What did you do in the Apiary today?

[enrico]

My unique selling point is that it is local honey, that is why they queue for it!! Otherwise they might just as well buy it from a supermarket. I could put the price up but I ask what I think is a fair price.
The problem is that I need to increase my hive numbers since I moved. No swarming last year so no AS's. Problem earlier this year with queens so waiting for stronger hives before I split......maybe next year!!

 

[Erichalfbee]

One super off.
Bloomin’ lovely. Years since I had any spring honey.

 

[Noddy]

First 100% graft failure, and now this...... Dead Queen

 

[B+.]

One super off.
Bloomin’ lovely. Years since I had any spring honey.

Mine are in 4 deeps at the moment. Trying to get the stuff off before it granulates

 

[Beagle23]

Just got savaged whilst poking around my hives, not sure if it's the thundery weather or that both hives are on virgin queens, but it was carnage. Six stings around my ankles and two on each hand all within the space of a few seconds. Last week they were like kittens, this week...monsters.

 

[Beefriendly]

Last week they were like kittens, this week...monsters.

The OSR has just finished at one site and one hive has turned into total monsters. Was collecting full supers today and it got so bad I could barely see out of my veil and, god knows how, but a couple breached the zips on my OzArmour suit and stung me on the neck and chin from the inside....and these were (emphasis on were) a really calm and prolific good home bred F2 Buckfast hive....looks like their mongrel genes errupted today.

 

[Beagle23]

The OSR has just finished at one site and one hive has turned into total monsters. Was collecting full supers today and it got so bad I could barely see out of my veil and, god knows how, but a couple breached the zips on my OzArmour suit and stung me on the neck and chin from the inside....and these were (emphasis on were) a really calm and prolific good home bred F2 Buckfast hive....looks like their mongrel genes errupted today.

Nothing worse than bees inside the suit. Glad you're OK

 

[Beefriendly]

Nothing worse than bees inside the suit. Glad you're OK

Oh Aye I was fine, thanks for the concern. After keeping local mongrels in my area ....well versed in handling the occasional rogue colony. These girls are in for a re-queening as soon as i get them moved....they were generally okay but they have now shown me a side of their character I do not want to see again.

Not my worse encounter by any means...several years back one of my local bee colonies went really ballistic, so bad I had to walk away.....well more of a jog around a large field to get rid of the followers.
Of course I'd forgotten to put crown board and roof back on.... so went back....and of course totally forgot to zip up my hood. I think I counted over 30 stings to neck face forehead etc etc. That was frightening.
Only way I eventually dealt with them was by moving the hive around and bleeding off the fliers to other colonies.....the shout of glee as I dispatched that particular queen was very satisfying.

 

[The Poot in Somerset]

Watched scouts checking out two of my bait hives. They flew over the house and away, so I don't think they're mine.
Back at work this week so I hope if they decide to move in they'll stay put until the evening.
Chances?

 

[Beagle23]

Oh Aye I was fine, thanks for the concern. After keeping local mongrels in my area ....well versed in handling the occasional rogue colony. These girls are in for a re-queening as soon as i get them moved....they were generally okay but they have now shown me a side of their character I do not want to see again.

Not my worse encounter by any means...several years back one of my local bee colonies went really ballistic, so bad I had to walk away.....well more of a jog around a large field to get rid of the followers.
Of course I'd forgotten to put crown board and roof back on.... so went back....and of course totally forgot to zip up my hood. I think I counted over 30 stings to neck face forehead etc etc. That was frightening.
Only way I eventually dealt with them was by moving the hive around and bleeding off the fliers to other colonies.....the shout of glee as I dispatched that particular queen was very satisfying.

I don't react well to stings, I think 30 would have been enough to put me down. It's quite an experience when you realize that the bees have figures out they need to get inside the suit to do damage. I've had a crowd of them trying to squeeze into my boots and crawl under the velcro tab over the veil zip - it's the manic determination with which they attempt it that's frightening.

One of the local beeks told me that a banana skin placed in the fridge and then laid across the sting area helps with the pain so I'm off to Tescos. I hope you don't have too much discomfort this evening

 

[Millet]

, but a couple breached the zips on my OzArmour suit and stung me on the neck and chin from the inside.....

I can see that happening with the large zip lugs on my OZ suit as the velcro does not fasten tight and secure if the zips are not lined up correct, i now have it sussed, the first zip lug from the right goes inside and the second one lays down over which the velcro covers nice and secure.

 

[Podilia]

I can just laught at your, Goran, complaint about the honey price etc. Several times I wrote the price which we have here - 1,5 dollars, not euro. In winter it was almost $2. It is falling calling hot debates among the beekeeping community, whereas everything else, especially import, is growing. And your country is supposed to be the one of the most successful slavic nations. People flee from here as well. Almost half of my regional city is in Poland - "ruining their spines for masters". I don't think that's a good idea. That's a shame. As for me, I'm not a wealthy person but not going to leave my home (only as a tourist).

Week ago I exctracted osr honey, not much - 100 kg mostly from 14 strongest hives. After that those colonies have been splitted (is it correct in English?) to avoid swarming. Other colonies I will use as donors for temporary nucs. I want to provide myself with spare queens and don't buy them any more. Now there is a moderate flow from herbs. In a few weeks buckwheat will give much better result and then the main flow from sunflower is in the second half of summer. The weather is still hot and dry though we have got three rains in May. More rains would be great for vegetation.

 

[colinc]

Released two queens from under introduction cages into their new homes. both walked in quite happy the bees seem calmer already considering I had to do it at 7.30pm, 16degC and light drizzle.

Here is hoping they get laying up frames fast.

 

[Podilia]

Chances?

Chances are high if their beekeeper will not change their plans.
I'm waiting for the first swarms too.

 

[Goran]

I can just laught at your, Goran, complaint about the honey price etc. Several times I wrote the price which we have here - 1,5 dollars, not euro. In winter it was almost $2. It is falling calling hot debates among the beekeeping community, whereas everything else, especially import, is growing. And your country is supposed to be the one of the most successful slavic nations. People flee from here as well. Almost half of my regional city is in Poland - "ruining their spines for masters". I don't think that's a good idea. That's a shame. As for me, I'm not a wealthy person but not going to leave my home (only as a tourist).

Week ago I exctracted osr honey, not much - 100 kg mostly from 14 strongest hives. After that those colonies have been splitted (is it correct in English?) to avoid swarming. Other colonies I will use as donors for temporary nucs. I want to provide myself with spare queens and don't buy them any more. Now there is a moderate flow from herbs. In a few weeks buckwheat will give much better result and then the main flow from sunflower is in the second half of summer. The weather is still hot and dry though we have got three rains in May. More rains would be great for vegetation.

" one of the most successful slavic nations" - We must have the one hell of advertising.. Politely said - we are in mess..
In last three years as stationary I have only one with let's say decent extraction.. So what should be the price of honey to stay afloat?
For the prices you mentioned..seems you are better " organized" than we..

 

[Newbeeneil]

Found, marked and clipped two queens today but unfortunately think I may have damaged the second one as she limped back onto the comb.
Im not over worried as they are the "stickiest" bees I have ever handled - propolis everywhere! So I will requeen them anyway.
My most productive colony with a lovely calm queen have put up swarm cells so I removed the queen and set up a couple of 2 frame nucs so that I can pass on her genes.
Nice day in the apiary ...... apart from the damaged queen!

 

[Millet]

Found, marked and clipped two queens today but unfortunately think I may have damaged the second one as she limped back onto the comb.
Im not over worried as they are the "stickiest" bees I have ever handled - propolis everywhere! So I will requeen them anyway.
My most productive colony with a lovely calm queen have put up swarm cells so I removed the queen and set up a couple of 2 frame nucs so that I can pass on her genes.
Nice day in the apiary ...... apart from the damaged queen!

How do you know she limped ? , i find it hard at times to see if my dog is limping let alone a bee..

 

[Walrus]

Checked all colonies in the rain and delighted to find queen cells in only one of them - dealt with that. Going away for a week and hoping that I don't lose swarms. It looks like decent weather and I have seen bramble in flower and lime trees nearly there, so hopefully a flow will keep them busy. I have a lot of honey to extract on my return

 

[Hachi]

Moved the swarm I collected a week ago into a full hive.

Checked the full hive in the garden and its hopelessly Q- I trust my Q's on order come soon.

 

[Beefriendly]

Tried out my Abelo steam uncapping knife for the first time this afternoon...wasn't expecting to use at this time of year as most of the OSR honey I harvest has minimum cappings....but at one of my apiary sites the bees substantially capped several supers....
A little bit of fiddling with the adjustments and boy....a couple of seconds max to uncap one side. Takes longer to turn over and re-position in the cassette than the uncapping process itself.
Couple of pictures of before and after below. Obviously if you have concave bits of cappings that sit below the edges of your frame it aint going to get them (as seen in second picture)...but seconds to unfork this. With time all the honey cells edges will be built up above the wooden edges and it should be nearly a 100% uncap each time.
Brilliant piece of kit, wish I'd bought one years ago. The hours and days I've wasted uncapping by "hand".