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Well, actually, that's why the NBU are dead set against the prospect of legitimising Oxalic vaporisation at all. Different area, but "Knowing beekeepers" (in the RBI's words) they think there would be bound to be many beekeepers who would "abuse" the facility and ignore Health & Safety...

Some people will say anything! Change anything about the product and re-authorisation is needed. The product's 'potency' does seem to vary quite a lot depending on the precise conditions of use. Number 7 on my RBI's list of "Top 10 Varroa Mistakes" (presented at the recent DEFRA meeting)...

They aren't even allowed to change the instructions' wording without going back for re-authorisation!

Oh dear. Yes Q could easily still mate. With a mated Q, colony could survive. But ... you would be best advised to ask around your Association chums or a spare Q. Pronto. So you can requeen - removing that QC before emergence, as finding and removing virgins can be pretty difficult. But...

APHA "Associations’ Forum, South Eastern Region – National Bee Unit" held at DEFRA, Smith Square, Westminster, last Friday.

DEFRA/NBU were a bit sceptical as to what not finding anything might mean. They also pointed out that the 'exclusion zone' would be due to be lifted in December and that upwards of 10,000 colonies from colder parts of Europe are typically sent to overwinter in the milder climate of Southern...

Beards and economical masks. The point was specifically brought up by the Elfin Safety pro at LASI, during his presentation on doing vaporising safely - using an "acid vapour" mask. According to him, beard means different protection needed - he alluded to those full-face airflow thingies (but I...

To quote Harry Callahan

It is really hard to ID pollen by the colour of the pollen load. There are some colour charts available. Not IMHO terribly useful though. Too many colours are too similar! For proper pollen ID, you need a microscope that is going to give you a clear view at 400x magnification. And only then...

Emyr, just because you haven't experienced it - YET - doesn't make it a fairytale! :) It does happen, sometimes, but most often with a new box and new frames as well as foundation. Foundation 'nadired' through the winter is likely to emerge a bit tatty in the spring. More chewed-through...

I hope my previous response makes clear that the threat is that the Laying Workers would kill the good laying Q. Which is why uniting with Laying Workers is not done, except by those whose bravery and/or number of colonies exceeds their wish to retain that queenright colony!

Shaking out laying workers is the conventional, routine response. There was a recent discussion about the unconventional (misconception?) shaking out of a Drone Laying Queen colony. Shaking out is to break up the colony. Not to sort fliers from non-fliers. Breaking up the colony is...

Aaah, but the question is feeding fondant when? I only use fondant if a hive is getting light as winter drags on. And I put it on the topbars inside an eke, and crossing all the frames - so some is above every 'seam' that might have bees, and thus most easily accessible to the unbroken...

The advice from the (South East) Regional Bee Inspector is that the 1st of August is the right time to apply Apiguard! :eek: He believes that the principal reason for some people getting poor results with it, is that they left it too late, and the weather turned cold before the treatment...

Apiguard is a fine treatment for this time of year (after harvest, before cold weather). It costs about £5/colony and doesn't really need any extra kit - just a small eke, usually made from cheap or scrap stripwood, though Thorne and other suppliers do sell them for about a fiver. Treatment...

There is a wonderful search facility (or three) on the forum ... ! No "dust mask" provides adequate protection. You need a mask that is proof against acid vapours (not just dust). (And no beard so it sits tightly enough.) And goggles. And gloves. The NBU is dead against vaporising...

Various other merchants also sell stainless spirals. Mine did come from Thornes who actually offer a choice of patterns - one has a central shaft. Drill doesn't need to be particularly heavy duty, just that the chuck is capable of opening wide enough to take the thing. I have an "18 volt"...

Yes, it never tastes quite right when someone else does it with their spoon. My point precisely!

Dusty wondered that too ... http://beekeepingforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=25721 Choirboys, if I remember correctly.

When I saw the article in Beecraft about the French feral colony living inside a holy and hollow statue, with the bees entrance being via His errrrrr 'fundament', I did wonder whether or not Dusty would be wanting 'one of those hives'. But then I realised the fuss that Derek would kick up...