Really enjoyed that Chris, thanks, must have missed it when you posted it. Sadly lost my colonies last winter, which was a shock, as did many in my area in East Sussex, I think the colonies were all a bit too small and with hindsight should have amalgamated them. Beeless until July when a very large swarm arrived in my bait hive, they are now filling a National brood box, plus I did a split from this colony which has now got a mated Buckfast (in a Paynes poly) Hoping to get both them both thru the winter. Look forward to your updates, keep enjoying the cakes, best wishes to you both. Peter
Hello Peter. Sorry to hear about your bees but I’m glad you are up and running again. We have been delinquent on the video front recently for all sorts of reasons but things will start again in November. All the best. Chris
Good video. 2 questions if I may, a) what's the significance of there being drones in the swarm?. B) as the queen isn't marked, how do you go about finding her and then marking her? Thanks for continuing advice.
No real significance with the drones. You often see them in a swarm. It’s just there we’re more than normal in this one. For spotting and marking the queen keep your eye out for part 2 in a few days.
Very good❤👍👍👍
OH! Are those David Austin Roses behind you Chris? i.e. beginning of episode.
The boss (Carol) tells me the rose is Shropshire Lad from David Austin Roses. It is useless for bees and so I had to enquire.
Really enjoyed that Chris, thanks, must have missed it when you posted it. Sadly lost my colonies last winter, which was a shock, as did many in my area in East Sussex, I think the colonies were all a bit too small and with hindsight should have amalgamated them. Beeless until July when a very large swarm arrived in my bait hive, they are now filling a National brood box, plus I did a split from this colony which has now got a mated Buckfast (in a Paynes poly) Hoping to get both them both thru the winter.
Look forward to your updates, keep enjoying the cakes, best wishes to you both. Peter
Hello Peter. Sorry to hear about your bees but I’m glad you are up and running again. We have been delinquent on the video front recently for all sorts of reasons but things will start again in November. All the best. Chris
In extreme cold weather I suggest a well insulated hive.
Cool technique!
Thanks
Good video. 2 questions if I may, a) what's the significance of there being drones in the swarm?. B) as the queen isn't marked, how do you go about finding her and then marking her? Thanks for continuing advice.
No real significance with the drones. You often see them in a swarm. It’s just there we’re more than normal in this one. For spotting and marking the queen keep your eye out for part 2 in a few days.
@@cotswoldbees you know the drones are going to follow the swarm if they want to eat.
If it is a caste with a virgin queen rather than a mated one in a swarm that may be an explanation.
Hello, I would like to work with bees in your country
Your best bet is to contact the Bee Farmers Association and they may be able to help.
Those are the dirtiest frames and hive I've seen, definitely need some cleaning. But a great catch 🐝🐝🐝
The box was completely sterilised with a blow torch before use and the frames had been used before but had also been sterilised.