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Thanks Tricia, I didn't think the list was very useful and could have been made more so - but most horticulturalists don't understand that all bees do not forage on the same plants. My alliiums were short lived this year and I am sure it has been because of the dry weather. Louise

It is meant to be a bit of a fallow period at the moment and we in the south east are particularly dry with no rain in weeks along the coast. However my bees are bringing in a lot of yellow and cream pollen and bright orange which I think is from Cistus (Rock Rose). They are also starting on...

I have some in my lawn and the honey bees don't bother with it. The bumbles do, it is a pea like (snap dragon) flower and honey bees don't find these easy to access - bumbles have no problem because of their size and longer tongues (generally) - this is my theory for what it is worth! Louise

A very rare species that makes a sound like a 'woof' rather than a 'buzz'. Can be found hanging around lamp posts and is particularly attracted to trees rather than flowers!

We have had a couple of thefts amongst our association members. One didn't take the hives, just the bees - which clearly was by someone who knows what they are doing. I have just bought a branding iron - Weller for woodburning crafts and am in the process of branding all my hives with a bit of...

This was an artificial swarm from my two hives about the last week of April - it was done by the chairman of the association because I had just only been out of hospital for a week after a heart attack. However, the next day there was a small swarm from one of my hives in next door's garden and...

The curled proboscus is normal for one of the bumble bees that has the longest one - the common garden bumble. If she is not eating, that could be due to the cold,, wet etc. You are not potty, Darren just a very caring individual, well done! Louise

I noticed that my new nucleus of bees were swarming yesterday morning - I followed them and found that they had gathered underneath a large trampoline two doors up. The people very kindly let me collect them. Getting underneath to collect them was an interesting experience for two reasons...

Yes I have bought the same, but electric from Park and waited several weeks for it, now it has arrived today and has to go back because it is dented and one of the legs will not fit on. I am wondering how much stress this will cause me after staying in for several days for the delivery...

We have lived in our home for 23 years and only this year (my second year beekeeping) have I had swarms in and around my garden - there are other beeks within a mile of me now too. So my vote is definitely 'yes' Louise

Too right - the first year was a doddle compared with this one (three years beekeeping and two with my own bees! Louisebee-smillie

Codswallop!!!! The only law that is relevant is the Roman one that says any swarm on your land belongs to you! Louise

I have one colony that only gets sun after about midday - the others also have part shade - I don't think it matters - particularly if we have really hot weather they may be glad of not being in direct sun - in the winter they will also be protected. Site it where it suits in terms of flight...

My first thought was 'Where on earth did these bees come from'? They clearly were not treated in the winter! With an infestation like that it might be a good idea to treat with Thymol based product and not harvest any honey this year - you may not get much anyway - but it will be tainted...

Poached egg plant and the bees just love it! Louise

My local suppliers - Paynes - are great, I usually get the stuff within a couple of days. Even Thornes have been good supplying stuff quickly and Caddon Hives too. I think you have been unlucky! Louise

swarm and nuc I checked the swarm (well actually a caste) that left one of my hives, I collected then they went again (think I lost the queen in the process). This time they have stayed - well up to today - collected on Sunday afternoon. In view of someone's thread on this forum about the...

That sounds an eminently sensible solution and wish you all the luck in the world, but don't forget to get an epipen just in case. Louise

I think there is no doubt that it was caused by leaving them for two and half weeks without a thorough check because I was just not up to much and at this point when an association member checked and tried to sort them for me it was all too late and very, very complicated. He didn't write down...

Hooper is the 'must have' but also the Clive de Brun is generally very well thought of amongst our association. Louise