Recent content by Jif5

Having lost several drawn frames to wax month over the winters, and not wanting to use chemicals ( and I haven’t got a freezer big enough to freeze them) I have had great success in the last few years storing my drawn frames overwinter in Jumbo vacuum storage bags ( I got my in Argos two for...

Hello, What is the consensus on how long after feeding with syrup can a super can be put on the hive? The reason I ask is that I hived day strong swarm in a 14 x 12 and fed with light syrup (1:1). This was readily taken down and stored (in the last two weeks of may) a week after I finished...

Shes now gone Thanks

I am combining two hives tonight. The smaller one was a successfully re queened worker laying hive, but it was rescued rather to late in the year to build up. I can't bear to squish a healthy marked 2013 queen, so please let me know if any one wants one. She is marked in red and is laying well...

I had a swarm move into a laburnum tree 4 years ago. Ever since they have thrived and swarmed several times. They seem very happy without any intervation from anyone. Mine are only 5 ft off the ground but there is no way I could/ or wish entice them out. I hope they survive and thrive. G

Hello, I am very pleased that I have managed to successfully requeen a layer working hive. As a relative newcomer I read up as much as possible on the forum on solutions, but expected very little success as the colony seemed on a hopeless downward spiral. If anyone is interested my technique...

Sorry if I wasn't clear. The plot is only 40 x 40 ft that is why I cant shake them out as they will go to the other hive, and at this stage I don't want to take the brood from the other as it needs time to rebuild up after the recent queen change. I just wondered if there are any other...

Hello, Just sent a PM Thanks

Hello, A quick note to introduce myself. I am in my third year of beekeeping with two national hives in the garden, however i have had a self sustaining feral colony in a laburnum tree in my garden for nearly 5 years which really started my interest. The forum has been a great help so far and...

Hello, Some input on an issue I have would be very appreciated. When you have a laying worker hive on a smallish plot (approx 40 x 40) are there any other options rather than a shakeout (the plot size means i cant get very far away from the hive)? I don't want to combine with my other hive as...