Search results

Sally How many full frames of winter stores do they currently have?

With the weather turning decidedly colder next week and OSR about to flower next week as well, as it is up the road from me - question is when to add a super? do you risk brood chill by adding the extra space to heat up during this colder period. Currently on brood and half with 40mm insulation...

Thanks for the reply Ruary - I have since ordered 1L of 80% Acetic acid to not only kill the spores on these frames but also to be used on an annual basis to thoroughly clean my equipment.

Anyone have experience with using 80% acetic acid to fumigate their equipment. Seems it will kill Nosema spores which is my interest. How much would one use for brood and half volume? How do you apply it? How long must the drawn frames be aired before they are usable? I was keen to use the...

Finman not sure of your point here. I overwintered with super under the deep box. On inspection 2 weeks ago I discovered 6-7 deep frames of stores. I bruised the frame adjacent to the outer frame of brood. I then removed 2 deep frames of stores - not next to eachother - and inserted foundation...

Reporting back on the removal of 2 deep frames of stores two weeks ago; I've just inspected and found both frames of foundation perfectly drawn and now filled with brood, pollen and fresh stores. Out of interest one frame of foundation was brand new Kemble wax which the Doc kindly ordered on...

Perry - just a wording a warning in the method Rae has suggested. If there is brood in both the deep box below and then in the 14 x 12 above (with Queen) and you place a QX between, you run the risk that they will produce supercedure cells - lack of pheromones in the bottom box. Happened to me...

Just taken a wander out to the hive, in the dark, after dinner. I could hear them from a few meters away.bee-smilliebee-smillie Flashing the torch across the entrance there were bees fanning away and a strong smell of honey :eek:, just like a summers night. I've got to get the super swopped...

Thanks ericA and HM. Can one simply close up the hives for 48 hours in April (when they are due to spray)? They'll be on OMF so ventilation shouldn't be a problem. Could lack of water be a problem?

Spraying of pesticides Do any of you know of the following pesticides: - DIPEL DF - PYRETHRUM 5 EC This same farm that has offered me a few apiary stations on their fruit farm, intends to spray the above chemicals this year onto their 100 acres of blueberries this year as apparently they're...

Well I decided to take out 2 frames of stores and replaced with foundation. That leaves them with 3-4 frames of stores. I'll keep an eye on them weekly and if low, feed with fondant. Does one leave the frames (80% capped) in the freezer or can one freeze them for 24 hrs to kill any potential...

Carried out my first inspection of my strong hive. They were overwintered on a nat brood and half (half below). I was amazed to find all 11 seams packed with bees and, by removing some frames for inspection, saw plenty of bees in the super below. I've been feeding with fondant as a backup as...

Looking for a nuc (preferably Buckfast but can discuss) available in Surrey/ Hants. I live 20 min south of Guildford. I don't belong to the local association.Thanks.

Long story. See thread "Drone Layer" :)

Inspection this afternoon whilst it's warm. 1st hive: Bees covering all 11 frames of a national. Going to have to watch them for space. 2nd hive: This is the one with no queen and DLW. Had moved the hive next to hive 1 to shake bees in front of the hive but chickened out. They seemed very...

I've agreed with a landowner to place my hives on the outskirts of a village so it has the best of rural as well as urban forage. Within a mile from this location is a farm which cultivates approx 450 acres of strawberries, blueberries and blackberries. I know bees forage on blackberries...

HM - very helpful and informative post based on experience. Thanks.

RAB - on reviewing my post my real question was not clear. What happens when a DLW is added to a Q+ hive? Do both layers co-exist? I have read before that if a worker does lay eggs in a Q+ hive the guards are quick to find these eggs and dispose of them and the guilty party. I am interested...

Well I think I was right and its all drone brood.. This is all assuming Baggyone has a queen to terminate. Maybe a DLW? What happens when that is thrown into the mix.

RT I'm not sure if you were making a general statement about some beeks not applying OA over winter or it was directed at me? Both my hives were treated with OA in the first week of January this year. In response to your markings - there are quite a few drones present in the hive. Both my...