Search results

Interesting ITMA For probably aesthetic/pseudo historical reasons I've been wanting a skep mainly for swarms. The only two I've caught have been cardboard boxes, easy to shake out. Does anyone else advise against skeps for swarms? Simon

Really interesting and thoughtful reply Pete. Simon

Adding frame of brood Hi Strongest hive has four full frames of sealed brood and two of eggs and larvae so think I will add one sealed, near emerging I hope, to the weakest which is still laying but still very small. Question, I think I need to add nurse bees as well but some posts say don't...

That's the plan, fingers crossed!

Update Thanks for all the advice, thought I’d give you an update. Given the weather for the couple of weeks after my post I decided not to go back in again and disturb by moving into the polys. Relying instead on patience and patties (no electric heating though). I did feed all three Neopol...

Hi It's working but the thought that it might not be and might disappear persuaded me to download my inspections so that if the worst happens all is not lost. They can be saved as CSV or a spreadsheet. Worth thinking about. Simon

Agreed Cazza. Of course whether it's a weed or not depends on the grower, I have it around my pond deliberately, so not a weed in my book. As for being in flower, and Marsh Marigolds flowering, weeks away here, might have to move East! Simon

Just seen one in Leeds. Simon

Hi Tim They sound like mining bees, there are quite a few species. Try google to see if you can find a picture that matches your memory. Andrena cineraria - ashy mining-bee seems to have a white stripe. http://bit.ly/YhxtSt Simon

Hi So, just about warm enough for an inspection (first of year and quick), and looking worse here tomorrow so went for it. Three hives, all very low in bee numbers, 3 frames of bees in one (not full frames) and 4/5 in the other two. All wooden nationals with insulation on top. One has a good...

Hi We're lucky enough to entice the Red Kites to feed infront of the lounge window. Don't do it very often, the price of chicken wings being what they are! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TqJN_0sb0Yw Simon

Excellent, thanks for posting the link VM. Nice to see some bees flying, forgotten what it looks like! Simon

Thanks sarlyka, enlightening indeed!

Just having a quick bee fix on my way to London (abandoned at Peterborough) and saw a bee with interesting markings. I assume it's a variation that I've not seen before but maybe not...... The other bees were un-phased so unlikely something different but no doubt the more enlightened will...

Me too Sadders, just on my way back. Saw Richard Whitehead get Gold in WR time

Thanks guys, Quick replies from local bee inspectors agree. Just a bit paranoid by EFB abut 5 miles away so better to ask and be safe than ignore. Simon

Hi The outer ones in the picture are what I call normal. the lighter ones I'm concerned about. Opening some like that had larvae still in the white stage, so not about to emerge. Simon

Hi Second year beekeepers, the cappings in part of one hive (not all) had to us a strange appearance, not seen before. Copy of photo attached. I opened a few cells and perfectly normal (to my eyes) larvae, either ready to emerge or well developed were present. Uncapped brood and eggs were...

Admin I just wonder if anyone here might be interested, would you allow offers if folk are interested, commission free, as it's for a good cause? Simon

My bet would be European Hornet. Evidence, location! Head, yellow to back of "skull". I'd suggest OP looks at link as he might have seen legs. See https://secure.fera.defra.gov.uk/beebase/downloadDocument.cfm?id=698 for an ID sheet on Asian Hornet. Simon