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Did my first weekly inspection of the new hive today installed from package last week. :) I did not find the queen as it was not that warm and did not want to keep the hive open for long. They have However drawn 3 full frames of comb and are well underway with 4 and 5. After my eyes adjusted, I...

I guess I will just have to play it by ear. They are due their first full inspection on Saturday so I can gauge how much brood is there then. They are assigning more and more foragers each day judging by the amount of orientation flights that take place and the pollen is coming in thick and...

RAB, yes, standard deep brood. Meant to write 14x8. These are of Italian origin as far as I can tell although until the actual offspring of this queen appear, it's unknown really. Not worried about extra weight or inspecting two boxes, more interested in understanding the required brood size...

I have just installed a new package of bees. They have been in almost a week and have already drawn comb on half the frames (11). The question is will the 12 x 8 national brood box be enough space for them to grow as a colony and for over wintering this year or do I add a super (so it's brood...

It has standard top vents either side. Will remove tray in the morning. Thx. N

Hi Heather, thanks for the reply. I am not sure if there enough bees currently to be able to calculate varroa levels - only 10,000 or so, as have only just started to build comb and lay brood as they were started from a package on saturday. But I'll pull the tray out anyhow in a few days. N

Hi all, I have installed a new colony this week and was wondering whether I should be leaving the varroa inspection tray in to help them keep warm, or remove it? Feedback appreciated. N

Hi guys, thanks for all the later posts regarding the LBKA. Have been away from the forum for a while. Have now done the 2 day course with you guys which was great and met lots of other keen beekeepers. Will now be getting involved with some of your apiaries including the brockwell park one...

Ok. You sound like you have had a fair amount of experience with them! Thats the impression I had about swarms. However it's the neighbours reaction if it ends up near them that bothers me more than the swarm itself. Is it something that can easily be prevented with good hive management skills...

Hi, thx for the responses and suggestions. I'll PM you later Jallen. Would be good to get to know someone in the area with a colony already. Have you had good results in Dulwich? I have registered for a course in Kennington for a months time although only a taster. I am looking at more...

Hi everyone, I have been facinated with the idea of keeping bee's in my back garden for a while now and have decided to take the plunge this spring (very exciting!). Although I have read up alot and plan to attend some courses when they start up later in the year, I am very keen to find someone...