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That's my point, staples are usually galvanised, panel pins come in bright steel, BZP or galvanised. So there is no need to buy expensive gimp pins when galvanised or BZP panel pins will do. Stapling is very quick and easy, particularly with an electric stapler and it puts 2 thin fixings into...

Why are staples a no no? They are easy to use with a gun and can easily be removed with pliers to change foundation if you need to. They are no more likely to corrode than nail gun brads or gimp pins. Putting frames together with staples is far quicker than hammering nails. Also does anyone...

The polystyrene used within polyhives is the same across all manufacturers in the UK, the only difference is the density and some use dye in the poly. The polystyrene is the same, and will react in the same way to paints. All of the suppliers have recommendations on painting, however, ITLD...

Don't confuse the number of posts someone has to their name as whether they are a beginner or not. The figure comes from a series of phone calls to the major hive manufacturers in the UK asking them approximately what percentage of the different types of hives they sold. The figures were all...

14x12 or commercial are about the same as a brood and a half and are still compatible with most of your existing kit, and the kit of most beekeepers. Only around 5% of hives in the UK are Langstroth, although they tend to be grouped into areas where they are popular.

I was watching Cbeebies with my two little ones this afternoon and they had a pretty good feature on beekeeping on Mr Blooms Nursery. http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/cbeebies/episode/b01qylgm/Mr_Blooms_Nursery_Get_Set_Grow!_Joans_Throne/ From 6 minutes onward. Who says all childrens TV is...

Plain white, very esay to see any bees sitting on your back, or your bum, before you drive off. I have a van with tinted windows in the back and they make great "bee mirrors" sitting on a lost bee is not a great experience when driving. Ross

As for polystyrene to challenge a few of the points raised earlier, the blowing gas for polystrene is not a CFC these were banned years ago. It is now blown using pentane. Lemon tea does dissolve polystyrene, the lemon oil (which is an organic solvent, in the chemical sense of the words)...

I was at her talk to BIPCo and to clarify some of her points, the colonies which she surveyed were all reported "feral" colonies that had been in existance for years. She specifically requested beekeepers informed her of colonies that had aparently been in existance continually for a very long...

Definitely only use water based paint for poly hives, you can get water based gloss and floor paint too which are suitable. Any paint which uses VOCs is likely to melt any polystyrene when it is painted on. The same goes for using fillers etc to repair any danage. Ross

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I am interested in opinions on why the top bar hive is considered to be more natural than traditional beekeeping? I use poly hives and was accosted today by a top bar hive beekeeper who was quite forceful in their opinion on poly hives being the root of all evil. I can see the arguement for...

+1 for a Practical Manual of Beekeeping by David Cramp, it is really easy to read and easy to follow. Probably a good text if English isn't your first language. Also his beekeepers field guide is easy to read. Hooper is a bit of a struggle to read even if you speak English! It might be the...

I did my Varroa treatment last week, I'm glad I waited, the snow and cold snap gave me a broodless period and could treat all my hives with no problems. Down in Cornwall particularly in poly hives it is often warm enough that the Queen doesn't really go out of lay. The bees were clam, although...

Anyone got any ideas of how late I can leave it to oxalic my bees. The plan was to have them done in the last few days but I slipped a disc and can't lift anything. Plus the drugs I am on mean I can't drive ( I can barely type at the moment!) Is late better than nothing or better to not...

Sorry if this has been covered elsewhere, but re-reading this thread the question of how to sterilise poly hives (argued over extensively in the earlier posts of the thread) has been set out definitively in a Bee Base publication. "Hive Cleaning and Sterilisation" is quoted occasionally on the...

Hi Simon, I gave a talk on poly hives a couple of weeks ago, I put together some documents on poly hives as hand outs, most is ancedotal. PM me if you would like them. Ross

I agree that there is no one right way to keep bees, and that there are many differences of opinion about how and what should be done with bees. As long as the bees are healthy and you are happy you should get on with however, you choose. I would draw the line on making honey, which is...

:iagree: I have just finished helping a friend convert an old freezer with a light bulb and small thermostat. Cost him about £10 in parts (plus a few ciders:p)

+1 for David Cramp, very easy book to read and it doesn't assume any prior knowledge, Hooper is more technical (if somewhat dated) more difficult to read and assumes a higher level of knowledge. I read Cramps book in a couple of days cover to cover it is an easy read easy to understand and...