Recent content by tobbias88

I had a super on top filled with straw ( to keep warm) and feeder holes cover with newspaper with only a small ventilation space. This seems to have become blocked or else rain got in - straw & super sides were wet. Full Combs look mouldy. I really don't feel like eating it. [It is National...

Last autumn one hive was suffering from chalk brood but a friend said leave hive alone & bees will sort it out. So took his advice & closed them for winter. This spring on opening found that all bees had perished because of damp, poor ventilation - my fault no doubt. Sadly the brood box is...

Just read that Rhododendron flowers are highly toxic. Mine are covered with happy? bumble bees at the moment but no honey bees. What do people think. Someone suggested that the toxins degrade with age & honey will be safe later in the year when bees will consume it. Lots of Rhododendron bushes...

Spread out thin smear of fondant on narrow (2"wide) strips of cling film width of brood box.. 4 or 5 strips. Prepare these on kitchen table & keep flat. Wait for calm sunny dry day. Quickly remove lid & crown board & place the strips (fondant downside) across the central frames. Close up...

Thanks, just safety precautions & not to dispose of into waterways. Nothing about bees or Nosema. Has any one else used it? Should I dilute it--80%? Add water? Safe?

A friend has given me some Hyperox to disinfect my wooden hives. Do I need to dilute this liquid or is it ready to use? Two hives have died with Nosema. Large quantity of honey still remaining. Will Hyperox remove/kill all remaining nosema spores? Will the honey be safe afterwards for bees...

they already had fondant but I thought it was finished. Friend says it could be just normal pooh since they can't do cleansing flights. I live in hope.

I was told syrup was easier to digest since no 'roughage' in it? The smears are reddish brown so I assumed blood. Should I remove syrop feeders?

I've been feeding bees Ambrosia since the weather is still cold & windy. Yesterday I noticed lots of bloody fecal smears around the entrance. Is this dysentry? Is it fatal to the entire hive? Is there anything I can do? Some are flying but I expect they will all get infected. Never had this...

Is the string poking through, just string tied to the top? No, they need the string to cluster round. I use a bit of broken comb ( smeared with honey) right up in the apex inside. The scouts make a beeline ( excuse the pun!!) for it every time & think it is 7th Heaven. They stay there quite...

Swarm catcher Best catcher ever inverted staw flower holder. Works every time.

Thanks folks, I'll go with windbreaks & Tyvek siding with a couple of corrigated iron sheets above. That should see them thru till Spring. Just snuck in some fondant to keep them happy. Very mild at moment & they are flying. Think I'll keep the bubble-wrap for Xmas presents.

My 3 plywood hives are on a very exposed site, catching a lot of wind & rain. They all have mesh floors which allows good circulation but also damp & cold. I thought of wrapping the exteriors in bubble-wrap as extra insulation. Is that daft? Would it cause mildew/condensation? Last year 2 hives...

Hmmm Can you beat this Chinese nutter???