Search results

I’ve become obsessed with true meaning of “shirtsleeve” weather. The only logical explanation is that it referred to the typical beekeeper of 100 years ago who wore a three piece suit (even working men such as the gamekeeper in Lady Chatterley’s Lover would where this) When it got warmer, he...

Squirt of air freshener instead of newspaper?

Does it make any difference whether the cappings are “wet” or “dry”?

There is no point bees fanning at the entrance where this is an open mesh floor. Whether they are “sucking” or “ blowing”, any current they try to create at the entrance is completely disrupted by the much larger opening that is the floor.

Yes but why do you want the paint on a hive to breath?

I think it does but why do you want it to breath?

I paint my hives with white masonry paint. Some are cedar and some are pine. Although cedar does not rot, it can get rather porous and in winter the wood can be sodden. I’m also glad that in this current heat wave, the white paint reflects the heat better than unpainted hives.

I’ve just gone out to the garage to find the answer to your question and I can say that a National 12x14 brood frame definitely does NOT fit.

And of course 2 wings, as flies have, rather than 4 wings, as bees, wasps and hornets have.

Yes, I nearly put on a pair of leather gloves. How long do use spin each set of the frames for, as the max speed is much lower than when I hand crank on the old machine?

I’ve now assembled my three frame Vevor electric extractor (cost £180 free shipping), but not yet used it. The finish is poor, as I expected, with very sharp edges on the metal cross strut holding the motor. National frames fit ok, with a loop of cable tie to support each. Had a practice go...

What size ball bearing are they. I think I have lost mine.

Ok, fair enough. I hear you.

When bees cluster in the cold, some bees enter empty cells head first, and other bees wedge themselves into the spaces between the frames. That is normal cluster architecture particularly around the compact edge of the cluster. If the cluster dies - for any reason - the bees that were clinging...

I’m not sure that is what they do when they are starving. How long would it take for a bee to find out there is no honey in a cell? I think winter brood can be a menace because it traps the cluster over and around the brood. The cluster is less able to move towards the stores. However, the...

It’s a myth that bees with heads in cells is a sign of starvation. They might have starved, or they might not, but heads in that position is not a sign of starvation. Bees in cells head first is a part of the natural structure of a cluster. It is also the position taken by heater bees.

I’m currently selling my 150 lb honey crop at the door (£6 for 12oz by the way). The jars bear the botulism warning. The thing that worries me most is the possibility of the honey being contaminated with solid objects, such as very small pieces of glass, metal or wood. The only “treatment” the...

Yes.