Search results

Thank you everyone for your advice/responses/agreements/disagreements (gotta love beekeepers!). I can’t get my head around euthanising so am going to take their honey, leave them to overwinter and then kill the queen next year when the hive doesn’t have as many bees in it and replace with one...

If that is the case then it is euthanasia as I can't risk them doing anything to the neighbours on whose land my hives are located. Unless anyone else has any bright ideas?

That looks much like me with my bees. I wear jeans, sweatshirt, two long armed nitrile gloves, cuffs and wellies. They still find somewhere though. Huge sigh. Will try again today to find and kill the queen and hope they breed a nice one. If not, that's it, I'm killing them off, if for no...

So would I be right in thinking that you suggest letting them overwinter and then kill the queen? I have two unbelievably nice, gentle hives in the same apiary and so could unite. Any suggestions on a bomb proof suit other than about three layers of clothing?!

Morning all, I'm really struggling with one of my three hives. The bees are bonkers, crazy aggressive. I've literally not been able to get in there for a month now. They were always a bit aggie but I could manage (just) now I simply can't get in there without being attacked. Last time I did...

Got stung four times by insanely angry hive. Last week the queen was in the BB with QE and in my hasty inspection before running home to tend to myself I noticed brood in the top (2nd) Super. Very puzzled. Now dreading going back. Am seriously considering wiping out the queen (wherever she...

Yes please. What a superstar you are. Thank you. I too am at work so would be perfect.

Thank you Emily - that's really helpful. I think I might be a bit far away from you sadly as we are south of Salisbury on the edge of the New Forest. My sort of mentor doesn't believe in treating for varroa (go figure) so I can't ask for her help, but maybe there are a couple of others or...

Last year I treated with Apiguard and Oxalic. Huge drop then and nothing since. I checked the base when I found the poor little bee and no sign of varroa. Unless my eyes are deceiving me. I did a lengthy check and there appeared to be only the one, but easy to miss as I couldn't even find...

Thank you and will do. Hoping it is just the one as I was assiduous in varroa treatment. 🤞

Is this a one off or DWV? Only the one bee in a relatively busy hive had this. I’ve enlarged the shot and hope that is has enough clarity.

I love the idea of Uni profs but with uni fees added to the cost of beekeeping ... hmm. And also what would we do with all those opinions?!

Well done. Last week I was getting a lot of ads for Ukrainian hookers! 😝

That generation were something else! My Scottish warbaby mother refused to throw ANYTHING away. And I mean anything. To the extent that one Easter she put stale hot cross buncrumbs (if that is a word) onto a fish pie. Not wasted? Yes! Taste good? Your choice!!

First visit in weeks - AND THEY ARE ALIVE! I can't begin to describe the relief after losing a colony last year, I was terrified and close to tears at the thought of failing again. Delighted to feed fondant to both hives and leave them in peace.

Glad i was suspicious then! 😝 oh well on with the crap back and heavy lifting.

🤭

This looks really interesting (as someone with a crap back 😣. But more so the following statement on the website: The ZEST hive by its design has proven to be functionally free of varroa, nosema and acarine. Any thoughts or comments because frankly being varroa etc free is very inviting?

Def not a fig. The leaves have more indented curves.

I’m still feeding too and figure I will be for a bit. Mostly because my bees were refusing the syrup I’d given them. I suspect because until last week (when it had finally all been taken) there was waaaay more interesting food outside. As a new beekeeper I find it disconcerting to read this...