What did you do in the Apiary today?

[jenkinsbrynmair]

Started moving hives away from the Garn Cottage apiary

 

[mike99]

so close off the openings then - problem solved.

Only time there should be openings in the crownboard is if feeding or clearing bees.

Ok. Thanks.I will do. I just meant that seeing them meant they had passed through the QX after the extra BB and super were added. Last year when I first got them they stayed in the BB and wouldn’t venture past the QX into the super.

 

[mike99]

Hello Mike..do they need another brood box ie is the first brood box jam packed with brood..also do you have a super on..I have been doing the opposite and reducing a couple of over wintered hives on double brood down to a single brood box..regarding adding another brood box if needed..the bees build down normally so the second brood box is best put below..it also stops them having a empty box above to keep warm that they might possibly fill with honey.
Ps just seen you added a super.

Hi Steve. Thanks for the reply. The original BB was full of brood with only 2 frames of stores. I was only intending to add a super but it seemed congested to me.
I will swap the BB’s around next time I inspect. I will also close up the CB as others seem to think that this is the correct way to have it.

 

[Millet]

Have you got OSR around Millet? Mine have found it 0.2 miles away and going mad on.it. the field has been out in flower for nearly 3 weeks now and no sign of flowers dropping yet. Got another field 5 miles away that is z couple of weeks behind so may move a hive there soon. I'm like you need more supers.....

The hives are surround by three fields of OSR ranging from 100 yards to 300 yards..

 

[Millet]

Try to avoid using just foundation - if the flow is really good they will bring nectar in faster than they can build comb - before you know it they're off.

I have no option with using just foundation soon..I had ten drawn supers from last year and I have used six already..I have a pile of super frames knocked up ready for foundation so I will be giving the bees supers with five drawn and five with new foundation to try and spread them out.

 

[linoleum bonypart]

Don't worry wet and cold soon they will eat it all

 

[mjt68]

Bees very busy, three Q- nucs drawing foundation and seeming well. Made another queenright nuc as found some swarm cells. First go at snelgrove on another bursting hive and first honey taken. Have to turn the super around fast as running out and not even May yet. Still at this rate for it'll all be over by July.

 

[coatesg]

Been away for a week, and not warm enough for a look in since about 3 weeks back when I supered.

Quick dive in the hive this evening, and I find the BB wall to wall with brood - no QCs yet, but several polished cups, and a super full of ripening nectar. Found Q on last frame of brood box so decided to Snelgrove Method 1 there and then given hot weather tomorrow and potential for rain later in the week which might congest them.

Extra super added and already they look (from the inspection board) to be tidying up the old drawn frames I gave the "swarm" side along with the frame of brood.

 

[gregior]

Inspected 6 of mine today have been reading lots about feisty bees and was expecting a tough time but they were all really calm
They are all doing really well with lots of fresh nectar and pollen present and most are very strong too ranging from 6 to 16 frames of brood. Added supers of foundation to 4 of them last week and these are now being worked but not hugely so.

Found queen cells with eggs and very young larvae in a couple of them but with the weather due to go downhill figured more space to lay will be available soon so just destroyed all cells,will split on next inspection if they put more up.

Didn't see any mites or DWV so all looking really good.

 

[Podilia]

Good weather is here. The girls are busy on apricots, wild plums. Cherry, apple and others will be in a few days. Added a few frames with honey to bigger colonies.

I'm going to the veterinary service. They say, if you want your bees to avoid pesticides register your apiary - this is the only way to protect bees. Sure this propaganda is nonsense because nobody (law, government) compels so-called farmers to use pesticides in proper way, not in daytime at least, not saying about more expensive safe for bees chemicals. They would rather destroy environment then pay extra money for that.

 

[Beefriendly]

Stunning photo Podilla.

 

[citrus]

If you cannot find the queen then place the frames in pairs and after a cup of tea the queen should be between one of the pairs

thanks for this .. might have to use this today !

 

[madasafish]

Split a hive consisting of three 5 frame nucs into two.
Inspected test frame I placed in possibly Q- hive three days ago. Polished cells so not Q-.
Inspected 3 foot long TBH. Stuffed full of bees - most I have seen in a similar size TBH. Going to raid them to make up mini mating nucs (or they will run out of space and swarm).

Added a third super to two hives. Unheard of at this time of year.
Forecast rain will be very welcome. Garden dry.

 

[citrus]

moved 10 bee hives in the back of the transit down to the blueberry plantation down in surrey

few stragglers werent happy in the van but settled down today hopefully

 

[Newbeeneil]

Hi citrus,
Is the blueberry farm at Milford? I have a couple of hives about 2k from there but they have had EFB close to there for the last 2 yrs.

 

[Curly green fingers]

If you cannot find the queen then place the frames in pairs and after a cup of tea the queen should be between one of the pairs

Open the then pairs of frames like opening up a book ???

 

[Anduril]

Open the then pairs of frames like opening up a book ???

There are various ways of doing it, pick up both frames at the same time and look inside as you open them up, like a book, or pick up one frame at a time, as you do so glance down and look at the other frame, to see if you can see the queen, then look at the frame you have just picked up.

 

[madasafish]

There are various ways of doing it, pick up both frames at the same time and look inside as you open them up, like a book, or pick up one frame at a time, as you do so glance down and look at the other frame, to see if you can see the queen, then look at the frame you have just picked up.

Or : even simpler.. get/make a frame stand, pick up both together and place one on the frame stand..Inspect each at leisure..

 

[Anduril]

Or : even simpler.. get/make a frame stand, pick up both together and place one on the frame stand..Inspect each at leisure..

Or what I sometimes do lay the frames horizontally one on top of the other on top of a roof, then pick up one frame at a time.

 

[citrus]

Hi citrus,
Is the blueberry farm at Milford? I have a couple of hives about 2k from there but they have had EFB close to there for the last 2 yrs.

yes that is the one .. i was just the van driver and helper .. trying to find our way in the dark ... it is a mate of mines hives .. he has been there for a few years doing it so will mention it to him. there are a few other keepers with stations there so its quite a hive of activity (#dadjoke)