Search results

I will be changing them. The idea was better protection against wasps in the autumn, there is block inside so the bees have to go down once inside the hole.... not an improvement!!

I made some nucs last year with raised entrances and an omf. On inspection this year, although the colonies are strong they have not removed dead bees from the floor of the hive. The omf has a carpet of dead bees. 3x of these nucs all the same compared to 20 nucs with bottom entrances and no...

Despite the premonition of Oliver90owner all the nucs/colonies that were for sale have overwintered well. and are now available as overwintered colonies with 2021 queens. Same details...read previous posts

I agree with Enrico...with practice a LOT quicker than the video. B&Q £20. No you don't get the cappings, but you don't get excess honey mixed in with them that needs washing out either. The empty frames are reprocessed by the bees if put back on the hives, or they go in the steamer to reclaim...

Agreed. I still use the old heated pot sink with hot sodium carbonate. No way would I use hot sodium hydroxide, I would consider that dangerous. I add vinegar to the rinse water (left sink) to neutralise the alkalinity.

I use an old dairy tank with top and bottom heaters (from a fan oven) to warm buckets. Or process set comb to get honey and wax. Does 100 frames at once. Stainless spade to stir with. Bottom valve to collect from.

Old school dinner warming cabinet. Rewired elements in series to slow the heating. A pc fan to circulate the air. An online from China thermostat/controller.

So, if the nucs set up in summer are expected to die over the winter, how do you advise beekeepers to increase their colony numbers? Maybe you have been a victim of those who put a few bees in a box and call it a nuc. In the unlikely event that the colony did not survive the winter I would...

Naah, it's a bank at the side of the Garden that catches the sun. There is a well hidden tarmac path in front of the hives

Bees out in force today. Lovely weather for mid December

Because the original post was in July!!!! and the Nucs were built up to full colonies by September. Why would you expect a winter loss, lots of young bees, plenty of stores and a summer queen???

I have to much other stuff to do with my time. I've tried all the heather methods, and would not consider anything else but my hydropress. Try one or get a demo.....or not, its your choice.

They are in a different league to a wind down press. They only seem to get 1/2 the honey out and get everything sticky! The hydropress uses 3bar water pressure, gets all the honey, and the residue is like the bottom of a cheese cake.

https://www.lovebrewing.co.uk/40-litre-hydropress/

You cannot beat a hydro press from a wine making supplier. Make sure you use unwired foundation (or remove it) I use a 12 frame Konigin radial for unset honey, used from June to September. A top/bottom heated tank for set honey....takes 150 frames worth of cut-out honey, and gets used once per...

If you want to wear 4 jackets to keep a little bit warmer.....

Delete

Delete