Recent content by Grif

Any predictions on this years heather yields? Mine were down last year in the dry heat, hoping for better this time around. Fingers crossed.

Two of this years purchased mated queens seem to have started off laying in a haphazard pattern with plenty of drone brood mixed in and then settled down into the normal worker only brood pattern. Anyone else noticed this phenomenon?

Thanks for all the comments.. I have been using this Demaree method: see link below but have noted that there are various other methods - Do you have a link to the demaree method that details your method of taking frames as they become broodless down to the Q in the bottom BB? Your method does...

Trying demaree method this season. Have completed 1st round successfully, but now tempted to do it again on the same colonies. I've read that demaree can be repeated as soon as the top BB is clear of brood, but i'm wondering how important this is? it's only been a couple of weeks since the first...

UPDATE I tested my old slow cooker temperatures, with water. High setting - reached 100 degrees in 3 hours Medium setting - reached 85 degrees max Low setting - also reached 85 degrees! ha! :nature-smiley-016::nature-smiley-016: should be ok for wax melting on low, just take some time...

Complete novice candle maker requiring advice. I am considering using an old slow cooker for melting previously cleaned up wax for candle making. My old slow cooker has just 3 heat settings (low / medium / high) so won't be very adjustable - and i'm not sure how this will relate on the degrees...

If you had to choose between the two ? - for cleaning up old brood frames and reclaiming the wax.

just finished and thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. Published in 1983, in a time before Varroa reached the U.K. A nice insight into the life of a bee farmer back in the day. Can anybody recommend anything similar?

:thanks:

Yep, I mean If I sell to a shop that then sells it on :thanks:

Wondering if I should have extra Insurance cover if I sell small quantities of honey via third parties? Currently all I have is the standard insurance you get with BBKA membership.

:thanks:

Cleaning stainless steel extractors / settling tanks etc .. - Apart from using simple cold water, does anybody recommend using anything else?

p.s. thanks for the advice