Bee Inspector coming.

[shazzer]

So as to gain the most from a visit from the local Bee Inspector.

Any tips on to how to prepare for a Bee Inspector / Inspection?

eg. questions to ask other than the usual newbie ones.
I have the basic equipment prepped eg. Smoker ready, hive tool, bee brush.
Also magnifying glass.

 

[enrico]

I usually open the hive for them as I would do normally and then just let them go through the brood box.
They are good at explaining as they go. Don't be afraid to calling a day if your bees have had enough or the weather is not right. They don't own your bees so you should be the one in charge.i usually find it a good experience
E

 

[shazzer]

Thank you Enrico

I expect I will have lots of questions.
He will probably have a sore head before he leaves ;-)

 

[Newbeeneil]

I certainly found it a very positive experience when mine were inspected last year. The BI wanted to impart as much knowledge as possible to enable me to spot any problems.
It was a long afternoon of 6 hives over 3 apiaries with about 30 miles of travelling!

 

[B+.]

I have the basic equipment prepped eg. Smoker ready, hive tool, bee brush.
Also magnifying glass.

You missed the important ones....a cup of tea/coffee and a slice of cake! ;-)
They're generally nice people so, relax and enjoy it.

 

[ShinySideUp]

Did they just phone and make an appointment with you or did you ask them along?

 

[Anduril]

Did they just phone and make an appointment with you or did you ask them along?

They normally ring.

 

[linoleum bonypart]

How often do ppl get the inspector

 

[shazzer]

Done. @B+

The inspector called and made an appointment. @shinysideup

We have just finished with the inspector.
The inspector is from the National Bee Unit DEFRA
No diseases only a couple of cheeky wax moths.
They are particularly looking for AFB (American Foul Brood) EFB ( European Foul Brood)
also checking for Chalk Brood and Sac.

We also did a split and made a NUC.

Very helpful and informative.

I thoroughly enjoyed the visit.

 

[Cuckmere couple]

Done.

The inspector called and made an appointment.

We have just finished with the inspector.
No diseases only a couple of cheeky wax moths.
They are particularly looking for AFB (American Foul Brood) EFB ( European Foul Brood)
also checking for Chalk Brood and Sac.

We also did a split and made a NUC.

Very helpful and informative.

I thoroughly enjoyed the visit.

excellent

do they call up for a visit randomly or did you request?

 

[shazzer]

They call up.
Its more or less random. Although they probably do different areas at different times. They were even looking for SHB (small hive beetle) which is rampant in Australia but not here.
As my hives are close to harbour or port they are keen to see if anything has sneaked in via shipping.

 

[ShinySideUp]

I'm in Cornwall, I'd be quite pleased to see them.

 

[madasafish]

How often do ppl get the inspector

I have had annual inspections since 2015 when I had an outbreak of AFB.. They also take samples of honey for the VMD who test it for improper use of banned substances.

 

[beeno]

Done. @B+

The inspector called and made an appointment. @shinysideup

We have just finished with the inspector.
The inspector is from the National Bee Unit DEFRA
No diseases only a couple of cheeky wax moths.
They are particularly looking for AFB (American Foul Brood) EFB ( European Foul Brood)
also checking for Chalk Brood and Sac.

We also did a split and made a NUC.

Very helpful and informative.

I thoroughly enjoyed the visit.

That was kind to do all that! Must have had some spare time. Lucky you.

 

[thorn]

The inspector came to check my apiary on Monday. Before he arrived I lined all the bees up and told them what would happen to any who misbehaved.
It worked. He praised their temperament.

 

[beeno]

The inspector came to check my apiary on Monday. Before he arrived I lined all the bees up and told them what would happen to any who misbehaved.
It worked. He praised their temperament.

Mine praised the strength of my colonies. They were very well behaved on the day too.

 

[shazzer]

You are welcome.

 

[shazzer]

New Queen

After the Bee Inspector came he asked me to chose 2 Queen Cells for us to make a NUC. I picked a medium sized dark looking one and a very white looking long one on the bottom of a frame.

Stuck them in the NUC with 2 frames of unshaken brood. I inspected yesterday and found the large white queen cell uncapped and the other still intact.

After a minute...….Bingo I saw the new Queen running around. Its all fairly new to me so very exciting. The split worked. Hopefully she will have a successful mating and be a beauty like her mother who has performed amazingly.

I assume she went looking for the other Queen Cell and stung it before it hatched.

 

[shazzer]

An update

Looks like our new Queen in our NUC has been successfully mated and is laying well. She looks a little darker now than when we first saw her. Is it normal for Queens to change colour as they mature? Anyway delighted all went well and the little colony is building. As a bonus all my bees seem to be much calmer even though they were good before. Even with my clumsy efforts things have become a much more chilled experience. Will probably offer the 6 Frame Langstroth NUC for sale when all the frames are drawn.

 

[Swarm]

Looks like our new Queen in our NUC has been successfully mated and is laying well. She looks a little darker now than when we first saw her. Is it normal for Queens to change colour as they mature? Anyway delighted all went well and the little colony is building. As a bonus all my bees seem to be much calmer even though they were good before. Even with my clumsy efforts things have become a much more chilled experience. Will probably offer the 6 Frame Langstroth NUC for sale when all the frames are drawn.

And a beauty she is, too.