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I live in Cape Town South Africa, we are in Autumn. I am harvesting late, should I leave a couple of frames of capped honey in the super. We have mild winters with some flowers but I'm concerned the bees won't have enough to eat. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

My bee man came round on Wednesday, he inspects his brood box once a year in July (winter) when the swarm is at its smallest. He opens his supers to check for honey around the time of harvest December and March, April. The rest of the time they look after themselves. Sent from my iPad using...

I got up at dawn to block up the hives ready for moving. Eeek not the easiest job. I removed the full frames yesterday and replaced with new ones to make moving lighter, I spent some time doing it experimenting with smoke and how the bees behaved when smoked. I definitely had better control and...

I blocked up my hive ready for moving this morning. First time, not super successful, not even that sure I've done the job. A beekeeper with experience is coming round at 8 to help load the bees into the bakkie (small truck) I guess he'll be able to tell me. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

It's a solid floor - I'll get my husband to make a feeding hole. I think I'll secure the hives during the day and block them later at night. I've had some wonderful advice from this forum, I'm very grateful. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Thank you so much for going to all the trouble to get the links for me! Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

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Yes I think they did in September because there seemed to be many more bees in the hive in Sept than a week ago. I didn't see it happen though. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Thanks great advice. I have made contact with someone who is coming round on Wednesday but because I have to move the bees on Friday I'm trying to get as much info as possible. I have recently bought a bee suit, tool brush and smoker so it will be much easier for me to inspect my hives in the...

A new but related question - I harvested on Friday to reduce the weight of the supers but some of the frames had about 50% uncapped honey so I left them. How long does it take for the bees to cap honey - this is mid season. Ideally I would like to harvest on Wednesday and move the bees on...

Do I need to do anything? I leave my bees alone between harvesting in Dec and then again March. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

I live in Cape Town South Africa, I have Cape Bees, I bought about 20 brood sized sheets of wax foundation sheets locally from a lady's who's deceased husband was a beekeeper however when I went to use them I discovered they are imbedded with the cell size for African bees which are larger. Does...

I have crown boards with no feeder holes, the roof weighs very little. I will do what you suggest thank you. I wonder if it's because Lesotho has a different species of bee that they behaved like that, I've worked on a few hives around Cape Town mostly with smoke and it definitely seems to me...

Thank you! I like that idea. I have found a judicious a out of smoke has lead to calmer bees but I obviously don't want to drive them out of the hive at night with a smoke alarm! Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Sorry so many questions! Could I secure the hive - strapping the brood and super together during the day leaving just the blocking up of the entrances for the night because of the problem of the number of bees not in the hive. I have seen it suggested that you use duck tape to block the entrance...

I had to look up sack barrow - yes good idea. Thanks for your clear instruction. Can I use smoke at night - I am confident around the bees during the day but not at night, it's the only time I've been significantly stung and I thought it was cause I didn't use smoke. There are a significant...

I think you are right the swarm is quite big and there is a lot of nectar around. I'll scrap that idea. I am worried about the weight of the hive. My husband has said he will help ( reluctantly) but he's never got closer than a few meters from the hive. Thanks for helping! Sent from my iPad...

Yes I can put a clearing board on the supers and the brood box has a wooden base. I thought I would shut them up at night and move them early the following morning. I'm not worried about the actual transportation we have a small truck (bakkie) with a canopy and widows, there will be ventilation...

I am moving them from Rondebosch to Tableview in Cape Town. They are Cape Bees. I'll move them in the early morning it won't be too hot then. I have family coming from the States and the bees are next to the swimming pool so they have to move! Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Hi thanks for the forum, I live in South Africa (mid summer here) and I need to move two hives (with supers). I am a complete novice and am very nervous about doing it. The swarms are quite big and not all the bees are going into the hive at night where do I start? I harvested honey a couple of...