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I thought the suggestion was just not to bother removing the bottom brood box until Spring? As I said in the original post, I have already put the a second brood box on top. This would not be difficult to remove however... in fact I was going to do just this when I swap the current box for one...

Thanks all for your input. I didn't realise what I was suggesting was called a 'Bailey' - good to know. Clearing up some matters: JWF- I put the undrawn foundation at the edges and the three or so drawn frames in the middle. I think this is what you were suggesting so we are in agreement...

Since my last inspection, my bees have managed to draw comb between most of the central frames (perhaps 6-8) in the 14x12 brood box. This meant that when I attempted to lift out the frames to inspect, the comb was pulled out of the frame causing a complete mess and left me with some fairly...

That answers everything I need to know. My very great thanks.

Jenkinsbrynmair, Yes, I am using Hoffman self spacing frames. Although as you can see I have been using them incorrectly. Your suggestion sounds like an excellent idea. My concern would be that the lower (incorrectly spaced) bb will then be used for honey stores which is obviously not ideal...

Thanks for the response... Q. What's in them? A. Everything one might expect in a brood box- honey, BIAS, pollen... When I push them together, I get the feeling that they have limited space to a) move on the frame b) emerge from the comb Should I be concerned? Rad

Hi Folks, One of the many mistakes I made in my first year of beekeeping was not ensuring the appropriate sized bee space between the frames in my national hive. I am aware that the frame should have been pressed tight against each other and that this would have automatically set the correct...

No longer needed. Ebay came up trumps. Thanks

Hi folks, I am interested in purchasing a used extractor with the following attributes being essential: 1. Electric 2. Radial 3. Between 4 and 16 frames 4. Working! ideally of reputable brand and with a reverse function but neither of these are essential. Please get in touch if you have one...

Put a 3rd super (wireless foundation for cut comb) on my hive last week when during the inspection I saw that the two below were full but uncapped. Today (7 days later) they are starting to draw out the foundation well but I thought I'd move the new super to the middle rather than the top. My...

Thanks Tawny Owl, Yes, I think the consensus is that they are play cups. I've spent much of today reading about queen cells and play cups etc and I am far more relaxed... slightly embarrassed if anything that I got so concerned! Let's hope the situation hasn't changed when I get back from...

Oliver90owner, The outermost frames are almost completely empty, coming in from that they fill up pretty quickly which either brood or sign that brood has been there recently. Photos of all frames here: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/q6oce8b6k0shhz4/JOhia6P96U I did not mention it on my post...

The plan was to have two hives and I have a 2nd 14x12 all set up and ready for that purpose but I have only just got my head around the basics (this is the 2nd year beekeeping) and had hoped to tackle this matter later in the year, not the day before our family holiday! Typical: save your bees...

@tawny owl, So you don't think the cells in my last photo (posted above) look suspicious? Rad

Perhaps I spoke too soon?! After re-reading my post above, I went through the photos again and realised that there were 2 frames which showed potential queen cells in remarkably similar places. During my inspection I established one frame did not have queen cells but now I am worried that the...

I Decided to remove the hanging brood Firstly, I'd like to thank everyone for their input. Whether it ended up correct or not I'm very grateful for sharing your experience. I have just got back from today's hive inspection. Photos of this can be seen here...

Update post hive inspection Hi Folks, Firstly, I'd like to thank everyone for their input. Whether it ended up correct or not I'm very grateful for sharing your experience. I have just got back from today's hive inspection. Photos of this can be seen here...

Beeno, Updated post following hive inspection about to follow... with close up photos. In answer to your point, whilst they are downward facing and reminicent of a (short) peanut, I didn't think they were long enough for QCs. Upon closer inspection, one of the cels you suspected was a QC was...

QCs at the bottom? Beeno has suggested that the two cells at the bottom of the first photo might be QCs... I am not sure. Any thoughts?

@Oliver90owner... I'm glad you think so... potential QCs were on the top of my agenda when I was doing the inspection.