No skeps in the USA

[Bcrazy]

Talking to a friend who keeps bees over the pond and he asked if I could supply him with a skep.

No problems said I.

I now find out the Customs & Excise of the USA will not allow a straw skep because it can be used for keeping bees in.

Skeps are banned in the USA due to the problem with disease treatment, only moveable frames are permitted.

Strange.

Regards;

 

[victor meldrew]

Send him a kit to produce is own(less the wheat straw provided) plus maybe a book, may I suggest .
SKEPS-Their History Making and Use by
Frank Alston ISBN 0-907908-38-1
Published by Northern Beebooks
Scout Bottom Farm,
Hebden Bridge, West Yorkshire.

John.

 

[Poly Hive]

and yet they are about in Canada, I have hefted one there.

PH

 

[Bcrazy]

Hi John,

Thanks for the information I'll pass that on to him.

Regards;

 

[VEG]

Why not send it as a waste paper basket they look about the same

 

[victor meldrew]

Veg, that's a good idea.
I use a super market purchased linen basket to collect swarms in. they are cheap ,made of coiled straw, lined with hessien and complete with a lid.
Ok they only last three or four years (then again I rough handle them, forcing them into peculiar shapes to reach my goal ) So describe as waste paper basket/ linen basket
John

 

[artibaton]

the devilish smuggling schemes of the british beekeeper