Although my colony still has room to grow with 3 frames of the brood box empty, I added a super above the queen excluder. This is to collect honey stores without brood so you don't get bees on toast! I found and killed a wax moth larva at the last inspection and was having bad dreams that the hive was infested. Glad to report that all is fine so far as I could see, but will stay vigilant. Removed the varroa board to allow for more ventilation in this nice warm weather. Any mites will fall through the mesh above and onto the ground.
I have noticed a lot of great tit activity close to the hive and I am not sure if they are taking dead bees, catching live ones on the landing board, or just generally 'hanging out' in the area.
I read something about bees and beekeeping every day. Retaining the information and applying it is the next trick. Today I read about 'tanging' which seems to relate to beating a drum to claim a swarm as yours, warn local people that there is a swarm about and most curiously the sound is also supposed to lure the swarm back to a hive ........ hm I am not yet confident to gather a swarm and suspect that hitting a metal lid with the hive tool will be as annoying to the neighbours as the swarm itself. More reading needed.
I have noticed a lot of great tit activity close to the hive and I am not sure if they are taking dead bees, catching live ones on the landing board, or just generally 'hanging out' in the area.
I read something about bees and beekeeping every day. Retaining the information and applying it is the next trick. Today I read about 'tanging' which seems to relate to beating a drum to claim a swarm as yours, warn local people that there is a swarm about and most curiously the sound is also supposed to lure the swarm back to a hive ........ hm I am not yet confident to gather a swarm and suspect that hitting a metal lid with the hive tool will be as annoying to the neighbours as the swarm itself. More reading needed.
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