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Coronavirus lockdown stopped me from inspecting a hive at the home of someone who has needed help with his bees. I finally did an inspection yesterday, and the hive appears queenless. This is what we saw: Broodbox filling fast with pollen. No brood in any stage. 2 supers above (no QX)...

The weather is murky, windy and on-and-off drizzly. Temp is ok at around 16 deg. The temptation is to go in and reduce the double brood box (result of a recent combine of two weak hives into one) down to one for the winter. Should I do it today, or hang on for a sunnier day predicted later in...

This is a large shrub plant which has grown into something of a hedge. The bees are mad for it, and I wondered what it is. Can anyone help? Sorry, not the best photo!

I have just been contacted by friends who live in Spain. They were out walking and came across some beehives. No idea what they might have done to disturb the hives but he got stung. 48 times! He is being carefully monitored as he has a heart condition. The wife has been in touch with me to...

I could cry. I have come to check on my bees and found that the landlord has fenced off the area, and sealed the only entrance/exit to the area, rendering my bees inaccessible, and me unable to work the hive. I was given no notice. The landlord has not done this because of any trouble from...

Greetings everyone, long time no see, hope you had a good festive season! On looking through some old photos, I came across this one that I took on 10 April 2014. I know the date by heart because it was the day my mum died in Africa. This looks like some kind of hoverfly, but I have never...

... 31st October, Halloween and 21 degrees predicted for London! I am so tempted to stick my nose in the hive to see how they're doing

I have a Queen who is about 3 years old. At the beginning of this season, she was very active - laid edge-to-edge on practically every frame of a brood-and-a-half British Standard National hive. Three weeks ago I did a usual inspection, and found the brood had reduced to practically nothing...

I know this sounds like a really daft question, but I'm making up frames, haven't done it in a long while and am pondering which way up the wired foundation should go? Should I have the 3 loops up the top, or the 2 loops? I am pondering this seemingly trivial question, because I seem to recall...

Can anyone point me to an old thread about family members acquiring allergy to bee venom based on being exposed to venom on beekeeper's suit? There was a link in an old thread on this topic, to a white paper or article about it. Sorry, I've searched high and low and can't find that particular...

I am researching the cost of 8oz jars for my honey from various suppliers all over the place. And the cheapest option? Buy 100 jars of Tesco Everyday Mustard at 25p a piece; empty out all the mustard, wash, sterilise, dry and fill! Unbelievable, innit!?

At the end of the winter, on my first inspection I found the two outermost frames had mould on the outer side. This particular hive is the first time I am using the frames the Cold Way - I have always used Warm Way, and never had mould before (although I've only been beekeeping for 4 years so...

I know this is probably a silly question, but I'll go ahead and ask it anyway. I just bought one of those feeders that fits square into the top of hive - some suppliers call it the "English Feeder". I'd like to try using it as I can supply a much larger quantity in one go than the smaller...

You know that nagging feeling you get when you see clues, something that might indicate early-on that perhaps your hive has gone Q- or is not Q-right in some way? Well ... I did a full inspection yesterday. In the 3 weeks prior to this, I have only entered the hive to remove 2 frames from the...

... you're in for a big surprise! :) Tonight I crept up with my camera, and took a "guess" picture in the dark. Then I put my hand out on the other side / back end of the hive, and I could feel the air being fanned through. The bees are making honey! I always love it when they have their...

Can anyone tell me what plant/flower this is? It's right by my hive; heavy-scented, and the bees just love it. This morning I've seen honeybees, bumble bees, bee-lookalike hoverflies, AND miner bees working it!

Do you think She is skinny enough to fit through a QX? I am a bit worried about it ....

I'm kind of worried about my colony's food stores. The colony arrived 2 weeks ago as a 6-frame nuc (this is my one and only hive). I transferred the frames into a National brood box, and added 5 frames of foundation. I inspected a week later, and colony looked good with BIAS over 8 frames...

I've just recently had a holiday in South Africa, and took some pictures of the local bees. I'm intrigued by this one, which almost looks like it has a collar of some kind on it. Comments welcomed :)

I'm intrigued to learn that the Honey Show will accept naturally crystallised honey. Why is that? I would've thought that would be very not-the-done-thing!