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Don't bother! Look for QCs and release any/all the VQs. 'Springing' virgins (releasing all of them from their cells simultaneously) so that they seek and destroy the rivals, is a pretty well-established means of dealing with the emergency situation of having one or more virgins emerge during...

Pleased to discover that 'the reports of his death were exaggerated'. Reading one's own obituary tributes is a luxury extended to very few.

I'd say that midsummer is about the only time when top ventilation might make any sense. The forum's scorn is regularly directed at those advocating deliberate top ventilation through the winter.

"Making decrease' seems to be harder to do, and less well taught than making increase! The trick (which I am still learning) is to combine colonies ("unite") quickly - as soon as you are happy that the new Q is going to be OK. It looks to be a good idea for all beeks to create some nucs in...

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.

Kinda suggests that you haven't seen the sharper photos in "Managing Varroa" - the (important) free official booklet on controlling the pest. ;) Catch up with the download link here http://beekeepingforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=21261

Either that or Nokia finally axed their troublesome prototype chatbot ...

Well, in that case, if its true, the other day they sure didn't go out on a mating flight with Q from your chosen QC! However, bees having a cruel sense of humour, they are known to sometimes reseal a QC after Q has emerged. Often with a worker inside ... trapped, head first, as opposed to all...

You might find this thread helpful ... http://beekeepingforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=23983

:spy: :)

Marc, while waiting for an intro course, etc, I'd suggest you get hold of a couple of books, so you can start some studying. Check your local library (and its affiliates, mine can get books from any other in the County system for a few pence fee). The Haynes manual is a keeper. Honeybee...

For cut comb, better to use thin unwired foundation. Its clean beeswax that has been rolled by machine, its not really accurate to call it "man made". Using the foundation should give straighter, more even combs. Important for getting consistent weights of your cut comb packs. But use starter...

Mating flights can result in a 'false swarm' cluster near the apiary which returns to the original hive once they realise that that Q isn't in the cluster (she went out of the hive and kept on going on her mission). Usually (but bees are bees) the return happens in 15 minutes or so, and they...

Keeping Q in the clip is a nice idea IF the plan is to donate the bees to a Q+ hive and do away with the unknown Q. Having her in the box gets the other bees in there, clip or not. Keeping her in the clip saves having to find her again. Personally, I start with the paynes nuc disc entrance set...

The thing I'm wondering about is whether your neighbour would actually know what a real swarm of honeybees looked like. Might have been Tree Bumblebees, or just a collection of bees working hard on a particular bush or tree. Unless people talk about the air having been full of flying insects...

As per pargyle. Sort out what way you are going, decide your hive type after having seen some in use (and certainly only after you have handled the frames of the format you intend buying). And then you'll be in a good position to to take advantage of the new year sales (when stuff can be...

Could you give a link to the specific page please? /// UPDATE Found it. And it is Cushman rather than Patterson that is straying this time ... http://www.dave-cushman.net/bee/unitenewspaper.html Count me among those who think it part of the beekeeper's job to select the Q.

Do you have freshly made Oxalic syrup? (It doesn't store for long - don't use it if it is yellowed - should look just like plain fresh syrup.)

No harm (and some good) should come from dusting them with icing sugar. It pretty useless once they have sealed brood, but while they have absolutely zero sealed brood, icing sugar can certainly have some effect. Oxalic acid would have a greater effect, but icing sugar is more easily available...

Sounds good - don't forget Erica's reminder about checking Q's frame as well (just as soon as that lot are settled on their new frames - don't wait 5 days!)