A bit misleading…

[Do224]

Just read this in the BBKA news. Surely you can’t make such a sweeping statement (the bit about ‘Feed’)…my bees are still taking liquid feed and I’m expecting them to for a little while yet. In fact with invert, I’d assume they’d keep on taking it through most of October

 

[pargyle]

Uusual cobblers from the BBKA comic... I've fed invert into November, Our ivy doesn't arrive until mid October and I don't normally feed until that's over. The key is to put a slab of insulation on top of the feeder and the heat from the colony keeps it warm enough for them to take it down.

 

[Do224]

And while we’re at it…is it really possible to shake bees from one colony into another (second paragraph)?? Surely they’d just fight

 

[Erichalfbee]

Agree with Phillip
BBKA mag is notorious for bad copy.
Listen to us here on the forum.

 

[user 20297]

I was listening to a talk by a BBKA Master Beekeeper the other day. He considers that a solar wax melter would be pointless in the UK as we don't get enough sun. I cobbled one up out of bits and bobs and could melt any amount of wax I needed over one, sunny day in Scotland.

The problem with some people is that they are blinkered and aren't able to make themselves try things, so just give in before they start, and repeat what they perceive to be the truth from other, similar people.

Whilst I have to admit that as I experience more, my approach to beekeeping is generally heading in a more conventional direction, I still think it's worth trying things that you think may work, even when you're told it's a waste of time or detrimental. Progress is made by trying to do those things that "can't be done. "

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

well spotted, I read it yesterday and threw it down in disgust, apart from the whole comic in general that Quinlan cove is renowned for testicular ventriloquism.
Needless to say I haven't bothered renewing this year, I might as well take two twenty quid notes and use them to light my smoker.

 

[Erichalfbee]

I don’t know how they get away with it. They live on a different planet

 

[madasafish]

I read it quickly. I thought it was junk. Still feeding syrup here: 15C on good days.. 7-10C at night. Bees took 0.5 liters is one nuc overnight.

 

[JamezF]

Have to admit that my copy is already in the recycling. The tone was set when I couldn't see how the cover photo was a "Honey bee drinking" as claimed at the bottom of the first page.

I'd not noticed before, but there's also a disclaimer on that page saying that "opinions expressed in articles ... are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of the BBKA". I'm at something of a loss to understand how it benefits the reader (ie BBKA member) for the BBKA to publish (with the exception of reviews which are obviously personal opinion pieces to start with) unchallenged views that it might actually consider incorrect. Obviously it may be the BBKA that's wrong rather than always the author, but to publish any old random witterings, effectively presenting them as fact, without some form of verification, surely devalues the publication because it cannot then be regarded as a reliable source of information? Which I appreciate some or even many will claim is exactly the case, but in that instance what purpose does the publication actually serve?

James

 

[Erichalfbee]

but in that instance what purpose does the publication actually serve?

It's like this forum. Ask three beekeepers.
I suppose they are as entitled to publish any old view just as we are. At least here there is the luxury of an instant rejoinder.
They should have the warning in bold print at the beginning of the article with maybe a link here?

 

[Lolly Bee]

I’m still feeding too and figure I will be for a bit. Mostly because my bees were refusing the syrup I’d given them. I suspect because until last week (when it had finally all been taken) there was waaaay more interesting food outside. As a new beekeeper I find it disconcerting to read this stuff in a mag that I’m supposed to trust. I’ll stick with you guys instead!

 

[enrico]

How about writing what you think and sending it in then? If you want people to hear the truth then tell them the truth so that they can publish it. They need writers as they have to fill the pages so spend ten minutes writing an article and send it in!

 

[Into the lions den]

Its an old stuck theme.....convention seems to hang on to ways, methods, beliefs that MAY have been valid 50 or more years ago.

We are in Scotland. Unless the colony is weak (another subjective judgement) we get wooden hives taking syrup readily until the end of October AND drawing inserted foundation for com replacement at least till end of third week. In Poly hives they take their feed until December and will draw foundation well into November. If not strong enough...and our cut off for that would be 6 bars of bees..they get a half feed or fondant if its into late October. We only use hive top feedewrs...not contacts or buckets..so they need adequate bee power to take the syrup rapidly and effectively.

This is normal 2 to 1 sugar syrup. With invert you might get another week. (We stopped using invert due to price.....not because it is inferior....all commonly sold brands are excellent.)

In the south you might get 2 weeks more than us on all these factors.

That you need to be finished by the end of Sept is giving ultra safe advice. If...given the difference of opinion on colony strength we encounter...someone listens to advice that requires more interpretation..and it goes wrong for them..then the giver of the advice will take some flak. I can understand why the BBKA would give that advice...many of their readership will be novices whose lack of experience means they are best given very safe advice and its not really fair for those of us who DO have the experience to sit and poke fun at information that is not actually intended for us.

 

[blackcloud]

Jeremy has the right to his opinion- just as we do if he sticks his head above the parapet.

 

[Into the lions den]

And while we’re at it…is it really possible to shake bees from one colony into another (second paragraph)?? Surely they’d just fight

Perfectly possible. Advisable? thats a different matter..very much depends on the circumstances. Very quick way to spread disease that may be lurking un noticed or not at clinically apparent levels.

However.....we make all our September and October nucs a bit like this...with bars of brood and bees from 3 colonies added into the nuc to create confusion...and then they accept a queen very readily and go on to be great colonies in spring. You just stick the whole bars together in the nuc....3 up to mid Sept then 5 by now....and there is no fighting.

In season you can easily add bulk bees shaken elsewhere into colonies, although best done during a flow or whilst feeding.

 

[Cuckmere couple]

well spotted, I read it yesterday and threw it down in disgust, apart from the whole comic in general that Quinlan cove is renowned for testicular ventriloquism.
Needless to say I haven't bothered renewing this year, I might as well take two twenty quid notes and use them to light my smoker.

sent you a pm re the bees abroad article though JBM....refers to our earlier conversation about Uganda

 

[Cuckmere couple]

Just read this in the BBKA news. Surely you can’t make such a sweeping statement (the bit about ‘Feed’)…my bees are still taking liquid feed and I’m expecting them to for a little while yet. In fact with invert, I’d assume they’d keep on taking it through most of October

View attachment 34058

certainly is a sweeping statement

again, you will find when temps are too low for bees to slow on taking down syrup....indian summer and all that

and therefore partly depends on where you are in country etc because basically its temp dependant

 

[madasafish]

well spotted, I read it yesterday and threw it down in disgust, apart from the whole comic in general that Quinlan cove is renowned for testicular ventriloquism.

Wonderful choice of words.
I will steal them

 

[Mint Bee]

as usual a very generic approach for the non thinking beekeeper, but then I suppose its a way of trying to indoctrinate new members in to the one true path of the BBKA.

local BKA newsletter mentions potential of using insulation for the winter preparation (at last) and in the next section suggests that if not on a OMF, one should consider using matchsticks under the crown board to 'improve ventilation'

 

[Do224]

as usual a very generic approach for the non thinking beekeeper, but then I suppose its a way of trying to indoctrinate new members in to the one true path of the BBKA.

local BKA newsletter mentions potential of using insulation for the winter preparation (at last) and in the next section suggests that if not on a OMF, one should consider using matchsticks under the crown board to 'improve ventilation'

Would there be any merit in putting matchsticks (or more likely something sturdier like coins) under the bb to raise it off a solid floor fractionally?