So, my first inspection after returning from holiday (14 days) and a Fathers Day inspection. I thought it could have been interesting considering the day before we went on holiday I had to perform an artificial swarm on one of the hives. So let me tell you what I found and I will be interested to hear what you would have done in my situation – partly so I can consider it and then do it myself!

The scene that presented itself  as in the photo – a swarm was situated on the Omlet but bees flying out of the beehives I had performed the artificial swarm on.

Let me now describe what I saw when I was in the hives.

1. Hive One (furthest away) – There were about 5 frames of bees, multiple queen cells – some open, some closed. 

2. Hive Two (nearest) – Again, about 5 frames of bees but more than Hive One. multiple queen cells – some open, some closed. 

I rehoused the swarm – I hope successfully – but what would you now do with the other two hives?

Mad isn’t it. I remember May last year; the weather was appalling. We had had the most amazing April and the hives were storming away….we then got to May and I doubt the bees got outside for more than 10 minutes in the whole month – it was terrible. I then remember the most crazy swarming season as the bees finally got some good weather in early June and all hives down this area in Surrey went a little loopy.

Therefore I reach mid May and am wondering how my bees are getting on. Sadly two of my hives didn’t survive the winter – but then they were late swarms last year so I didn’t expect too much from them to be honest – but one got out of winter very strong. They have been going well and took a good amount of sugar syrup recently.

However, just as the bees were gathering in strength, the rain has started once more. I am hoping I can get in and get them sorted before they think about swarming. They will be needing space given the amount of brood I saw in there recently. Hopefully this weekend. By the way, the picture on the right are my hives in the evening sunshine….

How are your bees getting on this year?

Hello all,

I recently had the pleasure of doing a talk at the BBKA Spring Convention 2013 (a much better event than in 2012 and I think most would agree). Anyhow, I thought I would just share with you the presentation slides that I was talking about. The topic concerned beekeeping in the 21st Century and I just wanted to share with everyone the links that I feel pertinent online. I hope you like them and do please recommend others as the lists are by no means exhaustive: