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Thanks for all your comments. I did leave a QE on over winter. I fed them because it was frightened of starving them over winter. My first year and i guess i was over-cautious to a point of detrimental. If I was to play back what i think you are suggesting. Removing a couple of the capped...

This is a new thread on the advice of a more experienced keeperwho read my comments on another thread. I think i'd best start at the the beginning so that everyone understands the background. I started with my first hive last summer with a nuc bought from a very reputable source. The hive...

its a national hive and has one frame with some eggs, pupae and sealed brood in an area in the centre of the frame (both sides). There are a couple of frames that have no pollen, brood or honey in them so i assume they are being prepared for future laying. The rest of the brood box has frames...

Decided that it would be a good day to get into the hive and have a good look at numbers etc. Nice to see them out and about on arrival. Got into the hive and the girls weren't happy and gave me a bit of hassle. Got a sting through my jeans ans was pulling barbs out of my jeans when i got home...

Many thanks for your replies. The wasps were around the hive rather than in it (apart from when i opened it!). There was a bit of fighting going on with the bees, I saw at least 3 bee v wasp wrestling matches going on. i normally do see eggs and spot them quickly and i often (although not...

because of the howling wind and rain i haven't been to the hive for around 12 days or so as i thought it would be the wrong thing to do. I went this morning and found the following: 1. lots of wasps (i must have killed more than 10, allthugh they seemed to disappear after i put hive back...

Thanks to all, appreciate your help.

I bought my first colony and put in into my hive about 10 days ago. all is going well in terms of eggs, sealed brood and they are drawing comb nicely with pollen being brought in and increasing in numbers , but i have no drones and no drone brood. Should i be worried or not?

I was advised by a friend to get the Beekeping for Dummies book, which i managed to download online for free. It's been useful and has good reference points but it is American so does have some points that are irrelevant, such as the diary which relates to US climate in different states. Worth...

Whats the difference between mountain laurel and any other. I've just put up a hive sheltered by a laurel hedge. Have I killed all of the bees?

I have a new hive being delivered next week and have gone into overdrive on reading, research and spending time with a friend of mine who has had a couple of hives for a few years. My intention was to put out a bait hive for this summer and try use a few methods of luring a swarm rather than...

Thanks folks, that's really helpful and put my mind at ease.

I am putting a new hive on my farm (first time) and have a paddock which is ideal for it but i am wondering on the best place to site it. The paddock is on the top of a fairly windy hill ( as is all of the farm) but the paddock has two high walls which can protect it from the wind. down one of...