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There is much unknown about the virus yet but recent lab tests may indicate that it is much more aerosol viable than first thought, which may explain some of the reasons why it spread so rapidly... https://www.nejm.org/doi/10.1056/NEJMc2004973

You have probably already done this, but close the entrance down to 1 or two bee width so they can better defend it. If you can - move the hive to another location temporarily.

I have poly hives from two manufacturers. Of the type that have softer poly with a plastic entrance block they simply eat their way though the poly above the entrance block on every hive, and that was with the standard size entrance to deter wasps. I had to make up strips of litho plate...

I did that at first then decided that it is not a good idea to raise Queens from swarmy hives ;)

Get thin twin wall polycarbonate sheet from your DIY store and make coverboards from it. Cut out a hole for feeding in winter and add a larger piece to the part you cut out so that it can be dropped back into the sheet without falling through. Twin wall insulates well. I add a sheet of...

The other alternative is to buy an island bred Queen or one that was bred in an isolated area, then use her to breed from. Select the best F1's from her and replace them with another good F1 when required. You still have the problem of free mated F1's but can select for best behaviour if you...

Please provide a link to this information as I have never heard of such a Royalty being paid. For those that are interested in his work here is a 5 part video series... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V4j9tSneoL4

AFAIK the Superbee from Cyprus is a Buckfast strain that the breeder has changed by selective breeding with other non Buckfast strains.

Rotted wood is what I have found best, however some of the bee inspectors now use wood pellets - the type used in central heating boliers. Seems to work well but I would still rather have the natural rottted wood as we don't know what chemicals are present in the processed pellets. Another...

And before you shake the bees off any frame have a careful look on both sides, if there is a Queen on the frame you don't want to damage her ;)

My Paynes 14x12 are under attack by mice. This has never happened before but this year they are chewing holes above the plastic entrance block. No idea how to further protect them as the odd shape of BB make sit difficult to add any metal protection. May have to try fine mesh which will be...

My problem is not poly prices but working out a way to protect the Paynes hives from mice. This year they are chewing holes in the poly above the plastic entrance block :(

Tom Jay, just give them fondant if we have a very cold snap this winter. Normally the bees can break down ivy honey but if we have a protracted period of very cold weather then Fondant is the answer.

One other thought - It may be this years Queen and laying OK but she could be injured or have another problem that the bees know about and we don't. I'd vote for taking the old Q away and banking her then see what happens with the prospective new Q.

@KAZMCC = I also find it hard to see eggs in cells on a dull day but I just bought a cheap and nasty head torch from one of the big "Pound" shops and it works great. First use resulted in the angle adjustment bit breaking off but I now just hold it and point into the cells. It has about 10...

Dead head scissors are cheap and work well for clipping. Herbies Purple Garden Deadheading Snips: Amazon.co.uk: Garden & Outdoors

I Use a de-capping fork, save all the nice pristine wax cappings, put in a mesh bag or one of those cake covers with the mesh and rinse out the excess honey of which there is very little. I was in ignorance of the correct way to use the fork until I saw a video demonstrating it. If you look on...

I would ditch that sacking, a lot of it contains chemicals. Get rotted wood that is dry and crumbles easily, I have found it to be the best fuel to use.

As long as the page author is identified I see no problem. You can then take or reject the advice of the author whether it be the late Dave Cushman or Roger the present site manager.

I have Paynes and Swienty. Swienty is the toughest poly I have seen so far and is the hive I will be buying again when I need more boxes (probably soon).