My eco solution to rat problems

[Old Speckled Hen]

I go to collect my nuc of local bees on Thursday evening

My plan is to transfer them that night, give them a frame of foundation each side of the five frames they will come in, dummy each side and feed.

Do I put them in the middle of the hive or at the front?

The weather has been great at 20+ degrees but it has cooled down Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!

Or has anybody a better idea?

Can they just go into a full hive perhaps?

Also, I want to replace the frames it comes on asap and need a recipe for that.

 

My other nuc from my BKA is progressing well. I have taken my hive to the teaching apiary and will be bringing it home in a couple of weeks.

[Olly]

great news!

 

I'd just put them into a full hive to be honest, that's what I did with mine. Stick the nuc in the middle and fill up the spaces with new frames, and they will soon start drawing them out, especially if you put a feed on.

 

Why do you want to replace the frames that they're on asap?

[Old Speckled Hen]

Ah thanks for that Olly ...How are your bees one year on? Exciting isn't it?

The frames will be DN1s with spacers and mine are Hoffmans ....or is that HoffMEN.

[Olly]

Ah - I see why you want to replace them. Sorry, can't advise on that! My bees have done very well - I fed them lots last year, and they've been a really vigorous colony. It is exciting when you get them, isn't it - even though most of the time I am not looking at the hive and so on, I am always aware that it's at the end of the garden, and I'd really miss it if it wasn't there now.

[Old Speckled Hen]

Will you get a little honey this year?

My bees will be in the neighbour's field some 100 yards away but I really fancy the idea of a small top bar hive at the bottom of the garden. Something to explore for next year.