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I had a hornet scare last year. Managed to catch the creature and it turned out to be a Giant Wood Wasp - similar in appearance and size:

:iagree::iagree:

Steve, glad to hear they'd settled a bit for you. Had a similar experience myself today. We've had a really mild winter here, and I knew the hives were building up due to the amount of activity on mild days. I also wanted to put the QE back into the larger colony. Temperature is 18 degrees...

Just strapped the hives to their stands in case the weather-guessers have got it right this time........

Tried to do full inspection today. New smaller colony was good as gold, building up nicely. The main colony had their grumpy heads on so decided to give it a miss today, closed up, and killed some wasps that were hanging around the hives instead.

Ricky Wilson's dark Welsh queens are great - the bees from them are wonderfully gentle and easy to work with. My colony from Ricky's queen survived the awful winter well and have built up quickly. Previously, I had one colony that was an italian/buckfast cross - to say they were a bit...

Many thanks, all, for the advice.

I've read most of the previous threads on OA quantities and would just like to check I've got it right before I mix for treatment this week. Previously, I used the 6% bottled readymix, diluted as per Gavin's and Susbees' suggestion. Ditched the unused solution as it had changed colour by this...

Oliver90, the inspection tray wasn't left in. I was referring to the lower opening at the back of the hive. The only time I leave a tray in is during varroa treatment. The hive has an OMF and it's on a slotted stand, so plenty of ventilation. Thanks for the suggestion anyway, but it wasn't that.

Thanks for the responses. Will remove any older frames and seal up the hive tomorrow. I wondered about nosema, although there was no sign of fouling in the combs or around the hive front. None of the signs of AFB or EFB either (glad I did the class in disease recognition earlier this year.)...

Yes, thank goodness. That's the strong colony.

Sunny afternoon so went up to do the fortnightly external check of my two hives. One was fine - bees still coming and going. The other was silent and still. Haven't opened the hive since early November, when the last of the feed went in, but risked a peek. All dead on mesh floor - 6 full...

Can anyone recommend a fungicide that is safe to use with bees around? I have 2 hives at the top of the garden and in the lower half (about 300 feet away) I have about 30 rose bushes scattered around suffering from near-terminal Black Spot because I haven't been spraying them since I've had bees.

Ricky Wilson sells Welsh dark queens for £22.50 post paid. They are very well-regarded, being prolific layers and of a good temperament. Here's his email address: [email protected] I've just sent off for one, to replace an AWOL queen from the primary hive.

Today 1230, went up to do an external check on the hive as I noticed there were lots of bees in the garden. Normally I can take a quick peek at the mite tray and a look around from the sides, but I must have outstayed my welcome this time and copped a sting just below the ear, plus an angry...

Weather lately has been awful - today, a few patches of milder sunny stuff allowed a window for OA application. That Trickle 2 gadget certainly makes life a lot easier! Was surprised to see just how many bees there still were: BB & 1/2 chokkers, and plenty more in the two supers of stores...

Thanks Gavin (and Susbees).

Yes please. I have bought the 6% premix and would like to dilute it.

I use plain cardboard egg cartons (the uncoloured ones) torn up and mixed with dried rosemary clippings in my smoker. Smells good, produces a cool smoke and the bees seems to be less agitated by it than the shredded cardboard I used before.

The main thing I learned is: Don't Panic