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Wow. Poor beek.

Can’t remember exactly. I think it was thymol Crystal in autumn and a new product trickled in the seems instead of oxalic at Xmas. Will check my hive notes when I bring my kit home.

Wood. 14x12 nationals with OMF below. Above, crown board, eke (with ambrosia fondant) and Tho**ns national insulation under the roof. Could have used more insulation although last time I used a lot of insulation I lost the colony. Somewhere in the middle may be better. I could have used the...

Lots.

Have to. What is a beekeeper without bees? On reflection I think it will have been the cold snap that did it when numbers were at their lowest and less ability to keep warm. No signs of brood so either Q- early on or died/too weak before she she started her early laying. This is the same for...

1st inspection of the year - 2 colonies - both dead. One was low in numbers going into winter but the other was decent. Both were alive in December when I put on winter treatment. Both have plenty of stores left although some of the honey in frames was uncapped, very yellow and opaque. No...

Probably go with one of those four frame metal jobbies from eBay. With delivery comes in about £110.

It was one of their plastic extractors. One of the plastic cross beams snapped. Gaffer tape got it through the rest of the job - just. Binned it after.

A bit early in the season for this I know. Last season my extractor died. It was one of those cheap plastic ones from Th***es. It lasted 2 seasons. I have 2 hives. I am a small timer so happy with a 2 or 3 frame extractor (nationals) and happier with manual as it will keep the cost down. I...

I recently went round our apiary with a petrol strimmer. The hives were quiet and didn't bother me except one which really took exception. Took my first sting in 3 years despite wearing full suit and veil along with gloves.

Read, read, read - Unfortunately your bees won't have read the same material as you and will make their own mind up as what to do.

Mine stopped laying about a month or so. She was a good layer but very small. Decided to commit regicide as there was no evidence off eggs or larva. New queen went in a few days later and I had a quick inspection - about 20 QC's. Think I need to get some new glasses! Anyway, new queen is...

That's why I made up a nuc with the other queen.

Hence using the word 'almost'. Can never really be sure but no brood, unable to find queen and agitated bees point to a conclusion.

Doesn't matter how long you have been doing something, you are always learning. The day you think you know it all is the day you fail.

Managed to have get in between rain showers last night. One hive is almost definitely Q-. No brood, couldn't see HRH and agitated bees running on the frame. Popped queen in between frames in cage with tape over candy. The other colony flipping had eggs and larva. So definitely Q+. Should have...

I've got a big golf umbrella so will use that. Will probably use hive strap to strap to the brood box. Daughter has texted me that queens have arrived. I would prefer to get them in (in sealed cage) asap so I can let them at the candy by the weekend. Do I need to do a full search? If I have...

How long are they ok for outside the hive? What do I need to do to keep them OK? Just drops of water or sugar syrup as well?

Did an AS on my single colony on 14x12 about a month ago. The origonal queen absconded so gave them a QC. In short, all QCs open but no eggs at all for about 3 weeks. Thorough search in both and found no sign of a queen. Ordered 2 new queens which should arrive today. Plan was to pop down...

Unfortunately not. I rendered all my old comb at the end of last season. Lost a colony to Nosema (I think) so didn't want to to pass this on. Did a Bailey change earlier this season to get rid of it all.