What did you do in the Apiary today?

[madasafish]

Yesterday: only 27C so inspected and put clearer boards on. Jacket and veil only. Yes I sweated but I love hot weather.
Today : extracted in morning 65 odd kgs from three hives .Cleaned up and packed away by 2.30pm when it was 31C.
Nearly last years output todate so should do a bit better.
Back in house with curtains and windows closed,,a bit cooler.

 

[Martimart]

Filled a large paddling pool up for the kiddies. inspected the hives and took 2 full supers off each. extractor up and running by 11:00 and ran out of bucket space by 14:30 so put the wets and 1 full super back on and had a cold beer. Then cleaned down and had another beer.

 

[Erichalfbee]

Back from the latest round of emptying Grandpapa's house this evening, then spun two supers although of them a couple of frames were for cut comb so did my first lot of it plus some scraps.

Sadly there were a couple of warm unhappy ladies in the box and I took a shot to the eyelid, right on the mucocutaneous junction. Well aimed. Turns out I didn't get the sting out immediately and was confused about the sensation until my wife told me it was still there and plucked it. Initial swelling now reducing so just need to wait for the usual flare up tomorrow.

@Erichalfbee I was chuffed to get a cutter in the Thorne sale and disheartened when you poopooed them as crushing the comb but can happily report beginner's luck (it won't last)! Not show quality and a little bit of variation in thickness but should have the customers happy.

@ericbeaumont and @Ian123 I think you two are near me. What's your usual cut comb price?

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I’m pleased that it was ok. Perhaps it’s something you could sharpen for every season.

 

[The Poot]

Took delivery of honey jars and lids from Freeman &Harding. Opened up the entrance on one hive to reduce congestion. Did a bit of Amari style relaxation outside, then inside.

 

[Wilco]

At dusk (sadly) I finally got over to check on a queen to see she had been released, she has but the colony showing no signs of calming down so probably doesn’t bode well for her sadly. Then went skinny dipping (once the bees had gone!) as I'd left my trunks in the car. Got home and did a bit of jarring- this year I'm using a proper bucket with a honey gate rather than dipping a jug in. So much more civilised!

 

[Erichalfbee]

Got home and did a bit of jarring- this year I'm using a proper bucket with a honey gate rather than dipping a jug in. So much more civilised!

I have both. I bought a 3 litre jug with an undrippable lip that really works and I find it better to fill the jug from the gate and dispense with the jug

 

[The Poot]

I have both. I bought a 3 litre jug with an undrippable lip that really works and I find it better to fill the jug from the gate and dispense with the jug

That seems a bit of a faff - I assume it‘s because dispensing from the gate gets a little messy? Do the metal gates reduce the dripping that you get with the plastic ones?

 

[Erichalfbee]

It’s not a faff for me. I do only 45 jars at a time.sometimes fewer if I’m filling 3lb tubs ( which do get dispensed via the gate)
Plastic gates are fine as long as you keep a positive pressure on them. Even the cheapest work well

 

[pargyle]

I have both. I bought a 3 litre jug with an undrippable lip that really works and I find it better to fill the jug from the gate and dispense with the jug

Yes ... that's exactly how I do it ... I find it's actually easier to coordinate when you can line the jars up, one on the scale, fill with the jug, off the scale next one one, do about 6 from my jug, put the lids on, whilst the jug is filling again from the gate ... works for me but I would accept I'm not a proper beekeeper.

 

[madasafish]

Yes ... that's exactly how I do it ... I find it's actually easier to coordinate when you can line the jars up, one on the scale, fill with the jug, off the scale next one one, do about 6 from my jug, put the lids on, whilst the jug is filling again from the gate ... works for me but I would accept I'm not a proper beekeeper.

Too much faffing about for me. I believe in repetition of a boring job leads to greater efficiency.

 

[Skinfaxi]

Yesterday: only 27C so inspected and put clearer boards on. Jacket and veil only. Yes I sweated but I love hot weather.
Today : extracted in morning 65 odd kgs from three hives .Cleaned up and packed away by 2.30pm when it was 31C.
Nearly last years output todate so should do a bit better.
Back in house with curtains and windows closed,,a bit cooler.

When i used to do greenhouse spraying i used to fill my gumboots with water till the top. It does help cool you down

 

[Moobee]

I am a basic assessor. During training I think I was told the pass rate (not the pass mark) was 97% . I try to make it as relaxed as possible and most candidates say they enjoyed it .
We use a set of guidelines for the questions but inevitable we go off at a tangent.
The weakest section for candidates knowledge is always pests and diseases.
As long as you have looked at the syllabus you will be fine

Looked at and inhaled the syllabus I think! Had my OH testing me on all the sections.....

 

[madasafish]

Inspected my 13 mini nucs this am when temperature was "only" 30c. (Most are in shade). I have used 6 Qs so will replace with a sliver of comb with young larvae and let them diy.
Few wasps yet and even fewer butterflies

 

[E&MBees]

Looked at and inhaled the syllabus I think! Had my OH testing me on all the sections.....

Good luck!

 

[Ian123]

When i used to do greenhouse spraying i used to fill my gumboots with water till the top. It does help cool you down

Gum boots……SA by any chance.

 

[Skinfaxi]

Ya with bottlletops

 

[Wilco]

When i used to do greenhouse spraying i used to fill my gumboots with water till the top. It does help cool you down

Stops bees getting in them as well.

 

[Skinfaxi]

Stops bees getting in them as well.

Yes win win. I had a load of bees brush off into my boots a while ago. And like Mr Palmer says they staple your sockets down.. sensitive area ankles for stings

 

[Wilco]

Yes win win. I had a load of bees brush off into my boots a while ago. And like Mr Palmer says they staple your sockets down.. sensitive area ankles for stings

Yep, usually my weakest point. Two pairs of socks usually do it!

 

[Newbeeneil]

At dusk (sadly) I finally got over to check on a queen to see she had been released, she has but the colony showing no signs of calming down so probably doesn’t bode well for her sadly. Then went skinny dipping (once the bees had gone!) as I'd left my trunks in the car. Got home and did a bit of jarring- this year I'm using a proper bucket with a honey gate rather than dipping a jug in. So much more civilised!

I tried a jug for the first year then a bucket with tap for the next 5 and this year invested in a smart weighing machine...... bliss, quick, accurate and no sticky jars!


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