New kids on the block

I finally backed down and agreed to get more bees.  The new ones are called Carniolan (Carnis) bees.  There are lots of rumors on the boards that they are calm/aggressive and very swarmy bees.  We'll see!!   They've been, transferred to their new home, fed and watered and now the rest is up to them. 

This weeks check of the buckfast bees was a bit stressful for them, we did a check for Varroa on by uncapping some drones.  Fortunately we only found 4.  As yet we have seen none on the workers which is a good sign.

In the UK it is adviseable to keep the levels of Varroa to less than 1000.  I think we are ok.

Something else I've started is collecting brace comb.. the wax doesn't look much good now but when we have enough to melt.. we'll be able to make either foundation or sheets of beeswax for candles.  

After quite a wet and cold week we finally got enough sunshine to dry the pollen for our ladies.  The inspection went well.  We found lots of eggs and brood so her majesty is keeping busy.  The workers are now on all of the frames which after 4 weeks is impressive!!  (well we think so) :)   I dont know if it was because they were busy or what but the bees were amazingly calm during the inspection, moreso than usual.  It was a real pleasure.

We have decided to try and get another nuc "if there is one free" but if not then we'll wait until next year.

The weather has turned cold and wet again so we were blessed with just enough time to do our inspection (phew) 

We went to a beekeeper taster course on Saturday.  I know, we already have our bees, however it was really interesting.  We learnt a lot about disease, equipment, honey and flavours and we got the chance to make a candle.  It was so easy.

Sun/Winds and now rain

The weather has been so changeable lately that we have to inspect the bees when we can.  Last weekend was a rush because it was so windy (the bees are not good in the wind) but all was good.

This weekend we had to remove a frame from the brood box (bottom box) because the bees are drawing out and not leaving much room.  The frame we removed had a little capped honey on it.. OMG lush!  Any way, we have added a super and hopefully they should start to fill it soon.


Queenie is laying well and the colony has almost doubled since we got them only 3 weeks ago. 

I doubt we will get much honey off this year but next year (all being well) they will provide us with plenty.