Recent content by RARW

Hi All, I have a colony that I didnt manage particularly well in April. Top tip - dont have a 3 week holiday in April! No one to blame but me. Anyway, they were a strong overwintered nuc that expanded far quicker than i anticipated and by the time i got to them had multiple capped QC. I couldnt...

How I wish you are right!

I intially wondered if she had been out for an additional mating flight too but it didnt feel right, no drones around and not the usual number of workers. Sadly I think she is injured, annoying as I have endless Queen issues this year in 2 colonies and things had finally settled down!

Thats exactly what I ended up doing. Caged her with a few attendants and put her between 2 frames. They werent agressive towards her at all. I have a feeling she may be injured. I'll check back agian in a few days but i suspect they may be replacing her.

Hi, Just had a check on activity today during a break from work and spotted one of my queens on the landing board surrounded by 8 or so attendants. I watched for a while, she seemed lathargic and the the attendants seemed to be grooming her. I checked back 45 mins later and they were all still...

Hi. Sorry I hit post before I’d finished! the old queen was marked and so I guess either died or swarmed. My wife watched them emerge from the hive and so I’m as sure as I can be that they are from that hive. the new swarm is in a polyNUC and being fed. Oh and I’m in glorious Gloucestershire...

Thanks. The old queen was marked and the one isn’t, hence my theory that they already swarmed once.

Hi, Sorry for jumping on this thread but i have an issue which seems rather relevant. I caught a swarm from one of my colonies today. It wasnt big and landed on the roof of the hive, my wife watched it happenng and called me whilst I was out. I located the queen and safely installed them in a...

Just had a wander and the Birch trees are really begining to bloom with plenty of pollen.

A few but not many. A bit of fruit blossom begining.

Hi Her ladyship decided over the past couple of weeks to move herself up into the super where she is merrily laying. There is about 3 full frames of capped honey in there. The brood chamber below has a little bit of capped brood but is generally pretty sparce of stores. The weather is pretty...

My dad was old skool! He liked a spoon and child labour!!!

Hi Guys! I am a fourth generation bee keeper, sadly I dont have that much experience myself as my duties mainly included spinning the extractor for hours each year and stirring bucket after bucket syrup! I thrilled that I have got my first colony through its first winter and am excited for the...