Boo Hoo, rain stopped play! :(

Boo Hoo, it rained first thing Sunday morning and bees don't like rain so no practical beekeeping course, you can't believe my disappointment.

And to cap it all was going to watch Aman play cricket on Sunday afternoon, but he picked up an injury so no cricket either!!!

But did give plenty of thinking time and decided that I do need a bigger brood box, so before those bees arrive I need to order an Eke and extension for the brood frames I have, seems like the most cost effective way forward.

Did also see another website where you can bid for bees, was very tempted to set up another hive at top end of the family garden, would have to fence it off, Bud may be too curious!

For thirsty bees, my Bee Bar :)

Bees don't just need to collect necter and pollen, they need water too. This allows them to regulate the temperature of the hive, well I think it does:).

So thought I would make a small supply available nearby for them.

Looks almost artistic, must bee the "armfield" genes making a brief appearance:)


PS-Did I mention that I have kept bonsai since 1984? No? OK that's another story:)
PPS-Stones care of Selsey.
PPPS-Water container care of local garden centre:)
PPPPS-Water care of my water butt! Well that is until it stops raining, but hey it is England so shouldn't bee a problem:)

Week 9 Practical Beekeeping

WOW and double WOW, I'm hooked! I can remember Mike from BeesnBeans, (link above), saying that we would never be satisfied with one colony! When can I give up the day job and live with the bees?:)

There is something strangely addictive just standing by a hive with bees flying all around you, the noise is kind of calming and even wierder, (is there such a word!), I felt really safe. and relaxed.

Initially Mike wanted to Queen up three Nucs with Queens that he had just received in the post from Bickerstaffs, they come on small plastic perforated boxes and have 5 worker bees to keep them company which have to be removed and discarded.

Then it was time to open up the hives for real, the ladies in the course had a real knack for spotting the Queen, six colonies on I did manage to spot a Queen by myself eventually!

What really amazed me was how heavy a frame was that was full of honey, a full frame can supply 6lbs of honey but you would never have guessed it just looking at it, two full supers are going to be seriously heavy!

At the end we had to brush the bees off each other, so what happens when you are working alone, I think this will be the stage when I get stung!

A few random photos from the day, the photos don't really do justice to the number of bees airbourne when the hive is open, I'm beginning to wonder if my chosen location is such a good idea, but the neighbours seem keen so what the hell lets go for it:)

Garlic and Perfume

Not long now until my 1st practical, I've been staying clear of garlic (bees done like it) and not much chance of wearing perfume (bees don't like this either) so should be safe from a bunch of angry bees.
Not sure that last post worked, didn't seem to notify anybody that I had posted something new:(
Another bee fact, this one is for those of us that like candles, not that we ever burn beeswax candles these days? To make an ounce of beeswax bees need to consume a pound of honey, to produce a pound of honey they have to visit 2 million flowers flying a total distane of 55,000 miles!
Wow, wish I could claim their "Air Miles"

Test blog

Hi, just a quick test blog to see if it notifies people when I have posted a new blog:)

Practical this weekend :)

First practical as part of course this weekend, looking forward to opening a hive, bets on how many stings I get. Wish I had my bees, the weather is so nice, it would be nice to see active bees and the flowers don't seem to be that popular with other local bees.

Bumble Bees

OK, I getting impatient for my bees so thought I would look at Bumble Bees in the short term.

1st up having investigated Bumble Bee nest boxes on Google it seems to buy one is a complete waste of time, there is only a 25% (at best) hit rate and to be honest it is getting a bit late to attract them! But never say never so how about this home brew nest box?


You can make this one yourself - all you need is a flowerpot and a bit of tube or pipe more than 18mm in diameter.
Sink an upturned 20cm diameter flower pot into the ground. Put a slate/ tile over the drainage holes to keep out rain. Run a hose or pipe underground to the pot, leaving a prominent entrance. Be sure to make drainage holes in the pipe.
Make a chicken-wire cradle for ventilation, and fill with a generous handful of nesting material.
PS nesting material can bee a handful of dry moss, upholsterer’s cotton, hair felt or hamster bedding from a pet shop.
PPS Have fun :)