Search results

I'm looking for a new beekeeping vehicle, something that can be used just for that purpose and will not require constant cleaning before taking SWMBO out to town etc :) My hives are not far away from home (<5 miles) at an out apiary, and I have been considering everything from a Skoda Yeti to a...

All my hives are now finished with OSR about two weeks ago. Not much happening with three of them but my strongest and most productive hive has a flow on that resembles their manic to and froing when they were on OSR. I have no idea what they are working but puzzled as to why the three...

Just acquired a Giordan 8 frame drill driven extractor S/H. Apparently no instructions came with it, and whilst it's easy to work how how it works, what I'd really like is to know how others have taken it apart to clean it? Looking at it I could remove the top blue bar and probably lift the...

I have three of the new version Pay**s poly feeders. I took extra care when painting them inside to roughen the bee ways and when adding a second cost of paint I dusted them with sand to make as rough a surface as possible. I put them on on Sunday and thought I'd take a look near dark tonight...

I have recently combined a commercial and 14x12 BB in order to transfer the colony into the new 14X12 hive. All went well and I was waiting until this week ( about 21 days) to check the old BB for hatched brood and then remove it. I got caught out as they are now going mad on OSR and have...

BBC 1 next Wednesday, 12th December at 8.00pm. Some video taken at a Blandford and Sturminster BKA Apiary. A BBC team visited the apiary during the Summer, headed by George McGivern. They went to film bees and their stings using a new camera that magnifies up to 7000 times. Should be...

Yesterday (Sun) I remove a queen from a failing nuc and combined the little colony with another weak nuc. Both were made up intiially as insurance when I decide to requeen two hives with Buckfast queens. She is a local 2012 queen and was laying in the nuc albeit just a small patch of brood. I...

After re-queening recently I have two very small colonies in Q+ nucs (kept for insurance) which I would like to combine with the best queen for overwintering. Here is the scenario Both in same apiary but 10 m apart Both are in borrowed home made wooden nucs, no removable floor :-( One has two...

I bought some 14x12 hoffman frames to make up for next year. I have been told by an experienced beek that I should buy a one piece bottom bar instead of fitting the standard 2 piece bottom bars. His reason is that they are much stronger and prevent warping of the frame. What do you guys...

My mentor has kept bees for 50 years. He just saw my new 14x12 poly hive and his first reaction was that the polycarbonate "crown Board" is not designed correctly. In his opinion if using bottom bee space the crown board needs a bee space between it and the frames. This is to enable the...

Seriously thinking of this one as an investment for my honey processing... http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/honey-extractor-3-frame-mamual-/221036466908?pt=UK_Pet_Supplies_Bee_Keeping&hash=item3376ccd2dc#ht_500wt_1413 Got to be the bargain of the year:smilielol5:

I took the plunge and bought a couple of the p-a-y-n-e poly 14x12 hives. At the moment I am using the standard wooden entrance block after fixing a couple of self tappers to the floor to prevent the block disappearing inside. I'm not of course putting the block in at the moment as they are...

I've settled on buying 14x12 poly hives from the P Bee Farm people. What I can't work out is what size castellated runners to buy for the supers :confused: They have 9, 10, and 11 frame versions. I'll probably be using Hoffman spaced SN1 frames with foundation, though open to advice as I...

Looking for some commercial size poly hives but no one seems to sell them :( Could a Langstroth poly be converted to commercial?

I have a home made warming cabinet which started life as a fridge. I have several 30lb plastic tubs (Thurnes) which contain OSR needing melted. Before I begin, what is the opinion of the members regarding keeping the tamper proof seal on tightly, or opening it and just resting the lid on the...

I have used about a third of a 12 Kg box of Bako fondant, but despite sealing it up again and storing in a cool place it is drying out. I have now packed it all into small take away boxes for use when required, but just wonder if I add a little water to each box and seal it again will it help...

This has to be the best buy of the year on FeePay http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Vintage-HONEY-BEE-EXTRACTOR-A-I-ROOT-CO-Full-working-order-/250952318729?pt=UK_Pet_Supplies_Bee_Keeping&hash=item3a6dec7f09#ht_1227wt_1165 Spotlessly clean too! Someone will snap this up at £325 Better Bee quick :rofl:

Ok, I need to put on fondant on my hives as they are a bit light. I have decided to do the take away box over the porter bee escape hole trick. Just want to ask before doing something daft... I have solid floors and have no insulation as present on the crown board. Should I insulate and...