Newbee shopping list

[drdrday]

Must just be my bees that completely ignore a spray of water. I've tried it a few times but found it barely encourages a handful of bees to move.
I just stick to the smoker, if I need it, but I have to admit, I think buying any kind of smoker fuel is exactly like burning money! There are so many options for good free smoker fuel, why buy anything?

 

[Murox]

Love the photo, is it one you have taken ?

My godson came along with his camera.

 

[user 20297]

just test it with a magnet

...or leave it in the rain.

 

[0bee-1]

Any large one. I use red kite because they are abundant

rather decadent beekeeping using a kite to brush your bees off!

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

rather decadent beekeeping using a kite to brush your bees off!

they're ten a penny around here - more common than buzzards almost

 

[Patrick1]

Must just be my bees that completely ignore a spray of water. I've tried it a few times but found it barely encourages a handful of bees to move.
I just stick to the smoker, if I need it, but I have to admit, I think buying any kind of smoker fuel is exactly like burning money! There are so many options for good free smoker fuel, why buy anything?

You are right there is a lot of free stuff that can be used, if you want reliable smoke then the fuel needs to be of a measured energy, I like my smoker to stay alight.

 

[Patrick1]

My godson came along with his camera.

A budding David Baily, you may like to share this link with him Microsculpture - The Insect Portraits of Levon Biss

 

[drdrday]

You are right there is a lot of free stuff that can be used, if you want reliable smoke then the fuel needs to be of a measured energy, I like my smoker to stay alight.

I guess it depends what fuel you use, but personally I have no problem with my smoker staying alight or reliably producing nice cool white smoke using the free stuff! I'm sure with a lot more hives its a different story and its quicker and easier to just use fuel pellets etc. but for a beekeeper with only a handful of hives it seems an unnecessary expense.

 

[pargyle]

Blowing on them also works .......eventually, personally I would rather have the reliable kit I need to do the job, I find it difficult to grip the quill. Personal preferance only.

Ah ... Patrick.... you should be selling the proper job ...

https://beekeepingforum.co.uk/threa...-for-a-good-be-brush.50734/page-2#post-775732
Post #31

 

[Erichalfbee]

Swans being attacked by baby geese I presume?

 

[Patrick1]

Ah ... Patrick.... you should be selling the proper job ...

https://beekeepingforum.co.uk/threa...-for-a-good-be-brush.50734/page-2#post-775732
Post #31

Are you trying to drag me into another debate on effective cheap alternative I had a quick look on Amazon at prices, £2.00 to £26.99 a beekeepers dream/nightmare, cheaper to buy your own ducklings and grow them on for 6 -8 weeks and have a lifetimes supply

 

[Moobee]

When looking for queen cells how do you clear a frame without a brush ?

gently use the back of my hand, works fine for me

 

[Moobee]

Depends what you use the brush for. I find it handy for removing a few stragglers from supers. I've never tried it for brushing bees off a frame.

quickly gets clogged with honey and agitated bees. you can gently brush them off with your hand.