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Thanks MM, I have just realised I have been thick. It is 2.2lbs to 1 pint I have been using or 1kg to one pint of water for 2:1. And 2.2lbs to 2 pints of water for 1:1. Sorry I wasted your time.

On the syrup strength I have assumed 2:1 meant 2 jugs of sugar to 1 jug of water. This equates to 2.2 kgs of sugar to 1 pint of water. It mixes well but possibly at the saturation point? Is this too stong? 1:1 follows the same logic.

Mocko what mouse guards are you going to use? If they are the metal ones with punched holes then if the bees are still bringing in ivy pollen they will lose a lot using these guards. Same in spring when they start to forage. I use a wooden entrance block but nail panel pins in every 8mm...

I have bought some. I would have preferred them slightly bigger but they do the job and a good price. They are just printing plates so have a magazine or such like inked in one colour on one side. I would buy again.

Dave, it is useful to change the default location on UK to at least a county or even a town as it gives others an idea where in the UK you are. Here in the NorthWest of England the ivy is only just starting. I thought that ivy pollen was quite a strong yellow.

I think before an inspection like this at this time of year one needs to be fully prepared as to what they are going to do. If they open up and find queen cells either uncapped or capped. How are they going to handle it? I don't have the answers. Personally I am reluctant to do any...

Thanks again for all the input and on reflection and reading through the sticky on thymol syrup I think that is the best option. I will therefore cancel the antibiotics order. I have ordered the thymol crystals and will get the surgical spirit and lecethin at lunchtime. I should be able to...

I made the floor in a rush (I had a swarm to hive an equipment ready) and did not have anything to hand for the rails. Thanks for pointing that out, I will correct it. I collected bees but could not see any nosema but I had a few microsope problem (well I was the problem) so went back and...

This is the brown stuff

I am not familiar with the product so was unaware it was an antibiotic. I will try and get a sample of bees however it is raining here at the moment. If I get some I will post the result later. Thanks for the input

Dan Bee It is at an out apiary. I will go there once the nosema medication arrives and take a photo.

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTaxAndBenefits/Taxes/BeginnersGuideToTax/VAT/DG_190918 Extract from above site. Thornes will probaly deem beekeepers to be Trade. (If you sell the honey then you are trading) Prices in advertisements, catalogues and price lists Products advertised in outlets...

Thanks Rab It is plain syrup I have been using as I have the Apiguard tray on so thought that that would be best. I have ordered so Fumidil B and will treat the three hives. I am hoping they take the syrup down. The monitoring tray did not show any bad signs, it was mainly HB pollen and...

I have three hives at one location and have been feeding 2:1 syrup and treating with Apiguard for two weeks. I did a quick check yesterday to put second treatment in and see how they have done with syrup. One hive had taken all the syrup but another hive had only taken about half of the amount...

Peter what do you mean by bearding underneath the floor? Are you saying that they came out of the hive in the cold and bearded under the hive. Or did they only do it when it was snowy? A single floor should be enough and when it is snowy shielding the entrance from the sun should help...

Rae,I am sure that is there. Don't they put two skeps together end to end. With the full one on top they bounce the skeps and the bees drop down to the new empty skep.

I only put the board in when monitoring. Minus temperatures last year for around six weeks and no problems. If it snows I lay a bit of wood against the hive to shade the entrance.

What out for an Aldi occassional offer as they sell "Stcky Stuff Remover". It seems to shift most sticky stuff really well and I don't think it will affect your camera. No good to you here and now, but one to watch for.

I think the size of the entrance depends on whether the colony needs protecting against robbing so with a strong colony it will have the full entrance during the foraging season (ie no entrance block). I put the mouse guard on when activity has slowed down which may be another 4 weeks yet as...

Thank you Hombre. I was being lazy, but it was past my bedtime. I thought it would be a straight Yes or No but like you say No, Yes, No No. Cheers