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Sorry, didn't mean to drone on (excuse the pun). Only just got back on the pc and catching up with the responses, also ticked off with the nasty comments I got on a previous post. But, as I said, at least it generated some good discussion

Wow. I never thought I would generate such a passionate response. Firstly, Let me be big enough to apologise for any upset I may have caused. As I said initially I think this forum is, in the main, helpful and supportive. Fortunately, I have not so far posted a question about bees to which I...

Final comment - I wasn't being disrespectful to an experienced beekeeper but I feel some experienced beekeepers are being disrespectful to learners, which discourages newbies, but maybe that is what you want! Respect is a two way process and if you are going to take the trouble to respond -...

Check out your local beekeeping association on the internet and contact them about the colony. They can arrange for someone to collect it. Your local police station should also have the contact details for your local swarm collection officer. Good luck on becoming a future beekeeper.

:boxing_smiley:As a newbie to this forum - which I find very helpful and supportive in the main -I am surprised at the tone of some of the responses to newbie questions by "more established" beekeepers. I'm glad to know I am not the only one on this forum who has raised objections to...

It costs nothing to be polite!

It was an academic question - I have a good bee mentor to advise me but I am keen to learn about the different aproaches and methods employed by different beekepers and the reasoning/practicalities behind them. But thanks to all those who offered constructive support

Due to reasons beyond my control I only got my first nuc in early September last year (far too late according to most beekeepers). I took care (under the supervision of a good bee mentor) to feed and care for the developing colony over the winter. Despite the harsh and prolonged winter a...

Less critism, more support :mad:There are many newbies out there, including myself, and it is really off-putting receiving critical and unhelpful replies to queries - We can't all be clever dicks

:willy_nilly: How do you position the entrances to hives to prevent drift of bees? I know entrances are not supposed to be in line with each other yet I have seen many pictures of apiaries set out in straight lines or blocks. Many apiaries seem to use a method of placing four hives on a...

Organic does not equal no chemicals :beatdeadhorse5:The majority of people assume that "organic" means that sythetic chemicals are not used to grow crops. This is not true, many "organically" approved (by the soil association) chemicals are used. Glyphosate (Roundup), a weed killer is one...

Thanks all. The info was very helpful.

When a virgin queen has her mating flight, how many bees accompany her? Is it 20 or so drones or hundreds or what? Is it only drones that accompany the virgin queen? Can't find this info in the books that I have.

My icing sugar contains anti-caking agent; Tricalcium Phosphate (E341). So the anti-caking agent seems to vary according to the product. Not sure what if any affect this particular agent has on the bees.

Thanks to everyone for the info. Must admit, when watching the program on the American bee problem, I was quite shocked at the rough way in which all the beekeepers shown handled their bees - not really surprised they have problems. There has got to be better ways even for economically minded...

Noting all the things that hobbiest beekeepers do to look after their bees e.g. weekly inspections. I was wondering how do commercial beekeepers with several thousand hives look after their bees? It's one thing to inspect a hive every week when you have just a few hives, but surely this is not a...

Sorry for the late reply, unfortunately I had other things scheduled. However, i would like at some time to get involved with the Liverpool meetings, even though I'm a member of southport. I'm hoping to be at the opening of the Southport & Formby new teaching apiary on the 16th May. Maybe see...

Hi guys. The weather actually improved on Thursday :hurray:so I was able to inspect the hive. Didn't see any queen cells but to be honest, I can't say I didn't miss any, although I don't think so. Spotted the queen at least. I have a super on, which the bees are busy drawing out. On advice I...

I'm in my first year of beekeeping and have just posted the same question as you. Glad I'm not the only one in this quandry. I was taught you can have have a quick peek inside the hive but don't inspect it if the temp is below 14c. the risk of chilling is too high. I actually started on a group...

I'm in my first year of beekeeping and I'm still quite confused about certain things:confused:. I know that you have to inspect hives at specified periods in order to prevent or reduce the possibility of swarming. Having inspected my hive last week and seeing all is well I intended to inspect...