Our group of new beekeepers were due to take their practical exam Saturday week ago but it got rained off and was rescheduled for this evening. We got glorious weather, bright sunshine and maybe 18c or 19c. Our students are linked to the FIBKA exam system as opposed to the BBKA. We had 13 students, 4 external examiners and 3 suitable colonies were set up at the association apiary. I was a bit nervous about this as two of the three were headed by ...
Updated 30-05-2013 at 11:25 PM by Jon
We had thunder lightning and hail today but 20 hardy souls turned up for the first meeting. 13 of them signed up to join the Native Irish Bee society and most of the rest were already members. Beekeeping activity was limited as even though the rain stopped it was only about 10c. We split into two groups as we have 2 sites about 200 yards apart. One colony had already filled a brood box with bees and brood and we gave it a second brood box of drawn comb underneath the ...
Updated 27-05-2013 at 09:55 PM by Jon
With queen rearing on the agenda now's the time to get them old apideas, BIBBA single frame nucs and my EWK's prepared with fresh foundation. Also get supplies of fresh fondant ready and the grafting frames cleaned up. I use the chineese tool as the thin blade lifts the larvae with its brood food with ease. I'll be putting in my Drone combs, one in each selected breeder hive in the next day or two. Although , this year the long range forcast says we are going to have a cold wet july so inseminating ...
Had a wee look in at the two hives which i doubled up, bees at the feedhole in the upper brood box so maybe queen rearing will start in 2 weeks or so, things looking up after such a bad start to the season
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