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I managed a quick inspection on Friday - there were plenty of stores and space for Q to lay, no sign of Q cells .... - so maybe just an oddity ! Thanks for the replies though !

We had quite a few last year. We knocked one nest off into a tupperware pot and quickly put the lid firmly on and put it in the freezer overnight to make sure all occupants were dead. Very interesting to study. The children took it to school and were all fascinated ! The wasps took a fancy to...

This afternoon, I went out to check my hives hadn't been blown / washed away by this delightful weather. All was ok and no bees were flying ... but on the landing board were around 7 small dead bees that weren't there this morning and 1 white pupa. I presume the bodies are the result of bees...

Heather, what do you use for insulation ... and where do you put it - between the crown board and the the roof presumably ? Do you also fill the gap between the brood box and lifts or not - I would have thought that would have caused damp issues ? thanks

ZHG - exactly the same with one of my colonies - all dead, lots of stores and fondant left, not many bees ....fortunately, my other 2 colonies are ok for now.

all safe and sound...the bees have been flying the last few warm days and all found their way home ok, pollen coming in too !

mission accomplished ! The brrrrr weather arrived at last. They were moved yesterday. I blocked the entrance up, strapped the hive up (intact) and we used ropes slung under 2 legs per rope and lifted it gently down the garden. Once in place, I propped an old window over the entrance and...

thanks, everyone ... all I need is some cold weather ! Never thought I'd say that. Will let you know how I get on.

I have 2 lifts and overhanging roof ... I like your idea - carry the Queen like a real royal Queen ... I need to work off the Christmas dinner anyway !

I did get (myself !) a poly nuc for Christmas.... maybe I could use that ?...but I'd prefer not to disturb them more than necessary !

I need to move a WBC hive down to the bottom of the garden - about 300 metres. The weather is still very mild - only one or two light frosts so far ...bees still coming out to play ! Once the winter arrives properly I plan to make the move. Any suggestions ? - it is rather heavy ! Do I remove...

In order to start apiguard treatment, I have removed the 4 supers from my 3 wbc hives. I have extracted the honey from 2 supers from 1 hive. The other 2 hives had not filled their 1 x super each as one was a late nuc and the other a late swarm. some frames are drawn but empty and others are...

Update ...after leaving the bees to it for an hour or so they have either swarmed off or gone back into the hive ... there are about 50 going in and out and memorising the hive entrance. Has anyone ever watched a swarm go ? do they fly about a bit and then go or do they just stream out of the...

I'm not sure whats going on with my bees ! We were away for a few weeks and on my return after lovely bee weather the bees had made 6 or so queen cells which were almost sealed. The brood box was full. So yesterday from my colony (A) I made up 2 nucs (B & C)from the 10 full frames in A...

We are lucky enough to have obtained a complete wbc second hand hive. no bees yet ! We have 2 queries and would like some input from experienced beekeepers. : 1. the hive has a solid wood floor ... should we change to an open mesh ? 2. As we have no bees should we put the complete hive in the...

We are lucky enough to have obtained a complete wbc second hand hive. no bees yet ! We have 2 queries and would like some input from experienced beekeepers. : 1. the hive has a solid wood floor ... should we change to an open mesh ? 2. As we have no bees should we put the complete hive in the...