Spring Prep

[Tremyfro]

Try substituting your cover board with a sheet of clear plastic from the builders merchant. I buy 50m rolls and it lasts ages. Its an easy matter to cut a cross in the centre of the plastic and fold the edges back if you need access to them.

I remember we talked about this a while ago...and I did make some for the Beehaus. They are great in the summer...just for checking the bees but in the winter we need to put on the top covers and they didn't fit very well over them...but I might look at that again. I did think that making a couple of wooden frames ...which fit around the edge of the Beehaus...and attach the clear poly to that ....might work better....but OH was too busy to do it and then I forgot...hmmm. Now I have my own stapler...it might be a lady job for next winter.

 

[Tremyfro]

A good tip for preparation is to make all your spare frames up except for one bottom bar, that way you just slip the wax in and put bottom bar and fix flappy bit on top bar and saves you loads of time. Store them on two rails and wyou ill see when you are getting short on stocks too.
E

I like this idea. I could have some rails in my Bee Shed...if the rest of my OH equipment got shifted. I could also have a rail for used frames too.
I can see some serious wood working happening in the next few weeks.

 

[Erichalfbee]

A good tip for preparation is to make all your spare frames up except for one bottom bar, that way you just slip the wax in and put bottom bar and fix flappy bit on top bar and saves you loads of time. Store them on two rails and wyou ill see when you are getting short on stocks too.
E

I have a few boxes of those already

 

[madasafish]

I have a few boxes of those already

I have as well - 21 frames wired and both bottom bars in - easy to slip wax in...(Jumbo langs) about 2 mins using a nail gun.

 

[For want of a better word]

I like that little house..

We have a shepherds hut if you want to come and stay. not a lot bigger than that!!....... Little houses are BIG in the USA... telly program on them!

Nos da

 

[Millet]

We have a shepherds hut if you want to come and stay. not a lot bigger than that!!....... Little houses are BIG in the USA... telly program on them!

Nos da

I will come and stay if we can be left alone.. haha.

 

[For want of a better word]

I will come and stay if we can be left alone.. haha.

Had hoped you would bring your scabby dogs to get the rats!!

Yeghes da

 

[Tremyfro]

So for my spring prep I'm going to...
Have a new mix of Hivemakes solution for nosema in my one litre pressure sprayer. Ready to spray all colonies for the dreaded nosema.
Have ready new frames to do a swarm control and at the same time get the colonies onto new comb. This will be a sideways one in the Beehousies. Will also give a chance to clean the floors if necessary.
Do a sugar roll for varroa.
Depending on stores...feed or not if required.
Remove insulation from under the OMF for varroa for Vaping as necessary.
I won't be doing all of these things at the same time...necessarily...I hope.
At Spring inspection.
Look at stores.
Look at brood and amount of space for queen to lay.
Look for any disease.
Look for queen.
Look for queen cells.
...then freeze with panic if none of these are textbook....scream a silent Arrrrgh...when back under control of my inner beekeeper...THINK!!!...about how to get back on course.

Feel free to add to this list if I have forgotten anything...it's a long time since last September.

 

[For want of a better word]

So for my spring prep I'm going to...
Have a new mix of Hivemakes solution for nosema in my one litre pressure sprayer. Ready to spray all colonies for the dreaded nosema.
Have ready new frames to do a swarm control and at the same time get the colonies onto new comb. This will be a sideways one in the Beehousies. Will also give a chance to clean the floors if necessary.
Do a sugar roll for varroa.
Depending on stores...feed or not if required.
Remove insulation from under the OMF for varroa for Vaping as necessary.
I won't be doing all of these things at the same time...necessarily...I hope.
At Spring inspection.
Look at stores.
Look at brood and amount of space for queen to lay.
Look for any disease.
Look for queen.
Look for queen cells.
...then freeze with panic if none of these are textbook....scream a silent Arrrrgh...when back under control of my inner beekeeper...THINK!!!...about how to get back on course.

Feel free to add to this list if I have forgotten anything...it's a long time since last September.

Check your beesuit for holes!

Myttin da

 

[Gilberdyke John]

Check your beesuit for holes!

Myttin da

 

[Erichalfbee]

Not so
I got three bees into my veil dealing with a hot hive.
Talk about panic....they all got me!
They got in where the zip crosses at the back!

 

[Tremyfro]

Check your beesuit for holes!

Myttin da

:icon_...I don't want the bees throwing a 204-2:
That's a great suggestion...ha ha
I have recently just been using a hat with a veil attached...when in the Bee Yard...adding sugar blocks etc. I always use my suit when opening a hive though...learnt that the ouchy way....lol

 

[madasafish]

I have just had my veil rebuilt with new mesh.. After 6 years , a few branches and lots of repairs, the old one was decidedly leaky..

 

[Gilberdyke John]

Not so
I got three bees into my veil dealing with a hot hive.
Talk about panic....they all got me!
They got in where the zip crosses at the back!

Commiserations.
My cheap suits have one double ended zip that goes right round the neck so no gap at the back.

 

[Tremyfro]

There is nothing worse than that moment when you realise you are not the only creature inside your beesuit...that you have COMPANY!!!
The freezing of all nerve endings and the inability to scream in case it goes down your throat.

 

[Erichalfbee]

There is nothing worse than that moment when you realise you are not the only creature inside your beesuit...that you have COMPANY!!!
The freezing of all nerve endings and the inability to scream in case it goes down your throat.

Oh God that made me laugh.
Good job I didn't have a glass of anything in my hand!

 

[Swarm]

Daughter has posted a photo of her hand. Stung by a paper wasp.

 

[masterBK]

People who fear being stung perhaps shouldn't keep bees but many people do just that.

 

[Erichalfbee]

Stings don't bother me. Having mardi bees inside your veil that you can hear but can't see is alarming. Try it

 

[Tremyfro]

People who fear being stung perhaps shouldn't keep bees but many people do just that.

I don't mind getting stung...it hardly hurts....especially now I have a way of mitigating the pain/itching/swelling.
However...I have a pathological fear of any bugs or beasties getting into my clothing....ever since a shrew ran up the inside of my jeans...I was 14 at the time...it made a big impression!
I have to say I always tape up the Zips in my suit when we do inspections ...but I'm perfectly happy to just wear nitriles...and would be happy to go without...only it is more hygienic to use them.
Ooo that reminds me...must get a new box of nitriles.
I think I might treat myself to a new bee suit when we go to Beetradex.