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Just compared usual supplier CWJ against undiscounted Pattersons and was surprised by the results. I'm looking for 2-300 12oz hexs and by the time you have added on lids, delivery and VAT to CWJ, you get 300 Pattersons for less than 250 CWJs - £110 (36p/jar) vs £117 (47p)). OK, the lids...

Checked today first time for about 10 days. Both colonies have queen cells, and as normal I failed to identify queen, even though at least one is marked. Bad beekeeper I know, but my out apiary I leave to its own devices re swarming - it always seems to produce well and rebuild post swarm...

Those of you that don't mind sharing, it would be interesting to have an overview of what losses we experienced last winter. Divided very simplistically into those with more or less than 5 hives. Drone laying queens count as a loss. I've done these the past four years, results here 2013/14...

To reply to the OP - Yes!

Put a thymolated 1:1 syrup on the hives - with only minor cursing as I left the necessary spare super to house the bucket back home when 5 miles away in my out apiary.

Thanks RAB - the input of water was in my original thinking, so I will revert to Plan A and get the 1:1 ready. As an aside interestingly, a local farmer told me yesterday that he's spied the first flowering of OSR in one of his fields

My brain is failing to recall any guidance as to when it is warm enough for syrup - any suggestions?

Glad I checked here - was about to put on the first spring feed but will see if I've any fondant left instead if folk think its too early (daily temps around 8-12 degrees here, no frost for a while)

Many thanks

Hi folks First time I've seen my gals out and about this year, they are very keen on this - any of you clever green fingered types tell me what it is?

A quick heft (lightish, but probably as I'd expect this time of year), and application of take-away tub of fondant just to be sure. One of the two colonies seen, didn't delve for the other as its still quite brisk

Doing anything, but especially searching for a queen, with an overly grumpy colony. Still its a job you only have to do once.:smash:

With frost on the horizon just popped out to rotate the P*ynes entrance block into its anti-mouse position - quite a good design I think

Perhaps that's the answer, they and the ice cream salesmen compete for Santa jobs :xmas-smiley-016:

(Not sure how serious James is being, but) be very wary about using supermarket stuff. Triple check the contents for anything that ain't sugar. Ask around local bakers for a block of the real thing.

Had a brief bee related chat on 6music Radcliffe and Maconie - 2hrs 15 mins in http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b04lc6jc

Not had a need for after sales service, but I bought the same model as Drex at the same time and have found it a godsend. Should also add it comes with two attachments which allow for large size frames and presumably Manleys to be spun tangentially, though I've always done my Manleys radially...

Final inspection of one hive. Appear healthy and good for stores and brood. QE and feeder removed. See you in Spring (barring any mid-winter oxalics or fondant feeds). Other hive due for same process on Monday.

Would tend to agree with that - and in fact as Nige.Coll says, it does not need both England and UK, one or the other will do. Perhaps she was including Highland Heather and wanted to cover her back in the case of devolution :)

Its a strange one that labelling. Honey has to specify the country(s) of harvesting, so most local honeys that I can recall seeing just state state Produce of UK. Now as the UK is within the EU then I imagine UK/EU MAY be the same thing, but it certainly allows for blending with other EU...