Questions and answers from the Beekeeping Community app — beekeepers helping beekeepers, worldwide.
Galway, second year, two hives, and the west of Ireland is doing its thing: forecast is drizzle every day I'm off work for the next week. I'm due an inspection — it's bee…
I feel absolutely sick. First year, two hives, and today during inspection a frame slipped out of my grip and fell about a foot onto the top bars of the box before slidin…
A thread for the Southern Hemisphere crowd, since the forum is understandably wall-to-wall swarms and supers right now. It's cold, grey mid-winter here in Wellington and …
Bit of a soft question tonight. I'm five years in, out in rural Quebec, and the man who taught me everything — 40 years of beekeeping, could read a frame like a newspaper…
Second-year beekeeper near İzmir with 3 hives that sit in full sun all day — everyone told me full sun is good when I started. But the forecast says 38°C, maybe 40°C, for…
Uppsala, 3rd year, two hives at the bottom of a suburban garden. One swarmed last week (my fault, missed cells), and it briefly clustered in the neighbour's apple tree be…
First year, one hive, Minnesota. Every single time I finish an inspection, within a few minutes there's this carpet of bees on the landing board and front of the hive, al…
Took the kids to the county fair yesterday and the local association did a bee beard demo. Fascinating and slightly unhinged. For anyone who's wondered how it works: it's…
Posting this as a warning to fellow slow inspectors. I have a 3-frame mating nuc from a split, maybe two cups of bees. Yesterday was warm and I spent a good 25 minutes go…
Bit of a soft question but I'm genuinely confused. Since getting my two hives this spring I keep 'recognising' my bees all over the garden, but my partner pointed out tha…
Second year but effectively restarting — lost my only colony over winter (long story, mostly my fault, we've all read my chalkbrood thread). Local supplier in Galway just…
First year, one hive, Yorkshire. Every inspection I hold frames up and stare into cells until my arms shake and I have never once confidently seen an egg. I see larvae fi…
Every June I answer the same timing questions at our local club, so here's the table I make every beginner copy out by hand. 18 years in Tyrol and I still count on my fin…
First winter for my colony. Currently warm-ish days (12–18°C) but nights hitting –2°C. Locals are starting to wrap. When does wrapping help vs. hurt? Bee Cozy vs. tar pap…
I'm worried I'm overdoing it. Currently going in every 7 days, all frames out, queen check, brood check, food check. Single deep, package install in May. Club mentor said…
Installed my first package Saturday. It hit 31°C today and there's a big beard hanging off the front. Total panic or totally fine? Box is single deep, 5 frames drawn comb…
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