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I've started using a pollen trap on one of my hives for an hour a week, just to give me a good idea of what they are collecting. I've been amazed at how much you can collect in just an hour (yes, I know they are raising loads of brood at the moment and need pollen, but until you see an hours...

Without getting into arguments for or against the use of pollen substitute in general, or soya flour in particular, can anyone recommend a UK source for a couple of kg of fat free soya flour? TVM

A friend has found this living in a few colonies. Any ideas?

Does anyone have any suggestions for the savoury cookery section of a honey show they can share. Stumped for ideas this year and trying to think of something other that the honey glazed chicken or sausage option that everyone (in my BKA) seems to go for TVM

Saw a bee I'd never seen before - I think it is an ashy mining bee and was on my alliums? Can anyone confirm the id? Pictures a bit blurry as I had to enlarge them.

I've been helping a local school become a beekeeping school and they are just about ready to introduce the children to the bees. What gloves do people recommend for children? I use a pair of nitriles for hygiene but am keen that the kids have something more robust, at least for these first...

I've finally reached the stage where I need to think about a dedicated bee wagon - a small van that I just use for beekeeping. None of my apiaries have storage, so I need to have a good collection of equipment available. I also want to be able to pack in a bunch of supers and a couple of spare...

I've been asked to talk to my local WI in Feb. Given that when it comes to bees I simply don't know when to stop talking, I'm struggling to focus on which aspects would most appeal to members. I doubt my queen rearing talk is what is called for and would appreciate pointers on which areas they...

I fancy having a go at Ross Rounds next season. Can anyone recommend a UK supplier? There don't seem to be many that I can find and Thornes are out of stock

This Winter, for the first time, I'm going to stack my supers and spare brood boxes in my garage. I will be sterilising with ethanoic acid and since the garage floor is concrete, which can be damaged by the acid, I am thinking I need some sort of plastic tray at the bottom of each stack. I've...

I have been given some old hives which I am in the process of refurbishing. I'm struggling with the roofs - the metalwork is fine but the original sterling board and some of the sides could do with replacing. While I can find any number of places that will sell me a new metal top, nobody seems...

I've been using Abelo polyhives for the last 3 years and generally I like them. The bees have overwintered well and grown stongly each spring. The problem is the frames are very tight. As the season goes on and the bees have propolised everything, I've found that 11 frames don't really fit...

I've been beekeeping for just over a year and have been carrying all my stuff around in a large washing up bowl. I'd like to be a little bit more organised and have been looking for something better to put my kit in when I go to do an inspection. I've looked at toolboxes and baskets but not...

Hi, I have a hive that I need to split but am currently short on space. Can I place the nuc on top of the original hive with the entrances 180° apart? I don't see this as being any different from doing a vertical split with a split board, but am prepared to be told I'm wrong!. I need to buy...

Hello All, A newbie with a few questions. I started beekeeping this year and have a hive at the local association apiary which I have been learning from. An association member also helped me out with a swarm on 14 May which I hived in my spare hive in a friends orchard. The colony started...

Hi, I'm just halfway through my beginners course with the Vale and Downlands bee keeping association. First hive is built and bees ordered. Really looking forward to getting properly started and learning how to nurture my bees. I live in Steventon just south of Abingdon. For the first...