moved the original colony, and the split, e.g. artifical swarm with two frames of brood, and foundation. This is the one that seemed to swarm. I checked and could not see any thing other than the start of play cups. No sealed queen cells, on the two frames...

I was going to ask this, as this is what has happened to me yesterday! Not seen the queen today, will look again. As I did a artificial swarm on the colony, as showing queen cells. I've looked today, to see what was going on with the split, and can't see HM, or any queen cups with either eggs...

Sales tend to be around boxing day. Free postage on orders over £100 or £150 depending on the supplier. I would also start talking to farmers and so on to find a good site. The Ted Hooper book is a good one to start with.

What I tend to do is put a new broad box on top now, with new frames and foundation. As they are still able to draw the wax out, if it warms up or stays warm. Then they will have the foundation with stores and have drawn 90% of it out ready for winter, or more so spring. The bottom brood box can...

I would be concerned with OSR, how to check the water level, and know if they have capped the honey? As well as is this going to encourage robbing from other hives, as they smell the extracted honey? How many bees get crushed, if any when closing the device? Nice idea, needs to come down in...

Thank you for all the replies. I will have to pay them a visit and see what else there is available forage wise.

Are they problematic for beekeepers? What experiences have people had?

Evening all, I'm looking at moving, and a place I've seen has a golf* course very close by. What experience, good and bad have people had? I know that there are a number of toxic chemicals used to kill pest of on the courses. Are these easily wind spread, how much risk is there to bees? Thank...

The branch meetings are good, I wish I was able to attend more. Sadly work means I can't get there on time! Next weekend North Cheshire have a microscopy day. Looks like that would be a good one to go to.

Yes, that would be interesting to see. I am looking at a motor for my 8 frame tangential one. Thanks.

Hello from a member of the North Cheshire association.

What do you mean by preserve the comb, I am assuming you mean to store either the frames whole or the cut comb?

A bit of an accademic question. When does a swarm become a colony?

They have been in situ for 6 days, so there will be comb and I guess brood to remove. Are they a swarm or a colony. I guess in between now : ) Sean

They would pay for both the bess to be removed and if you are a bricky the have them put back. I was not clear on that point. You would need to discuss that with them to see how much to charge. Sean