Bees are very grumpy

[madasafish]

Often grumpy bees are caused by inspections carried out badly or too frequently.. like people "wanting to see how they are doing".

Opening a hive and killing bees by clumsy handling will upset bees, as will rolling them along combs, or leaving the hive open for too long.

 

[tonyofarr]

Not sure about the June gap this year, as the May shrubs and flowers are so late coming into bloom. I’m hoping the May gap we‘re having will replace it. Wishful thinking?

I don't think we will be getting a June gap here, the hawthorns are not yet in flower, nor the sycamore at most of our apiaries. I am hoping that the late Spring will just roll into Summer.

All the established colonies have still got a load of dandelion honey in the supers but we have had to feed a few over-wintered nucs that have been put in full sized hives because they have been building up frames from foundation.