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I am developing a Queen rearing regime. I'm wondering when laying queens are resident in their mating hives what restrictions would there be on local movement. I have in mind using my mated queens to replace those who have done me well during previous seasons. My mating hives are situated 10...

Hi I am looking to sourse Nucs local to Somerset. Preferably early May if possible. Many thanks

I'm going to need a hand with this one. Looking out of my garage this afternoon I saw a number of flying bees. I followed a few of these to a brick joint in the external front wall of my house next to a first floor window. Ive watched for a good 15 and without doubt I appear to have collected...

Two constructive observations. 1. You don't seem to have left much room behind hive and between fence to allow space to work. 2. I'd be careful in way hive is balanced on the blocks. When bees potentially glue supers and you need to twist off I fear you might end up with a mess on the floor...

Did its today. Removed super and roof full of ivy and wrecked frames. Scraped off remnants of queen excluder to expose the brood nest contained in a mixture of old frames tree roots and scrub. Rebuilt hive with a plywood board with. 4 holes cut therein New brood box and virgin frames Crown...

Jobs a good un!

Took a call today to examine a disused and abandoned hive in a local privately owned wood. On arrival I was confronted by a disaster. The hive was overgrown and rotten having obviously been left untouched for many a year. I watched the hive for 10 minutes and confirmed a steady flow of bees...

I'd also look at the seller and see if there is a wry smile.

Checked apiary today, Despatched two Queen wasps. Opened entrance blocks to the max. Supered. + 1 Checked Varroa drop Max per hive 3 . Stores and brood in abundance. Found Queens. Sun out.

Probably didn't explain too well. I think that hives have almost full stores of sugar honey from syrup and fondant. I think I have over fed during winter break There is still room to lay and I am not too concerned about activities of Queen. I am trying to avoid mixing current stores with honey...

Took the opportunity today to examine the brood. Average 4 frames per hive with strong evidence of Queen activity. Have over wintered well and fed fondant when needed. The bees have storeswell of at least 7 super frames per hive. I know it is slightly early but am seeking advice. How do I...

Wondering. Does anyone have the low down on what types of queens that are used as a preferred choice by commercial bee farmers. Bearing in mind inspection times are bound to be limited and somewhat more clinical

My grandfather told me that once he got stung by a wasp; He was a farmer and lived in a house with land He allowed a local beekeeper to keep hives near an orchard. My grandmother made Jam.

Hi, I am looking to unconfuse myself. I have extracted two supers of honey and am currently treating my colonies . I have Brood box , eke and Apiguard on all hives. I am clearing Varroa which is evident on trays as I inspect. The brood has stored pollen and some capped honey at edges on a...

Thanks for the guidance. Finally . In order to avoid bubbles in the jars how do you actually pour the honey. seems a bit daft but do you open the honey gate and go for it or gently let it pour. Cheers

I succesfully extracted a super of honey yesterday and now have it resting in a settling tank . I can see an abundance of air bubbles on the surface. Can anyone give me an idea how long to leave the honey to clear itself of air and does placing it in a warmer environment assist. Thanks

I understand that a flow is on when the bees are obviously busy. I observe full pollen sacs and can see the obvious signs of honey being capped within comb that is being drawn. I can see a multitude of different colours contained in pollen stores I don,t get how keepers are able to say that...

Thanks for the food for thought. Really interested in the comments by Chris regarding the non fiddling approach. If you have time I would really appreciate a synopsis of your beekeeping year. Particularly interested in your enterance monitoring to identify problems. Regards.

Surely if you undertake no treatment of your hive whatever and allow swarming you are risking the disease of the wider bee population. ? OR does nature provide allowance for survival of the fittest.

As with most of us Varroa are present in my hives. I have to date monitored, undertaken sacrificial drone and sugar treatments. The drop I am experiencing is within acceptable limits. All my bees appear healthy and active. I do wonder because I read varying reports about the effectiveness...