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My Swienty one home made has 30 National deep frames. The one thing in retrospect is that the bees are keen to raise brood horizontally but storage of nectar tended to be above the brood all the way along. I think that a super above the brood would be a better idea and the Dartington hive and...

Well we are the Ancient Geeks I suppose..................

Look at my avatar for a Swienty based long hive self made.

It's incredible how a flow can change behaviour. I'm talking about beekeepers as well as the bees!!!

Sash cramps too - in beekeeping one of the most useful tools there are due to hive dimensions.

I have a BBWear jacket. I find in the summer a suit is too hot for me so a jacket and my thick trousers seem fine - jacket tucked into the trousers and then a belt. However I also wear a baseball cap which serves two purposes. First it keeps the veil off my face/nose and secondly it mops up...

Yes - I have Honestly - I was only joking m'lud.

I agree - I have seven hives, am retired, got hobbies and, yes it's the missus who takes the time........................

I have a solar wax extractor and use that. I cut out the comb from the frame, take the wire out and crush it into a ball. Use a pair of ladies tights. Cut off each leg and drop the wax into each leg - like fat balls for birds - it's amazing how tights stretch. When full tie a knot in the...

Looked rhrough my seven and all progrssing nicely - half a super of nectar on each despite the cool weather but amazing how the dandelions have pretty much gone over after a few days sunshine. No queen cells as yet but likely not too far away. Biggest problem is I was only able to find one...

I am not keen on them either but they were cheap and my grandson managed to get the feral colony he attracted into it to survive the winter. A bit like the golfer - "I'm not really a left hander but the clubs were a bargain!"

Forecast is for virtually single figures temperature-wise for the whole of next week. Bit of rain too.

Bees and hives are too expensive to site in a place where they are obvious and asking to be nicked (B******s). Well worth spending a little time searching for a more secluded site. Try an advert in a local newsagent's shop window - you never know. Many of the public are aware of the...

Bought a couple of these for my Grandson (only 9 years old ) last year and wanted to add a couple more to it as he finds them easy to use. Don't need frames. I can arrange courier pick up - would prefer if they were in the flat. Please PM me to diiscuss.

Another little project, this time a small vacuum bee vac for tidying up when you have taken a swarm and you are waiting for the stragglers which I find one of the most frustrating part of swarm collection. Also when it gets to honey harvesting time I always seem to get bees in the garage and...

Still learning after 48 years. Good to be in the outdoors getting excercise and figuring what the bees are up to keeps the brain active. Problem solving , making stuff is all great fun

At about £35 a pop for a new roof it's a no-brainer to make your own this way. Just don't put your smoker on it when inspecting!!

I start with the pond liner by cutting out the approximate size I need. I spray a heavy duty carpet adhesive onto the roof on the flat upper part and gently spread the pond liner on with the flat of my hand avoiding wrinkles. Let it dry and then do one side the same with adhesive - straight...

Looks as if you winter has been relatively mild. Hoping that the trout on Harray, Boardhouse and Swannay have appreciated it too ready for my annual fishing trip and stay at the Barony Hotel in the first week in June. Always a fun trip and to meet up again with the super friendly Orcadians.

A minute in a microwave sorts out gorilla glue I find - time depends on volume but it gets it flowing again.