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BEWARE the siren song of the videos and books from overseas. We are a Maritime climate not a Contenential one. It took me 5 years to realise this and goodness knows what pain I inflicted on my bees in the meantime with the best of motives but also true ignorance. So example. I took a cell and...

Drink in wit out. First problem. Why insert an avoidable issue into the situation? Take the worst case scenario and they go ballistic, people getting stung multiple times and someone going into anaphylactic shock. In calm hindsight would you think you had been sensible or selfish? Given your...

I would leave them well alone until the warmer weather arrives then work out what they are actually occupying and take it from there. If you search the forum myself and others have successfully moved colonies short distances so it's not the biggie some of the books make out. PH

The chart seems to be aimed at the exam people I think. The colour to use is what works best for your eyes. Red and or green colour blindness affects close to 10% of the male population so not the best choice really. I find a strong blue works well for me as does green but that's my eyes. PH

https://alanrogers.com/blog/calor-gas-discontinuing-smaller-bottles PH

Over many years and various groups this Q comes up pretty much every season and my answer is always the same. Do not keep bees at home. Whwy? Sooner or later problems will happen. Some will say but I've kept bees at the house for x years with no problems. No doubt totally true. It's a law of...

A good label is an investment. PH

My go to label designer is Brian Phibben. I had a long talk at a conference with a honey packer and he mentioned these points as critical: No fancy font the label should be readable from 4-6ft away. His point being many are too vain to wear specs when shopping. Must obviously be legal and...

I will point out the obvious which is when using an electrical device.....there is a risk. Why not use the bees? After leaving Craibstone and the associated kit including a large incubator I thought about making one and then thought is it something I need and where would I keep it. So I did...

Because for my climate they are not suitable to take bees through Winter. I tried in my early days (Aberdeenshire) but after the first few years gave them up. What works in the South is often dodgy up here. We may be a little island but location location and location is critical. PH

I won't have timber nucs full stop. PH

I'm on some woodworking FB groups and a guy who says he is in the wholesale business said three weeks back that prices in the Nordic countries are now back to preCovid levels. On speaking with a builders merchant recently he agreed and said if I was planning on a serious purchase to hold fire at...

I became aware that that was the situation (she of course said nothing) and luckily I had time to organise some lovely chocolates for her. The supplier was going to post but I explained the situation to them and they couriered for me for no charge bless them. She was delighted with them.

I find that the temp of the honey in the bucket is the same as the STC setting after 24 hours or so. I use a thermometer in the bucket with an external output. PH

I'm sure some of you have a copy of her book, Pollen Grains and Honeydew, and sadly she passed on the 2nd of Jan. She was an excellent and very knowledgeable beekeeper and pollen specialist. I was proud to call her a friend and she was a great asset as one of the mods on my little FB group. PH

Titebond 3 is your friend for assembling poly and as said leave the load bearing surfaces bare. I've been putting them together probably longer than most and any good wood working glue really, works. I've not had a melt down yet. PH

https://www.hbhoney.com/product-page/buzz-off

Does anyone happen to know what is in this product please? PH

As mentioned above the way to find out is to ask and it's surprisingly easy. PH

Finding an out Apiary. This is how I haver always done it and over the years I have been refused twice. Once because the person frankly didn’t seem to understand my question and the other because the spot I was asking about was about to be used for another project. With social media people...