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AndyC Scout Bee
Joined: 04 Jul 2014 Posts: 304 Location: Uk/Horsham/RH13
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Posted: Mon Apr 18, 2016 5:38 pm Post subject: Bait hives. |
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When is the time right to put out bait hives? |
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BridgetB Scout Bee
Joined: 12 Jul 2010 Posts: 358 Location: UK Cornwall, Falmouth
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Posted: Mon Apr 18, 2016 5:57 pm Post subject: |
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I have heard reports of flying drones and queen cells here in Cornwall, also we are due for a warmer spell, so now is the time. |
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Tavascarow Silver Bee

Joined: 24 Jun 2008 Posts: 962 Location: UK Cornwall Snozzle
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Posted: Tue Apr 19, 2016 7:27 am Post subject: |
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The earlier the better.
Scout bees will be snooping around a long time before swarming season. |
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catchercradle Golden Bee

Joined: 31 May 2010 Posts: 1551 Location: Cambridge, UK
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Posted: Tue Apr 19, 2016 7:45 am Post subject: |
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The trouble with bait hives is that the bees don't seem to read the books.
Last year a swarm moved into one of two national nuc boxes I have because they didn't know it was too small. A fellow Cambridge bee keeper had a swarm move into a national box sitting in his shed which also happened to be where he kept his bee suit!
Today I will finish glazing an observation hive in which the bees will be able to build natural comb. I am hoping a swarm will move in without my having to introduce them. |
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Ollie Foraging Bee
Joined: 27 Nov 2015 Posts: 136 Location: Ireland, west
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Posted: Tue Apr 19, 2016 8:49 am Post subject: |
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Now catshercradle that you know wont work...... that old box or tire is more like home.... lol Hoping for the same. Ive got my 2 spare hives out and baited and 2 bait hives up. Temps here are due to go up to ........ 16 yes 16 tomorrow and Thursday, at the moment sat next to the range to keep warm......
Catchcradle hows the perone? |
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AugustC Silver Bee

Joined: 08 Jul 2013 Posts: 613 Location: Malton, North Yorkshire
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Posted: Tue Apr 19, 2016 8:53 am Post subject: |
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I agree the earlier the better.
The only problem can be the odd bait hive acting new home for a queen wasp. |
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catchercradle Golden Bee

Joined: 31 May 2010 Posts: 1551 Location: Cambridge, UK
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Posted: Tue Apr 19, 2016 1:52 pm Post subject: |
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And, I now have two swarms to pick up, one on a sage bush, the other on a a rosemary bush. - Just need thyme and parsley for a full set  |
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Tavascarow Silver Bee

Joined: 24 Jun 2008 Posts: 962 Location: UK Cornwall Snozzle
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Posted: Tue Apr 19, 2016 4:04 pm Post subject: |
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catchercradle wrote: | And, I now have two swarms to pick up, one on a sage bush, the other on a a rosemary bush. - Just need thyme and parsley for a full set  |
Can't be Italian bees.
They would be on the Basil & Oregano if they where Italian.  |
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ingo50 Scout Bee
Joined: 30 May 2014 Posts: 311 Location: Newport, Gwent, Wales, UK
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Posted: Tue Apr 19, 2016 10:04 pm Post subject: |
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Catchercradle could you please post to fotos of your observation hive, would be nice to see the design. |
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catchercradle Golden Bee

Joined: 31 May 2010 Posts: 1551 Location: Cambridge, UK
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Posted: Wed Apr 20, 2016 7:50 am Post subject: |
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Will take some photos later today probably, It started out as a housing for a Thornes observation hive which took one national brood frame and two super frames. I have removed the Thornes one and added two panes of toughened glass. If the colony that a swarm going into it produces dies out I will have to take out the glass on one side to clean it up ready for a new colony. |
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