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Hi All - I thought this might be interesting. There are a couple of surprises here, and it just goes to show that what you generally understand/perceive to be the case, is not always true. I have today done some analysis on the hive monitoring data from my Warre hive, which is in my garden, and...

Let's assume this forum comprises many of the establishment. This is not a good look: <iframe src="Panic Omg GIF - Find & Share on GIPHY" width="480" height="362" frameBorder="0" class="giphy-embed" allowFullScreen></iframe><p><a href="">via GIPHY</a></p> At the moment, from where I see...

I've been considering using an unlicensed method of applying a formic acid treatment, given the cost/availability issues with Formic Pro/MAQS. See for example Homepage - Joachim Weiland Werkzeugbau GmbH u. Co. KG which is licensed for use in Germany and Austria with 60% formic acid, and is...

Only a couple of years prior, we hit <50 taxa including a very wide range of wildflowers in our honey, sampled in the first week of July. A little less diverse, but not dissimilar the following year. In each case, the pollen was around 70% bramble and clover (roughly 40-30) with the remaining...

I was going to post a reply when Derek opened the thread, but was probably put off by the thought of an academic brain not appreciating what is going to be, invariably, an anecdotal response. I am 3 years into Warre hive ownership, having crafted one from bits of cedar/ash (hive/bars), during...

I am not endorsing those messages when I say this, but, and I'm not trying to sound controversial here... From a homeowner's perspective, honeybees in buildings need sorting (obvs. solitary and bumbles just need leaving). BBKA/Association swarm collectors won't/shouldn't deal with these...

Chaps, without wanting re-rehearse thoughts / observations / examples in relation to inexplicable queen failures above (other than to say that this continues to be an issue for me) .... I wanted to ask about whether people are seeing increased problems with queens arriving in swarms this year...

It is the only assumption I can make, but there is a QE 'grille' between the two sections (slotted into the top), which has never given me any problems. I have always assumed it was fit for purpose (i.e. keeping the Queen confined to the 'comb' side). The only thought I have is that, being a...

I am hoping someone can explain what has happened/what I have done wrong here. I have one little Apidea, which I have had for a few years, and have used - problem-free - for banking QCs, and getting these emerged/mated. Basically set (by adding a cupful of nurse bees from a couple of colonies...

To be fair, Christine, the first part of the process worked like a dream. If I'd taken the EQCs arising from the second part down to one, that would have worked also. No problem with the method (nothing is infallible, but I have had success with it before) ... There's obviously just an issue...

I take it there is no concern with lots of pollen mite in/on the overwintered comb? Is it something that is managed/eradicated in an occupied hive? I'd be keen to know more about it's lifecycle. Also, it can't eat a whole lot of the pollen, given that most of it appears to be pulverised. There...

So, a bit over 3 weeks ago, having seen charged cells, I executed a Wally Shaw variant of the 'modified' Snelgrove II. Having undertaken the second part of the manoeuvre, which involves the move of the Queen from its then cell-free unit (where the swarming instinct has abated) to the flying...

Hi all, a couple of years ago, I started to notice what looked like sawdust, beneath boxes of brood frames stored over winter. I initially thought it was the result of some mite/insect working on the frames; but it's evident that the woodwork is fine; indeed, apart from some ragged edges to the...

Lol... On what, if anything, I think I have learnt ... well yes, there was patently enough food - in spite of my fears to the contrary... but over and above that it's given me a strong sense of how frugal and resilient these particular bees are (I'm not saying they're exceptional in that...

Just out of courtesy to those who kindly contributed to what was a great discussion, I'm happy to report that I stuck to my guns in deciding not to feed the 'light'/borderline Warre ... and ... well ... it seems to have come through OK :) and, even in spite of the cool and damp spell...

@Ian123 Thanks for the considered response. I accept all your points - which are challenging what I propose - rather than calling it out as sh*te - which it is not. I guess the proof will be in the pudding as @Erichalfbee says. I am a hobbyist, and I now, after 10 years, and having cycled say...

Loving the usual intransigence, guys. For those brave enough to sink some holes into their brood boxes, and part with (admittedly too much) cash, or make their own variants, it strikes me that the use of intrances is probably vastly preferable to, and more bee-friendly than our 'standard'. Used...

First full inspection of the hives at the main out-apiary today. Bees in fine fettle. These (the busiest of the lot; 8 full 14*12 frames of BIAS) had several charged QCs, so I'll be back tomorrow to sort that out. Lovely temperament, but clearly not wanting to stick inside the hive whilst I...

I would think that the straightforward answer to the question lies in the latent (observatory) learning of bees, and that this is more developed in older forager bees. Put simply, they can recognise lardmarks, and therefore re-orientate themselves back to 'home'. The premise of the "3 mile" rule...