I am now a Beekeeper!!
Discussion
Only scanned the posts BlueST but I agree with most of what is being said. It’s perfectly possible to have bees that won’t bother you unprovoked to within 1-2m of the hive I would say.
A new queen from someone who selects for temperament is the solution and has a very high chance of success.
Bees change queens every 1-2 years in general and each time there’s always a risk of the genetics changing as the new queens mate with the local riff-raff.
It’s late in the season - he needs to requeen within the next couple of weeks or in May…
Another option is to cull the queen and unite the rest of the colony with another hive. If it’s a weak but friendly one then that can be a win-win.
A new queen from someone who selects for temperament is the solution and has a very high chance of success.
Bees change queens every 1-2 years in general and each time there’s always a risk of the genetics changing as the new queens mate with the local riff-raff.
It’s late in the season - he needs to requeen within the next couple of weeks or in May…
Another option is to cull the queen and unite the rest of the colony with another hive. If it’s a weak but friendly one then that can be a win-win.
Hopefully everyone’s bees made it through the winter.
We took advantage in it being warm/calm enough yesterday to do a full inspection and it seems like the warm spell a couple of weeks ago (when we confirmed they were all still there) has really got them going. Was planning on running a couple of splits this year and looks like we’ll be able to that very soon. If you haven’t looked yet, wouldn’t leave it much longer!
First time overwintering one as brood + half, and that’s powered through winter. Based on an unscientific sample size of one, I think we’re going to try a couple more like this.
We took advantage in it being warm/calm enough yesterday to do a full inspection and it seems like the warm spell a couple of weeks ago (when we confirmed they were all still there) has really got them going. Was planning on running a couple of splits this year and looks like we’ll be able to that very soon. If you haven’t looked yet, wouldn’t leave it much longer!
First time overwintering one as brood + half, and that’s powered through winter. Based on an unscientific sample size of one, I think we’re going to try a couple more like this.
We're away this week so had a look last Tuesday. Both hives going well, one was very full so we added a super to go brood and a half.
Mrs Bill got stung the weekend before while she was gardening nearish to the hives. I think it got tangled in the back of her hair when she panicked as it was buzzing about, but she did admit she ignored a couple of warnings!
Mrs Bill got stung the weekend before while she was gardening nearish to the hives. I think it got tangled in the back of her hair when she panicked as it was buzzing about, but she did admit she ignored a couple of warnings!
We would definitely have been adding supers if we weren’t planning to split, but took the one we’re not splitting up to B+1/2. Do sometimes wonder about deeper brood boxes but don’t much fancy having a mixture.
One of our dogs got his annual reminder that bees are neither friends nor food! He will forget again over the course of next winter when he hasn’t seen any for a while.
One of our dogs got his annual reminder that bees are neither friends nor food! He will forget again over the course of next winter when he hasn’t seen any for a while.
Suspect mine will do the same! 
Good news with the over wintering success guys. My three have also made it through. Yes three now thanks to buying a nearly new Flowhive2 (sames as my first) that came with a full colony - all for 500 quid which is an outright bargain. Last year as you may remember was full of early swarms that knocked back honey production but I did manage about 25 jars and still left the bees with full stores for winter. I've relied on their scales to monitor their weight and have hardly fed them at all and what i did feed them was only out of paranoia
I've been inside a few times to check on stores and also to fit roof insulation (I forgot to do it in the autumn). It was just as well as the temperature and humidity sensors were telling me all was not well, in fact they were showing that two hives were very close to the "dew point" which is not good!!
To do this I had to remove the syrup feeder and queen excluder then fit a crownboard and shim for fondant then insulation on top. Many people thought I was mad to do any sort of manipulation at that time of year and to leave them alone. But my view differ and you have to do what's best at the time. It was a lovely sunny day and bees were flying. I'd practised this in my head many times before I did it and had everything needed to hand (bit like a pit stop) and even with some stupid errors (I was a bag of nerves as you can see) managed to get it done in under three minutes. Think you'll agree they looked super healthy.........
I'll post the before and after graphs later that I think backs up the value of top insulation.
I've been inside a few times to check on stores and also to fit roof insulation (I forgot to do it in the autumn). It was just as well as the temperature and humidity sensors were telling me all was not well, in fact they were showing that two hives were very close to the "dew point" which is not good!!
To do this I had to remove the syrup feeder and queen excluder then fit a crownboard and shim for fondant then insulation on top. Many people thought I was mad to do any sort of manipulation at that time of year and to leave them alone. But my view differ and you have to do what's best at the time. It was a lovely sunny day and bees were flying. I'd practised this in my head many times before I did it and had everything needed to hand (bit like a pit stop) and even with some stupid errors (I was a bag of nerves as you can see) managed to get it done in under three minutes. Think you'll agree they looked super healthy.........
I'll post the before and after graphs later that I think backs up the value of top insulation.
Would be really interested in the before/after temp charts. We don't insulate our hives at home (nice sheltered locations) but did lose a couple in a colder location and I'm thinking of putting some more somewhere a bit more exposed next year (but probably in polyhives to make it easier for them).
They do look healthy, but feeding them isn't always paranoia. Ours each take down several kgs of fondant over winter (buy the large bakers blocks and split them down) which seems to get them through nicely.
At 25 jars off two hives, I think you must hold the record for the most expensive honey!
We've historically had about 100 jars per hive but a new radial extractor bought for our final extract did much less damage to the comb, which will mean less work for the bees, so I'm hoping that we'll get more this year.
They do look healthy, but feeding them isn't always paranoia. Ours each take down several kgs of fondant over winter (buy the large bakers blocks and split them down) which seems to get them through nicely.
At 25 jars off two hives, I think you must hold the record for the most expensive honey!
We've historically had about 100 jars per hive but a new radial extractor bought for our final extract did much less damage to the comb, which will mean less work for the bees, so I'm hoping that we'll get more this year.LooneyTunes said:
Would be really interested in the before/after temp charts. We don't insulate our hives at home (nice sheltered locations) but did lose a couple in a colder location and I'm thinking of putting some more somewhere a bit more exposed next year (but probably in polyhives to make it easier for them).
They do look healthy, but feeding them isn't always paranoia. Ours each take down several kgs of fondant over winter (buy the large bakers blocks and split them down) which seems to get them through nicely.
At 25 jars off two hives, I think you must hold the record for the most expensive honey! We've historically had about 100 jars per hive but a new radial extractor bought for our final extract did much less damage to the comb, which will mean less work for the bees, so I'm hoping that we'll get more this year.
The tongue in cheek "paranoia" is down to last years very early swarming which with a sprinkling of hindsight was possibly down to the early spring weather in conjunction with 'overfeeding' leading to lack of space for the queens to lay. The two Flowhives are on single brood and I'm determined to keep them that way (10 frame Langstroth so far more bee capacity then National hives). They went into winter this year weighing around 36kg and now weigh around 25kg so should be ok.....i'll find out this week probably when I inspect.They do look healthy, but feeding them isn't always paranoia. Ours each take down several kgs of fondant over winter (buy the large bakers blocks and split them down) which seems to get them through nicely.
At 25 jars off two hives, I think you must hold the record for the most expensive honey!
We've historically had about 100 jars per hive but a new radial extractor bought for our final extract did much less damage to the comb, which will mean less work for the bees, so I'm hoping that we'll get more this year.My plan this year? Well i do not want more than three hives in my garden and not interested in making splits to sell (quite happy to donate any to my local association as and well though) so i'm going to use Demeree method (regardless of swarm cells or not) to prevent them and in theory maintains honey production whilst still on single brood but that's for a separate post.
Here's the data as regards the insulated roof - all three hives followed the same pattern..............
Edit: the top numbers in the graph are today's status not January's
Edited by dickymint on Tuesday 12th April 18:58
That is indeed a really big jump with the insulation. How does it compare to their summer temperature?
When it comes to the number of hives, we’re expecting to end this year with 7-10 which should be enough. The problem is that it’s easy to just add another as the extra time isn’t really that significant for just one more… the bit that used to take the time was extract and jarring it all up but going from 3 frame manual to 20 frame electric extractor makes that much faster!
When it comes to the number of hives, we’re expecting to end this year with 7-10 which should be enough. The problem is that it’s easy to just add another as the extra time isn’t really that significant for just one more… the bit that used to take the time was extract and jarring it all up but going from 3 frame manual to 20 frame electric extractor makes that much faster!
LooneyTunes said:
That is indeed a really big jump with the insulation. How does it compare to their summer temperature?
When it comes to the number of hives, we’re expecting to end this year with 7-10 which should be enough. The problem is that it’s easy to just add another as the extra time isn’t really that significant for just one more… the bit that used to take the time was extract and jarring it all up but going from 3 frame manual to 20 frame electric extractor makes that much faster!
Same hive back in the summer.......When it comes to the number of hives, we’re expecting to end this year with 7-10 which should be enough. The problem is that it’s easy to just add another as the extra time isn’t really that significant for just one more… the bit that used to take the time was extract and jarring it all up but going from 3 frame manual to 20 frame electric extractor makes that much faster!
Insulation would have been off by then to allow other hive manipulations. Besides that in the active months they are more than capable of regulating heat and temperature to suit. Open brood and honey evaporation before capping means they have to do this, whereas in the winter they're in torpor and at greater risk.
As regards extraction - Wifey bought me a windy uppy one (didn't want it, bit like the WBC hive I didn't want, but a lovely gesture) Tried it for the first time and made a real mess of four frames. Speed really does matter
My hopes are on the Flowhives so just turn the key and out it plops. 
Nearly got there last year but took a gamble, left it too late and they got clogged up with crystallised Ivy 
Interesting to see how the insulation takes them much closer to summer temps. I’d expect probably be similar with the poly hives (we have a couple but not in regular use at the moment) so quite encouraging if we put any somewhere more exposed.
Never tried the flow hives, not against them but we do occasionally have OSR planted locally which (like the ivy) I could imagine would,present issues if you didn’t get it out early.
Never tried the flow hives, not against them but we do occasionally have OSR planted locally which (like the ivy) I could imagine would,present issues if you didn’t get it out early.
LooneyTunes said:
Interesting to see how the insulation takes them much closer to summer temps. I’d expect probably be similar with the poly hives (we have a couple but not in regular use at the moment) so quite encouraging if we put any somewhere more exposed.
Never tried the flow hives, not against them but we do occasionally have OSR planted locally which (like the ivy) I could imagine would,present issues if you didn’t get it out early.
Yes OSR is a big concern and can prevent the Flow Frames from opening with the key. Luckily for me there's none within the range of my hives but it has a very short flowering season anyway. Meanwhile these girls are piling on weight and their super will be going on this weekend. I also need to find and mark their queen in readiness for swarm prevention using Demeree method............Never tried the flow hives, not against them but we do occasionally have OSR planted locally which (like the ivy) I could imagine would,present issues if you didn’t get it out early.
The four green dots at the top of the graph indicate all is well inside based on Audio data - fingers crossed my first full inspection will confirm this!
Edited by dickymint on Friday 15th April 08:36
Spent lunchtime introducing queens to a couple of splits we did on Sunday and figured I’d have a quick look at all of them.
All of them are loading up far faster that we’ve ever seen. One that we decided not to split, but gave an extra 1/2 to, was almost fully drawn and loaded already. All the old hives now supered up and will be interesting to see how quickly they fill them.
If anyone’s still not checked their hives, it’s a job to get done sooner rather than later this year!
All of them are loading up far faster that we’ve ever seen. One that we decided not to split, but gave an extra 1/2 to, was almost fully drawn and loaded already. All the old hives now supered up and will be interesting to see how quickly they fill them.
If anyone’s still not checked their hives, it’s a job to get done sooner rather than later this year!
Finally did a full inspection of my strongest Flowhive on Friday to determine health,strength and queen status. Found the queen on the second frame (gutted that I'd forgotten to bring a marker pen and queen cage). Hive was rammed and found two charged but uncapped queen cells so I squished them knowing it would buy me a few days.
On Monday I was geared up and ready to do a Demaree Method swarm prevention. After eight agonising frame searches I finally found her! Without isolating the queen it would have been game over for a Demaree. So game on! Put queen in a new brood box on a single frame of mostly capped brood and nine new frames (no drawn out comb). Queen excluder on then Flow super above that. Then another full inspection of the brood frames, shaking all the bees off to destroy any other queen cells they had made and put on top of the super and closed up the hive.
Need to check again 5 to 6 days time and squish the next lot of emergency queen cells they're likely to make then recombine back to a single brood.
Video to follow
On Monday I was geared up and ready to do a Demaree Method swarm prevention. After eight agonising frame searches I finally found her! Without isolating the queen it would have been game over for a Demaree. So game on! Put queen in a new brood box on a single frame of mostly capped brood and nine new frames (no drawn out comb). Queen excluder on then Flow super above that. Then another full inspection of the brood frames, shaking all the bees off to destroy any other queen cells they had made and put on top of the super and closed up the hive.
Need to check again 5 to 6 days time and squish the next lot of emergency queen cells they're likely to make then recombine back to a single brood.
Video to follow
dickymint said:
Finally did a full inspection of my strongest Flowhive on Friday to determine health,strength and queen status. Found the queen on the second frame (gutted that I'd forgotten to bring a marker pen and queen cage). Hive was rammed and found two charged but uncapped queen cells so I squished them knowing it would buy me a few days.
On Monday I was geared up and ready to do a Demaree Method swarm prevention. After eight agonising frame searches I finally found her! Without isolating the queen it would have been game over for a Demaree. So game on! Put queen in a new brood box on a single frame of mostly capped brood and nine new frames (no drawn out comb). Queen excluder on then Flow super above that. Then another full inspection of the brood frames, shaking all the bees off to destroy any other queen cells they had made and put on top of the super and closed up the hive.
Need to check again 5 to 6 days time and squish the next lot of emergency queen cells they're likely to make then recombine back to a single brood.
Video to follow
Hi DickyOn Monday I was geared up and ready to do a Demaree Method swarm prevention. After eight agonising frame searches I finally found her! Without isolating the queen it would have been game over for a Demaree. So game on! Put queen in a new brood box on a single frame of mostly capped brood and nine new frames (no drawn out comb). Queen excluder on then Flow super above that. Then another full inspection of the brood frames, shaking all the bees off to destroy any other queen cells they had made and put on top of the super and closed up the hive.
Need to check again 5 to 6 days time and squish the next lot of emergency queen cells they're likely to make then recombine back to a single brood.
Video to follow
Sounds good, you’re a few weeks ahead of me (I hope!). Why do you want to recombine back to a single brood? I’d leave that box on the top to keep some of the young bees up top and leave all the space down below for the queen to lay up the full box, otherwise you’ll be back in swarm mode in no time.
Jambo85 said:
dickymint said:
Finally did a full inspection of my strongest Flowhive on Friday to determine health,strength and queen status. Found the queen on the second frame (gutted that I'd forgotten to bring a marker pen and queen cage). Hive was rammed and found two charged but uncapped queen cells so I squished them knowing it would buy me a few days.
On Monday I was geared up and ready to do a Demaree Method swarm prevention. After eight agonising frame searches I finally found her! Without isolating the queen it would have been game over for a Demaree. So game on! Put queen in a new brood box on a single frame of mostly capped brood and nine new frames (no drawn out comb). Queen excluder on then Flow super above that. Then another full inspection of the brood frames, shaking all the bees off to destroy any other queen cells they had made and put on top of the super and closed up the hive.
Need to check again 5 to 6 days time and squish the next lot of emergency queen cells they're likely to make then recombine back to a single brood.
Video to follow
Hi DickyOn Monday I was geared up and ready to do a Demaree Method swarm prevention. After eight agonising frame searches I finally found her! Without isolating the queen it would have been game over for a Demaree. So game on! Put queen in a new brood box on a single frame of mostly capped brood and nine new frames (no drawn out comb). Queen excluder on then Flow super above that. Then another full inspection of the brood frames, shaking all the bees off to destroy any other queen cells they had made and put on top of the super and closed up the hive.
Need to check again 5 to 6 days time and squish the next lot of emergency queen cells they're likely to make then recombine back to a single brood.
Video to follow
Sounds good, you’re a few weeks ahead of me (I hope!). Why do you want to recombine back to a single brood? I’d leave that box on the top to keep some of the young bees up top and leave all the space down below for the queen to lay up the full box, otherwise you’ll be back in swarm mode in no time.
Thing is, for the sake of my neighbours, I don't want more than the 3 hives i've already got in the garden and not interested in selling splits. I daresay I'll end up with a captured swarm or two but I can give those away to my local association for brownie points.
Here's the video of my endeavours warts and all....................
Edited by dickymint on Thursday 21st April 07:12
Some good news on the efficacy of the sensors and software I use in my hives in particular the audio sensor...............
Yellow warning alert lights showing and the status says "swarm in 21 days"
This is the hive that I did the Demaree manipulation to last week so it's expected that the queenless top brood box should be flat out making emergency queens. Proof enough to me as to the value of hive monitoring data.
Yellow warning alert lights showing and the status says "swarm in 21 days"
This is the hive that I did the Demaree manipulation to last week so it's expected that the queenless top brood box should be flat out making emergency queens. Proof enough to me as to the value of hive monitoring data.
Edited by dickymint on Friday 22 April 09:45
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