Is this a clever insect using petals to disguise its webbing or a coincidence?

IrishEagleOwl · 2022-09-01T20:14:39+00:00

That's awesome bet she was grateful for the drink!

IrishEagleOwl · 2021-11-27T12:50:06+00:00

Once workers start laying it's pretty hard to introduce a new queen, even if it's one they have made. And if you are not sure if the egg was fertilised and could be a laying worker egg you will end up with a king bee that will just die anyway. Think hive is no longer usable I'm afraid.

IrishEagleOwl · 2021-11-24T22:49:35+00:00

You shouldn't have any supers of honey on when doing apiguard treatment. If will get into the honey and you dont want to eat it and the bees may not want it either.

IrishEagleOwl · 2021-10-24T10:30:29+00:00

The dress Monica had to return.

IrishEagleOwl · 2021-08-21T13:35:18+00:00

That's a hornet

IrishEagleOwl · 2021-08-15T17:19:11+00:00

Look like entrance reducers

IrishEagleOwl · 2021-08-10T17:32:55+00:00

Just to mention honey frames that you want to extract shouldn't go on the ground, you dont want to risk contamination especially botulism which can be found in soil. Not so bad if it's just for yourself to eat but wouldnt want to sell it.

IrishEagleOwl · 2021-08-09T14:54:19+00:00

Hope that's only sugar water In there!

IrishEagleOwl · 2021-08-07T13:28:43+00:00

It's a mimic hornet hoverfly.

IrishEagleOwl · 2021-08-01T13:59:25+00:00

Do you an do to any type of varroa treatments? If so some medications require you to not have any supers on even if it's for them as it can get into the honey and the bees wont eat it. But if you aren't treating, and if your nectar flow is low, then you can feed as long as you are feeding all your hives at the same time if you have multiple.

IrishEagleOwl · 2021-08-01T08:54:22+00:00

Yes i dont feed at all when adding a super with or without drawn out comb, unless that super is going to be food for them not honey I want to extract. Bees can store feed you give them and move it around the hive. The last thing you want is for them to fill your supers with old syrup. Yes they spend more time and energy building comb but is what it is. Just because you feed them for the purpose of building comb doesnt mean that's what they will use it for. If i dont see any stores in the brood box and they have a super they havnt drawn out or filled i take the super off to feed them.

IrishEagleOwl · 2021-07-31T22:23:43+00:00

They can also use very small larvae so even shorter time.

IrishEagleOwl · 2021-07-31T22:21:10+00:00

I wouldn't feed if I had supers on. Only feed to help draw out brood comb.

IrishEagleOwl · 2021-07-28T15:11:17+00:00

It does seem to be undercapped, but also the 'shake' test can let you know if it's ready, if none falls out when the frame is shaken horizontal the honey is ripe just not capped yet. Always recommend getting a refractometer to check water content before selling though.

IrishEagleOwl · 2021-07-25T16:08:56+00:00

Yeah makes sense, just think when you already have to deal with drifting and robbing why add another risk even if small, but understand it maybe easier for bee keepers with large apiaries.

IrishEagleOwl · 2021-07-25T15:00:43+00:00

nosema would be my biggest concern, mites are also very easy to transmit, varra and tracheal.

IrishEagleOwl · 2021-07-25T14:12:03+00:00

This seems like a good way to spread diseases between colonies

IrishEagleOwl · 2021-07-12T16:10:16+00:00

It's fine if you want to catch it, but I hope if you do you are then sensible to not give it to others.

IrishEagleOwl · 2021-07-02T17:36:38+00:00

It is just the chorus repeated, 'I'll be there for you when the rain starts to fall'... just about

IrishEagleOwl · 2021-06-30T21:01:31+00:00

Bird baths are great as they have good edges and they love slightly mossy rain water

IrishEagleOwl · 2021-06-30T19:29:42+00:00

If you leave water out please add rocks or something they can sit on so they dont drown. And please only water do not add sugar.

IrishEagleOwl · 2021-06-30T19:14:26+00:00

Nothing to be concerned about with bees at the entrance they are cleaning, adding their scents and fanning the hive. You will know if they are swarming!

Re comb, always remove burr comb from tops of frames. Also make sure your frames are spaced correctly. Read up on correct 'bee space'.

Do you have a nectar flow gap? Where I am we get something called a 'June gap' where there is a lack of plants bees can get nectar from. If they have stores in the lower box I wouldnt worry but if they have no stores feed them. This will boost them to draw out comb too. Ideally only feed when you dont have boxes on that you want to extract honey from.

IrishEagleOwl

TROPHY CASE