Search results

Was quite easily able to spot the queen today, probably helps now I have marked her! She is laying really well....just couldn't see a thing yesterday, as the sun would not shine and the frames are a little darkened....I know I need to change them...it's just never that easy, as they always seem...

Thamks Midland Beek, I will ASAP, but can't play with my bees on Sunday mornings, as there are a lot of Joe Public about and I don't won't anyone to get stung. The queen did look lovely yesterday, but I suppose injuries could be internal. Will have a better look this afternoon. I also need to...

I had the same problem a few weeks ago. 5 takeaway pots used for fondant had wild comb being built in them in different hives. The queen was laying in one, but I only realised she was there when the bees started fanning at the top of the tub, which I had put on the floor in front of the hives to...

Thanks RAB, Most were right at the top of the frame, pointing outwards rather than straight down, but there was one at the bottom of the frame, pointing downwards. I will perhaps AS tomorrow afternoon, if not too late!! I thought afterwards, I wonder if I damaged her, whilst marking her, using...

Hi, In one of my colonies, there were 4 or 5 sealed queen cells, but the queen was still present. There did not appear to be any very young larvae, so how can I tell if this is supercedure...ie the queen is no longer any good, or swarm preparations..ie she has stopped laying ready to...

No, apparently it was a queen from last year, who has been laying OK, before winter.

A friend of mine had an eggless colony, but the bees didn't build any queen cells on test frame and the queen was still present, but was failing to lay. She has taken another frame of eggs today, having caught and trapped the queen. She is going to have to destroy or remove the queen and add the...

Thanks Oliver90Owner for your reply about sulphur strips. I didn't do them every month, and especially not when it was freezing. They were a bit smelly, when I last had a look and have been enclosed by a solid wood floor and roof. So if I need them soon, do you think they'll be OK to almost put...

I can't understand associations not accepting your membership. Usually only to happy to take on new members. You won't be alone when you've got the 'beekeeping forum' as your friend.

Looks like you'll soon need to add a super if this lovely weather continues. I think I'll have to air my supers as I used Sulphur strips this year.

I forgot to say that they have been really busy collecting water from the pond lately, so perhaps if it turns cold, I would feed them sugar syrup. I don't want to build up the colony, but prevent them from starving.

I've just been to remove insulation from the roof and check on fondant. All but one hive had emptied their fondant, and most of them had started building wild comb in the plastic pot! I don't think I'll bother with fondant, unless it turns cold again, as the blossoms are starting to come out...

Think I'd like to see a picture of the honey baffle too, as I can't quite understand it, despite the lovely description, and can't quite comprehend where you locate it...actually over the tap hole?, and how do you support it, whilst allowing honey to get under it.

The frame is a good idea, but probably not so easy if you have to keep moving things around....working in the kitchen, and having to move everything to cook and feed everyone! Looks like you have a special purpose honey room, somrthing I'd like, but more cost! The frame must be great for...

Thanks Mike A, I have used cling film on jars for show honey before, so I'll try it in the bucket and try not to get in too much off a mess! Thanks for your quick response.

How do people remove the air bubbles that have risen over night, when bottling honey? I leave it in the ripening tank overnight for air bubbles to rise, and then try to skim them off with a big metal spoon. It is not very successful, and in my opinion, wasteful of honey. There must be a better...

We have had quite good fun making candles this year. I purchased one latex mould, which does a very professional job. However, you can use lots of different plastic containers. One of our favourites is the cone shaped ice cream screwball container. We save lots of these, drill a little hole for...

I have hornets tryig to catch bees as they come home. Haven't seen any caught yet, but a guard bee flew out at it and they went down in the grass. There are often dead hornets outside the hive. I don't know if I am losing any bees. Hornets also rumaging around on hive debris under the hive...

How do you refill without moving the feeder?. The bees all rush out of the hole when I remove the feeder, as it is stuck down with propolis, and it jolts a bit.

I find that if I cover the other hole up with wood, the bees who inevitably come out into the empty super when you remove the feeder to refill, get trapped up there and die. Therefore I find it best not to block the hole.