What did you do in the Apiary today?

[Newbeeneil]

My task this afternoon, 300+ jars filled for a client in an hour..... ended up with RSI screwing the lids on!

 

[Erichalfbee]

Great job.

 

[JamezF]

RSI

Really Sticky ....

Nah, no good. Can't work out the last word

James

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

checked the Llety'r Deryn and Garn cottage apiaries today - Llety'r Deryn were late getting feeders on and haven't taken much down but when both apiaries were hefted they were all screwed down, in fact, one hive at Garn cottage has not taken any syrup, and it was the heaviest of them all! All this thanks to the ivy

 

[masterBK]

Removed the Apivar strips from 26 hives. Was very heavy work as I winter my bees on double BCs and the strips were in the lower BCs which meant taking off the heavy top BC s (which were more or less full to the brim with stores and ivy nectar is still pouring in). Bees were well behaved so didn't really need to use the smoker apart from with one colony of "meeters and greeters" That queen will be culled next spring

Been a busy week delivering talks to two BKAs and also judging my very last Honey show ( I have decided at 75 yrs old to retire from judging before I lose my sense of smell and taste not forgetting the deterioration in eyesight that comes with age. Too many judges continue on for far too long and start to make mistakes as their senses decline (at 80 yr you only have half the number of olfactory and gustatory sense cells that you had at 20 yrs). Been a show judge for over 40 yrs so reckon I have done my fair share. End of an era for me.

 

[BeeKeyPlayer]

I leave mine on. Never had comb built in them.

What's the depth of your ekes with vaping holes?

 

[Erichalfbee]

10cm

 

[jeff33]

I have in the past put 10cm ekes to have the fondant straight over the frames but that was the result on 1st inspection. As you keep yours on 14x12 @Erichalfbee they perhaps don't feel the need to build the gap?

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

Bees still hammering the ivy - even in the rain, this was taken yesterday evening at the busiest Brynmair hive
View attachment ivy2.mp4

 

[blackcloud]

Ivy is incredible this year I'm off to get feeders off this morning.
We had grandchildren stay over last night Pancakes for breakfast.They smother them in chocolate spread and sugar but turn up their snouts at honey and soft set.
Hope their bloody teeth rot

 

[blackcloud]

Got the one little sod earning his keep.

 

[manek]

Bees flying, excellent temperament, temps at 17 degrees today. Feeders off, Apivar strips in (late, but circumstances prevailed), Celotex and perspex quilt installed.

Almost the end of the season with little more to do until it's fondant time. I shall miss them...

 

[drex]

Took the wet supers off, that were on for cleaning. All lovely, except for one, which the bees were filling, despite the top brood box having loads of space. I have nadired it.

 

[Curly green finger's]

Got the one little sod earning his keep.

I love the trolley, good on the little guy

 

[Lottie]

Got the one little sod earning his keep.
View attachment 34150

Did you make your trailer?

 

[blackcloud]

It is a Frankenstein's monster of a garden centre trolley, a BMX bike ,some old 2x3 timber and washing machine parts for the suspension.
It can carry two nationals across rough terrain with relative ease.
Get some odd looks on the lane from the Hunter welly brigade though

 

[Garry R]

I have in the past put 10cm ekes to have the fondant straight over the frames but that was the result on 1st inspection. As you keep yours on 14x12 @Erichalfbee they perhaps don't feel the need to build the gap?

I have found this too BUT looking at the jars of honey in a photo earlier reminded me of the blue mushroom baskets. I now use these with the sides cut off on top of the frames which gives access later in the season to lay the fondant on with no bee squashing. When I put the ekes on before the fondant I put a piece on clear plastic sheet inside the mesh to stop them coming up. When I put the fondant later on all I have to do is peel the plastic sheet off and pop the fondant on the mesh and the bees don't get squashed. Hope this is clear!

 

[Ian123]

Ladies are busy today. It rained earlier so not as much pollen as yesterday but there hammering the ivy still.

 

[Nannysbees]

Like a summer day!!

 

[Erichalfbee]

Same here