Author: DrBeekeeper

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The hive has been mouse-proofed!

Last week I ordered a mouseguard for the hive to prevent mice from finding a cosy home inside my hive this winter. I went out yesterday to fit it – a thin piece of metal with bee size holes which go in front of the hive entrance. Feeling lazy, I thought I could get away without my bee suit. That was a mistake as interfering with the front of the hive upset the bees and although it was cold a large number came out to defend the hive. So I had to retreat and suit up properly. After fitting the mouse guard I somehow managed to bring a few bees back home!!

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The Ashforth Feeder has been a nightmare…

Mould on the underside of the Ashforth feeder

Inspected the hive in preparation for the winter.  Can’t believe how many problems the Ashforth feeder has caused.  First there were the ants, then there the earwigs – saw one today as well.  The bees don’t seem to have taken much of the feed anyway.  On the inspection today, I noticed some mould inside the feeder and when I removed it there was grey powdery mould underneath the feeder so I removed it.  The super was still empty so have removed this from the hive as well as it will make it harder for the bees to keep themselves warm.  In the broodbox the bees looked quite happy – but the frames were completely stuck so I didn’t do a proper inspection.  The next task is to get a mouseguard to protect the hive from bees and also some mesh to put around the hive to protect it from woodpeckers!

 

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Winter is approaching…

The bees seem so much less active now that the weather has cooled down in London.  I hardly see them now buzzing around the garden.  I guess they’re happier keeping themselves inside the hive.  The key tasks at this time of the year is to rearrange the hive.  For some reason, it’s recommended that the super (a box which is placed on top of the brood box usually) is placed underneath the brood box.  Also, they say you should get a mouse guard to prevent them inhabiting the cosy environment of the hive!  It’s been a bit busy on the wards recently but as soon as I get time I’ll get the hive ready for winter.

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Honey stores ready for winter (hopefully!)

The honey stores in the frames are looking very good and the frames are quite heavy now when lifted to examine.  Of the 10 frames in the brood chamber, I’d say 8 are full of honey so I’m hoping this will be enough to keep the bees alive during the winter.  Slight problem with ear wigs today – there were several near the feeder – fortunately these were easily cleared.

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Collected 246 jars today…(even before I have any honey!)

Apparently beekeepers buy their jars in Autumn – the essex beekeepers did a bulk buy so I collected my order of 246 0.5lb jars today from a Turkey Farm in Stock in preparation for a potential honey harvest.  I met Giles there (EBKA member), an experienced beekeeper, who told me that this has been the worst year for beekeeping in all his years because the weather has been bad for the bees.  Also told me that he has had to feed the bees otherwise they won’t survive the winter.  It’s funny because my mum keeps telling me not to!