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I have successfully introduced many queens (using my own introduction cage which covers approx 20% of a full brood frame) and I always leave a few attendants with the new queen. IMO If the colony has a queen or does not like the new queen they will reject and kill her regardless of how long she...

If it was 4 weeks from capped queen cell, then I would still wait, I had 5 colonies in this position this year, 3 colonies took 4 weeks from queen emerging before I saw eggs and brood, the others a few days less. A queen cell will be capped at day 8, queen will emerge day 16. It can take another...

I have used MAQS strips on several occasions and would strongly advise you to ensure you have as a minimum 1 super above the brood box, preferably 2. I used MAQS on a double brood, when used with the strips near their expiry date, I had no problem. When I used fresh strips with over 6 months...

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IMHO it came across as smug, oxalic other than the (retrograde step) sole approved concoction was not mentioned and interestingly although Apivar was included in special licence category Apitraz 500mg strips (amitraz) were not mentioned. Apitraz was I believe given certain authorisation...

Quality over quantity, perhaps a like system so helpful comments can be acknowledged and rewarded with a little bee. I realise might require a complete site redesign, sorry

Paynes now have a top feeder for their poly nuc, it is a great design. I agree the built in feeder is a waste of space and I blank it off.

Hi My understanding is that the inside of feeders should be painted (even if nowhere else). The sugar solution will permeate the micro spaces in the polystyrene and this can cause mould and other microbial problems. It is of course also possible the solution is weeping through the wall and is...

Hi I made my own using #6 stainless steel mesh , wire is approx 0.7mm with 3.5mm aperture. 300x300m sheet about £6 delivered from flea bay. Cages are easy to make and with simple cuts at ends you can fold sides round. I soldered my folds but not really necessary. My cages are approx 1.5 cm deep...

Hi Emma Welcome to the forum. I'm guessing your friend is also assisting in the learning process which is the best way, otherwise I recommend joining your local beekeeping association. Are you feeding your new colony? Autumn and Winter can come early in Cumbri (so I'm told) and they have a lot...

Welcome, your in good company, I doubt anyone on the forum believes they are not still learning. I just try and keep my lessons as pain free as possible. Best wishes Mark

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Hi I purchased one of eBay from a seller in Ukraine (search oxalic acid vaporizer), price was just under £31 with delivery. It works fine, I have predominantly WBC hives with mesh floors, I slide the vaporiser in so that it rests on the mesh floor, pull slides as close together as possible...

Sorry about the error, Langstroth hives are usually top bee space whereas national hives are bottom bee space. My point was just make sure you maintain correct bee space space if you attach a national frame onto a langstroth Frame top bar. I checked and the fit is perfect but hive dimensions can...

Ouch! Sorry my post read as anti AMM propoganda, it was intended to be light hearted and is factually correct. I adopted a swarm of black bees as a start to beekeeping and they were extremely defensive. I understand this is more an issue with hybrids and beekeepers with pure (or purer strains)...

Hi Kimura I support the replies encouraging you to look at local alternatives and join your local association however in answer to your specific question; You are right most nucs available for purchase in the UK will be on standard national brood frames although Langstroth hives are used by some...

Thanks Tim Are 14x12 working out well? I regret not going to larger boxes but most of my colonies would still need double brood set-up although maybe I need to manage more actively. Cheers Mark

Thanks Enrico, sadly my learning style seems to value mistakes highly.

Dydh da, thanks for the comment, I agree regarding carniolans but still unsure whether problem is with crosses. I tried to ensure my few early purchases were sourced from reliable West Country breeders/keepers but doubt there are many drone congregation areas which do not contain a huge mash of...

Hi My name is Mark and I live a couple of miles inside England on the Duchy border (having moved from nearby Lezant and prior to that Zummerzet). I keep hybrids in a variety of hives, mainly WBC cedar but also Langstroth and a some Poly nucs. I Have kept Bees for a few years and still making too...