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Re: What have you done today bee-related?

PostPosted:17 Nov 2019, 12:11
by Alfred
Image
Cleaning up some kit
Wasps were chewing this feeder(I can't remember being that sloppy with the syrup?)
I stopped most of them by liberal slapping on of vaseline but they're 10mm in at some points.
Six legged woodpeckers.
I might do a u turn on my "not bloody painting my hives " policy

https://ibb.co/7Qj0ZfN

Re: What have you done today bee-related?

PostPosted:18 Nov 2019, 16:01
by Patrick
Had a lovely day here so went up at lunchtime to check some bees.

Noticed they have all now started to chuck out serious numbers of naturally expiring summer bees in front of the hive. In many cases these are being munched up by local wildlife so it looks a bit grisly out front but nothing to be too concerned about, normally they would die off in the field but as they are more confined to barracks now it is up to the house bees to clear them out. As someone pointed out once, if they are being born at a thousand a day then they will sooner or later naturally perish in the same numbers. Still catches me slightly aback the first time I notice it though..

Worth keeping an eye on any mouse excluders fitted to ensure they do not get jammed with dead bees.

Re: What have you done today bee-related?

PostPosted:19 Nov 2019, 02:23
by MickBBKA
Killed 3 queen wasps hibernating under roofs of 3 hives. Its a bit strange this year as I also have wasps still scrounging around hives and flying off with expelled summer bees, which sort of indicates the wasps still have brood to feed I think.

Re: What have you done today bee-related?

PostPosted:27 Nov 2019, 13:08
by Japey Edge
Patrick wrote:
14 Nov 2019, 15:57
I have DN5’s (which for anybody wondering) is the same standard BS frame as a National DN4 just with a marginally wider top bar. I have them on at least one Commercial and a National I think.

There is not a lot of brace comb I have observed on either to be fair. They are more expensive for only a tad more wood. Apart from that can’t say I feel hugely disadvantaged by most of my colonies being on slightly narrower DN4 top bars, so not sure others missing out by not using them.
Just reviving this one as I have seen bee-equipment are doing 10 x assembled DN4 with foundation for £19.89 which is much cheaper than what I paid for flat frames and foundation separate last time.
As I have mostly DN5s does anyone see a problem with me mixing and matching both DN4 and DN5? I won't deliberately be switching them about, but as time goes on and various manoeuvres are required, they'll no doubt be mixed up.

Re: What have you done today bee-related?

PostPosted:27 Nov 2019, 16:14
by Patrick
As both frames are spaced by Hoffman side bars the foundation comb “rib” width between frames should start out the same. Obviously once drawn out the final comb face should also be identical width apart if your bees are very well mannered😁.

The slightly different gaps between top bars? Not an issue either.

It’s when you start to mix combs drawn out on different side bar or plastic end configurations you need to keep your eyes open.

Re: What have you done today bee-related?

PostPosted:30 Nov 2019, 17:42
by Japey Edge
Thanks for that Patrick, I think as time goes on my apiary will be seeing many a different width top bar. If that's only an OCD issue I can probably put up with it :lol:

Re: What have you done today bee-related?

PostPosted:01 Dec 2019, 10:09
by Alfred
Japey Edge wrote:
27 Nov 2019, 13:08


Just reviving this one as I have seen bee-equipment are doing 10 x assembled DN4 with foundation for £19.89 which is much cheaper than what I paid for flat frames and foundation separate last time.
As I have mostly DN5s does anyone see a problem with me mixing and matching both DN4 and DN5? I won't deliberately be switching them about, but as time goes on and various manoeuvres are required, they'll no doubt be mixed up.
Bee Equipment are certainly having a big push at the moment-I had a boxful of stuff from their sale earlier in the year.
As far as quality,I would describe the deal as ..well ..I got what I paid for.
Im lucky enough to be not that far from Maisemores so I can get a pack of second DN4 post free that work out at 55p each-the bees report no quality issues aside from a few knots.
I've learned not to buy foundation through the post so I get it with the frames while Im there.Its on price par with vitually everywhere else,so overall its cheaper than the bee equipment deal...

Re: What have you done today bee-related?

PostPosted:01 Dec 2019, 11:37
by AdamD
The idea of DN5's is that there is supposed to less brace comb between them which I haven't really noticed so I go for the cheaper DN4's. The added strength of the wider DN5 bars is unnecessary as it's the lugs that break off every time. Same for 14 x 12's which are only available with wide top bars. You DO get comb built on the outside frames with wide top bars - between the frame and the side wall.

Re: What have you done today bee-related?

PostPosted:01 Dec 2019, 11:40
by AdamD
[/quote]
Bee Equipment are certainly having a big push at the moment-
[/quote]

Worryingly perhaps, Bee Equipment will be selling Italian bees (Bees FROM Italy) which is a bit concerning. How close are these bees to the Small Haive Beetle infestation I wonder?

Re: What have you done today bee-related?

PostPosted:05 Dec 2019, 01:59
by MickBBKA
AdamD wrote:
01 Dec 2019, 11:40
Bee Equipment are certainly having a big push at the moment-
[/quote]

Worryingly perhaps, Bee Equipment will be selling Italian bees (Bees FROM Italy) which is a bit concerning. How close are these bees to the Small Haive Beetle infestation I wonder?
[/quote]

I wonder why keepers feel the need to import rather than improve their own bees. Several colonies of my locals have produced well in excess of 100lbs this year with some over 150lbs in a season that had a crap June and August.
Its a bit ironic that folks wanting to promote UK honey are doing it with foreign bees.

Cheers, Mick.