Recent content by Saradan

I recall George Imirie (passed away some years ago) advocated using a shim between supers. He believed using additional entrances reduced congestion in the brood chamber aiding swarm prevention. More details if you google "Imirie Shim" Tony

A case of AFB was confirmed at our local Association apiary a couple of weeks ago. I've noticed it's been recorded on Beebase (location Leek). My Apiary is 14km from the outbreak and I haven't received an email via Beebase. Although they reference "10km squares". Perhaps if you're in the 10km...

Hi Beeks I've been asked to move a bumble bee nest. I've done my usual piece about they'll die off end of Summer, very placid etc, but unfortunately the owners need access to the area of the garden where the nest is located as they have construction work starting shortly.. Fortunately the...

I think they're the "Common Carder" bumblebee:- http://www.nhm.ac.uk/nature-online/life/insects-spiders/identification-guides-and-keys/bee-rotate/carder-bee/index.html

You could try saying oxalic will kill any red mite on the Turkey:xmas-smiley-016:

Always put mine directly onto frames, means having to use a eke under the crown board though. I wrap the fondant in cling film and tear a hole in the film on the side going directly onto the frames. Haven't had a problem to date.

Hi Westy A few years ago I was stung on three separate occasions over a couple of months. Two were on the neck and I experienced a systemic reaction on both occasions. The third and last sting was on the chest where I got nothing more than a local reaction. So in my case it would seem that...

I filtered mine through a 1/200 MICRON 7" SHORT NYLON FILTER SOCK last year purchased off fleabay to 'polish' the honey off Won the category I entered in my local association honey comp, so it certainly didn't do any harm.... Both jars remain uncrystallized in the kitchen cupboard

Used to find slugs inside when hives were sited directly on paving slabs. Since I've put the hives on wooden stands (last four years or so) I haven't seen any inside the hives. Plenty of earwigs though, every year between roof and crown board, don't know that they do any harm....

Looks bigger than it actually is - not much more than a couple of cms and didn't show any agressiveness towards me at all, more 'skittish' than anything.

Hi Beeks I had a call from a concerned home owner that there was a 'honeybee nest' in a wall at the bottom of their garden. When I went for a look he has masonary bees and also nearby what appears to be a type of wasp which looks to be burrowing into soil at the base of the wall. My best...

Hey great crowd puller for the Spring Convention, bit like the horse shoeing competitions at the County Shows. Could also do a find the Queen competition in a batch of double brood chamber Nationals. Must canvass the BBKA committee, it'll go down a treat :):):)

Thought I'd try the hairdryer to rejuvenate some sheets of drone foundation. Worked a treat - easily did a sheet in a minute and no mess. A few questioning looks off the wife but it did the trick.....:cool:

My first thought would be Blackthorn (I have a couple growing in the hedge on my allotment plot) which are almost at the same stage as the one in your photo. The give away will be the thorns which are really thin and can be around around inch and half in length. You don't want one of those...

Hi Beeks Your thoughts/experience appreciated - I've recently set about fumigating five National Brood Chambers and their frames with 80% Acetic Acid. I stacked and sealed the chambers with the frames inside, protected any metal bits and placed the recommended amount of Acetic Acid in a tray...