Two of this years queens successfully mated and laying now, so I marked them today. Both colonies aught to do well, they are nice and strong, and in a good location.
Garden Hives
The garden hives are very busy now, and the split colonies are growing well. I still have 9 or 10 hives to fill, so am hoping to make a few more splits soon. I've been very busy making new hives and the frames to go in them. I still have 4 supers to make and … Continue reading Garden Hives
Active Bees
The bees are lovely and active today, which is great to see. I have been making new hives all day yesterday and today as I have some new colonies of bees on the way, plus I need to make a few more splits. I have a few empty nucs which I can use, but I … Continue reading Active Bees
Bee Inspector
I'm happy to report a clean bill of health from the NBU bee inspector today, all hives at all four apiaries were checked by the bee inspector.
Population Explosion
I managed to get the inspections done on the hives in my garden today - all queens seen, all laying well and a fair few drones in the hives, especially the double brood hives. I have one weak hive, on about 6 frames, but there is a lot of sealed brood so numbers will pick … Continue reading Population Explosion
Start of a new season
I did the first proper inspection of the year today, checking all the hives in my garden. All were lovely and strong, plenty of bees and brood, but one was a bit low on stores, so I will have to keep my eye on that one. I moved the overwintered nucs into hives for them … Continue reading Start of a new season
Spending Money made from honey
Today was the day to collect the new beekeeping equipment I had pre-ordered from E.H Thorne's open day at Stockbridge in Hampshire, it's an hour and a half drive up, but it was a lovely day for it. It was nice to meet several members of the local beekeeping association there too - and the … Continue reading Spending Money made from honey
New Queen, New Palace
I moved the nucleus colony with my new breeder queen into a full-sized hive today, it was too hot to wear a bee suit or jacket, so I wore just a hat and face veil. I'm pleased to say that even though my smoker was lit, and on standby, I did not have to use … Continue reading New Queen, New Palace