Colony Losses

[Parsonage Bees]

This is where I get my baker's fondant (and bread and their Eccles cakes . Proper bakery. Queues out the door are normal.
The number of chelsea buns that I eat over a year mean that I probably eat another 12.5kg of fondant!

 

[Penninetrader]

I believe there is insect/ arthropod contamination in most if not all flour, as well as many other foods. Flour mites are not uncommon. Removing every trace of bugs from harvested wheat must be pretty much impossible.
Having said that 4% seems a lot, if it's correct - I'm not sure i can be bothered wading through the regulations though!

European supermarkets could soon see a surge in products containing insect-based ingredients. From February 10, the European Union has approved up to 4 per cent of ultra-violet (UV)-treated mealworm and cricket powders for use in foods such as bread, pasta and cakes across the bloc.13 Feb 2025
approval insect novel food - European Commission
https://food.ec.europa.eu/food-safety/novel-food/authorisations/approval-insect-novel-food_en

 

[Sutty]

European supermarkets could soon see a surge in products containing insect-based ingredients. From February 10, the European Union has approved up to 4 per cent of ultra-violet (UV)-treated mealworm and cricket powders for use in foods such as bread, pasta and cakes across the bloc.13 Feb 2025
approval insect novel food - European Commission
https://food.ec.europa.eu/food-safety/novel-food/authorisations/approval-insect-novel-food_en

Yes, but has to be labelled as such.
You will have already eaten plenty of incidental insects!

 

[North End Bees]

There seems to be a trend towards high protein bread recently but usually it's fortified with pea flour. I shall be looking at my ingredients labels more closely!

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

This is where I get my baker's fondant (and bread and their Eccles cakes . Proper bakery. Queues out the door are normal.
The number of chelsea buns that I eat over a year mean that I probably eat another 12.5kg of fondant!

View attachment 42126

must be a butcher next door - I can see his apron hanging out to dry

 

[Parsonage Bees]

must be a butcher next door - I can see his apron hanging out to dry

?
Is this another Greek mythology reference that I don't understand?

There's usually an old delivery bike outside the butchers. Like in "Open all hours". That's the sort of reference I get.
Woodhall Spa is more 'Home Counties' than 'Lincolnshire'. Significant retired population. I don't live there. But it's good to have access to better shops. We have a Cooplands, bit like Greggs.

 

[Moobee]

I bake twice a week. Cotswold Flour have an amazing array of flours
I really enjoy it. I have a Kitchen Aid to do the kneading and I have treated myself to a glazed dutch oven to try no knead bread as well
Each loaf gets two tablespoons of my honey and two of olive oil

Oh yes I love my KitchenAid - I can’t knead by hand as easily with my arthritis

 

[Sutty]

They carry lots of yeasts about in their ears and feet especially. These are in the air.
I started mine by putting the flour/water in the kitchen aid whisk for ten minutes.

Is it the same for cats?
If so is there a difference between "dog bread" and "cat bread"?

 

[Erichalfbee]

Is it the same for cats?
If so is there a difference between "dog bread" and "cat bread"?

Are you splitting pet hairs?

 

[Do224]

Good idea, you could have been faced with queen cells on first inspection if you left them as they were. Judging by what I'm seeing, the bees are definitely not hanging about

I’ve got a colony in a single national bb that looks very similar. It’s been packed with bees all winter. Still hefting well. It never occurred to me that I should be giving them more space this early….I’ve not seen swarms before May up here. Am I wrong to be leaving them alone?

View attachment IMG_1347.mov
(yes I did just go out to take the video and yes I am in my dressing gown )

 

[ericbeaumont]

adding the fondant, the bees were stinging him so it's not what they wanted

A wishful interpretation to conclude that adding fondant led to stinging. More likely resentment of disturbance on a cold day, or perhaps the colony is naturally defensive.

 

[Penninetrader]

I’ve got a colony in a single national bb that looks very similar. It’s been packed with bees all winter. Still hefting well. It never occurred to me that I should be giving them more space this early….I’ve not seen swarms before May up here. Am I wrong to be leaving them alone?

View attachment 42130
(yes I did just go out to take the video and yes I am in my dressing gown )

View attachment 42131

I notice that your box is charred, is that the same for all your boxes ?

 

[ericbeaumont]

Am I wrong to be leaving them alone?

Only you can answer that question.

not seen swarms before May up here

Weather is weird and it's best to react to colony status and not the calendar. Not so long ago in London we had swarms out in January; Spring had begun in December and we were in shirt sleeves after Christmas.

Still hefting well

Weather will be 9-10C in Carlisle leading into March and if they fly between now and then and bring in nectar, where will it go? Into the brood nest, diminishing laying space just when it's needed.

Next week I have to move a couple of DBB contract colonies off a construction site for a fortnight, and one is so heavy I'll have to go in, take out stores and give combs. Lot of ivy, I reckon, because they weren't fed.

 

[pargyle]

A wishful interpretation to conclude that adding fondant led to stinging. More likely resentment of disturbance on a cold day, or perhaps the colony is naturally defensive.

I didn't mean the fondant was the cause - opening them up when they don't want to be disturbed is what causes the reaction ...and their natural reaction is stinging ...