http://www.britishbee.org.uk/forum/blog.php British Beekeepers Association discussion forum en Wed, 20 Aug 2008 18:19:22 GMT vBulletin 60 http://www.britishbee.org.uk/forum/images/misc/rss.jpg http://www.britishbee.org.uk/forum/blog.php http://www.britishbee.org.uk/forum/blog.php?b=119 Tue, 19 Aug 2008 22:22:30 GMT Got nuc out of garage an put in garden as they seem to have found a way out and some of them were trying to get out of garage killing themselves in... Got nuc out of garage an put in garden as they seem to have found a way out and some of them were trying to get out of garage killing themselves in the process.

Before work putting them outside, they stung me... I guess they are just the nippy colony in smaller box. Still thinking of spending/wasting more money on internet queen, despite great disappointments with them to date. Odds of nippy colony bees developing their own less nippy queen probably slim.:( ]]> Karin http://www.britishbee.org.uk/forum/blog.php?b=119 http://www.britishbee.org.uk/forum/blog.php?b=118 Sat, 16 Aug 2008 22:56:23 GMT Tried to double chance of getting viable queen by making up nuc and putting it in the garage. Stumbled with it so lost a handful of bees and got... Tried to double chance of getting viable queen by making up nuc and putting it in the garage. Stumbled with it so lost a handful of bees and got stung loads again. Not sure if the queen cells will have survived that! Noticed when I was making up nuc that it is looking more like there is a virgin in the nippy colony as evidence of queen cells being torn down.

Couldn't face winding up the nippy ones again to replenish bees I had lost, so as my Nan used to say, They have 2 chances; live or die. They have plenty of stores and I put water in the feeder. Plan to leave them to chill until Wednesday.

The more I get stung, the keener I am getting on the idea of the New Zealand super gentle breed. They arrive in April though, and so I will keep my fingers crossed that after I have got a fully mated queen to go into Winter, it will then be cool and they will mostly stay in until Spring. ]]> Karin http://www.britishbee.org.uk/forum/blog.php?b=118 http://www.britishbee.org.uk/forum/blog.php?b=117 Sat, 16 Aug 2008 21:10:01 GMT Have not posted recently as bees are not really doing anything. Just popping back and forth with stuff. I ocassionally lift the lid and have a look... Have not posted recently as bees are not really doing anything. Just popping back and forth with stuff. I ocassionally lift the lid and have a look in through the glass quilt. Still not been stung.
You other beekeepers seem to be having all the fun

p.s. where have they put the spell checker ]]> OLD TED http://www.britishbee.org.uk/forum/blog.php?b=117 http://www.britishbee.org.uk/forum/blog.php?b=116 Sat, 16 Aug 2008 07:36:18 GMT Grumpy colony had found a gap between the roof and the top super and at 8.15am, when they would normally only be having a stretch not going out... Grumpy colony had found a gap between the roof and the top super and at 8.15am, when they would normally only be having a stretch not going out foraging seriously, they were frothing out of the hive, a tornado of bees in the air making a huge roar, ROBBING the honey I have earmarked for me!:eek::eek:

Some fighting, but most of the bees were from that hive and not from others. Changed roof.

Mixing the poly Langstroth and the wooden Langstroth kit not working very well. ]]> Karin http://www.britishbee.org.uk/forum/blog.php?b=116 http://www.britishbee.org.uk/forum/blog.php?b=115 Fri, 15 Aug 2008 18:26:43 GMT Went with some bee buddies to meet the Bee Inspector to watch him go through Lambeth Palace colonies. 2 beekeepers there with 9 colonies between... Went with some bee buddies to meet the Bee Inspector to watch him go through Lambeth Palace colonies. 2 beekeepers there with 9 colonies between them. The beek's hives that had been less assiduously managed for varroa, had sac brood and wax worm as well as many perforated cappings and stunted wing bees. I hadn't really thought about the fact that where apiary sites are shared then if one beek has varroa, or worse, then everyone is at risk.

Lunch and beek talk, then inspector inspected stalwart's bees, and then mine. Good news. No evidence of disease or significant varroa in our colonies.

Cleared supers off my smaller colony and put Apiguard on. Big colony still no eggs and no sign of the queen. They were exceedingly ill tempered, stinging and following. One queen cell - queen had emerged. Now numerous others too and still very many bees. Inspector suggested I could make a nuc. Clearer board on.

Got one of daughters to mash up the comb and another to put bits of cut comb in boxes.

Inspector said he wouldn't want bees like mine in his garden. (Big hive were extra nippy today, they even followed us through the house and out the other side to his car on the street) The bees from the New Zealand queens, that I saw at Lambeth Palace were exceedingly gentle. Apparently if you order them at Christmas, they are here in April. Am very tempted! ]]> Karin http://www.britishbee.org.uk/forum/blog.php?b=115 http://www.britishbee.org.uk/forum/blog.php?b=113 Fri, 15 Aug 2008 12:24:41 GMT Fri 15th Aug. Left hive. Saw the Queen.:) 12 frames of brood. Top super 3/4. 2nd 1/4. Right Hive. Fri 15th Aug.

Left hive.
Saw the Queen.:)
12 frames of brood.
Top super 3/4.
2nd 1/4.


Right Hive.
16 frames of brood.
Removed 4 play cups.
Top super full.
2nd 3/4. ]]> Mosquito http://www.britishbee.org.uk/forum/blog.php?b=113 http://www.britishbee.org.uk/forum/blog.php?b=111 Wed, 13 Aug 2008 21:57:00 GMT 13lbs from last mini extraction. Gave a jar to my friend who was over the moon. Clearer board on again for a few more frames that are ready. Hive... 13lbs from last mini extraction. Gave a jar to my friend who was over the moon.

Clearer board on again for a few more frames that are ready. Hive one still quite vicious- new queen should emerge this weekend, after which they should chillax.

Neighbours who are frightened of the bees have not been around for about a month, so when they get back they will see my new hives with the inspirational/fun messages for them and their children. ]]> Karin http://www.britishbee.org.uk/forum/blog.php?b=111 http://www.britishbee.org.uk/forum/blog.php?b=110 Wed, 13 Aug 2008 21:06:02 GMT Wed 13th Aug. Filtered both buckets And bottled. Got 57 1/2 Jars of honey.:D Wed 13th Aug.

Filtered both buckets And bottled.
Got 57 1/2 Jars of honey.:D ]]> Mosquito http://www.britishbee.org.uk/forum/blog.php?b=110 http://www.britishbee.org.uk/forum/blog.php?b=109 Mon, 11 Aug 2008 12:24:03 GMT 10/08/2008 Bee inspection...amongst the cherries, (yummy!) and earwigs (..not yummy). We have 4 hives in the cherry orchard, and all of them had... 10/08/2008
Bee inspection...amongst the cherries, (yummy!) and earwigs (..not yummy).
We have 4 hives in the cherry orchard, and all of them had millions of Earwigs in the lids and crownboards. The bees werent defending against them, wonder if this is normal.
However, there were a tribe of wasps, chancing their arms. Buggers! Two of the colonies arent particularly big, and have a bit of a time defending. So, hubby helped out, and blow-torched a couple.

Hive one, brood and stores, queen seen. Cant believe how placid they were, I really am toying with the idea of no gloves next time. No bombarding, just gentle, gorgeous bees. I love them, and told them so.
Hive two. The stongest colony we have - again, gentle and placid. Queen seen, loads of eggs, and stores. Blew them kisses, and killed a wasp.
Hive three OHMYGOD as soon as they were opened they were there! Bombarded, stinging, all over my veil - had to take a bit of a walk to deter them. How can they be so different? I told them that I loved them anyway, despite their behaviour, and that they should be used to us by now. Queen seen, not much brood though. Did watch a bee emerge, soooo pleased!
Hive four. Queen seen, very little brood. Workers coming home with bright orangey-yellow pollen. Not bitey bess, but not especially calm. Earwigs everywhere. And wasps.
Wonder if the intruders are making these colonies a bit edgy? Would squished wasp encourage the bees to attack me? Hmm, worth thinking about.

All in all, my bees are lovely, and I told them so. :D ]]> Citrine http://www.britishbee.org.uk/forum/blog.php?b=109 http://www.britishbee.org.uk/forum/blog.php?b=108 Sun, 10 Aug 2008 23:53:55 GMT No eggs and bees very, very aggressive today in hive with the last of my expensive 2008 Italian queens. Have posted in a thread asking for advice. ... No eggs and bees very, very aggressive today in hive with the last of my expensive 2008 Italian queens. Have posted in a thread asking for advice.

Struggling to get the honey up to the 80% capped level. Tried putting in extra crown board with open vents and putting a super above it on one hive, in the hope they might empty the open cells and put that nectar in the brood body, leaving me with only sealed stores which I can then harvest.

LBKA meeting today. Only 2 men and the rest of us women. We are organising a girls trip to vist the Fortnum and Mason apiary. Then cocktails afterwards.

Abeek-to-be came to look at my bees afterwards and one colony was really nasty! She was surprised I did not squeal about being stung so much. They got inside my veil and have been stung adjacent to the big artery that runs up the side of your neck and in the hair - mean girls! Hope it did not put her off!

Having fantastic fun making up the boxes and painting them with inspirational messages - the children thought ' MY MILKSHAKE BRINGS ALL THE BOYS TO THE YARD' had to go on, so it has, as well as "Burn baby Burn, Disco Inferno". Not sure these will have the calming effects on the neighbours and visitors I hoped for, but they are fun. ]]> Karin http://www.britishbee.org.uk/forum/blog.php?b=108 http://www.britishbee.org.uk/forum/blog.php?b=107 Sat, 09 Aug 2008 23:24:17 GMT Sat 9th Aug. Extracted the 2 supers today. Got around 60 lb Honey.:D Sat 9th Aug.

Extracted the 2 supers today.
Got around 60 lb Honey.:D ]]> Mosquito http://www.britishbee.org.uk/forum/blog.php?b=107 http://www.britishbee.org.uk/forum/blog.php?b=106 Sat, 09 Aug 2008 21:03:47 GMT Bumped into the Dulwich beekeeper whilst out running yesterday. He has made a great tool/toy to collect a swarm. It holds a frame of fresh brood... Bumped into the Dulwich beekeeper whilst out running yesterday. He has made a great tool/toy to collect a swarm. It holds a frame of fresh brood on a telescopic stick. He gave me some of his honey which tastes much woodier than mine even though he is only about 2 miles away.

Also went to beeshop in Kent and spent loads of money on wooden hives. Then attempted to construct them yesterday and today. Easier said than done. Thought I had mastered hammering a nail in straight practising on the frames. Despite this kept hammering my thumb and finger. Husband replaced the ice pick I was using with a proper hammer and showed me how to use his electric screwdriver. Bought some screws. Got on a bit better after that, but not absolutely confident they are 100% square. Got 2 boxes in a strange brace at the moment to make them more square. Am having fun painting them.

Went to see stalwart's bees to watch him in action. His bees really hate smoke.

EFB confirmed in apiary about 5 miles away:(:eek: ]]> Karin http://www.britishbee.org.uk/forum/blog.php?b=106 http://www.britishbee.org.uk/forum/blog.php?b=105 Fri, 08 Aug 2008 17:21:06 GMT Just a quick update bees are doing fine drawing out frames and building to a nice large colony plenty of brood capped and some honey so far so good... Just a quick update bees are doing fine drawing out frames and building to a nice large colony plenty of brood capped and some honey so far so good not been stung yet.
As for the Russian bees info I now have suggests they are slow to build up in spring and start late which suggest with our summers they may not be suitable for our climate any comments or experience with these bees anyone :):):) ]]> OLD TED http://www.britishbee.org.uk/forum/blog.php?b=105 http://www.britishbee.org.uk/forum/blog.php?b=104 Thu, 07 Aug 2008 14:13:24 GMT Thu 7th Aug. Left hive. 10 frames of brood. Top super 3/4. 2nd 1/4. Right Hive. 15 frames of brood. Thu 7th Aug.

Left hive.
10 frames of brood.
Top super 3/4.
2nd 1/4.


Right Hive.
15 frames of brood.
Removed 6 play cups.
Top super full.
2nd full.
Put C/B on.:D
3rd 3/4.
4th 1/2.

Got stung today.:(
1st time this year.:p ]]> Mosquito http://www.britishbee.org.uk/forum/blog.php?b=104 http://www.britishbee.org.uk/forum/blog.php?b=103 Wed, 06 Aug 2008 22:58:44 GMT Bees had not obliged and lots of the frames were borderline... about 70 - 80 % capped, so only ended up doing 4 frames. I desperately need the space... Bees had not obliged and lots of the frames were borderline... about 70 - 80 % capped, so only ended up doing 4 frames. I desperately need the space as can't get supers and they are getting grumpier again.

Bees very cross due to lightening and it beginning to get dark. Got stung through beesuit quite a lot.

Stalwart and one of my friends helped, but still managed to make quite a sticky mess. We'll see how much I get. It is straining through a pillow case as I write as we got in a pickle with the extractor. ]]> Karin http://www.britishbee.org.uk/forum/blog.php?b=103