Quick questions quick answers

[enrico]

Not worth moving twice. Windbreak netting?
E

 

[Murox]

Maybe you could try to explain the issues to your friend. Is there no possibility of keeping the hives by the sheltered area permanently ? Or is there another more "suitable" spot ? Otherwise as Enrico - windbreak material.

 

[Beersmith]

Thanks both!

Looks like stay put with netting is best.

Cheers

 

[XYZ]

What do you do with a frame bulging out with comb? It's so thick that the frame next to it is so shallow it is pretty much just foundation where the "bulging" occurs.

I've taken it out but it is heavy with stores. Sprayed with dipel.

 

[Beersmith]

I'm thinking about insulation to go under the roof for the coming winter.

Is there any particular reason to consider the more expensive materials like Kingspan and or Celotex rather than a thick layer of expanded polystyrene? Under the roof it would seem to be protected from wind and rain or any UV exposure. Can I save money without it being any less effective?

 

[Walrus]

I'm thinking about insulation to go under the roof for the coming winter.

Is there any particular reason to consider the more expensive materials like Kingspan and or Celotex rather than a thick layer of expanded polystyrene? Under the roof it would seem to be protected from wind and rain or any UV exposure. Can I save money without it being any less effective?

As far as I can tell the foil backed polyisocyanurate stuff is about 44% better at preventing heat loss than expanded polystyrene(R value 7.2 vs 5.0). Expanded poly is still a good insulator though, so IMO expanded poly would be fine.

 

[Erichalfbee]

What do you do with a frame bulging out with comb? It's so thick that the frame next to it is so shallow it is pretty much just foundation where the "bulging" occurs.

I've taken it out but it is heavy with stores. Sprayed with dipel.

Take a knife to it

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

Take a knife to it

or stuff it in between two properly drawn combs and the bees will sort it out.

 

[Beersmith]

As far as I can tell the foil backed polyisocyanurate stuff is about 44% better at preventing heat loss than expanded polystyrene(R value 7.2 vs 5.0). Expanded poly is still a good insulator though, so IMO expanded poly would be fine.

Good point! If it was the only insulation I might go with the more expensive stuff, but I've just made up a 6mm poly carbonate quilt to go with it, so in combination I think the expanded polystyrene will be good enough.

Thanks again.

 

[Swarm]

or stuff it in between two properly drawn combs and the bees will sort it out.

I usually give it a quick squash so it fits easier.

 

[pargyle]

Good point! If it was the only insulation I might go with the more expensive stuff, but I've just made up a 6mm poly carbonate quilt to go with it, so in combination I think the expanded polystyrene will be good enough.

Thanks again.

Look for building sites ... there's always loads of offcuts of kingspan to be had in the skips ...ask the site manager and tell him it's to save your bees from dying over winter ... never had one refuse ... last year I saw an 8' x 3' 50mm slab outside a house renovation...asked and was given it ... left over and not needed...dong them a favour and recycling at the same time ...! Win win win ...even if there is none visible always worth asking. Check your local Wickes or b&q ...? They sometimes have damaged sheets that they will sell for a knock down price ... why give your bees cotton when you could give them silk ?

 

[Birdie Wife]

If uniting colonies, do the usual rules apply to the colony being moved, I.e. less than a metre or more than 3 miles?

Sent from my D6503 using Tapatalk

 

[Erichalfbee]

If uniting colonies, do the usual rules apply to the colony being moved, I.e. less than a metre or more than 3 miles?

Sent from my D6503 using Tapatalk

No
As long as the bottom one stays where it is
See post 91

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

If uniting colonies, do the usual rules apply to the colony being moved, I.e. less than a metre or more than 3 miles?

Sent from my D6503 using Tapatalk

No
As long as the bottom one stays where it is
See post 91

and it doesn't matter whether it's the queenright or queenless part - just put the colony that has to be moved on top

 

[mike99]

Look for building sites ... there's always loads of offcuts of kingspan to be had in the skips ...ask the site manager and tell him it's to save your bees from dying over winter ... never had one refuse ... last year I saw an 8' x 3' 50mm slab outside a house renovation...asked and was given it ... left over and not needed...dong them a favour and recycling at the same time ...! Win win win ...even if there is none visible always worth asking. Check your local Wickes or b&q ...? They sometimes have damaged sheets that they will sell for a knock down price ... why give your bees cotton when you could give them silk ?

I get most of my log burner kindling from "skip ratting". The missus hates going for walks with me as I always have a look inside the skips. I got Kinspan from one and I even managed to get some UPVC facia to make dummy boards for the BB's. Millet recommended it and I managed to get 3m of the stuff. it's the perfect size for the BB's. just cut the hockey stick end off and hey presto!

 

[Birdie Wife]

and it doesn't matter whether it's the queenright or queenless part - just put the colony that has to be moved on top

Awesome!

 

[XYZ]

Regarding types of honey - a friend gave me a jar they received off a beekeeper a couple of villages away and it's pretty hard. It's a creamy white colour and the texture is like butter after a few days in the fridge. It doesn't move at all.
I've only ever really seen runny honey. This honey I got is nothing like when runny honey crystallises.
Thing is, it tastes really nice and I quite like the texture.

Is it classed as "soft set" honey then? What other variants are there from a texture point of view?

 

[Ian123]

Likely oilseed **** and why put it in the fridge?

 

[XYZ]

Likely oilseed **** and why put it in the fridge?

Ha I see how that reads now. No the honey is in the cupboard but the texture is like - "butter that's been in the fridge".

Only comparison I could think of.

 

[For want of a better word]

OSR and to some extent Ivy honey will set with a fine crystalline structure... this is probably what you have.

Go to the Honey Show to see the vast array of different kinds of honey produced in the UK!