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Hi, been thinking of combining two hives,both similar size (8/9 frames)but not full brood box's. One colony is prone to rob others so would do away with their Q and combine with newspaper. Am i too late this year or is it still possible if the bees are not clustering during the day? Also if i...

How soon after starting to lay can I clip and mark a new queen? I have managed to get 3 nucs mated and laying and would like to re queen a large colony with a nuc. I would rather try to find and identify hm prior to combining. Many thanks, nuc

Hi again, I have a spare nuc at present which a chap down the road has expressed an interest in. He is about 1.5/2 miles away. If he has the bees will stuffing grass in the entrance for 24 hours make them re orientate or will they come home? Or other suggestions please. Thanks, nuc.

Hi all, think I need a new suit. Old one has fencing veil which is ok but wondered if the round hat type are better or worse? Any good reasons which please or just personal preference. Thanks, nuc.

Hi all, been reading mr Cushmans website regarding Demaree. What is the purpose of a second QE under the top BB? I presume it's intended for hatching Queens up there and not needed if no Q cells. Have I missed something?

Hi folks, another basic question. I am extracting my first honey ever over the weekend so will be taking the supers off. My BB's are 14x12's. I will put the empty combs back on for a few days to let the bees clean the combs, then what? Will the bees have reduced in number to the point where i...

Hi fellow beeks, i may be lucky enough to have a small surplus of honey this year which i intend to sell. It's expensive to produce as we are all aware but not sure what i can reallistically charge. I was thinking £4.50 or maybe £5.00 per pound pot. Is this about right or am i over/under selling...

Hello again, just had an idea and wondered what you more experienced folk think of it. I have two hives which you may/may not remember from a previous post are both Q- but have hatched Q's and should be mating round about now. Both have plenty of bees but no brood left and 2 partly drawn supers...

Hi folks. I can hardly believe my bees and me are in trouble and needing advice again. Feeling totally inadequate and wondering if i should give up but need to get the bees sorted. However hopefully some of you kind people can give me some advice. Info. 2 colonies, different but both local Q's...

Hi folks, after wondering if one of my hives was q- a few weeks ago, it seems she had just suspended laying and they are now doing well. Both hives are full of bees with brood and stores. One with 2 supers, the other with 1. Just wondered if lifting the crown board on matchsticks (or open the...

Hi folks, just checked my 2 hives properly for the first time in a month due to really carp weather. One hive doing great and in need of a super, the other one which was ok a month ago with brood in all stages now has no brood or eggs. The queen looks fine and lots of empty cells being polished...

Hi all, help please. I've one colony occupying half of a 14x12 bb which has just about run out of stores. I fed them 1/2 gal 1:1 syrup 3 days ago which they have taken down. How long will this last them or do you think they've already eaten it and not stored it ? If they have eaten it i...

Hi folks,i've been wondering about some frame extensions to convert national brood to 14x12. Looked at the ones on T*****s. Can anyone tell me if they are any good, do i need to put foundation or wax starter strips in them or is there a plan for making them anywhere ? Thanks, Nuc.

Hi folks, will hopefully need a couple of new 14x12 national hives this year but the cost of cedar is so high i wondered if ply hives will make any difference to how well the bees perform ? What is the popular material at the moment ? Also if exterior/marine ply will they still need treating...

Hi folks, i am considering wether to make pollen patties or not and if i do what to put in them. I read that pollen should be sterillized if from an unknown source by radiation. The pollen i can buy has been treated by freezing it. Will this kill unwanted pathogens well enough to fed it safely...

Hi folks, just bought some 25mm thick rigid foam insulation for my national hive lids. Do you just cut it to fit snug in the lid or do i need to make holes in it or allow for the lid side vents in any way ? I believe the cb needs to be solid so no ventilation through that. I do have omf's...

Anyone who read my recent post will know i have my first colony and have had swarming issues in the last couple of weeks. With your help a few days ago i removed the sugar syrup from them after being told i could be over feeding and removed queen cells bar one (as i thought). Now i can hear...

Hi folks, i'm just beginning with bees but feel like it's a crash course at the moment. Bought my first nuc about 7 weks ago and they were great at first, nice and gentle, foraging, laying, etc. Then 10 days ago they swarmed up a nearby oak tree. Managed to retrieve them and house in a new hive...

Hi folks, just wondering if some offcuts of tanalised timber which i have would be ok to use for hive construction ? Or will the tanalising cause problems. Thanks, nuc.

Hi folks, apart from reading about bees and owning my own nuc for all of two weeks i am totally new to beekeeping so please be patient. My 5 frame nuc is settling down nicely but not 100% sure about what to feed. After reading Clive de Bruyen i began feeding full strength (2:1)sugar syrup as he...