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ingo50 Scout Bee
Joined: 30 May 2014 Posts: 311 Location: Newport, Gwent, Wales, UK
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Posted: Sat Jul 05, 2014 7:11 am Post subject: New nuclei |
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I am considering getting bees this year, know it may be too late, total novice. A local keeper of 30 years experience with 80 hives is selling nuclei( Cost £150 ). Is it too late to install nucs as the main nectar flow is probably over or should I wait until next year? If yes, should one give supplemental feed to encourage a good food store for the winter? I live on the in an area with many large mature gardens and fields / woods not far away. Thanks. |
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Dexter's shed Scout Bee
Joined: 16 May 2014 Posts: 307 Location: Grays, Essex, UK
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Posted: Sat Jul 05, 2014 9:23 am Post subject: |
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you only feed bees when they have no stores, ie a new swarm or a colony just after winter, a nuc should have everything, queen,workers and BIAS, so no, no need to feed, we still have a couple of months with luck, I'd suggest though, going on a course, joining your local bee club, reading lots of books, then buying a nuc spring next year |
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madasafish Silver Bee
Joined: 29 Apr 2009 Posts: 882 Location: Stoke On Trent
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Posted: Sat Jul 05, 2014 2:36 pm Post subject: |
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The first winter is the most difficult time for new beekeers and those who have no knowledge often suffer losses as a result.
I echo Dexter's recommendation.. Handling bees with no knowledge and prior experience is risky in Spring: the odds against survival NOW are worse as there is less good weather to come and one serious error can be fatal. |
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Dexter's shed Scout Bee
Joined: 16 May 2014 Posts: 307 Location: Grays, Essex, UK
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Posted: Sat Jul 05, 2014 6:14 pm Post subject: Re: New nuclei |
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ingo50 wrote: | A local keeper of 30 years experience with 80 hives. |
might be an idea, to offer him some free of charge help, in exchange for being your mentor for a few months, helping with his bees etc, |
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Quality Top Bar Hives by Andrew Vidler
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Conserving wild bees
Research suggests that bumble bee boxes have a very low success rate in actually attracting bees into them. We find that if you create an environment where first of all you can attract mice inside, such as a pile of stones, a drystone wall, paving slabs with intentionally made cavities underneath, this will increase the success rate.
Most bumble bee species need a dry space about the size a football, with a narrow entrance tunnel approximately 2cm in diameter and 20 cm long. Most species nest underground along the base of a linear feature such as a hedge or wall. Sites need to be sheltered and out of direct sunlight.
There is a spectacular display of wild bee hotels here
More about bumblebees and solitary bees here
Information about the Tree Bumblebee (Bombus hypnorum)
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