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National Trust members email with a beekeeping video: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/members-area Interesting he talks about disease/pest control and then immediately shows an emmerging bee with a varoa mite. That's either irony or intention.

Certainly taken a dusting.

Looks like I will have to up my label game. I don't think 100% pure Bee vomit is going to cut it this year.

Was a very busy day for me, the Bees had me on the back foot. I bought a queen to re-queen a reluctant colony, after repeated frames of eggs/brood that did not raise a queen. Turns out they re-queened themselves and I was impatient. The frames were full of BIAS and the queen was not needed. So...

This year I am trying a "soak" hive for exactly this reason. I take full frames of capped broad out (If the queen has maxed out her laying space in brood and a half) and place them in a hopelessly queenless hive. It gives the queens room to expand and you gain another hive that won't swarm and...

Hi there, I would say it was more likely that these are scout bees from their behaviour. You have quite the number, so they are scoring the bait hive highly. I would expect something in the next couple of days if the weather holds.

Hi there. I would remove the super and feed from the crown board directly above the brood box. Even if you plan to run "Brood and a half" (Brood+Super) I would let them fill out and draw the comb in the brood box first. Let them get established.

Good video!

My girls were really grumpy today. The were pinging off my veil before I got within 10 meters of the hives. decided to peer in through the crown board, bee escape hole, and have a good huff of hive air. Left it at that. Put another bait hive out.

Both of my swarm traps had scouts visit today for the first time this season. Eveything is a bit behind.

I agree. My hives were angry today too. A lot of bees in the air. Maybe the wind yesterday got them agitated.

Watched as a large yellow Hornet riled up one of my hives today. Had them all in the air in front of the hive, while it took out Bees on the fly. According to the BBKA card I have in my bag, it was a European one, as it was bright yellow.

How long would it take to see a queen cell on a test frame? What's the consensus?

Nadired that super to try and get the queen up and then set up a bait hive for an autumn swarm.

Thanks, I will give them a swap tomorrow.

Last week I pushed my queen out of the Super and excluded her in the bottom box that was largely empty. Was expecting large frames of brood but got nothing. She refuses to use the brood box. Took out the excluder and let her have her way.

Over protective father..

Wow! I have a mean hive this year that I have just re-queened, but it's nothing like this thankfully.

Swarm and swarm and swarm.... Crazy spring

Been a "swarmy" year for me so far. Had to split one of my hives three times now, and been called out twice to collect others swarms. Everything is well ahead in my area and this barmy weather seems to be great for the colonies.