Recent content by steelwine

What are pros and cons of entrance blocks. I noticed wasps heading into my hives so have closed down the entrances but I cannot help but wonder if this stops bees getting in as easily and what effect that has on the hive/harvest etc? How long should I leave on the entrance block? I would...

What is the best Bee escape and how do you use it? I have not had much luck with the porter escape method and the last few times I have shaken bees off the frames and taken away after that but its unpleasant as lots of stragglers tend to remain. I would be interested to hear how other beekeepers...

How long would you leave sugar solution on? The bees have half a gallon on at the moment and are taking it slowly. I dont want it go off and make them ill before they have finished taking it down! Should I pour it off and replace with fresh syrup? how long will it last roughly? Can you put in a...

Do you re-use brood frames or just buy them when you need new ones? Its quite a time consuming job scraping down, scorching and refitting them isnt it!

Great advice. Thanks Sherwood!

I have two small nuclei. One on about 2 frames, one on 3 frames. Both very small and new (They are from swarms that I have collected in the last couple of weeks). Both are queen right, one has some sealed brood and the other is so new it only just has eggs. I am worried that due to the size that...

When is a good time to start spring feeding with 1:1 sugar solution(ratio by weight sugar-water). I understood that if you feed early on it will stimulate the bees into thinking there is a nectar flow so that the colony will build up rapidly in the early spring? My question is when is a good...

seriously As the bees are unable to go out and forage I am hoping that the large number of forages inside my two hives have turned to housework and are drawing out the spare foundation I have given them at a terrific rate (they have loads and loads of stores so shouldnt be a problem food wise?)...

I have had bad weather in Sheffield for most of the week. This has resulted in the bees not flying and im worried that my virgin queen might not have had a chance to mate yet! The plus side is that when the sun comes out there will no doubt be a fat nectar flow! Anyway in my other hive I was...