Search results

03/05/21 Pete said "Long to be out with the bees, hope to next week if feeling better" To me and many others this comment sums him up; his memory lives on with us and the bees. RIP

Pargyle, You have made an interesting point: eating local honey does help reduce the symptoms of hay fever - because a small regular amount over a long period of time decreases allergen sensitivity. This is the principle used when de-sensitizing from bee stings for example. So, Beefarmer could...

Try this site: http://www.anaphylaxis.org.uk/ The conclusion appears to be nut allergy is not closely related to chestnut allergy. However, there is always a rider: "not closely related". I presume you carry an epipen with you in case of emergencies? Chestnut pollen will have a much lower...

We only have winter heather, snowdrops and winter aconites in flower; but its too cold for the bees to visit them today. Fondant given to some of the lighter hives, which should last for 2-3 weeks, then check again. Hopefully the crocus' should be out by then, at the moment the tips are just...

cleared the ground around the hives; provided new stands for the nuc boxes and made ready new posts for hive stands. Took a picture of my hard work, just so I would feel better! Gave fondant to hives i felt need a bit extra, especially as a cold spell is due next week. Felt good to see all...

Does a tree cavity usually have an insulated inner part,other than the wood itself? So if feral bees (AMM) are able to survive without man's intervention in such tree cavities then why are beekeepers so preoccupied about insulating their bees? Perhaps we are becoming molly coddling beekeepers...

Originally Posted by yeogi75 View Post "you will be in oneses before long trust me" Yeogi75: I do, it's called a bee suit!!!

Originally Posted by yeogi75 View Post try putting wax to be cleaned into tights in a ball then place in jug in micro ,heat till liquid. Some 15 years ago I asked a female work colleague if she had any old tights that were no longer wanted!! An explanation ensued....filtering out melted...

Apart from receiving two hives, you appear to have no further information about them? Have they been treated for varroa, if so what with? It is still very early in the season, so IMO trickle oxalic acid onto the seams of bees. When you do this also check the hives for honey stores, e.g. heft...

Roola, Thanks for the interpretation; I would not know how to even start with the images shown! So happy you will keep us up to date! I wait with baited breath!

Is this your only hive? If yes, then what has already been posted does not require adding too! Lets assume your hive is queenless, then re queening is one option, and the earliest you might get an imported queen is in April (try Kemlea ). You may find that this is too late as you may have a...

I share the responses you have received, but also wonder if too much insulation is a good thing? Insulation may protect the bees from adverse outside temperatures, with the result that cluster formation for winter is diminished, and maybe brood rearing continues throughout the winter. Then...

One answer is: when you stop being prepared to learn! Another: is when you can offer advice which works for the recipient! Alternatively: say you are a beginner with xx years of experience!

Slugs love damp! Often found on the solid floor, not found them on frames (yet); I don't recall finding them on hives with OMF (yet). Your slug getting through the mouse guard, shows how they can contract their bodies through small spaces, yet when you see them on the inside you winder how...

Martin thanks for the link: According to the map 3 of my apiaries overlap! A complete surprise to me! I wonder if the collection of bees in my van return home after I have visited all the apiaries?

Looks like similar bee suits from manufacturer(s) in Cornwall, but at half the price! If I had not purchased replacement suits last year, I would give these a go! I'm not sure about an elasticated waist, though; any garment constriction seems (no pun intended) to attract the bees and their...

Never used a nail gun! No screws! Use nails supplied by WJ, Prickly T, or MaizeM, but combine assembly with wood glue. Then paint outside with microporous, some are 20 years old this July and still functional; although will have been re-painted. All wood stock made up from seconds. Any holes...

Badgers and hives don't mix; having said the obvious you can still bee keep in the area: Badgers follow set paths, so keep bees away from them. Badgers will tear through a hive box, particularly if they smell honey - and they have good noses! Deterrent known to work is a 12 volt electric fence...

London honey i.e. (from London) retails between £8.00 to £15.00 depending on where you buy it - beekeeper or market or shop. Personally try selling it yourself rather than have someone else take the profit from yours and the bees hard work!

If sheep were to approach the hives, you can bet that they will be stung around the dark facial areas, and react accordingly (but without any expletives!). So I would fence off the apiary area with chicken wire; check also for badger sets in the vicinity, if there are, then electric fencing...