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I stood between 3 hives last night just after 9pm and it was like someone had left an air conditioning unit going. Which is exactly what the bees are doing of course, thanks to the rape.

Two queens squished, hives merged ready for rape which they are bringing in steadily greater quantities.

Very good when it is on the bees. So why am I watching it when I have just been and attended to my own bees?

https://www.youtube.com/user/JPthebeeman Not beekeeping, more bee catching but fascinating to watch just how gentle and considerate Jeff is towards the bees.

Bit breezy last night. Last time it was that windy we ended up with a tree on the roof - not this time thankfully. All the concrete blocks and tie-downs have done their job and the girls were flying happily this morning. Commiserations to Roger at Paynes along the coast who it seems were not so...

As I had to admit a few years ago, reading glasses help!

Thank you all for your helpful answers, food for thought as in spite of keeping bees for 6 years now I have never attempted anything like this before. Regarding timing, we are waiting for legal paperwork to be finalised so anything from a couple of weeks to a year knowing the speed that...

Just thought I would run this past everyone. Long story cut short, there are some hives on family land that are no longer attended, probably for 3 years now and the keeper is not coming back. 3 are dead, one however is quite busy but the hive itself is in a shocking state and if I try to move it...

Home for lunch then back to work today. Managed to find 5 minutes to wander up to the hives in the gorgeous sun (no wind either!) and the bees are going nuts with masses of bright yellow pollen going in. Lovely sight! Mind you rain and wind for the next few days so back to normal then!

Grit your teeth and squeeze between thumb and forefinger! I still wince even after quite a few years of doing it although if the Queen was a vicious one it is very satisfying!

New queens every year, no qe so less chance of restrictions on laying space. 7 day checks by box tipping and inspection and when all the above fail Demaree.

Depends on the time of year - if it is cool go under and keep the brood at the top warm. Later in the season go up if you want.

Put some fondant on one hive that was light, otherwise all looking good with quite a few flying and also as above bringing pollen back. They are certainly going around our Helleborus, we also have Daphnes out in bloom but I have not seen them on there. Spring is just around the corner! (Via a...

Ventured out today - all upright and intact! Hefted as well, all nice and heavy except one colony of only 3 or 4 seams which is light. Just as well that I got a load of fondant the other day although it is one of those things that I prefer to have in storage and then not use! Plenty of rich...

Sounds sad enjoying making frames up but I know what you mean - I find it a great way to switch off from the stresses of the working day. I'm sure that when you have a few thousand to make up the novelty wears off very quickly!

Soft lush green growth, especially toward the end of the growth season. Avoid high nitrogen fertilisers. Overfeeding stimulates softer growth which is more prone to frost damage and fungal problems which is one of the genus Achilles heels. Old fashioned bonemeal is as good as anything, low in...

With ****'s, large leaves equal tender plants, small leave equals hardier plants. This is a good rule for most plants in fact. Full sun and good drainage are important, and do not overfeed.

Late in to work today so a quick wander around at 7am. All nice and heavy with stores and even a few scouts coming out for a look. Also the cluster is very loose and wandering around under the cover sheet and celotex. Looking good for our predicted hard winter!

The girls have been busy on the Ivy round these parts lately if the state of my wife's car and my van is anything to go by!

Took the last feeders off, put the cover sheets/crownboards and celotex and lids back on and shut up for the winter. All very busy today with loads of ivy pollen coming in. Nice to see and bodes well for next year. I still have a tower block of boxes indoors to spin out but lord knows when I...