My start-up wish list

[Poly Hive]

This is what I would do with regards to buying from Lyson.

I would work out my list and then email them and ask for a price including transport bearing in mind it costs £10 to send over the money or that is what the RBS charged me.

I would them mail Monika at Abelo the UK agent and ask the same question.

On that information you can make an informed decision.

I have dealt both with Lyson directly and with Monika their agent in Aberdeen and both transactions were hassle free.

PH

 

[Nic Rhodes]

they didn't bother asnswering my email enquirery

 

[Hivemaker.]

they didn't bother asnswering my email enquirery

I e mailed them today,and they replied within half an hour.

 

[Nic Rhodes]

checked spam filter and nothing, sent the morning I met up with PH as we discussed it.

 

[Nic Rhodes]

I e mailed them today,and they replied within half an hour.

do you know they answered the email within half an hour of my last post here

 

[BeeJayBee]

@ Headnavigator - the chain stitch they use to do up sacks always, somehow, defeats me. What trick do you use to undo it?

@ Norton Caff - I can see your point, but I'm hoping that putting a suit through the wash will be good enough to get anything nasty off, and coloured suits are a bit less obvious.

@ Cazza - so a hive tool is a bit like all those must-have kitchen gadgets that are cluttering up our cupboards?

@ Poly Hive - I did ask Lyson the complete price, including delivery. Didn't contact Abelo because they didn't have stock of everything I wanted. I thought that if they'd need to make a special order it would be either too much hassle for them or too expensive for me.

 

[Cazza]

Hi Beejoyful

No, a hive tool is completely essential and one cannot have too many of them.

The frame grip clutters up the cupboard.

Cazza

 

[Moggs]

I personally avoid white suits as they stick out like a sore thumb at the out-apiary (advertising that I keep bees). Sage Sherriff for me. Would like to go for jacket / veil combo only for summer (with full suit in car as back up just in case their gentle nature changes!).
Gloves - again, by 'reading' the bees, I have managed very successfully to go without gloves - I reckon that the extra sensitivity and awareness makes for gentler manipulations, which helps the bees to stay settled. However, I use thin nitrile gloves nowadays (unless the bees are in a mood) to avoid cross contamination (just in case) and to avoid the problem of propolised pinkies!
Boots? Rigger boots - furry lining, easy to get on and off.
Two hive tools. Furnace-like smoker.
Have tried other goodies, like frame holder, manipulation cloth, but find them to be more trouble than they're worth. I recommend only buying stuff after establishing a real 'need'.
As has already been said, look out for a good deal on two hives (plenty of time to build from kit between now and spring). Have decent clothing ready to attend any local inspections, when they start. Oh - get a pack of washing soda crystals!
Good luck.

 

[Rosti]

I personally avoid white suits as they stick out like a sore thumb at the out-apiary (advertising that I keep bees). Sage Sherriff for me.

Ditto

 

[BeeJayBee]

Hi Beejoyful

No, a hive tool is completely essential and one cannot have too many of them.

The frame grip clutters up the cupboard.

Oops, yes. Thanks for correcting me - I did mean a frame grip.

@ Moggs, have you found that rigger boots are better than any other footwear.

Re a smoker, some people suggest that using a water spray, with or without essential oils is as effective. Has anybody tried this?

 

[Cazza]

I think lots of people use a water spray. I have used one only since joining this forum. They work well as a very dilute sugar solution but I would personally only use it in high summer in warm weather before the wasps arrive. I still light my smoker just in case.

I expect others will have differing views.
Cazza

 

[BeeJayBee]

Thanks for that - so both water spray and smoker might be a good idea?