I went to check on two of my out apiaries today, upon arrival at the first site, I went to light my smoker......... Ah! I had forgotten to bring any smoker fuel - oops! Good job my bees are docile, so I carried out my inspections without smoke. One of the hives, which I found … Continue reading No smoke without fuel
I had a very busy day today, expanding my home apiary, making splits and introducing new queens. I also had a friend drop round with three virgin queens for me to put into my queen bank as the next three or four days are forecast for rain and thunder storms. I built a new stand … Continue reading Expanding
Today, I went over to one of my apiaries at Lytchett Minster and made a walk away split from one of the very strong hives there, in order to prevent it from swarming. I was able to take away 4 brood frames and a frame of stores, still leaving the original hive in a strong … Continue reading Walk away split
I went over to my Lytchett Matravers Apiary this morning to split a double brood National hive to make two hives. This is quite straightforwards; Put a new stand and floor to one side, over a metre away from the existing hive remove the roof and crown board from the existing hive, place the roof … Continue reading Splits and Queens
I had a very busy day today, 9 hours spent doing beekeeping. I did an inspection on the new apiary at Lytchett Minster, and am happy to report that the queens are going great guns, with wall to wall brood on 9 frames already, so supers added. I also set up a new apiary, again … Continue reading A busy (BUZZY) day
I set up a new out-apiary at Lytchett Minster today, I think I melted into my suit it was so warm. The bees were so placid it was amazing, despite having been closed up for almost a day, transported in a car and then moved from nucs into hives - they seem to have a … Continue reading New out-apiary
East Dorset Beekeepers Association (EDBKA) ran an outdoor practical training session at the association's apiary today, for new and aspiring beekeepers, and for members who are taking the British Beekeepers Association (BBKA) basic assessment this year. Mark White, Chris Williams and myself lead the new-bee groups on opening and inspecting hives. There was also a … Continue reading EDBKA Practical Training
When you travel to one of your out-apiaries expecting to be disappointed, and you find this - Plenty of brood in all stages, capped honey and stacks of very busy bees.
I was kindly offered space in somebody's garden for a couple of beehives - they sent me this picture of the area prepped with slabs and a nice double hive stand they built for the hives to go on. Pretty smart hey!
Setting up new hives from over-wintered nucs