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Hi everyone, I hope you're all well! :D Due to a knock-on effect and some on-the-spot thinking/reacting I took a nuc with a new buckfast queen and united it with a swarm I caught (once the swarm queen was found and removed). Swarm queen was really dark, and big. She's not completely out the...

Hi everyone, I'm struggling with one of my colonies and would appreciate some pointers please. The situation: Hive - 11 frame Abelo poly national brood box with QE and three supers on top. Top super nearly full, middle super half way, bottom super just frames of foundation. First super went...

With the long lead times from the more popular queen suppliers, I noticed Abelo seem to have queens available immediately. Has anyone had an Abelo queen and care to share if she competes against the rest?

Hi everyone, My three colonies have successfully got through winter. The weather this week is looking good in our area so with all this isolation I may crack them open and carry out my first inspection. As it is my first spring I have a question regarding stored sugar syrup. And like any...

Hi everyone, I bought this mesh from ebay http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/293213851803 It's really strong but with 4mm apertures it looks a bit big for varroa mesh. What are the thoughts on this? Will it do as varroa mesh for the tunnel entrance floors I have made?

Hi all, I am hoping this year to do some cut-outs/removals on top of swarm collection. I have already been contacted about two possible colonies situation within a building. Based on photos and discussions it will involve cutting out plasterboard/plywood and collecting the bees. I would of...

Hi all, Just wondering how many members have found allotments refused for beekeeping purposes for health and safety reasons. I applied back in May and had to keep pestering them until finally last week I received an email to say it was decided beekeeping on allotments was not allowed due to...

Hi all, One of the main suppliers is offering "Bee Strong" for £12.50 as an introductory offer rather than the standard £25. Is it worth it? I can't seem to find the ingredients to see if it's any good.

Just received issue 226 yesterday. Was flicking through to see which suppliers were having sales and this article caught my eye. I'm heading into my first winter and so my second year is next year, I want to be as prepared as possible. Then I noticed the author... Name, location and how he...

Hi everyone, I'm trying to get used to not doing as much with the bees now the weather is colder. I want a 100% success rate through winter with my three colonies so my aim is to understand the key features to making sure these girls overwinter well. The configurations for the three hives...

Hi everyone, I know Apitraz taints honey, but can it taint propolis? I've been asked for some propolis but all colonies have Apitraz on at the moment. I think the purpose is to go into a tincture. I believe the propolis will be dissolved in alcohol and taken in a shot.

Hi everyone, There's a website currently offering Api-Bioxal for £5 a pop (35g packets) as the date on them is June 2019. How long will/should unopened packets last? I'd be storing them in a metal locker in the garage.

Hi everyone, Today I put two Apitraz strips in one of my hives and one strip in my nuc. The other hive which is still making me honey (slowly) isn't getting treated. I cleaned out my inspection tray and slid it back in. I noticed only an hour or so later, in a quick count, 12 or more varroa...