Search results

Okay, thanks eveyone - time to give my home made clearer boards a tryout!

I have 2 hives, both with 2 supers on and both in a similar position. The lower supers on each hive are full and capped. The top supers are maybe ½ -3/4 full, but only just starting to be capped. So I was wondering what to do? I was hoping to extract all 4 at the same time, but is it getting a...

Hive alive

Ok, thanks everybody - that's tomorrows job sorted!!

Unite was my thoughts as well. How long do you normally leave the paper in for?

One of the two swarms that I collected is not doing so well. The second,smaller swarm has developed well and is now filling the poly nuc I put them in and is ready to be moved into a hive. My first collection, which is already in a national hive, is now definitely queenless. I saw the queen when...

Well just went to check on them, The swarm I caught last week and my prime swarm of yesterday all seem to be doing really well - settled in and working hard!! But the mowed down cast is not doing so well. Virtually no bees in the nuc, a dozen or so around the entrance, and lots of dead or dying...

After being pretty smug that the swarm I collected from the neighbors garden last week wasn't one of mine, I got a bit of a shock today - must be payback!! Got home today and decided to cut my neglected grass, on the second time around I noticed a swarm on a low branch - quite large and very...

I'm still very def a novice, so take my opinions as you wish, but I have 2 hives, 1 omf, 1 happy keeper floor. Both hives housed near identical colonies from nucs, same age, same size, same time etc etc. 1 year on, and both colonies are still near identical, no dramatic improvements on the happy...

Thanks everyone, got them into the nuc. They over half filled it without the frames or the ones that didn't go straight in!! Put the frames in and lid on, there are masses of them around the entrance - hope there's enough room. Guess I'll find out when I get back on Sunday if they like their new...

Also, as I'm fairly sure it's a prime - would you rotate the plastic entrance to the queen excluder section to prevent her escape??

Got a call from my neighbor saying she thought there was a swarm in her garden - could I help. Well, short story is, it's now in an upturned cardboard box on a sheet in my garden. Seems to be a good sized prime. Unfortunately I'm going away tonight for the weekend, so no time and not much...

Great, thanks

Very happy, both my colonies have wintered well - they were both late nuc's, so I was a little concerned! Anyway, I under super'd one of them, which is now clean, and I removed it today. On some of the frames, they have chewed a few holes, maybe 2 or 3, non over 3/4". When it's time to put the...

Thanks everyone, seems as with most things in beekeeping it's personal preference!! I think I'll remove it so I don't cause myself any probs if they start to use it. As for feeding, I'm following the approach of keep feeding them until they stop taking it approach.

After collecting my first honey(yey!!) I was advised to put the super with the frames in under the brood box for the bees to clean. Now I've read on hear that it is recommended to leave the super under for the winter - maybe helps with drafts etc?? But my question is, do you leave the frames...

Thanks for the replies. I built the second hive because I managed to get a second colony going - so both hives are now occupied. i don't mind the silver appearance, it was more of a protection/longevity question. The wood definitely feels of a lesser quality (no reflection on supplier, it was a...

Was just comparing the hive I built last year with my new(fully home made!) hive and its just starting to show its age. Now, I don't mind the discoloration but it's a 'bees on a budget' hive so I'm not convinced it's of the best quality wood, so I think protecting the wood a little would be...

Can someone describe the glass trick a little more? Are we talking a big sheet covering the front of the hive or just a small piece in front of the entrance - or something inbetween? Plus how close, a bee space or resting against the landing platform? Sorry for all the questions, but also...

Sorry to thread jack, but what is the Qe under the hive for? Just to stop the queen escaping??