Cleaning all the kit ready for extraction - 10 supers to extract already, honey tank and extractor drying off after being rinsed (they were thoroughly cleaned before being put away). Uncapping tray and buckets ready - I pour the honey from the buckets into the honey tank, so I only need a few buckets for … Continue reading Time to Make Honey
Melo Bees
This hive was made up from a nuc supplied by Melo Bees two weeks ago, doing very well and filling a super - very happy with these bees.
Free Bees!
In the last couple of weeks I have seen two swarms fly over my house, today while working in the garden, I heard that distinctive sound of a swarm approaching, and they seemed to be settling in the trees behind my house. I nipped out the back gate and saw them landing in a scrub … Continue reading Free Bees!
This Year’s Queens
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
Two new hives placed at an out apiary today, I have 8 more new hives that need bees - I'll be making a few more splits to fill them, so not expecting much in the way of a honey crop this year. I guesstimate that I have about 100lb of honey to extract at the … Continue reading
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