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Based on using Octopus cosy, 120sq metre property, small part modern extension, rest as above, EPC E. Uses Weather Compensation, which seems critical for all I've read, to control the temperature for the flow, ie if it's warm(ish) outside, say 10C, the flow temp is lower than when it's colder ...

I can’t comment on living with an ASHP, but am going through the process of getting one. I ended up going with Heat Geek, there’s a free estimate on their website - but that’s what it is, an estimate, but actually quite accurate in my case. They also appear to have a good rep in the various...

Most modern heat pumps can heat water up to 75 C, they run a separate hot water cycle so no immersion is needed, and often can run legionella cycles at higher than you set the normal hot water temperature to if you're worried about that. Not quite as efficient as cooler running for heating, but...

Have you read the article, the rationale is fully explained, with references. By all means challenge the rationale, but to simply dismiss it adds nothing to the debate. Do explain where he's wrong, it will help us all decide when might be the best time to treat.

The Apiarist has an article on when to treat and suggests that treatment ideally should be complete before the winter bees are raised, which seems to be bees emerging from mid-Sept onwards. This is so they are not infected by DWV or other viruses. This would mean mid August is the ideal time...

Small swarm arriving at a bait hive, 30 times sped up. Simon

I don’t claim to be an expert, indeed I know I’m not. Having just set up a Cloake Board with my first ever grafting (7 out of 20 cells drawn which I’m happy with), my suggestions are below. Having arranged your two brood boxes, they say that the Cloake board should be closed straight away...

As a point of interest, the Queen goes on more than one mating flight, from one of David Evans many great blogs, the typical Queen will make between one and sixteen mating flights (average 5), and mate with an average of 50 drones. To answer your question, if you want to prolong the life of...

Looks like it to me. Simon

Agree, bird cherry. Simon

According to the ObsIdentify App (recommend it if you like IDing odd bugs/plants etc): First one is Honeysuckle saw fly Abia lonicerae (as per Dani) Second one is Nest Skipper Fly Neottiophilum praeustum, the larvae is a parasite of birds nest (or the occupants!) Simon

Fabulous!

For a standard Abelo super I just cut down a standard castellation to fit, so a 10er becomes 9. I pin and glue. Simon

The NBU have now issued a guide to monitoring. It mentions both trapping and bait stations, and doesn't, as they did in the recent presentation, give advice on only trapping in the designated high risk areas. Available here...

Basic stats for 2023

BBKA are hosting an online conference about the Asian hornet including an update from the NBU. Starts at 10.00 today. https://www.bbka.org.uk/asian-hornet-events Simon

Hi all Seems Thornes have a flash sale on, large range of goodies, ends Monday. Simon

Hi If you visit The Apiarist's blog (@fatshark) he has a design using scaffold jack legs which are adjustable, which means you can (fairly) easily make them higher or lower depending on how they suit you, your ground and your height. I've made them using 3" X 3" fence posts as the main bearers...

Maybe, maybe not, but it's not happened for me before, and the filling of two frames in a couple of days is a pretty good indicator. Simon

I took all my supers off at the beginning of the week. On one hive they'd started overnight to draw comb on the underside of the clearer board, so I gave them a drawn super and in two days they'd filled a couple of frames, so they clearly needed the space. Most didn't however. Not expecting it...