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Just been up to do do the weekly check on 3 colonies. All 3 are quiet and I can’t see any activity Amongst the frames through the clear crown boards. They’ve stopped taking fondant and one has a few dead bees near the top of some frames? I have not opened them up, 2 are still in double...

So last week I placed a block of fondant on to feed my double brood colony. This week it was gone and replaced with drawn comb inside the container. So I’ve taken the plunge and placed a Super on for them. My clear crown boards had visible cells with capped honey so figured they are ready...

As usual we are expecting a cold spell for March. After the mild Feb temperatures look to drop down to circa 3degrees. With that been said I was planning on popping a brood box on that requires comb drawing out with some syrup on. Obviously pre early spring crops.. both colonies are strong...

Currently feeding my ladies fondant which they are hammering through at a kilo 10 days roughly. But when should I consider changing to patties? I thought early March? Last year I was lucky as I placed supers on just as the cold snap hit us! Sorry loads of questions this year!

Last year I just left the bees to clean the frames after extraction. However at the end of the season I had quite a few frames not capped. I froze all these frames due to prolific wax moth.. Now to clean them can I just let the bees do it or will they get dysentery?

I’ve got some new supers and brood boxes but which is suitable paint or stain? Is there anything I should avoid apart from high VOC …

Hi all, Just looking for the correct crystals for a vap treatment is the item below suitable? Thanks in advance Oxalic Acid Crystals, 100g or 500g

I’ve seen a number of clips on various platforms which show keepers using leaf blowers to clear supers… Does this potentially damage the bees? It looks effective but is it poor preparation in adding clearer boards? What are people’s thoughts please? Any experience on them?

Morning all, as the weather started to change and our first heavy frost in the SE. I took some celotex up to my WBC’s When I removed the varroa floor I found 6 dead bees, and a few Varroa mites about 8 in 2 weeks. The comb residue looked to be brood and some food capping colour. Should I be...

So the end of my first full season, And wow what a learning curve!! I have two colonies 1on a double brood and the other on 14x12. Now both colonies have varroa strips in but the 14x12 has had a significant reduction in the number of bees. When I removed my supers they were packed in now it...

I know there are posts all over about wax moth. But can anyone shed any light on freezing super frames? Do they need to be wrapped? Does any uncapped nectar need to be removed? I’ve had wax moth on 4 frames now I want to take no chances. So any light on the following when freezing? 1. Wrapped...

I’ve just done my last extraction, but I have a couple of frames that were not fully capped reading about 21%. I left the frames and thought uncap and leave it for the bees to clean with the wet supers? Any thoughts?

For sale due to Anaphylaxis. I’ve recently developed anaphylactic shock to stings and after a close call I’m selling all my kit. 3x colonies of bee’s in 2xWBC hives 1x National. Fresh mated queens this year. 1 colony produced 3 supers of honey in 6 weeks including drawing comb. 1x nuc box...

So I inspected my colony yesterday morning, on removing a frame the comb snapped off the brood frame and was anchored to the nadir. It looks like Drones so I removed it from the hive. 1. What is the best method for replacing the frame? 2. should I just remove the whole frame and take the...

I’ve just rendered a load of wax. However it is still very dark in colour. Looks like treacle! I’ve done it multiple times now and always finish with the same dark brown with no gum underneath. How do I make it golden and clear? I’ve tried pillow cases, paint strainers, etc I can see the...

Ok folks, I’ve stopped with the feeding and checked my Bees and all is looking good, although I’ve not been in the box to inspect just through the polycarbonate crown board . I placed a super underneath during winter but when should I look to move this on top and go to a brood and half? Or is it...

So I’ve had a sneak peak in my colony, I dummied down to 7 frames, introduced some celotex dummie boards and have been feeding fondant. my worry is that there is not enough bees in there.. they’re slow moving, and through the visible crown board there’s about a qtr coverage. They’re not...

I’ve just been trawling the trading standards site to look at the law for selling pure beeswax candles. can anyone offer any advice of exactly what you have to It’s not specific but insurance? Test burns? Selling guide? Instructions thanks

Afternoon all, I have a solid floor WBC hive that has a small nuc inside. I dummied down with some celotex, and poly carbonate crown board. However I can see moisture on the floor through the poly carbonate. Should I consider changing for a vented floor stand? Even in this time of year...