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My second split was done "vertically" - this on a 14x12 with 3 supers on. I didn't have too much problem with the bees (although my bottom box seemed more lively than usual yesterday) - but I was pleased to shift the top box onto a new floor nearby - the height made the lifting more difficult.

Well, I've done 2 "modified Snelgrove II" splits so far. The first was on a hive that was developing rather slowly, and still had plenty of room when it developed queen cells - I wasn't certain whether they might be superseding, but decided not to chance it. Split was 20th April, and the...

That's easy, then - many thanks. Given that I'm not likely to need very much at any particular time, I guess it's worth making it up when needed, rather than trying to keep it "in stock"? Thanks again, Tony

I've seen mention of rosemary water a few times on the forum - apparently useful in introducing queens or combining bees, masking pheromone smells, I guess. However, I don't think I've ever actually seen the stuff. Is it something you make for yourself - or do you buy it? (in which case, what...

Yes, I've seen those, too. Again, I suppose it might work, but (given the price) I won't be trying it. It did prompt me to look into the cost of an ultrasonic transmitter, but I ran out of enthusiasm for the idea! Tony

Thanks, everyone, for the views. The seller appears to have amended the description from what was there when I first saw it (as noted), removing the mention of oxalic acid altogether. Part of my reservations stemmed from the apparently rather small surface from which to evaporate the stuff -...

Spotted this: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Hive-Guard-a-really-great-help-for-all-Beekeepers-/162456128240?hash=item25d323caf0:g:C9UAAOSw4CFY4P3n - apparently a formic acid / oxalic acid mix that vaporises slowly in the hive. I can see how it might help - but (and I've asked this about other...

Reminds me of a tale told by my better half (ex teacher): One of her pupils once offered her a scone, freshly made in the earlier Home Economics class. The offer was followed by the aside "I like making scones - it gets all the muck out from under your fingernails". Needless to say, the offer...

Splendid!

"CAN" get? I only started this year, but I'm feeling somewhat in the "has got" camp! I know it's start-up costs, but my first jar of honey (which, with luck, might happen this coming season) will have set me back rather more than some cars I've had. ;) Never mind - it's all about the bees...

I did look at that: the main thing that worried me was that there wasn't all that much room vertically between the hot pan and the bottom of the frames. I might have an overactive imagination, but: If the handle end of the vaporiser drops a bit over the entrance board ('cos it's the heavy...

I have Paynes nat poly hives. I used a piece of hardboard (or similar) cut to the width of the floor insert (but left about 4 inches longer the other way, to support the vaporiser handle). I put the vap-mite on that and slid the hardboard in in place of the plastic floor insert. It scorched...

Thanks for posting that - I found it really useful! I've got a reasonable library of beginners books, and have got through my first season with close guidance from my mentor - but a presentation like this pulls together a lot of visual material and a good explanation, all in one helping. Much...

H'mmmmm! Wouldn't THAT be nice! (but I think I might wait and see how you get on with yours) ;) Tony

Thanks for the views, everyone. All of you make points that fit broadly with my thoughts. A significant part of my concern was that it wasn't clear that the selection of colonies treated or not was "randomised", or that responders took one approach or the other, rather than a combination of...

Having looked through this article, I'm left wondering what to take from it. At face value, the reported results show lower average winter losses in colonies not treated for varroa, in comparison to treated colonies. Causes for winter losses are discussed, and the report notes that weather...

Thanks for that - much appreciated! Tony

Thanks for the input - I'll be keeping my Marigolds on, I think! The NIOSH data sheet is rather scary, taken at face value - but, as noted, we're really talking about very tiny quantities per hive (even for those who vape every 5 days till the mite fall goes down!). I see, from the sheet, that...

As I understand it, oxalic acid is a fairly unpleasant substance, so gloves, eye protection and overalls are recommended, and possibly a fume mask as well. If I sublimate the stuff, I understand that I end up with micro-crystals of oxalic all over the contents of the hive - bees, frames, walls...

Thanks for the wisdom! Since my hives are also Paynes polys, I'll park the notion in the "things to think about" pile for now. Cheers, Tony.