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After what seems like forever hiding indoors out of the cold and rain, today I went out and enjoyed the sunshine. Checked the colonies have enough food, and tidied up

A very brief check on the Apiary to make sure all was well. I didn't check inside the Hives. Heard a woodpecker pecking at a tree

If farmers are banned from using the neonicotinoid treated seeds then their only option is to spray their crops instead. So make sure you are on their list of contacts so that they notify you on crop spraying days

I didn't. Newbeeneil's post has put me off

I nearly ordered one of these today, but am now having second thoughts. Aftersale service is important to me

My 21 year old son was born disabled. He can't see, he can't talk, we mobilise him in a wheelchair. He is incontinent and also suffers epileptic type fits, has problems swallowing fluids, and can't feed himself. He has a mental age of a pre school child. He has also undergone several operations...

Spent an hour in the sunshine watching the bees. Also managed to kill a dozen wasps.

I sent a honey sample off a few years back. But never received any results back. I think they received a lot more samples than they were expecting that year..

Seasonal Bee Inspector The bee inspectors are employed by FERA The food and environmental research agency This check appears to be to monitor for the presence of pesticides. Trading standards would be more interested in additives. My springtime honey is solid in buckets too. Once I have...

My apiary has been visited 4 times in 16 years. Whenever there is any reports of disease in the area. Unfortunately the Bee inspectors each cover a large area, and also have a big part to play in fighting the asian hornet threat. So you are unlikely to see one unless there are reports of...

You can read more about the programme and see the overall results of the testing of honey at www.gov.uk/guidance/residues-surveillance

No, what's scary is the paperwork states "If illegal substances, or a very high concentration of an authorised medicine were found, we cannot rule out the possibility of legal action". Protecting the food chain I guess.

I looked up last years test results. Doesn't mean anything to me

Yes. FERA send the results to the VMD who record it on their database, and then the VMD write to me confirming the result

Yesterday I received a visit from the regional bee inspector requesting a sample of my honey to send off for testing. The paperwork left with me says the sample is sent to FERA, who will analyse it for one or more veterinary medicine residue or other contaminants. It goes on to say that there...

It will be really good for selling in squeezy bottles. Thank you for all your comments It puts my mind at rest

No not at all.

Planned on jarring up some honey at the weekend Water content 17.9 But it is really runny. Any thoughts or suggestions? Fortunately it's only the one batch. I did check the refractometer using olive oil

I currently have mine in the wine fridge, running at between 14.7 and 15°C I've convinced myself it's a low cost method as the solar panels are producing plenty of power. Once the weather cools a bit I will switch it off, or before if it all sells.