Beekeeping Tips Please add to these

[sherwood]

Some of us will soon be making up new frames and waxing them for Bailey changes in the near future, if you wish to avoid propolising of these frames smear some petrolium jelly on the faces of your hoffman frames and on the the runners in the hives avoid getting it on the frames lugs directly.
PS I always use hoffman frames for my brood boxes.

 

[Tremyfro]

Put your plastic QE in the freezer ..when they are frozen you can flex them about and all the wax and propolis will drop off.

 

[Erichalfbee]

Having checked this is not in the beginners' section..........
If you want to make a small fortune from keeping bees, start off with a large one

 

[B+.]

Put your plastic QE in the freezer ..when they are frozen you can flex them about and all the wax and propolis will drop off.

Thats a good suggestion if you want to make a propolis tincture from the propolis that falls off.

 

[Tremyfro]

Thats a good suggestion if you want to make a propolis tincture from the propolis that falls off.

I don't know how to make that....although I have heard about its great properties. Could be good to mix in my foot thrush treating for the horses.

 

[B+.]

I don't know how to make that....although I have heard about its great properties. Could be good to mix in my foot thrush treating for the horses.

Its basically just grind it up and soak it in alcohol. keep it in a dark room and swish it around every now and again

 

[Erichalfbee]

I use that sort of mixture to paint inside of bait hives

 

[linoleum bonypart]

Good for sore throats too

 

[charlievictorbravo]

Good for sore throats too

You have to be a tad careful with recipes for Propolis tincture. If it's to be used topically, e.g. on skin lesions or blemishes, surgical spirit can be used. If it's to be used in the traditional eastern European manner as an internal tonic (i.e. for human consumption), you need an alcohol that is drinkable such as grain alcohol.

Somebody will be along in a minute to give the correct names for the different types of alcohol.

CVB

 

[JWF]

Isopropyl alcohol or methanol for external use
Ethanol for internal use. Difficult to get hold of pure ethanol unless you know someone who works in a lab.

 

[Erichalfbee]

Isopropyl alcohol or methanol for external use
Ethanol for internal use. Difficult to get hold of pure ethanol unless you know someone who works in a lab.

Vodka or gin are good enough surely?

 

[B+.]

Difficult to get hold of pure ethanol unless you know someone who works in a lab.

Whats wrong with vodka/gin?

 

[Beefriendly]

Isopropyl alcohol or methanol for external use
Ethanol for internal use. Difficult to get hold of pure ethanol unless you know someone who works in a lab.

Stick your bottle of vodka in the freezer and turn the freezer down to its lowest setting.....it won't be a 100%....but good enough..... hic!

 

[Tremyfro]

I'm certain gargling with chilled vodka...plus some propolis....would be just the ticket for my next sore throat. I shall save all my propolis from now on

 

[Amari]

Back to the OP: It's best to start beekeeping with two or more colonies if possible. If you have only one, any colony failure will leave you bee-less until the next season which could be fatal for morale

 

[Into the lions den]

Unless its glaringly obvious common sense always take a tip from more than one person.

One persons good tip may be, in the eyes of another, a dearly held bad habit.

We all have them...lol.

 

[Gilberdyke John]

Unless its glaringly obvious common sense always take a tip from more than one person.

One persons good tip may be, in the eyes of another, a dearly held bad habit.

We all have them...lol.

Amen to that. Also keep in mind having kept bees for a length of time is no guarantee of the knowledge or skill of the keeper. Bees can survive despite the actions of beekeepers.

 

[JWF]

If your bees are angry, close up and come back to them later/tomorrow
If you're unsure what to do next, close up and come back to them later/tomorrow

 

[Poly Hive]

Throw Porter bee escapes in the bin where they belong.

Run solid Crownboards to keep heat in.

Make clearer boards and paint the edge a distinctive colour so you don't over look that they are on.

PH

 

[For want of a better word]

If your bees are angry, close up and come back to them later/tomorrow
If you're unsure what to do next, close up and come back to them later/tomorrow

Re queen with native bees