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I started keeping bees two years ago! I started with a colony of bees which I was told by somebody in my local association (who should have known better) that he knew where they were from, they were not aggressive and good starter bees. HA! First thing first, they are the grumpiest meanest...

Hello there. I have just found a farmer not far form me who said that he has some land he's happy for me to put some hives on. He also has a couple of badger sets not far from where I intend to put the bees. Does this situation need managing or do they get a stung nose and leave well alone...

Hi all. I am struggling with one of my hives and think that now I might have lost it all together. The events occured in the below dated order: 22 April 2012 I went through the hive and released four queens from queen cells. I destroyed ALL other queen cells. Note previous to this I had one...

Hi there. I wrote last weekend here : http://www.beekeepingforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=16811 Basically my bees swarmed last weekend. I caught the swarm as they were on my allotment neighbours blackberry bush. It's in a brood box on frames of foundation and a bag of fondant on teh crown...

I was down the allotment today and by the side of where I keep my bees I noticed a Swarm. I assume it is mine. So I've boxed it and set up a spare hive ready to rehome it later when it starts to cool down. I then inspected my hive which I assume the swarm was from and was supprised at just...

I went into the hive today for a few reasons. A month ago I put a bag of fondant in there and I Wanted to take it out. I'd made the school boy error of just opening and placing it onto the top of the brood box bars. Then a Put the crown and the lid on. This created a 20mm cavity all around the...

It’s the end of January, The bees arrived last May and I set them up on my allotment. My first ever colony. I’d already read Ted Hooper’s bee bible and had many talks with my mentor. A very helpful fellow and absolutely one with the bees. Prior to purchasing my colony I’d visited his apiary and...

Hi there, I'm going to shove some fondant into the hive next time the weather picks up. Is it best to make or buy? If buy which make is the best and where do I get it at its cheapest? Cheers folk Mark

Good Evening again, I didn't want to ask two questions on the same thread as they are not related subjects. I was reading the latest issue of BBKA News, specifically the article wrt prevention of swarming, and the gentleman's idea of making a weight activated hive entrance door, when an idea...

Good evening Folks. I'm after a bit of advise really. I noticed the weather was warm today so I wondered up to my hive on my allotment. It is the first winter for my first hive and so hefting the hive is a waste of time for me as I can't remember how it felt in October when I finished feeding...

This is my first year and due to inexperience I had trouble getting the feeding started in September. I wasted about 8kg of sugar and about two weeks of the month by feeding them solutions which crystallises. By mid September I had mastered the technique and was making good thick (but not too...

Hi, I took a photo of these bees which look just like honey bees but the patterning is different. They are 100% bees and are the same size as honey bees. Any ideas? Cheers Mark

Today I decided I would take the solid base off the hive and exchange it for a meshed bottom. This gave me the opportunity to evaluate the Mite drop (I'm on the fourth week of treating right now. I was supprised to find only three dead mites and one alive one. I caught the little get, put him...

I've been seeing a strange fly around my hive of late and I sat watching it and it went into teh hive while the bees were very busy. It fist flew up into groups of bees I guess getting the smeel of them onto him, then in he went. As a description I'd say he looked like a cross between a blue...

Hi, I'm after a swarm. will pay £120 I particularly want to pick it up tuesday 31st May (I've got the day off and I'm run off my feet until then.) Please email me if you can help me. Cheers Mark [email protected]

Good Morning. I am interested in keeping Bees. I have looked into doing a course at Shugborough and it seems that their course is well over populated this year. I really want to be able to learn this year so I can get set up next year. I have downloaded the first three study notes of the BBKA...

Hello, After successfully enjoying keeping a few hens for eggs, and as I am now well aquainted with vegetable and fruit growing I am rather enjoying 'the good life' and wouldn't mind giving bee keeping a bash. I'm learning about it and am at the stage where my 'idea' of keeping bees may just...