Recent content by pete_allotments

James, I had a similar issue to you, to get body length, go for a ”larger size” and have lots of spare material. at last year‘s bee show I was on bb wear stand, and they suggested I ordered a “made to measure” with longer body…. ordered the suit, and it was a great investment. Fitted and was...

James, There have been a lot of “head” comments on the proposition. My one would be “if you accept, and it all goes wrong, how would you extract yourself from the agreement ” You also need to have the ”heart” thoughts - do you want to do this? will you regret saying no? could you fit this...

yep - and Tesco/Sainsbury/Waitrose/Adli/Lidl are selling 1kg bags between £1.05 and £1.09. I found some stocks from last year - when it was 65p per Kilo - and I thought that was expensive !!

late reply just went to Iceland, and they have 1kilo bags of sugar at £1.00 per kilo. Also on offer for £1.80 for 2 x 1Kilo bags !! stocked up for autumn feeding....

Thanks for this information - now understand more about the RP route - these are wet supers I want the bees to "cleanup" and use this year. They will be first supers added to the hives. as JBM said - put them on when the colony has started to grow, and pollen coming in.

Yes, honey extracted last year, then wrapped in clingfilm. Will put back onto hive this year. As you say, when flow starts put on hive. Was thinking about putting a newspaper separator to allow bees to “move up” when ready.

I’m coming back to an earlier thread. I’ve read this thread, and understand roger’s method for cleaning wet supers. As a 2nd year keeper, I have a small number of wet supers stored over-winter. When should I put the wet supers under the brood? Is it too early at the moment? Should I also put a...

I started with hives next to the local village allotments. New arrivals on the allotments had issues with the bees. I decided to relocate the hives to a new apiary away from the allotments. I wanted to enjoy beekeeping, without the hassle. Bees on allotments can be successful, but it can easily...

Welcome BB, As suggested, join you local beekeepers association, they normally run a course in early spring which is useful to understand the basics. An apairy visit would also be useful so you see and feel the bees. They might also help with a mentor. More recommended reading is the haynes bee...

Dear forum, As a beekeeper in my 2nd year, one of my hives is causing me concern, and I'm hoping the forum might guide me. The hive went into winter feeling light. It was fed overwinter with fondant, and survived into the spring. On the previous inspection, I saw limited amount of brood, and...

I could use 5 sheets - 460x460, no holes (for national hives)

Thanks to the forum. Update: At 19:30 last night (saturday), installed rhombus board above queen excluder on both hives, and sealed entrance with grass and tape. At 06:30 this morning, took off supers, placed board on top of rhombus board, and strapped brood hive tight. Put a board under...

Thanks for the reply. I was going to leave rhombus clearer escapes on, and put a board on top of them (rather than a full roof). I wasn't removing the clearer board until hives were at new site. There wouldn't be a super under the clearer board. Trying to get it all clear in my mind, so I don't...

Eric, Both hives have well stocked brood, and supers have a reasonable number. Thanks for all the suggestions. The plans are.... Currently building rhombus boards, to be installed tonight at about 8pm, on the QE to empty the supers at the same time, will close up the entrance of each hive...

This was about splitting the hive during transportation. I thought I had to move the hive as a complete unit strapped together - didn't know you could split the hive with floor and roof on each section. Was worried that bees would loose their connections to the queen. It's looking as it I'm...