My plan for today was to do a quick inspection and insert clearer boards, plus merge two colonies at my Lytchett Matravers hives - however it turned out to be a much bigger job. Hive 3 was fine, saw the Queen, brood in all stages and stores in the brood box. Due to the weather … Continue reading Plans…
Asian Hornet
The National Bee Unit has confirmed a sighting of the Asian hornet at an apiary near Woolacombe in Devon. The Asian hornet is smaller than our native hornet and poses no greater risk to human health than a bee. However, they do pose a risk to honey bees. This is the first confirmed sighting since … Continue reading Asian Hornet
If it was Easy…
What is up with Queens this year? - my strongest colony has now gone Queenless, it has plenty of bees, plenty of stores and capped honey in the super, but is full of drone cells - I'm at a loss as to why the Queens are dying off (or being killed). So, Hive 1 = … Continue reading If it was Easy…
New Bees
Some new bees emerging
Lytchett
Checked the bees at Lytchett today, one hive still Queenless - they did not accept new introduced Queen, or bring on their own from frames of eggs. I have decided to leave the supers on a bit longer to see if they will cap off a few more frames. Looks like I'll be going from … Continue reading Lytchett
Inspection
Hives done today, No.1 hive is doing ok, especially as I lost a swarm from it earlier in the season. There are about seven frames of honey I can take, which although not much, is more than I expected from it. No. 2 hive has had it due to being Queenless for most of the … Continue reading Inspection
