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Thanks guys. Didn't know what a yeast starter was so looked it up and found this extract; ".....a starter properly made, using water, a small quantity of the must itself or a juice substitute (grape, orange or apple juice) and some nutrients, will acclimate the yeast to its destined...

Hi Rab Yes. All placed into one demijohn - stopped 2 inches from the top. It was near 4 1/2 lb of honey. I unfortunately didn't check the gravity at the start as these online recipes seem to indicate it's straight fwd and works every time. I did add the zest of one lemon and 2 tablespoons of...

Not bubbling Didn't want to start a new thread so ….. It's my first time making mead. I used 4-5 lbs of honey. 24 raisins, champagne yeast, lemon zest, a little lemon juice and filled it up with filtered water. It bubbled OK for a week but never very vigorous where there is a huge amount of...

Just pm'd you. Yes they can be hung from a tree to avoid termite issues however due to their lightweight construction they would need to be weighted down whilst the colony built up to a decent weighty size. My brother's hive is supported both ends on trestles but then again he constantly battles...

Craig - its sweet chestnut. Not everyone's cup of tea, especially the kids. Anyone who likes marmalade would probably like it because it combines sweet and bitter. I don't mind it in small doses. You normally know when the bees are on the chestnut because when you crack open the lid you can...

If it were me I would combine both hives at this point and then split just after the main flow. The queen will benefit from a larger workforce and lay more at her peak period (now) otherwise you largest hive may have to wait a month to see the first eggs (+risks) by which time its the end of...

I have some 14 x 12 frames with good arc of stores on each that have been laid up in the middle by a DLW. Seems a waste to press the capped stores (50%) just to recycle the honey as I thought I may freeze these frames of stores until required by a nuc. I have tried to scrap off the drone...

Some people keep one set of "OSR frames" and one set of frames for other types of runny honey. I simply soak my extracted OSR frames in a bath of luke warm water, shake the water out and repeat and then hand back wet (water that is) to the bees. No issues at all with crystallisation of...

Extra bees mean extra heat in the hive which at this time of the year is important. Personally I would shake them out and let them find a new home amongst your other hives but best do it tomorrow as the weather looks to turn for the worse, certainly down south here. Good luck.

I used the "Winker method" last year. Put on reverse drill and it made creamed honey the consistency of double thick cream. All for roughly £15.

For those holding out for a 25% discount on their 12oz hex jars for the promised January month end sale.........don't. They're outta stock until early Feb. At their standard price I'm not sure who is the currently cheapest in the market for 12oz jars.

Have you gone it alone in getting this license or via the link you provided in your previous post?

Cream turning grainy Hi Have any of you experienced your homemade creams turning grainy. It only feels grainy the instance it is applied to your skin and then melts right in quickly. Just curious what I'm getting wrong as it was smooth when I made it. Out of interest, does anyone know how much...

My one dog has recently had problems with his ears. On looking up natural remedies for his ear problem I discovered that bees wax helps improve dogs ear health if offered as a snack. In fact, if offered to dogs via self selection, it will show they love it. According to this Naturally Animals...

Sorry folk - didn't see this activity on the thread since I posted last year. I've been back to SA a few times and seen this hive in action. A lot of beeks in SA use starter strip foundation. Weight is not the only reason why they've chosen corrugated plastic. SA countryside is crawling with...

Sulphur burning How long do you keep the stack of supers/ brood boxes stacked, with sulphur burner inside? and is the pong such that it is advisable to do it outside rather than in the garage? Thanks

Personally I don't decap when putting part filled supers under the brood as, in my experience, they have always taken up the stores (capped/ uncapped) as and when required for winter usage. If you are going to uncap and place super below, do so in the evening. Having the newly uncapped honey...

I seriously hope you're talking about feeding in an empty super above the hive and not in the open to all bees?

July month was a good flow so very strange she went off lay. Seven weeks on!!........you need to act and replace her asap with a mated queen. She is a lost cause. If you're having trouble finding her then: - get a second pair of eyes to help or, - move the hive some distance away, provide an...

I need to buy a freezer to store honey stores and kill off Wax moth that has suddenly appeared on some frames. Firstly, is the preferred type the chest freezer? Also do you store them in their brood or super boxes or individually? I was hoping to buy a rather smallish chest freezer but even...