Search results

I tend to use polycarbonate crown boards, without any feeder holes cut out, so my 'traditional' wooden crown boards don't get too much use. They only really come out if I have to feed, or when I don't have any other CBs left. However, each wooden CB does have a CD or two blocking the feeder...

As Dani says above, but I'd also say that the further into the hive you can get the vape the better. I tried from underneath the OMF once but you lose a bit of OA crystallising when it hits the cold mesh of the open mesh floor, before it even gets inside the hive. The OA on the underside of...

That book looks very familiar! Although my mum's wine was barely drinkable. The grapes are just left for the chickens, starlings and pigeons now. 😀

I spend my honey money in the sales each year. STILL don't have enough supers or brood boxes - not sure I ever will 🤔

Put clearer boards on two hives ready to take the last two supers off tomorrow. Brought in the bait hives. Got the other two colonies configured ready for winter (QEs out, second layer of insulation under the roof, insulated dummy boards in the double broods etc.). All full hives are looking...

Personally I have no problem with acronyms when they're used within a community of shared interest like this. If you're already an established beekeeper and don't know what CBPV is - then you really need to find out. If you're new to the forum, then you're probably either a new beekeeper or a...

Rather than colours of hives, or strains of bees, I would consider variations in varroa loads between my hives to be much more likely due to what has happened to an individual colony over the season, assuming of course that the major variables are the same (location, housing, medications etc)...

I never said to use generic OA. It's perfectly legal to vape OA as long as you use Api-bioxal. Of course it's up to each individual where they choose to source the OA they use for vaping (and accept the risks that come with it).

Why spend over £25 on something that's likely snake oil, and with no information or proof of efficacy, when you can spend the same amount on a pan vaporiser from Ebay? The gear to vape your bees (vaporiser, battery and PPE) doesn't cost a fortune and will last you for many many years to come...

I would say thanks to Patrick for his comments and the info. I'd even weigh up the risks... ...but to be frank, I'd personally still buy bakers fondant over bee fondant. If my bees actually needed it...

My mum had a hip op just over a year ago. She was walking down the road within the week, and going on daily two mile walks by the end of the month. I don't think you'll have much of a problem, but if you're at all unsure, as Boston Bees said, put on some fondant. It'll be there if/when they...

My bees tend to 'block' the entrance like that when they've been happily bringing in nectar on nice sunny days and then it gets a bit gloomy and wet. I tend to think they're reducing the entrance to help them reduce the nectar to honey. Mine will sometimes even sit outside, covering the...

Just goes to show how much variation there is in locations. My bees are still finding plenty of forage and a couple of hives still have supers on that they're filling. As things stand I think it will be at least a couple of weeks before I do any feeding, although from brief checks last week I...

Watched one hive washboarding yesterday. Never seen it in person before, but the same hive were at it again this morning.

They'll look much better with bees in than handbags on top!

The danger is that without treating, or assessing mite levels you won't know until it's too late to do anything about it. Mite levels can increase exponentially, and we all have a much greater understanding of exponentiality now thanks to Covid. Assessing levels first gives you an idea of...

Depends on the volume of the area you want to use it in. If you can put bucket(s) in a small room or cupboard you really don't need a big or expensive dehumidifier. The mini dehumidifiers we use for our static caravans over the winter only cost around £30 and work well - Amazon have lots...

Nah, not yet. Maybe I'll change my mind in a few years 😉

Thanks for the tip. Is it woven and longer lasting than the plastic mesh though. I was just going to replace it on my existing hat, but without upgrading it to something better it seemed easier to simply get a whole new hat for £8

I have a basic STBK suit (£30). Never been stung through it, and after three years nothing wrong with the suit itself, and it washes great. I did replace the hat and veil this year because the mesh developed a small split. However, at just £8 for a new hat and veil, I'll happily stick with my...