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I completely agree. Most responses to this thread do not focus on or even try to answer the question. There are people who talk about supersedure whilst ignoring the 'delay swarming' part of the question, shout down incredibly useful sources of information because they don't like them, debate...

That is good news. Lets see what tomorrow brings.

If you haven't already, I'd severely reduce the entrance to help the colony defend themselves. One centimetre wide is a good starting point. It sounds like they're being attacked by another colony / other colonies and wasps. When did you last inspect them & how many frames were they on?

My mistake...I thought you were in passive aggressive question mode 😚....sorry! And again, I've learnt something here as I wrongly assumed that paint does not breathe, however: "... virtually every paint can breathe and that the major differences are in the rate of breathing. This rate alters...

I think you know the answer so why are you asking?

I was chatting to a landscape gardener friend here last week & he recounted a conversation he'd recently had with a client. The client felt his invoice was a little expensive. He said that from his side, with the amount he and his team has sweated doing the work he felt the price was more than...

I completely agree - unbelievable that wood can be used for such applications.

That is amazing! Durability really is relative to the environment - the 20 years figure is I'd say a generally accepted one from the internet, but of course there will be things that last longer given the right conditions (as per your example). Northern Ireland is I imagine somewhat wetter than...

Whilst not something you’re likely to find growing in the UK, lignum vitae is interesting to read about. It is actually classified as a hardwood though (it’s seeds are indeed encased in a shell). The Wood Database

Correct. Upon reflection I didn't really answer the original question. @BernardBlack - yes linseed oil is good enough / perfectly suitable for treating cedar hives and stands. It's a pretty impressive wood if you care to read up about it. It's resistant to rot and decay and also offers a...

I use it on some of my hives - realistically it needs reapplying each year though. As I understand it, does offer reasonable protection over the long term as long as you keep on top of it.

Why do you regard nectar from Himalayan balsam as 'poor nectar'? Surely nectar is nectar, albeit that the final product varies in taste accordingly.

Thanks for the suggestion Steve - great idea. I've created nucs & placed the queen cells in them whilst leaving some in roller cages too. Time will tell...

Here's my dilemma. I have 5 grafted cells capped today, so in theory emerging Saturday 6th August. From next week though I will not be around until the afternoon of Monday 8th August. As they have literally just been capped, they are at pupa stage with no wings to damage right now. Here are my...

I thought the UK was experiencing the hottest weather since the Ice Age...or something like that!?

Thanks for that - very useful. I'm aware my timeline isn't perfect in more ways than one, still, I'll do what I can and be better next time.

Thanks for that - some will be from different hives to the cell raiser. I can add protection. Here's my situation...perhaps you could help me with timings? July 15: cell builder created. Primarily frames of capped brood, but some eggs / larvae have snuck in. Nuc currently drawing out some...

I'm gearing up to create some splits into which I'll introduce a queen cell from grafts using my nicest bees. As I don't know how many takes I'll get I'm nervous about creating the nucs until I know that. Do I need to create the nuc, wait 8 days, knock down any queen cells and then introduce my...

Which suit do you consider as being secure?

I have nothing really to compare the Boulivo suit too....my first off AliExpress....well i was stung lots & it was so hot as it wasn't ventillated. Next came the Boulivo one. I have two zip pulls for the veil - 1 on each side. I never undo it fully. For me, the fact the zips overlap seems a...