East of Scotland Beekeepers, Newsletter page 2
Many new members are wondering how to get their bees from a local source. Here is one suggestion and it has worked for me this year already the box was sited on top of my shed south facing. I didn't see them arrive and the winds we had on Monday 23 May blew the roof and crown board off when we carried the box down the bees inside were clinging on for dear life!
There are many colonies around reading themselves to swarm and when the next settled warm spell arrives (?!) there could be many colonies house-hunting. Siting a hive in an elevated position helps, S-facing may be better an N-facing worse, and placing two drops of lemon grass oil on the top of the wooden top bar of a frame also helps attract swarms. Another swarm attractant is old comb - just one in the box (as long as it was from a healthy hive) increases your chances of attracting a swarm.
Many new members are wondering how to get their bees from a local source. Here is one suggestion and it has worked for me this year already the box was sited on top of my shed south facing. I didn't see them arrive and the winds we had on Monday 23 May blew the roof and crown board off when we carried the box down the bees inside were clinging on for dear life!
There are many colonies around reading themselves to swarm and when the next settled warm spell arrives (?!) there could be many colonies house-hunting. Siting a hive in an elevated position helps, S-facing may be better an N-facing worse, and placing two drops of lemon grass oil on the top of the wooden top bar of a frame also helps attract swarms. Another swarm attractant is old comb - just one in the box (as long as it was from a healthy hive) increases your chances of attracting a swarm.
Thursday 1st June, glorious sunshine and bees are investigating the second bait hive on the shed roof. I was enjoying an after lunch cuppa when I heard a noise of thousands of bees; they covered the sky. I shouted my husband, "They're coming!" My neighbour came round also hearing the roar and we sat watching the bees settle on the hive. How good is that - two swarms this year.
Jim came and put another box up and would you believe it a third swarm had arrived while we were on holiday. We came back on the 13th June and there were more bees happily established in the box.
Jim came and put another box up and would you believe it a third swarm had arrived while we were on holiday. We came back on the 13th June and there were more bees happily established in the box.
June 18th 2011 West Dundee Summer Picnic. The weather was wet but 23
members arrived at Dorothy's house and we started indoors with a demo on the coffee table of an artificial swarm. Also how to do it without finding the queen! Then we were given small queen rearing boxes to make up and discussed how to use them. Armed with two icecream umbrellas we went to our association apiary situated in an orchard. In the picture to the left the members are looking at the first of 5 nucs. These boxes are very light and have been painted with a masonery paint and the feeder has had sand added for the bees to walk on.
Picture to left shows Gavin with an emply full size poly box.
members arrived at Dorothy's house and we started indoors with a demo on the coffee table of an artificial swarm. Also how to do it without finding the queen! Then we were given small queen rearing boxes to make up and discussed how to use them. Armed with two icecream umbrellas we went to our association apiary situated in an orchard. In the picture to the left the members are looking at the first of 5 nucs. These boxes are very light and have been painted with a masonery paint and the feeder has had sand added for the bees to walk on.
Picture to left shows Gavin with an emply full size poly box.
The shed is well equipped with work bench and stores needed for the future of our beekeeping at the association apairy. Many thanks to Dorothy for the use of her house and picnic tea.
See the photos at the Association Apiary Sunday 3rd July when six members tried their hand at grafting larva into a bar of cells that were inserted into the double brood chamber.
http://www.sbai.org.uk/sbai_forum/entry.php?164-This-grafting-lark
http://www.sbai.org.uk/sbai_forum/entry.php?164-This-grafting-lark
Dundee Flower and Food Festival 2nd to 4th Sept 2011.
Left is our proud novice whose bees belong to the Claverhouse Group won the H. Campbell ScarlettTrophy.
Left is our proud novice whose bees belong to the Claverhouse Group won the H. Campbell ScarlettTrophy.
Other winners were: James Batchelor won the Sir William High Challenge Cup,
Iain Lilly won the Alexander Spink Shield.
We had a fine display on show of honey, frames fully capped in boxes and beautiful wax presentations. We also sold Blossom, Cut-comb and the last day had only the Heather honey left that has been taken off our bees this week from Glen Clover. We also had live bees in an observation hive that attracted many families who had many questions to ask our members who had volunteered to act as stewards.
Iain Lilly won the Alexander Spink Shield.
We had a fine display on show of honey, frames fully capped in boxes and beautiful wax presentations. We also sold Blossom, Cut-comb and the last day had only the Heather honey left that has been taken off our bees this week from Glen Clover. We also had live bees in an observation hive that attracted many families who had many questions to ask our members who had volunteered to act as stewards.