I went to visit a new beek couple this week. They have bought a WBC from Paul before Yorkshire Beehives closed and joined Barkston Ash Beekeepers which is how I met them. No bees as yet but the frames need assembling and foundation fitting.
As I have found clear crownboards such an asset I measured their boxes and made one for them out of a polycarbonate remnant and some spare wood I had. I look forward to seeing them enjoy beekeeping when they get their bees.
Yesterday I received a batch of Neopol from an ebay shop. There has been some "debate" about its value in the forum so I thought I would try it for myself. I lifted the lid off my WBC hive and quickly slipped the rolled out opened pack on top of the frames then lowered the lid in a matter of seconds. The material must have a scent which interests the bees as seconds later they were boiling up out of the frames into the ekespace of my clear crownboard and all over the exposed Neopol.
Today the sun was on all the hives and all hives were active despite a chill wind. I observed bees staggering in with dark orange, almost brown pollen stuffed in their leg sacks. Strangely our own garden flowers are not being visited. Perhaps somewhere else is capturing their attention?
I have also noticed the ivy which had been heavily trafficked last year now has black berries but a number of immature yellow flower heads seem to be forming. The unusually mild winter seems to have confused nature in these parts.
As I have found clear crownboards such an asset I measured their boxes and made one for them out of a polycarbonate remnant and some spare wood I had. I look forward to seeing them enjoy beekeeping when they get their bees.
Yesterday I received a batch of Neopol from an ebay shop. There has been some "debate" about its value in the forum so I thought I would try it for myself. I lifted the lid off my WBC hive and quickly slipped the rolled out opened pack on top of the frames then lowered the lid in a matter of seconds. The material must have a scent which interests the bees as seconds later they were boiling up out of the frames into the ekespace of my clear crownboard and all over the exposed Neopol.
Today the sun was on all the hives and all hives were active despite a chill wind. I observed bees staggering in with dark orange, almost brown pollen stuffed in their leg sacks. Strangely our own garden flowers are not being visited. Perhaps somewhere else is capturing their attention?
I have also noticed the ivy which had been heavily trafficked last year now has black berries but a number of immature yellow flower heads seem to be forming. The unusually mild winter seems to have confused nature in these parts.
