Spruce's honey bees

popped down to see the bees outside of hive not in yet I need a warm day in April not before, this is were new beekeepers go wrong and open up to early , stress them out and chill the brood .

So not many out flying today but enough to keep me happy , gave the hives a "heft" still nice and heavy.

 

Glad things are ticking over nicely....positive signs that everything is ok.

 

Fern , yes

 

14th April update

Hi all,

Both hives had a full inspection, in the glorious weather we had on Sunday.
Hive one full to bursting with bees and I have put the Queen Excluder on and a super with already drawn out wax/comb from last year to give them more space , hive two only covering 3 frames out of ten , but had eggs and larvae , so a slow starter it done the same last spring, so both survived the winter which I am really pleased about.
So its all looking good, still thinking of expanding to 4 and have all the equipment ready at hand, so I will make increases from the 1 hive I have probably May June time and buy two new Queens in from Devon so no imports from Europe, or I will try and catch a swarm if possible, and I have a bait box at the bottom of my garden if any swarms are looking for a new home, with all the mild weather we have had , I should imagine swarms will be starting early if they haven't done so already over the weekend, if any one spots one get in touch with your local beekeeping society, normally no charge or may ask for a donation towards petrol and at least you know they will be going to a beekeeper not like a lot of the pest control companies that kill them saying they have disease just by looking at them which is a load of twaddle they are just after ££££ .

Spruce

 

Sounds like bumble bees

 

dont forget you bee fans , Martha is on tonight at 8.00pm BBC4

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p01t6p94


ps checked both of mine today and both are looking really good

 

thanks for reminding me - put the timer on for 8 o'clock,
Jenny

 

Thanks!

 

So, a new pad treatment for verroa mite, a new Buckfast Abbey Queen and the old grumpy Queen that breeds bad tempered bees that produce extra honey is on REPRIEVE...
lovely programme...
Jenny

 

Gives us all more insight, I am not rushing on the new treatment Jen I will see what the feedback is this year , as I have heard mixed reports so will stick to what I have been using

 

Honey Fudge.

2 oz butter.
2 tablespoons honey.
4 tablespoons water.
1 lb granulated sugar.
8 tablespoons condensed milk.

Place all the ingredients into a heavy pan and stir over a low heat until the sugar has dissolved. Bring to a boil and for about 10 minutes until a little of the mixture dropped into cold water forms a soft ball when rolled between finger and thumb (238 F/114 C on a sugar thermometer). Leave to cool until just warm. Beat well until the mixture becomes thick and creamy and pour at once into a buttered, flat tin. Cut into squares when set.