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I think it could be space. One of my colonies is already getting very powerful - she is a vigorous queen and the worker bees had already started building brace comb on top of the brood box over the middle frames. If they're doing that, then it hints that they reckon she's ready for more space...

When do most beeks put their first super on? Both my colonies have now got supers on them (I waited until the first blossom came out ) but I was wondering when is the best moment to put the first one on? Maybe at the first snowdrops and crocuses? Is it best to wait til super #1 is (nearly)...

Yes, if the info has been around that long I suppose I should have seen it. I did try searching on cuprinol on here but was doing it quickly and didn't go through the hits very thoroughly.

Visited colony #2 in the sunshine just after work. lots of healthy brood, sealed and open, startling amounts of honey in the brood box still and lots of bees crawling around the super I put on last week - but as of yet, no honey in there. bees in good health and good humour. wonderful spring...

Ditto that!!! Most associations run beginners' courses which, as a beekeeper of just two years, I recommend you do if there is the chance to. My course was free with local beekeeping association membership so I got weeks of tuition and back up advice for just £18!! A course will help you avoid...

I hadn't seen it until today - I don't tend to spend my time online surfing the cuprinol website ;) The only reason that I went on there was 'cos of the woodworm and I wanted to see if there was anything that I could use... For wood preservation I think I am just going to change to...

We had all sorts of wild bees in our garden last year Kaz and none of them caused any problem at all. I even have "insect houses" (aka old logs and bits of garden cane!!) to encourage them in. Your footy-mad lads will be fine :)

I have just read that after reformulation Cuprinol now no longer recommend their "Clear" insecitcide-free product for beehives (See the quote from their website below). I have just retreated all my stuff with it!! I have also discovered woodworm on the outer side bars of two supers. No idea on...

Thanks for the information. I will check the measurements again tomorrow and probably just buy some more 18mm I think. Cheers,

My dad and I are making another brood box and the design specifies to use 18mm wood. I have almost enough 18mm wood but not quite enough for the whole brood box but I have got some 12mm and there is enough of it to make the sides - the panels that will be perpendicular to, and support, the...

Thanks for the replies. I cleared out the dead bees and the board under the mesh too. I think that the bees are ok. It was just the unusual behaviour that puzzled me and I wondered if anyone else had experienced it. Cheers

I did a full inspection of one of my hives today, the first one of the year and everything was textbook: healthy brood, lots of pollen and honey in stores, the bees in good humour and busy foraging and returning with lots of pollen. There are no obvious signs of disease. However, when going...

I will begin checking my hives today as well. I think that they have done OK. Each time I tapped on the brood box in the winter I got a collective buzz in response!! Still, there is always some surprise when you open the hive up...

I cover my ply roofs with felt any way and put some small holes (covered by plastic mesh) for ventilation. It seems to work. i just varnish the bottom bits of the roof that hang below the line of the felt.

Ok that's great news. we have got lots more marine ply lying in the garage - no need to go to Jewsons after all :)

Are there any issues with marine plywood (or any other type for that matter) in terms of "breathability"? Is there any danger of condensation on the inside during winter? It doesn't seem to be as porous as "real" wood.

I have found this one to be very helpful and friendly. http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/grapevine/

they seem to have it in stock at the moment according to their website...

I have just been looking at the "Bees on a Budget Bees on a Budget - Honey Processing Kit" on the Thorne's website... the complete kit is less than half the price of the cheapest extractor alone. has anyone on here ever bought the Honey processing kit? Any comments on the extractor? I...

thanks for the sand suggestion. I have got some mesh that I will glue in the feeder so that they can climb up ok. I i popped a little bit in today and it seemed to work.