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No need for a honey room. The examiners were cool about my kitchen set up. They realised than I’m a small scale beekeeper and were happy with my set up. I laid most of my spare bits and pieces out on the kitchen table and I had my extractor, filter, settling tank etc all packed away in the...

I’ve just done a General Husbandry Assessment. It was very useful experience – almost enjoyable. The examiners were extremely nice – it was more of a discussion than assessment. I’d recommend it to anyone who’s done the Basic. I now have to wait for a month to see if I've passed.

I’m really pleased. I received my 8 frame radial extractor from Agri-Nova yesterday. it took about 5 minites to set up and yesterday evening I extracted honey from a couple of supers, the extractor performed brilliantly. Despite being hand operated it was extremely efficient at extracting honey...

I’ve decided to buy a 9 frame Giordan extractor from Api-Novo. God reviews, good price and good customer service. It arrives on Wednesday. I’ll post some feedback next week.

i agree - price is a factor. I look formward to reading your feedback. Thanks.

I’m thinking of buying an extractor. I only have around 6 or so colonies. After a quick look on the net I spotted one at http://www.homcom.co.uk/stainless-steel-honey-etractor-manual-4-frame.html . Any recommendations or feedbck?

Exam Blues I attempted 4 and only passed 2 :( I failed module 7 by just 3% - a little disappointing. They were all a lot more rigorous than I expected. I’m having a stab at modules 3 and 6 in the autumn and then module 8 in the spring. I’m also doing the General Husbandry Assessment in June...

I had a queenless TBH last year. A swarm which seemed to get off to a good start – building comb, eggs and brood - and then for some reason about 2 months later the queen vanished. I introduced some national brood frames by fixing them with elastic bands o the topbars – it seemed to work...

I use a similar out apiary and have had few problems. I’ve read about the dripping thing but I’ve haven’t seen any reaction from my bees. If they were troubles you could sling a tarp above the hives or place some foam insulation under the roof’s metalwork (keeps heat in and noise out!). I...

No problem. i've just sent you a PM. Eddie

I’m glad to hear that the girls are doing well. I didn’t get much honey last year I think the rather damp summer saw to that along with a lot of poppy being grown in the area. I had a super full of stores in each colony in August but I left that for the bees to enjoy for Christmas - the wife...

Over-wintered 5 frame national nucleus for sale for £125 including a £15 donation to this forum. Queens have been clipped and marked and are laying well - nucs are filled to bursting. The bees are well behaved and easy to handle. For further information contact me on 07538790545 or by PM.

I'm not going to read another bee book for 6 months!

I sat modules 1, 2, 5 and 7. I wouldn't recommend doing 4 in one go - it's been early mornings and late nights since Xmas. I feel reasonably confident about three; Mod 5 had a few surprises. It’s all in the lap of the gods now. Exams always have bad publicity but they’ve certainly got me...

I’ll be moving to Shrivenham near Swindon in the summer and will relocating about 4 hives – I intend to reduce my stock between now and then. Does know any friendly landowners who wouldn’t mind having my hives on their land?

If there's a breeze the Bernoulli Effect will apply. The air and smoke' speed will be accompanied by a decrease in pressure relative to the internal air pressure of the hive - don't worry!

Not a great image. Pollen knocked of by the mouse guard when foragers return?

Treat with OA now. Shook swarm in the spring.

I think that you should report this suspected theft to the police. If my hives were stolen and someone knew there whereabouts I would want them to report it.