Search results

We’ve had quite a bit of snow this weekend…

Randy Oliver makes up nucs in the snow!! Not at all suggesting we all start doing that but bees are tougher than we think! If you’re doing an OA dribble the hive needs to be opened in Dec /Jan so there are times when necessary! The strips should definitely be removed though. I place mine...

I have some hives that are out in all weathers, others not so keen. Of my two hives in my garden, one is out most days, not really sure what my out apiary bees are doing most of the time. Although, I went up the other day and there was frost on the ground but the sun came out and one of the...

I got mine here: https://tinwaredirect.com/collections/tins-for-candles/products/rose-gold-round-seamless-solid-slip-lid-tins?variant=39696085057620 very similar but works out a bit cheaper.

I need to ask, how do you cut the boxes? I thought of doing this with commercials but keep thinking if I use a saw it’ll not be even so the boxes won’t sit flush. 🤔

Found this, aimed at cottage industry level, but quite in depth. http://www.britishcandles.org/documents/www.britishcandles.org/Trading_Standards/candlesadvicepack(2020).pdf Edited - just noticed link already been posted.

The wood sections are just wood, not particularly described as food safe, similarly the super frames, I think something like balsa would be ideal, easy (ish) to bend and just as suitable as any other equipment used in the hive.

I have a box I forgot to use this year, also planning to try it out this year. I wonder if some thin balsa wood would work in the sections instead of the plastic. If it was soaked then put in the rings?

I’ve got a stencil I cut that I use on mine to give a bit of camouflage as well as the base colours being similar to the environment.

I personally like to paint mine to blend in with the surroundings so they don’t draw attention.

Bees will go for the closest suitable water source, it’s unlikely my bees are sharing the same water source as bees a mile down the road, unlike a free honey source, they will come from all over at the first whiff.

No need to be rude! I cut the section of the paragraph as that is the part I was responding to.

I think the difference here is that you are actively encouraging robbing behaviour and disease spread by leaving them out for open feeding. It’s strongly discouraged here and this is advised by the bee inspectors for disease control.

Open feeding is a known way to spread diseases to your bees and others bees. I’d suggest you just put them back on the same hive to clean if you want to sore then dry.

I keep a diary of what the bees are doing (not as regularly as I used to but when I remember I add to it). Here in Scotland, I have plenty of entries with bees bringing in pollen this time of year, doesn’t slow down till about December from my records. (only couple of years worth just now).

Beautiful! Does he do prints of his work (maybe more affordable for me), I really love the nests!

Thank you, it’s the same price as the Thornes one, which looks a lot cleaner having an external drum, anyone used one of those? https://www.thorne.co.uk/processing/heather-honey-and-processing/heather-honey/stainless-steel-honey-press.html

Anyone use the wooden fruit press for heather honey? The seem cheaper than a honey press, can’t see why they wouldn’t work?

I'm not terribly hopeful for them but I'll do all the things suggested and let nature do the rest.

Would pollen substitute patties suffice? I have some of those.