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As an alternative to bulky crown boards, I have a couple of large tea towels, ends sewn over to create loops. Couple of large dowel rods, one pushed in each end. Easy to roll and store and clean. Quick to deploy - lay over and the weight of the dowels keep them in place. Great for covering /...

I do the same as Drex.

Please reflect before cranking up the temperature. Can I provide a cautionary food science input on this. Heating honey can have a undesirable side effect. Hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF). Crudely HMF is an undesirable dehydration product of the base sugars in honey (in part glucose, but principally...

I am disappointed by large parts of this thread both in terms of its content, but also the tone adopted by some posters. If you wouldn’t be that aggressive and disrespectful to someone’s face then don’t do it here. ‘bingevader’ makes some good points, so do many others in a factual and...

Dye, can I refer you to my first post. The only addition is that I have tried lemongrass but at best it is inconclusive with regard improved performance. I guess it can’t do any harm?

Also seems elevated activity in North York’s last week. 3 alerts/caught last week in our small village (which is atypical). Quietened again now with the bad weather over the w/e

To mis-quote the great polyhive. “Bees do nothing invariably and if they do it isn’t what you expected or wanted” The fact that your bait hive was second best this time does not mean it won’t be regarded as prime real estate next time. One thing is for sure if you don’t have a bait hive, you...

You’ve done nothing wrong in bait terms but could prob improve your chances. Shot to nothing. Depending on the nuc box size, it may be too small as a bait hive. The fact you have drawn comb is your biggest bait asset. Don’t overload the bait hive, leave lots of free space.

Yes, of course you can create a bait hive, but best with old used gear. No reason not to, shot to nothing. Worth trying with new but try and season everything with some wax. I think the key is old comb which may be a prob for you? A) Use the oldest gear you have. close the entrance down to...

Swarm in May? No that's, swarms in May. Two on Tuesday 21st and another today 23rd. Didn't have to chase after them, all 3 in my own garden. Why can't they just go to my bait hive 2.5 miles away? They'll end up there anyway!

But Roche, doesn't that make the assumption that as beekeepers we know best? The little blighters have only been evolving for 120m years give or take. They'll always run rings round us. Someone buys them a nice home, they do well, they swarm, swarm finds new home, does well, swarms, swarms...

Honey is made up of two sugars glucose and fructose. Those with higher levels of glucose (like OSR) tend to crystalize, those with higher levels of fructose (like field beans) tend to stay runny. Honey will also crystalise if seeded with larger crystals. All honeys will crystalize over time, but...

For what it is worth. 454g/lb round jars. Home made Photoshop labels constructed in layers so I can easily change the text on the Best Before Layer and switch on/off the spring honey blurb or the summer honey description. Avery labels (10 to the A4), lazer colour printer at home. Hand applied...

Now then! I can only apologise, its worse than that since I originate from the west country. if you could give us a nod when you see the northern lights it would be appreciated.

I do filter (using a standard coarse/fine combination sieve), but I only sieve once on exit from the extractor to primary storage. If you are filtering multiple times then you should challenge yourself as to why. If you are attempting to recondition a honey then fair enough, give it a go. If not...

Just south of York Beefriendly.

Cheers Pargyle, best get reading then (while I wait for the swarms to pour into my bait hives - still live in Yorkshire so I'd be evicted if anyone ever found out I had paid for bees) Mmmmmm, trolls you say? I'll look out for them. I hope they are up on their knowledge and factually correct...

Since no one has said it. You have invested a lot in bees and clearly enjoy it. You have a right to keep. Go and buy a small motion activated wildlife camera (or two). Plant it/them in the under growth. Vandalism and wanton destruction is no way to act. Gather the evidence. Do not post on any...

As with Pargyle, but also think about water availability. Prob no need to feed anywhere in the UK at the moment but it's been dry for a while. A large tray with a few pebbles/rocks in and water will help them set up. Not just to maintain body balance but also to establish the right humidity in...

Afternoon all, after a forced medical lay-off of almost 4 years I am back to beekeeping. Like-new shoulder. Same supportive farmer, who has sorted me a new location with vehicle access and much less long distance carrying. 5 hives moved and ready for set up today (all empty at the moment). The...