Search results

I've got heather a mile away and usually it's my main/only crop so they're alright where they are - just not getting enough time to cross the Tyne and get onto the fell for it in these brief, sunny spells, despite the ling flowering well.

You're talking sense - the only realistic option is to nuc or run in adjacent half brood boxes but nuc would be easier. I AM tempted to run them in adjacent half's, doubled up, but ofc it deviates ever further from the holy KISS principle. I'm definitely impressed with Demaree's though, and am...

Still sounds worthwhile! I'm sorted for now as I've just bought lots of fondant for 13.95, but definitely great when I make syrup, thanks!

This has been my first year using Demaree's and they proved invaluable in all that hot weather preceding this terrible past month, I've still got a couple configured as such and am now turning my thoughts as to how best to overwinter them - currently, although the queens in all are this year or...

Ah, I envy you your first taste of your own bees honey! It's incredible. If you're anything like most of us, you'll find it a steep learning curve, be told entirely opposite practises are essential and feel vaguely like you know what you're doing by year 3. Then you realise you'll never know...

Big fan of Wally Ahaw - excellent, pragmatic beekeeper. Is this something you do?

Still finding that this year too? Cheers

I've tried them before, though only in plastic takeaway containers and the bees are liable to fill that with brace comb. If I'm feeding fondant straight onto a QE on the top bars as is my preferred method, then a load of cheap old jumpers around always provides insulation and sinks down as the...

Yes, thought my Paynus nucs blasted internal feeder (most have sensibly been cannibalised into 8 frame nucs) was sufficiently well sealed with masonry paint - evidently not!

I tried introducing the first two bought in queens I ever got using that Abelo queen introduction frame, only to twice discover they'd killed the queen. I fear now that they overcomplicate something when an introduction cage is fine. If I'm being especially cautious, I make sure I'm introducing...

Chocolate falls went under didn't they? Certainly my email for them is defunct and couldn't find them as they were first place I went. Bako in various locations have either not responded to emails sent 3wks since, or quoted £18 for 12.5kg. Is it REALLY such a bad idea attempting the fondant...

Only bought fondabee for nucs, used just baker's for full colonies. I'm like Willie Robson as regards preferring fondant over syrup and as below, syrup doesn't suit me, especially either the year it's turned out to be for wasps

I've tried, Bryn - £14 was the best by some distance, apparently my location in rural Northumberland doesn't allow for discount. Local BKA are buying 2.5kg x 5 boxes of fondabee or 12.5kg of fondant in a box for £20. Syrup doesn't fit me so well - nearly all my hives are poly and last year wasps...

Hi all, I've taken the dreaded decision to buy sugar and try to make my own fondant/candy as Tesco/Sainsbury's 5kg bags at 95p a kilo are the best I can find after Sugarfine quoted me £14 for 12.5kg and then ghosted. This is only my 9th yr of beekeeping but I've never even thought about...

You and me both, fella - it looked like it was gonna be the BEST season too!

That was the point where Wikipedia and my lack of basic intelligence diverged 😉

Sorry, I only belatedly saw your message. You're right, and I acknowledged as much vis a vis confirmation bias and placebo, but I'm not selling anything and nor am I egotistical enough to need to 'win' some argument with you - I frankly know v little, something I enjoy the bees reminding me of...

Yup, it's why Monsanto and Bayer will et al are the only ones who can afford to push through such things to market. I fear with sugar costs and beekeeping equipment retailing at such crazy prices, something's gotta give soon - and I'm fearful it'll be IPM. Cheapest 12.5kg fondant I've found this...

Sorry if this has been done to death before, I'm a Luddite. Supposing the Randy Oliver method of placing 'Swedish cloths' of cellulose sponge impregnated with 50:50 veg glycerin to Oxalic Dihydrate gets DEFRA approval eventually (though I'm sure it'll come with a hefty price-tag for the license...

Not a placebo - bee venom is v acidic with a pH around 5, so rubbing alkaline bicarbonate of soda as found in most proprietary toothpastes on the affected area, once the sting is removed and if done swiftly, neutralises it - I do think the rubbing is important though as if you just smear it on...