Thankyou Lincsbee and France

JUST a update and thanks. This is our second year in bee keeping, we now have 3 hives, Le-Pige, Le-Chai and Antoine, these were named after our visit to friends in France 3 years ago were our interest started. I have obtained all my bees from Lincsbee (Mike), and I am so pleased I contacted Lincsbee through a work make Simon who keeps bees. I am glad we took this route and after visiting Lincsbee apiary a couple times that’s how I came to purchase calm bees highly recommended for rookie bee keepers, I have also adopted Mike as my bee buddy and yes I ring regular and he probably pulls his hair out with my questions but his fountain of knowledge has made Linda and I become not to bad bee keepers which is improving every day. We have had good days, panic days especially experiencing our 1, 2, times swarming 2012. It’s a learning curve every day. So to finish we would like to thank Lincsbee from Lincolnshire and Rachael and Chris from France for getting us started. THANKS

Autumn Feed

Checked on of my hives today Monsieur Antoine , needs a feed, think because the weather been so bad they need a little help. Autumn feed i have made up two batches as i don't have big enough saucepan lol. used 2 pints of water to 4.4 to 4.4ilbs sugar

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Seasonal Bee Inspection

Had my first hive inspections from the seasonal bee keeper, pleased to say that the hives passed with flying colours, i was shocked to see that they only interested in checking the brood and shake the bees violently to get them of in one go as i check mine with love and care, but i understand the short time they have as they visit many apiaries. I have never seen my bees aggressive the whole hive was like it for about 30 mins after inspection, but my girls did sting the bee inspector twice which even made him smart. Off to ring my Bee Buddy in Lincs after the trauma.

Extraction

Well i decided to check my hives and all doing well, i extracted a super of the main hive Le-Pige and estimate about 30 pounds of honey, cracking hive as she gave me 46 pounds in spring. The other two hives doing well in brood etc. but super not used hardly so I took 5 each of the frames 10 in total,i extracted and put them on the two hives 5 each give them some help. Wednesday 15Th August i am getting a visit from the Seasonal inspector of bees, will post later how we got on.

Bees and Me

Well i do not know , i thought bees should sting you when your messing with the hive, but no one told mine, having never been stung at the hives, mine get me later. No its a wet old day today Saturday and i was in my shed cleaning it out no problems, went to greenhouse next to hives no problems. I decided to paint a log with cupronal clear. happy painting away when bang stung straight on the chin. i think it was the smell of the paint that upset them but I thought I was ok. Oh well at least i think i know why so not my lady's fault. After she stung me i think she felt like this lol.