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Oh yes, it is. I was in Zakynthos a few weeks ago and was surprised at the number - they were everywhere.

Yes - i think I'll add "plant-based honey" to my label.

In fact, the EU regulations explicitly define honey as the product of Apis mellifera (excluding cerana, although that's for another day), and may not contain any additives. As an aside, this also bans those products with added cinnamon, chilis, etc. from calling themselves honey.

If your hive temperature is a steady 34ºC, you know that the brood is OK and being looked after. If it drops to 30ºC, it's likely that it's broodless. If it's winter, then you can decide to treat with ApiBioxal without opening the hive and checking.

They look quite like Amm - in Ireland we're currently fighting a battle similar to yours but with protecting Amm as the goal.

Did you mean "get with the time's"?

Just an update on this saga about the dark wax. Well the bees loved it and drew it out quickly. It may have been darker than usual, but it definitely works very well. So I'm very happy and withdraw any misgivings I may have had.

When we were chatting at dinner in Athlone this seemed to be the subject that got you most animated, so it's great that some movement is happening there. However, even in Europe there are plenty of loopholes that are exploited, and I would be surprised if it was any better in NE. However I hope...

I suppose those round things could potentially be amoeba cysts.

I lost a hive a few weeks ago. Up to then, they seemed OK with occasional flying bees, weather permitting. When I noticed it was really quiet, I opened the hive to see them all dead. There were signs of dysentery on the frames so I was worried about nosema - yes, I know, dysentery's not a...

Nope - it's definitely 150C. When I make candles, I don't use high temps, but that wax I referred to is absolutely fine.

I was contacted by Thornes who were understandably interested in heading off this discussion. As pointed out above, it appears that the usual "standard" wax is indeed from China and I have used this often enough to know that it works well and doesn't seem to have any negative impact on the bees...

The state of some of the wax being exchanged was quite shocking - they discounted the exchange rate for these. I always run mine through weed cloth and that does a pretty good job, certainly clean enough for exchange.

This isn't confined to N. Wales - it's happening in Ireland too.

OK, black was an exaggeration - I felt it was much too dark when I looked at it last. Now I see it's not almost black, but rather coffee-coloured, still much too dark. The one on the right is from last year and it's classed as "standard" while the dark stuff is classed "premier". To my eye, the...

I've put a reminder in my calendar to take a pic in the morning ...

No sign of the hundreds in my soffit, although there's blackthorn, hazel and willow available to forage on. IIRC the males emerge first in an attempt to waylay the females, but I'd imagine this weather isn't great for romance.

I swapped wax for foundation from Thornes at the UBKA conference. It was nearly black. I have no idea what's I it, but I have to admit I'm concerned. Never again - it'll be Donegal Bees for swap from now on.

Actually it really is a thing: https://www.scientificamerican.com/podcast/episode/a-honeybee-swarm-has-as-much-electric-charge-as-a-thundercloud/

In Ireland, we're working hard to preserve Amm genetics. Part of this is that all reasonably pure (95%+) Amm queens will be given 2 frames with drone foundation every year. These then flood the neighbourhood so open mating is pretty successful. In your situation with a single breeder queen, you...