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I was asked a question by someone who bought honey from me, which I couldn’t answer, so hoping the clever folks here might. She asked why the honey i sold her back in the summer hadn’t set yet. I explained about the sugar types in honey and glucose causing granulation plus certain types of...

I’m currently in the USA on holiday and a lot of beekeepers here feed bananas to their bees in spring. Anyone tried this in the UK? Is there any evidence that it’s particularly beneficial? Not because I necessarily want to do it, just curious.

What is bulk honey being sold for/bought for this year? I paid £85 for 30lbs last year to tide me over (lost several hives & crop to wasps), so I may need to do the same if weather doesn’t improve……

Just wondered what other people are doing in their local BKAs regarding the imminent threat of Asian Hornets gaining a foothold on the UK mainland? I am a member of our local AHAT group and our main priority has so far been about educating the public to identify any that arrive. The BBKA...

Someone is offering up a full to the gills 14 x 12 nuc of bees as they have no more kit to house them in. I’m on standard nationals so if I took them, what would I need to bodge a standard brood box to accommodate the 14 x 12 deeper frames until I can move them onto standard deeps. I’ve googled...

I have a biggish birthday coming up (ahem) at the end of the year and OH asked what I wanted. Don’t really need or want much but would love to upgrade to a nice electric radial extractor, preferably holding at least 10 frames. We usually get friends to chip in for big presents (it’s either that...

The homeowner of my lost swarm at the weekend has a colony of bees in a twin walled shed in their garden which is where we think the swarm came from (she said they pretty much swarm every year). I would like to cut them out as the shed is due to be demolished fairly soon and she would like me...

A new queen arrived today from a UK breeder. I am a little concerned about her small size. She has around 9 attendants in the cage and if it wasn’t for the pink dot, I’d be hard pushed to see her to be honest. Does size matter with queens? I have asked the question of the supplier as I’ve never...

Too funny not to share! Genuine post from USA Nextdoor……

Wishing all my fellow beekeepers, a very happ-bee Christmas, good strong surviving colonies in Spring, zero varroa (!), healthy bees, plentiful forage, a warm & sunny spring & summer and lots of honey in 2023.

I brought back the salvaged bees and queen from the wasp attack in a nuc and have a queenless nuc so would be a good idea to unite. What’s the best way to do this please? I’m at a loss…..

Just returned from two week holiday doing the NC500 and checked on all the hives. One of the out apiary hives has been hammered by wasps. This was the hive that had CBPV in August and were requeening. There is only two frames with small patches of BIAS (couldn’t see the queen) but has a lot of...

Anyone had experience with buying in bulk for local BKAs? We have heard some associations do it and interested to see if it’s worthwhile or a total PITA. I’m thinking just the quick moving volume items everyone needs and buys regularly - frames, foundation, supers, fondant, feeders…. Is there a...

I tried some queen rearing via the nuc method this year for the first time. Very small scale….. had success in three nucs which was great but one 6 frame nuc has steadfastly refused to raise a queen and just kept stuffing the frames with nectar (as fast as I could keep swapping them out!) so is...

So after nearly passing out in 27 degree heat doing the inspections and peeling off everything (literally) and bunging all my soggy clothes and bee suit straight in the washing machine…… I’m seriously considering splashing out on a ventilated suit. So I’m interested to know makes the best ones...

As I am starting to earn a little bit of money from honey sales and it would be a source of income likely to exceed £1k this year, I was going to set myself up as a sole trader and declare income and expenses (which are numerous.......!). I was also advised by another beek to register for VAT...

Sod’s law, my neighbours called to say there was a swarm in their garden today. Don’t think it’s from my hives, but can’t check as I’m in the IOW for a few days. Long story short, my mentor has got them in a nuc and is collecting tomorrow and leaving the nuc in our garden. Plan is to put them in...

A small cast swarm from last year (Queen Beatrix), has been increasing in size rapidly and are now on a double brood box as they built up very fast . Across the two boxes there are 11 frames of BIAS - fantastic brood pattern - and 7 frames of stores. Lots of drones, no QCs. They've had a super...

Did anyone read this post? Sounds a bit grim for wild bees. On The Domestication of the Honey Bee

I'm at my limit of hives in our garden so was thinking of looking for an out apiary. Our local plumber expressed an interest in having bees in his large garden, about a mile away. Not sure if he wants his own hives and I look after them (initially he thought he could leave them alone and just...