Recent content by Paul in Poole

We use a WBC near the front door and regulars put money through the letter box in the front door or a tub inside the hive lid. No issues with theft so far after my son stopped helping himself.

Certainly we usually have a crop of honey from the Cow Parsley it has a distinct aniseed taste to it.

Try this method told to me by a large bee farmer in Northumberland. With the new box above the old brood box apply copious amounts of smoke under lower box for say 4-5 mins such that all the bees and queen will go up into top box. Remove bottom box and put it above a queen excluder on the new...

We have had the same here with our summer honey. Possibly got some honey dew in it.

Just to report back the queen is laying again and has filled the brood chamber with brood which is now capped. I would say she stopped laying for at least three weeks in early June.

Like you i had CBPV and could not find an answer about wether i could use frames of comb etc again . I considered that if one of the treatments is to shake out the bees that the combs should be ok to use again. So i put a new swarm in the hive and after about six weeks the bees are doing well...

I wonder if the answer is when you move all the hives to a new location but leave one hive to collect any bees that are left behind.

This has happened to me too ! My best hive is now broodless but the queen is there happily walking around like she owns the place. I will be interested to see any replies.

Looks good but lots of work in national hives, thats why I've decided to go over to langstroth hives much simpler to make and bigger too.

I dont like the pressed steel ones as the slots have sharp edges on one side which must ware away at the bees wings.

Been building a warming cabinet. Managed to get some 150mm cellotex for a tenner a sheet so nearly finished. Lets hope its a good season with lots of honey.

Hefted 5 hives in a small orchard all ok and then delivered some rent honey to the land owner. One jar per hive.

I use the dried up husks from beech nuts as I get loads off a tree in the garden each summer.

Read brother Adams book I think he would requeen most of his production hives in March. The Bees are unlikely to reject her as it's too early to requeen naturally.

I am moving some hives to the rape this week just one or two flowers out now, just need the sun.